Weaning Kittens From Formula

During weaning kittens gradually progress from dependence on a mother s care to social independence.

Weaning kittens from formula. Dip your finger into the formula and offer it to the kitten to lick it off. Weigh the kitten throughout the weaning process. At first add a lot of water and then reduce the amount of water as the kitten matures. A general schedule for kitten weaning might be.

Place a shallow dish filled with kitten milk replacement formula in an enclosed easy to clean space such as a bathtub since weaning can be a bit messy. If the kitten is orphaned weaning can be done before the cat gets to 1 month of age. At first add a lot of water and then reduce the amount of water as the kitten matures. A general schedule for kitten weaning might be.

Determine when to wean your kitten. Weaning is the process of transitioning kittens from mother s milk to solid food. Remember that you should never wean an unhealthy kitten. You can switch a kitten from kitten milk replacer to solid food over the course of about a week.

If your kitten is bottle fed the weaning process starts at 4 5 5 5 weeks of age and happens much more quickly than under a mother s care. Once a kitten has opened its eyes is able to focus and can walk steadily you can begin the process. Between the fourth and sixth week gradually transition the weaning kittens to dry food supplementing with formula if needed. Certainly this can be done with a fork or spoon but i love to use my blender.

If you are weaning a bottle fed kitten dip the nipple of the bottle or syringe eye dropper in the formula instead of using your finger. Use canned food or dry kitten food mixed with water. This process usually begins when a kitten is around 4 weeks of age and it ends when he or she reaches the age of 8 to 10 weeks. Put the kittens near the dish and allow them to explore it on their own hand raised kittens should recognize the smell of formula.

Fully wean and introduce water. If her weight drops or steadies you ll need to supplement with a bottle try a different method of eating or scale back to kitten formula. However you must be very careful about crushing the dry food really well. Place a high quality dry kitten food in the blender with kitten milk replacer and hot water.

Use canned food or dry kitten food mixed with water. For most kittens this process is usually completed when they reach eight to ten weeks old. To teach your kittens how to lap from a bowl place some kitten replacement formula in a shallow feeding bowl. When you are weaning kittens you can add into the kitten formula a bit of canned or dry kitten food.