Have you recently adopted a kitten? Congratulations! Baby cats are super cute, but they do need lots of care. One thing that is very important for getting your tiny pet started out on the right paw in life is making sure that little Fluffy is getting proper nutrition. Read on as a Frisco, TX vet offers some tips on feeding your pint-sized pet.
4-6 Weeks
Normally, at this stage, kittens should still be with their mothers. They will start to wean themselves off milk around this time, though, and start eating solid foods. If you’ve adopted an orphan, you’ll need to feed your little buddy several small meals a day, rather than a few big ones. It’s very important for little Fluffy to be getting a high-quality canned food that is specifically formulated for kittens. You may want to mix it with warm water until your pet’s teeth have all come in, which usually happens around the time they are 5 or 6 weeks. Continue bottle feeding until your feline buddy is continually drinking out of a bowl and eating canned food.
6-10 Weeks
Your furball should still be with her mother and littermates until she is at least 8 weeks old. However, by about 6 weeks in, mama cats have pretty much had enough of nursing. (You can’t really blame them for this. Kittens knead while they are nursing, to stimulate the flow of milk. Given how many claws a litter of baby cats may have, that does sound a bit painful.) Anyway, little Fluffy should be eating only solid food by the time she’s about 8 weeks old. This happens sooner with kittens that were bottle fed. Baby cats grow extremely fast during this stage! Make sure that your pint-sized pal always has food and water available.
10 Weeks And On
By this time, little Fluffy should be completely weaned. However, it’s crucial that she continue eating a high-quality kitten food. Proper nutrition is extremely important during your feline pal’s big growth spurt! Look for a brand that is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Check with your vet before moving your cute pet onto an adult-food diet. Fully grown cats have different nutritional needs than kittens.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care. As your Frisco, TX pet hospital, we’re here for you!
