How do kittens eat

Kittens have very different nutritional needs than adult cats. That means they need to be fed foods that are specially designed just for them. And if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing to feed an orphaned newborn kitten, those fluffy bundles of joy will be completely dependent on you for their nutrients.

The nutrients in her milk helps the newborn kittens transition from milk to solid food. Newborn kittens up to 4 weeks old should be fed a kitten milk replacement formula either commercial or homemade.

Carlene Strandell, founder and director of the non-profit Smitten with Kittens, a foster-based kitten rescue that operates in Tallahassee, Fl. Once you have those two essential items, then you can begin to bottle feed the kitten their special formula. When to feed a newborn kitten depends on how frequently they need to eat. Strandell says kittens under 2 weeks old need to feed every 2 hours at least.

Compared to older cats who may only eat once a day , it sure does feel like it. But Strandell says not to worry about overfeeding a newborn. Use healthy, natural food and treats from your positive-reinforcement arsenal to teach and reward good behavior. Most of all, give her plenty of time to adjust to new situations.

Learn more about the next important stage in your kitten's life. By providing my mobile phone number, I consent to receive automated text messages about the Buddies app.

Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Consent not a condition for purchase. Learn More. Kitten Care Hello litter box As soon as you bring your kitten home, introduce her to her litter box. When young cats are old enough around 8 weeks old they start to eat food on their own whilst simultaneously decreasing the amount of milk they suckle from their mother.

The following information is general advice, but as each kitten is an individual, seek veterinary advice, particularly if your kitten has any special dietary needs or has a reaction to a standard diet.

It is best to start feeding wet kitten food and introducing dry kitten food as your kitten grows [ 2 ]. Never feed puppy or dog food to your kitten as it will be deficient in taurine, an essential protein that cats can only obtain through food.

You can also offer some natural foods to provide variety. Natural foods include fresh human-grade raw meat such as diced up raw lamb meat or pieces of raw chicken meat. You should check with your vet first that raw meaty bones are suitable for your particular kitten e. Raw food offered to kittens should always be fresh. Avoid feeding too much raw meat until the kitten is 20 weeks of age unless the meat is on the bone e. This is important to help avoid certain nutritional deficiencies during growth.

There have been many pet food safety incidents linked to sulphite preservative-induced thiamine Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can be fatal. You should avoid sausages, sausage meat and cooked manufactured meats as they can also contain sulphite preservatives.

Provide some moist foods in the diet regularly e. Take care not to overfeed or underfeed your kitten.