The kittens only consume their mother's milk the first 2 weeks of their lives.When kittens are 6 weeks old, they will be ready to wean and start eating some food.kittens should be fully snoozing by the time they are 8 to 10 weeks old, as the process lasts 2 to 4 weeks.If you want to introduce kittens to solid food, you have to wait for them to start eating naturally, and then serve small amounts of wet cat food in a room with the kittens.
Step 1: Weaning should not begin too soon.
In the first two or three weeks of life, kittens need their mother's milk to gain weight.The mother cat will be upset if the kittens are forced to wean early.The kitten will remain on its feet until it is ready to leave.It is too early to start sterilizing the kitten if its eyes are still shut and it is not stable on its feet.
Step 2: The mother cat should be the one to start the process of snoozing.
The mother will start pushing the kittens away when they are around 3 or 4 weeks old.At this point, the kittens will begin to look for other sources of food, and you can start to present them with solid food.At this point in their development, the kittens would begin to eat animals that their mother had killed for them.
Step 3: Allow kittens to nurse intermittently.
Weaning is a gradual process.During the next 4 weeks, kittens will need less and less of their mother's milk.During weeks 5, 6, and 7, kittens will become more assertive with their mother and will initiate nursing on their own.The kittens need to gain independence from their mother as the process goes on.They will be encouraged to look for food sources other than their mother's milk.Give the kittens a safe place to wander around in your house or apartment between weeks 3 and 8 to fulfill their natural curiosity.
Step 4: A milk substitute is needed to start.
It is possible to provide a milk substitute for kittens that will give them the sustenance they need.It can upset their stomachs if you mix the milk substitute into canned kitten food.When the kittens nurse from their mother, you should serve the milk substitute.If the kittens nurse every two hours, you should set out a fresh bowl of mixed food and substitute at the same interval.It is possible to find a milk substitute at most pet stores and supermarkets.If you prefer to order online, you can find a milk substitute called a kitten milk replacement.Don't give kittens cow's milk.Cow's milk can give kittens upset stomachs and can cause them to vomit.
Step 5: Provide the kittens with wet food.
A lot of cat food brands make a specific wet food for kittens between 3 and 10 weeks old.Instructions for when to switch kittens to a food for adult cats should be included in the food packaging.The "Pet Food" section at any local grocery store should include kitten-specific wet food.A local pet-supply store is a good place to look for a wider variety or a specific brand of food.If you are introducing kittens to solid food for the first time, you should ask your vet for advice on nutrition and wet food.
Step 6: Before serving it to the kittens, dampen it.
It's a good idea to transition kittens from wet to dry food.You can start feeding wet food to kittens in week 3 or 4.If you are going to serve kibble to the kittens, you should use a small amount of water or milk substitute.The easier it is for kittens to chew and swallow, the better.If you want to introduce kittens to soft, wet food, it is important to serve them food that is specifically designed for them.
Step 7: Place food in a dish.
If you scoop some soft, wet food into a small dish, you can feed the kittens.Make sure that the small kittens can easily access the food by using a low dish.You can keep leftover wet food refrigerated, but this food should be served at room temperature.The kittens could be burned if the food was served hot.Set this dish away from the mother to encourage independence.Since cats don't like to eat near their litter, place the food dish and water dish away from it.
Step 8: If you want to begin, serve a small amount of food.
Although the kittens will soon develop larger appetites as they stop consuming their mother's milk and begin to grow rapidly, at first they will eat relatively little.The kittens are too small to eat much more than a small amount of wet food.If you serve a small amount of food, you won't have to throw away a lot of cat food.The food in the saucer will be thrown out if the kittens step in it.
Step 9: The kittens need to be fed multiple times.
Unlike grown cats, kittens need to eat many times throughout the day, as they will be used to frequently nursing from their mother.You need to serve food multiple times because kittens will eat solid food occasionally.The plan is to give the kittens wet food 4 or 5 times a day.The feeding times can be reduced gradually as kittens grow older and pass 10 weeks of age.You can only feed the kittens once a day when they are 4 to 6 months old.
Step 10: The kittens should be given food on the tip of their fingers.
If the kittens are hesitant to approach the wet food, or are uncertain of how to interact with the new substance, give it to them on the top of a clean spoon.The kittens will begin to eat once they have a chance to smell the food.Don't be surprised if they only eat a small amount of wet food.Don't force wet food into the kittens' faces.This could give them a fear of food.If you have food on your finger, hold it 2–3 inches from the kitten's nose and let the cat come closer.
Step 11: Food should be introduced to each kitten.
Some kittens are more inquisitive than others.Solid food can be introduced to each one of the kittens.You can do this by picking up the kittens one at a time and taking them each over to a small dish with food in it, or you can extend your finger to each kitten individually.If some kittens are particularly shy around food, try to hold their mouths open and take a small piece off their tongue.Hopefully this will encourage them to try more.