Mary Allen
A needs-based diet in the first few months of life for cats lays the foundation for a healthy life. Read here which food you should feed your kitten correctly and what you should definitely pay attention to.
The feeding of kittens has to be adapted to the corresponding stage of development in the first weeks and months of life. In this way, the cats are gradually accustomed to solid food.
Cat Food In The First Weeks Of Life
Baby cats are completely suckled by their mother for the first three weeks of their life and therefore do not need any food from humans during this time. In the fourth week, the sucking acts reduce to about seven in 24 hours and the mother’s milk supply begins to decrease.
Depending on the number of kittens and the physical condition of the mother, “solid” food should be offered from this point at the latest. During pregnancy and the suckling phase, the mother cat has special nutritional requirements. If the kittens accept the first solid food, the mother’s food should slowly be adjusted back to her usual needs.
The First Food For Kittens
The best thing to start with is a porridge made from mixed cat-rearing milk from specialist shops or pharmacies. This is diluted with warm water in a ratio of 1:2 and enriched with oat or rice gruel (from the human area).
In addition, shaved meat, cooked, strained chicken, or some canned kitten food, diluted with warm water until creamy, can be given separately or mixed into the porridge. Pay attention to variety! You should also consider the following aspects:
- Since four-week-old kittens are not yet able to fixate perfectly with their eyes, it often happens that after a meal remains of pap sticks to the nose, chin, and cheeks. If the mother doesn’t wipe this off, clean the face with a soft, damp cloth.
- The first feeding attempts should be monitored.
- Kittens suckle while lying down with their heads raised, but they have to lower their heads when they eat from the plate. Some get it right away, some you have to show it, for example by holding a small spoon close to their nose and slowly lowering it as soon as they lick it.
- It often helps if you smear the porridge around the mouth of the kitten so that they get a taste for it.
- If diarrhea sets in, more water in the porridge usually helps. By checking the weight daily, you can check whether the kittens are still gaining weight or whether the weight remains constant.
- If this does not happen after two days at the latest, or if a kitten loses weight, you must consult the vet immediately.
Food For Kittens From The 6th Week
The mother cat will start weaning the kittens from their milk source on her own at six to eight weeks. The feed can now be chopped up less and less and the milk can be left out. The food can also become firmer.
At eight to ten weeks, a piece of cooked chicken or fish can also be fed, and the first dry food for kittens is nibbled on, such as Happy Cat’s “Supreme Kitten Poultry” (4 kg for 22 euros).
Since the energy, protein, and vitamin requirements of small kittens between the ages of ten and twelve weeks are very high, around 90 percent of the energy is needed for growth and only four to nine percent is “used” when playing. Therefore, you should only use biologically high-quality nutrient carriers.
Kittens need this many meals per day:
- at the beginning: four to six
- from 4 months: three to four
- from 6 months: two to three
Advice On Feeding Kittens
Baby cats should never be offered cow’s milk because it can cause dangerous diarrhea. Milk generally only plays a role for kittens during the lactation period. After weaning, the activity of the lactose-degrading enzyme (lactase) decreases and the cat should only be given water to drink.
The first few weeks are considered food imprinting time. They are crucial to what the cat sees as good food going forward. That’s why it’s important to offer as many flavors as possible, i.e. not just your favorite food with chicken, but also tuna, turkey, rabbit, etc. We, therefore, recommend kitten foods that come in several flavors, such as animonda Vom Feinsten “Kitten” with beef, Poultry, or lamb (6 x 100g for 4 euros).
On the other hand, sausage ends, a piece of cheese, or other tasty but unhealthy snacks are taboo, because otherwise, kittens will quickly stop tasting the right food! Even adult cats should only be given human food as a reward.
How Much Do Baby Cats Need To Drink?
Like their wild desert ancestors, domestic cats drink little. Avoid pure dry food meals, because a kitten’s daily water requirement is 50 percent higher than that of an adult cat. In order to prevent one-sided food imprinting, high-quality, natural wet and dry food without fillers and sugars should be fed from the start. The water supply is guaranteed by the wet food. Nevertheless, you should always offer additional freshwater.
Barf For Kittens
BARF for baby cats is possible, but associated with very high risk: Kittens are in their main growth phase after weaning and the need for food is three to four times greater than that of adult cats. Feeding mistakes can have health consequences right now. You are on the safe side with the range of food especially for growing cats from the pet trade, because this food contains everything a small cat needs for a balanced and healthy diet.
If you decide to offer your baby cat home-made food, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- in-depth knowledge of cat nutrition
- Avoid malnutrition by feeding only meat
- Beef, chicken, turkey, egg, or fish are suitable sources of protein
- Low carbohydrate content
- Supplement mineral preparation
When Should You Stop Kitten Food?
The special food for baby or young cats should be fed during the entire growth phase. It can be weaned at about the onset of sexual maturity. In many cat breeds, this is between the ages of six and eight months, with Siamese usually earlier, with medium-heavy breeds such as British Shorthair between the eighth and 13th month, and with late developers and large-sized breeds such as the Maine Coon usually much later.