Do Kittens Have To Eat Kitten Food
All a newborn kitten requires in order to stay healthy and grow strong is milk from nursing or in the case of an absent queen formula via a kitten milk replacer.
Do kittens have to eat kitten food. Adult cat food is. They can now eat kitten food without the need to mash it with water or formula and they no longer need to be nursed or bottle fed. Because their immune systems are still developing you need to ensure they don t eat stale food. Serve small portions and dispose of uneaten wet food after an hour.
Until a kitten is ready to start weaning it isn t appropriate to feed her any type of food much less food intended for full grown cats with totally different dietary needs. Some may eat more. As long as they are not making themselves sick you still don t need to worry about them overheating. Begin by feeding your kitten soft or wet canned food.
Between eight and ten weeks of age a kitten should be fully weaned and preparing to leave its mother if you plan to find the kitten a new home. Very small kittens have very small teeth and can t chew dry food well. Choose a food that is intended for growth. As they grow used to eating solid food and their teeth continue to develop begin to mix in dry food softened with a bit of water.
Kittens can begin eating solid food at around four weeks old. Kittens have nutritional needs that are different than those of mature cats. Feed your kitten a food that is made specifically for kittens. When your kittens are between two to three months we highly recommend you feed them at least three to four times per day.
We must feed them with food appropriate for their age. Breastfeeding a kitten lasts about 9 weeks and when their teeth begin to come in after about four weeks they can begin to eat food. It s important that very young kittens have at least some canned food to eat as part of their diet. A few broccoli florets or some finely diced lettuce or other salad greens can be offered.
Once a kitten has surpassed eight weeks of age they should be fed twice a day with normal kitten food. It s fine for each kitten to eat 400 g 14 oz of wet food per day. Solid food should not be an issue for kittens of this age but they may still try to nurse on occasion. Most of the cat owners already know that we should feed only kitten food for ten weeks.
Although cats are obligate carnivores meaning they are carnivores that must eat meat adding some vegetables to your kitten s diet will add fiber and some vitamins and minerals. Do not give them too much food at one time as they cannot digest it. It is advisable to moisten it a little with water to make it easier to adapt to the process of chewing or add a bit of wet food pâté or pieces in sauce. Gradually increase the amount of dry food over several days paying attention to the feeding instructions on the back of the bag.
Kittens are generally prepared for weaning when they re in the ballpark of a month old although it s usually up to the mama cat to decide. You should also consult your vet and follow kitten feeding chart by weight.