Feeding baby kittens requires special care and attention. Here are some tips on what to feed baby kittens:
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Newborn kittens (under 4 weeks of age) cannot eat solid food, whether it’s dry or canned. They can drink their mother’s milk to get the nutrients they need. If the mother is not around, you can feed your newborn kitten a nutritional substitute that’s called kitten milk replacer. It’s essential that you avoid feeding a kitten the same milk that humans consume, as typical cow’s milk can make cats very sick.
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Kittens 4 to 6 weeks of age can start the weaning process, which is the gradual transition from a diet of only mother’s milk or an appropriate milk replacer to solid foods. Start by offering a gruel made from high-quality canned kitten food mixed with warm water several times a day. Also put out a small bowl of water. For large litters, set up several feeding stations to ensure that everyone has access to what they need. Kittens still need to be bottle-fed three times per day (about every 8 hours) to ensure they are receiving proper nutrients.
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Kittens 5 to 6 weeks should be given kitten kibble and kibble should be mixed into the wet food. Kittens 7 weeks and older should eat mainly dry food. Food and water should always be available to young kittens to fuel their rapid growth and development. Whenever possible, kittens should remain with their mother and littermates until they are at least 8 weeks old. These first two months are vital from both a nutritional and a behavioral standpoint.
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Do not feed cow’s milk to kittens, as it does not have the proper nutrition for them. Cow’s milk will also cause diarrhea, a possibly life-threatening condition for young kittens. Only feed your kittens an approved kitten formula. Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR) formula is ideal. The instructions for mixing KMR can be found in the sources.
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When feeding baby kittens, its important to handle them with care. The kitten should be on their stomach lying next to you, and you should find a position that feels comfortable for both of you. Hold the bottle of formula to your kittens mouth and let the kitten suckle at their own pace. If the kitten doesn’t eat right away, gently stroke their forehead. The stroking stimulates how their mother would clean them and it encourages the kitten to eat. Kittens need to be burped the same way babies do after feeding. Lay your kitten down on their stomach and gently pat their back until you hear a little burp. You may need to do this a few times throughout each feeding.
In summary, newborn kittens need kitten milk replacer, while kittens 4 to 6 weeks of age can start the weaning process with a gruel made from high-quality canned kitten food mixed with warm water. Kittens 5 to 6 weeks should be given kitten kibble and kibble should be mixed into the wet food. Kittens 7 weeks and older should eat mainly dry food. Always handle baby kittens with care and burp them after feeding.
