Final Word On Caring For And Feeding Newborn Kittens
If youre caring for an orphaned kitten, you may be confused about when youre supposed to start feeding him solid food. Its a slow process that takes about a month. Weaning may also look a little different for nursed kittens and bottle-fed cats. First, let the mother take the lead if youre looking after a mama cat and her kittens. Interfering as she weans her kittens from nursing can make it more challenging for everyone. Whether the kitten is eating from Mom or a bottle, you can start putting out gruel, dry food, and a water dish at four weeks. Let the kitten explore, and dont worry too much about how much theyre eating. Most of their nutrition and hydration are still coming from milk or formula. Youll gradually reduce the amount of milk or formula the kitten gets while increasing solid foods, and eventually, your kitten will only eat cat food and will only drink water. As always, discuss any concerns with a vet.
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They Have Already Eaten Too Much
Knowing how much to feed your kitten at each meal is important to make sure youre not underfeeding or overfeeding them! If your kitten is still too full from their breakfast, they may turn their nose up at their lunchtime meal. To figure out whats best for your pet, look at the instructions on your kittens food label. There should be a quantity range, dependent on your kittens size. Start by feeding in the middle of this rage. If your kitten finishes their food quickly, and easily eats more at the next sitting, it may be time to increase their serving size. But, if your pet hasnt finished their food after 15-20 minutes, or struggles to eat again at the next mealtime, you may be feeding them too much and you should cut down on portion sizes.
Feeding the right amount is important to help your pet stay a healthy weight. Overfeeding treats and meals can create a chubby, unhealthy cat so make sure you keep an eye on your pets food intake. Regarding treats, if you do want to feed treats to your pet, try to balance the volume of treats and food rations – feeding less food if your pet has had a few treats. While kittens are young, try not to feed them human food to avoid bad habits, and avoid feeding raw foods as this can lead to upset kitty tummys.
Start Adding Wet Food
Once your cat gets used to its new feeding schedule, its time to mix it up a little. Start giving them less dry food at feeding time. You can also put a combination of bothdry food with a bit of wet food on top.
When you notice your cat eating the meal mixed with wet food, you can slowly proceed to one meal of dry food with wet food.
If your cat refuses to eat the meal with wet food, stay patient and dont give up. Dont offer the dry food instead, as this will only show your cat it can get what it wants. Try different flavors or brands of wet food to see which one your cat likes the most.
Only give in, and offer dry food to your cat, if 18 hours have passed from their last meal.
Also, note that some cats might experience loose stools during the transition, which is entirely normal. If diarrhea persists, you can slow down the process of change to wet food and extend it to more than two or three weeks.
Youll likely notice your cat starting to lose some weight during the transition period. This is actually a good thing, as many cats who have been on a dry food diet for an extended period tend to be overweight. However, if you notice a swift and significant drop in weight, you should contact your veterinarian.
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When Should The Kittens Be Weaned
Kittens usually begin to try different kinds of food between the ages of 3 to 5 weeks. It’s a time window and not an exact date, and different kittens – even if they are littermates – can start at different times. You should let nature take its course and allow the mother cat and the kittens to determine the pace of weaning.
There will be a period of several weeks during which the kittens are likely to mix feeding on their own with nursing. That is perfectly ok, and you should not try to stop them from nursing. The mother cat can sense when it’s time to push the kittens away, and you can leave that part to her.
How To Transition From Dry Food To Wet Food
Depending on how long you’ve been feeding your cat a dry food diet, it may take a while for them to jump on the wet food bandwagon. However, have a little patience! Transitioning your cat to a wet food diet can sometimes take weeks or even months. You’ll probably have to go through a bit of trial and error before you find the perfect texture and flavor.
If you’ve been free-feeding your cat dry food, transition to 3 or 4 meals per day before offering wet food. Let your cat know it’s mealtime by leaving the food down for 20 minutes, then take it away.
Once your cat is comfortable with their scheduled mealtimes, you can offer them wet food. Some cats will take to the wet food right away others may take a while.
If you find your cat wont eat wet food, start by introducing a small amount first by mixing it with your cat’s dry food. Then, slowly increase the ratio of wet to dry until your cat is eating all wet food.
Try adding in some warm water to dilute the wet food and to give it an easier to chew consistency. If your cat still doesn’t seem interested, try putting a small amount on the tip of their nose or paw. Sometimes that’s enough to get them interested.
Try switching it up! If they didnt seem to take a liking to any of the previous flavors or textures of wet food you introduced, you can also try a different type such as a stew or paté. If they dont eat it within 20 to 30 minutes of serving, take the meal away and try again later.
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How Can I Know Im Selecting A High
Mindy Bough, CVT, senior director of client services for the Midwest Office of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals emphasizes the importance of high-quality kitten food. I dont recommend generic or store brands, Bough says. Buy from a reputable company — one that veterinarians recommend more frequently, she says. Research has determined these kitten foods provide excellent health.
Continued
But how can you be certain a kitten food is of high quality? One way is by checking the label. It should at least contain the following: Meets the nutritional requirements of kittens established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials . AAFCO is a group of state and federal officials who regulate pet food. Even better, look for this: Complete and balanced nutrition for kittens based on AAFCO feeding trials. Complete and balanced nutrition means your kitten will require no mineral or vitamin supplementation. In fact, remember that too much of a good thing can be bad for your kitten, causing severe medical problems. Use supplements only if your veterinarian recommends them.
Also use caution with homemade diets. For example, all-meat homemade diets can be low in calcium, leading to a mineral imbalance that causes hyperparathyroidism, a disease more common in rapidly growing kittens. If you use a homemade diet, make sure its been formulated by a reputable nutritionist, Bough says.
Transitioning Dry Food Addicts
Excerpted from Dr. Lisa Pierson’s article, Transitioning Feline Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food
This is the hard part. Cats, like children, often resist what is best for them. The two most frequent comments that I hear from people when trying to convince them to feed their cats a healthier diet are “my cat won’t eat canned food” and “but my cat really likes his dry food.” Children really like potato chips and ice cream but that certainly does not mean those food items constitute optimal nutrition.
The transition process often involves much more than just plunking down a new food item. Time, patience, and tricks are often required.
One reason that cats like dry food so much is because the pet food companies do not play fair when manufacturing this sub-optimal food source. They coat the kibble with extremely enticing animal digest sprays which are very pleasing to a cat – making a poor-quality diet very desirable to the target animal.
In addition to the aforementioned coating of dry food with animal digest, another issue is a crunchy texture which is very different from canned food. Cats are very resistant to such a drastic change in the texture of their food.
If you are convinced that getting your cat off of dry food is the way to go, read on for some tips on how to accomplish this.
Now…for the stubborn cats…
Example 1: If your cat weighs 18 pounds but really should weigh 12 pounds, please make sure that he is consuming at least ~180 calories per day .
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Best Organic: Castor & Pollux Organix Grain
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Ingredients: Organic chicken, water sufficient for processing, organic chicken liver, organic pea protein, organic coconut flour, organic dried egg product, organic dried peas, organic flaxseed | Calories: 207 kcal/can | Protein: 9% min.
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Double or triple the price of many other wet kitten foods
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Only one flavor option for kittens
Many kitten foods are advertised as being organic but most are not. To be truly organic it must have the USDA organic green and white label on it and be made from completely organic ingredients, explains Dr. Blackburn.
Castor & Pollux Organix wet food for kittens is one of the rare, USDA organic certified kitten foods. This formula is made in the United States, is tested for quality throughout the production process, and is perfect for growing kittens. It has added superfoods including flaxseed, coconut flour, cranberries, and eggs and is also grain-free. To top it off, even picky eaters enjoy this wet food.
Purina Pro Plan True Nature kitten formula canned cat food is another great option since it has the same qualities but is fish-based. It has a slightly higher price per can but offers beneficial omega 3s from the fish and contains no chicken.
A Footnote On Wet Kitten Food
Every kitty caregiver wants their sweet kitten to be happy, healthy, and well-fed. And one of the primary debates amongst feline lovers is regarding the choice of foods for their fur babies.
Wet, soft foods are considered a key part of a kittens nutrition. And felines tend to prefer it over dry food. The texture and ingredients provide a pleasant eating experience and contain high moisture content.
Our little kitties need plenty of vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins to ensure they grow strong, healthy bones, muscles, and teeth. So, choosing one of the best foods for your kitten listed above will ensure your fur baby receives the right nutrients to grow into a healthy adult.
Please Note: This best kitten wet food post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through on most of the links and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this.
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Signs Your Kitten Is Healthy
There are numerous reasons why your kitten may be sick. These can include hairballs, foreign objects in the digestive system, intestinal parasites, allergies, food poisoning, feline parvovirus, and inflammatory bowl disease.
Look for the following healthy kitten signs:
How Much Wet Food To Feed A Kitten Per Day
One of the most important decisions you will make for your kitten is to decide on how to meet its nutritional needs. This is not always a simple choice since there are so many options available for a discerning pet parent today.
In this article we are not only going to cover how much wet food to feed a kitten per day, but we will also discuss the differences in food quality and what you should look for when choosing a brand. If you are having a difficult time choosing the right option for your kitten, see our article on the best canned kitten food.
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Easy Homemade Cat Gravy
Your cat is sure to love the taste and flavor of this simple yet flavorful gravy. It is easy to make, as the name suggests, and it is full of flavor so your cat should not be shy of it. You can add veggies or meat as you see fit. Here are the basic ingredients that you will need:
- Simply put everything in a pot, and then let it simmer for at least 2 hours.
- After simmering, let the brew rest until it is lukewarm.
- Then serve the broth up, put it in the fridge, or store it in the freezer for later use.
If you added any bone, remove it before serving to your cats. Never give your cat a cooked bone, and never use leftovers from marinated meats or meats pre-cooked with condiments only plain, natural leftovers.
So How Should You Wean The Kittens
You should be there to offer them their first foods and do that the right way, without overwhelming their small bodies. Keep the mother cat and kittens happy with clean nutritious food and make it available to the kittens in a gradual way. Don’t forget to have the mother cat spayed on time!
If you’re experiencing problems, we’re here for you in the Pregnant Cat & Kitten Care forum! Join and post your questions and our members will try to help you.
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How Do I Get My Newly Adopted Kitten To Eat
If he is not eating, try mixing a little bit of a tastier food, such as canned cat food or baby food, into his meal. Slowly change him over to the food that you would like to feed him, if different from what you have been feeding him.
If he does not eat for a few days after the change, you may have to give him more food. If your dog has not eaten for several days and you are not sure what to do, call your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
How Long Can You Leave Out Wet Cat Food
Unlike dry food, wet cat food tends to get spoiled. So the maximum time that you can leave out the wet food is four hours. Even if your cat prefers to eat their food in two or more settings, dont leave wet food out all day, as this can increase the risk of various bacterias developing, which can affect your cats health.
If the food has been sitting out for four hours, throw it away and wash the bowl properly with soap and water before refilling it with fresh food.
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Get The Right Supplies
Pick up some wet kitten food, making sure that it says “kitten.” Kitten food is higher in calories, fat and protein that the kitten needs to help grow big and strong. Wet food is the healthiest choice for kittens to start off with, as the moisture content will help them stay healthy and hydrated. However, some kittens may prefer dry food, and thats okay as long as you choose a healthy kitten kibble. You’ll also want to pick up some shallow food dishes so the kitten can easily access the food.
What About Hand Reared Kittens
If you are caring for an orphaned kitten or one that has been rejected by its mother, you can start the same process at the age of three weeks. Again, start gradually and keep offering bottle feedings until you’re sure the kitten is lapping up diluted gruel.
Keep weighing the kittens to make sure they are gaining weight despite the change in feeding techniques. Don’t be afraid to keep supplementing with the bottle until you’re sure every kitten is getting enough nutrition on his or her own.
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Try Adding Broth Or Serving Two Foods Side
If mixing the food isnt working, try adding a little unsalted chicken broth to the kibble.2 Sometimes water isnt enough, but the broth can tempt your kitten to try the dry food.
Some experts recommend serving the new and old foods side-by-side rather than mixing them.3 You can always try this first, then switch to mixing the foods if it doesnt work. If you try the side-by-side method, serve a bowl of canned food next to a bowl of dry kibble. Slowly decrease the canned food over time and increase the kibble.
How To Transition Your Cat To A New Food
There are lots of reasons you may desire or even need to change your cats food. Your cat may have developed a medical problem for which a special diet is recommended. You may not be able to obtain the food your cat has been eating any longer. Or you may simply want to change your cat to a higher quality food.
There are lots of reasons you may desire or even need to change your cats food. Your cat may have developed a medical problem for which a special diet is recommended. You may not be able to obtain the food your cat has been eating any longer. Or you may simply want to change your cat to a higher quality food.
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