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Whether or not kittens are being raised by their mom or bottle-fed by people, they depend on the vitamin of mother’s milk or kitten formulation to energy their development for the primary weeks of life. Nevertheless, they’ll’t nurse without end, so when is the precise time to transition to strong meals? Kittens can eat dry meals for the primary time after they’re round 4 weeks outdated, however you’ll want to melt it with liquid as they be taught to chew.
Preserve studying to discover ways to introduce younger kittens to dry meals, plus extra particulars concerning the weaning course of. We’ll additionally offer you tips about selecting the best weight loss program to your kitten and the way usually to feed them.
Beginning Kittens on Dry Meals
Till they’re about 4 weeks outdated, kittens ought to drink solely their mom’s milk or bottle-fed formulation in the event that they’re orphaned. As soon as the kittens’ eyes are fully open, and so they’re regular on their toes, it’s okay to start out introducing strong meals.
You might want to start out by providing formulation in a bowl to allow them to be taught to drink. Use your finger to smear some formulation on the kittens’ mouths to encourage them to look out the bowl. Don’t push their face into the bowl; they might choke or inhale the formulation.
As soon as the kittens are comfy utilizing a bowl, dry or canned meals will be blended with formulation or water to make it extra of a slushie consistency. Steadily lower the quantity of liquid added to the dry meals over 1–2 weeks. At 5–6 weeks outdated, kittens ought to have the ability to eat frivolously moistened dry meals.
Weaning a Kitten
At round 5–6 weeks, kittens ought to have dry meals continuously out there for consuming along with persevering with to nurse. The mom cat will start weaning them presently as properly. You possibly can assist by making a separate area for the kittens to spend a number of hours away from their mom, with entry to meals and water.
Subsequent, you’ll lower the liquid you add to the kittens’ dry meals till they’ll eat it with none further moisture. Recent, clear water ought to all the time be out there. By 8 weeks, the kittens must be absolutely transitioned to dry meals from nursing. Orphaned kittens will be weaned sooner and switched to strong meals round 6–7 weeks. Be sure to maintain the infant cats heat and clear as they full the weaning course of. Many kittens play with their meals till they be taught it’s for consuming, which can lead to fairly a multitude!
Selecting a Dry Meals for Your Kitten
As a result of the primary 12 months of life is spent rising and growing, kittens have completely different dietary wants than grownup cats. For instance, they want elevated ranges of amino acids, minerals, and protein. Guarantee these dietary necessities are met by feeding a weight loss program formulated for kittens.
Though some manufacturers produce diets labeled for “all life phases,” it’s finest to keep away from feeding these to kittens except the vitamin claims are supported by feeding trials and analysis. Follow a weight loss program labeled as assembly the dietary necessities for kittens established by the American Affiliation of Feed Management Officers (AAFCO.) Your vet can recommend some manufacturers that meet this specification.
Younger kittens might have to eat canned meals along with dry, to make sure they’re getting sufficient energy whereas their tooth are nonetheless small. Don’t feed your kitten a selfmade weight loss program except you ask your veterinarian for assist formulating the meals. Selfmade diets usually lack important vitamins and might result in well being considerations to your kitten.
How A lot Dry Meals Ought to You Feed Your Kitten?
Most industrial dry meals have steered feeding quantities on the label. Your vet also can help you in figuring out how a lot meals to feed your kitten. Kittens ought to eat about three to 4 instances a day till they’re round 4–6 months outdated. Free feeding till this age can also be an choice so long as the kitten is at a wholesome weight.
Meals will be decreased to twice a day for older kittens. Feed kitten meals till about 1 12 months outdated or till your veterinarian recommends that you just transition the cat to an grownup weight loss program. Be sure your cat all the time has recent water out there. When it’s time to change to an grownup weight loss program or if it’s essential change to a brand new model of kitten meals, make the transition slowly over a couple of week to keep away from upsetting your cat’s abdomen.
Conclusion
Kittens can start consuming moistened dry meals round 4 weeks outdated earlier than absolutely transitioning to kibble by 7-8 weeks. Should you’re elevating orphaned kittens or caring for a mom and her litter, work along with your veterinarian to make sure the infants get the suitable well being checks, vaccines, and deworming. Kittens ought to normally stick with their mom till no less than 8 weeks. Some breeds do finest in the event that they don’t go to new houses till round 10-12 weeks later. With the precise vitamin and care, kittens will head to their new households with a wholesome begin in life.
Featured Picture Credit score: MaraZe, Shutterstock
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