When can kittens eat kittens food?

Answer 1

It should be able to. Kittens are usually beginning to take an interest in their mother's food at this age. The best food to feed them is good quality wet food, mashed up and mixed in with a little kitten milk (never cow's milk) or water if need be to entice them to eat. You can even try and see if they will lick a tiny bit off your finger or off their paw.

Always have a shallow dish of water out, and feed small portions of food as frequently as you are able. It is best to put down food for them (on a plate, not in a bowl is a plate is easier to eat out of) at least six times a day.

The weaning process can take several weeks, so always allow them access to their mother's milk during this time and they will wean themselves off naturally.

Answer 2

This is an easy one. I have two outside cats of my own, two months old, been with them ever since birth. Kittens should be beginning to take an interest in their mother's food at this age. The best food to feed them is good quality wet food, mashed up and mixed in with a little kitten milk if need be to entice them to eat. You can even try and see if they will lick a tiny bit off your finger or off their paw.

For kittens, high quality kitten or cat food is best, although many brands do foods that are complete for all ages. Never give a kitten cow's milk as many cats are lactose intolerant and can make them sick.

Cats are carnivores so they derive all the nutrients from meat, so it makes sense to find a food with a high (50% or over) meat content. This should be the first or first couple of ingredients (listed as Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Tuna, etc.). Foods that are free of grains, corns, and wheat gluten are highly recommended as these are cheap "filler" that bulk up foods - but have no nutritional value for your kitten. Wet food with these specifications are much easier to find than in dry food.

Don't worry if they are not interested in the first couple of days - the kittens are probably still used to their mothers milk. They must always have fresh water and feed them when they start paying close attention to you and making small whiney noises, either its that or they want to be petted or fed. It is best to put down food for them (on a plate, not in a bowl is a plate is easier to eat out of) at least six times a day. Kittens have tiny stomachs and need to be fed in small amounts several times a day.

Answer 3

Yes, of course. The nutritional needs of an adult cat and a kitten are the same, its just the amounts that should be fed to an adult or kitten that are different. Generally speaking, "kitten food" is simply a manufacturing and marketing tool for manufacturers to make more money. For the most part, kitten and adult food from the same brand are the same, or at the very least, very similar in terms of ingredients and nutrients.

The biggest difference between the two is usually texture. Kitten food is usually softer in texture or has smaller pieces. Dry adult food pieces may be too big for a small kitten, but wet food can easily be mashed up in order to be eaten more easily. Many good cat food brands are suitable for both adults and kittens and do not offer a "kitten" range.

Answer 4

When kittens reach 3.5 - 4.5 weeks old they should start eating very soft cat food and weaning off mother's milk.

From then on, kittens should be fed kitten food until they are done growing, which is around nine months to one year. A high quality kitten food that has a high meat content (labelled Chicken, Turkey etc. as the first ingredient) is best as it has extra nutrition for growing kittens.

Answer 5

Usually by then it has started weening.

But a kitten needs to be fed (I am assuming it has been orphaned) with a baby bottle for kittens. Usually a 60ml bottle, with a nipple on the top. You need to go buy some kitten milk formula.

Warm up the bottle to match the kitten's body temperature. Test it on your hand and then hold the kitten upright and hold its head up and place the nipple into its mouth. Be sure to give it a break every now and then so it will not choke. The recipe I gave will stay good for 48 hours in the fridge. Just be sure to warm it back up later.

And remember you have to help it pass wastes.

Answer 6

A kitten can eat adult cat food at any age, provided they are fully weaned. The nutritional needs of an adult cat and a kitten are the same; it is just the amounts that should be fed to an adult or kitten that are different. Kittens will often eat more than an adult cat, as they are still growing and developing, and need to be fed "little and often" due to their smaller stomachs. Adult cats need less food than kittens, and most are comfortable being fed twice a day.

For the most part, kitten and adult food from the same brand are the same, or at the very least, very similar in terms of ingredients and nutrients. Feeding a kitten on adult food is absolutely fine.

The biggest difference between the two is usually texture. Kitten food is usually softer in texture or has smaller pieces. Dry adult food pieces may be too big for a small kitten, but wet food can easily be mashed up in order to be eaten more easily. Premium cat food brands are suitable for both adults and kittens and do not offer a "kitten" range.

Answer 7

A kitten can eat adult cat food at any age, provided they are fully weaned. The nutritional needs of an adult cat and a kitten are the same; it is just the amounts that should be fed to an adult or kitten that are different. Kittens will often eat more than an adult cat, as they are still growing and developing, and need to be fed "little and often" due to their smaller stomachs. Adult cats need less food than kittens, and most are comfortable being fed twice a day.

For the most part, kitten and adult food from the same brand are the same, or at the very least, very similar in terms of ingredients and nutrients. Feeding a kitten on adult food is absolutely fine.

The biggest difference between the two is usually texture. Kitten food is usually softer in texture or has smaller pieces. Dry adult food pieces may be too big for a small kitten, but wet food can easily be mashed up in order to be eaten more easily. Premium cat food brands are suitable for both adults and kittens and do not offer a "kitten" range.

Answer 8

As soon as they stop nursing. Have the food available before then, and watch for signs that the mother is weaning them.