When do kittens start eating on their own?

A kitten is the dream of any child, and sometimes an adult. They cause a feeling of kindness, tenderness and affection. But, besides this, any kitten is responsible for the life and health of a small animal. They are born helpless and require special care. From three weeks from birth, they begin to move independently. And many owners have a question when a kitten begins to take food on its own, and how to teach a kitten to eat.

How does a cat feed offspring?

If a kitten is raised by an adult cat, then it quickly becomes independent. For about two months, kittens feed on mother’s milk, but if their development and adaptation is confident, the cat wean kittens from milk much earlier. At the age of 3-4 months, kittens are able to eat independently, separately from their mother.

Normally, kittens can suck a cat for up to 6-8 weeks, and in this case it is important to monitor the cat itself. She should receive good nutrition and rest, so that all kittens have enough milk, and it does not lose its beneficial properties. If the cat does not receive all the necessities, it quickly depletes and can become ill, at such moments the maternal instinct is triggered in the cats, and the self-preservation instinct fades into the background. A cat needs to be taken away from kittens for a while, monitor its nutrition, introduce vitamins into food, or give calcium injections.

If the kitten is left without a cat

Cat's milk can be replaced with cow's milk, previously heated to 37 degrees. Until the kitten turns 2 weeks old, it needs to be fed 8 times a day, a regular medical pipette will make the feeding process more convenient for both the owner and the animal. The pipette can be replaced with a special small bottle with a pacifier, it can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. When the kitten is hungry, it is easy to recognize, he will squeak and poke his nose in search of milk.

How to help a kitten eat on its own?

At the age of 1.5 months, kittens are not smart, and sometimes this is an obstacle to learning to eat independently. When a kitten is brought up by a cat, she, by her example, shows him how to eat properly, pushes him to a bowl, gives the necessary calm and safety. Curious kittens sniff a cat and its muzzle after it drinks milk, and can even lick it. This serves as a signal that the kitten is ready for independent eating - he is not afraid of new events and changes.

The kitten left without a mother is more restless and cautious, he will be afraid to approach the bowl. Initially, you need to caress and calm the animal, make it clear that nothing threatens him. The next step: you need to show the animal that in the bowl is a treat that he likes. You can wet your finger in milk from a bowl and smear a kitten’s mouth, then carefully point the muzzle into a bowl. The bowl should be comfortable for the kitten, suitable for its growth.

At what age can a kitten be fed?

A kitten growing without a cat is most often ready to eat on its own by the age of 3 weeks. This must be checked first. In a small saucer, you need to pour warm milk with a volume of not more than a tablespoon, if the kitten is ready to eat himself, he will start drinking it. Of course, the first independent meal will be accompanied by a loud snort, a dirty muzzle, but this is how a kitten will learn to eat without the help of a pipette.

After a few days, you can add a little baby milk mixture to the milk so that his body receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Nutrition will provide complete nutrition and development necessary for the growth and good health of the animal.

If feeding with milk is successful, by 6-8 weeks you can introduce complementary foods in the form of canned meat, chicken broth or specialized feed for kittens. Initially, portions of complementary foods should be small, they need to be increased gradually.

Kittens nutritional age

Most owners of cute kittens believe that as soon as the animal begins to eat on its own, it is not necessary to monitor the nutrition. But this opinion is erroneous, an improper diet that does not correspond to the age of the animal can cause serious digestive problems.

The main rules that are important to consider:

1. When a kitten turns a month old, its nutrition should still be fluid, as it does not yet have teeth. In this period, infant formula, liquid semolina, soft-boiled yolk are ideal. Meat and fish purees are allowed, but only in the form of liquid mashed potatoes.
2. At the age of two months, the kitten is able to eat completely and without outside help, even if it was raised by a man, not a cat. The animal has milk teeth, thanks to which more rigid food can be included in the diet. But for a comfortable and proper digestion, liquid food is not excluded. At this age, you can add to the kitten's menu well-cooked chicken, cottage cheese, buckwheat or rice groats. You can offer hard-boiled yolk, sour-milk products.
3. By the age of three months, you can try to introduce dry food for cats, it should be selected based on the breed and age of the cat. No need to save on feed, it is better to choose premium feed. Cheap feeds are made from bone and meat wastes; they cannot provide proper nutrition to a kitten.
4. In addition to food, the kitten can taste pitted fish, offal and vegetables. It is important that the animal’s nutrition is varied, accustomed to one food, cats refuse to eat other foods in adulthood.

If the owner of the animal doubts which food is better to choose, you can visit a veterinarian. He, in addition to recommendations regarding nutrition, will give tips on caring and accustoming the kitten to new food.

Useful Tips

1. In order for the kitten to enjoy eating from a bowl, in addition to a convenient size, it should always be clean. Next to the bowl must be a saucer with clean water, which must be changed regularly.
2. Initially, a kitten can step in a bowl with its paws, you need to be patient and do not scold a kitten for it, otherwise he will have a fear associated with nutrition. You need to carefully correct it, over time, the kitten will understand that this is not necessary.
3. In order to understand whether a kitten eats or not, you need to pay attention to its tray. If the animal regularly goes to the tray, it means that he receives a sufficient rate of nutrition. A well-fed kitten will be fun and playful.
4. You can give your kitten extra vitamins to improve his health, and regularly massage his stomach to improve digestion.

Kittens early become independent, but it is important to provide them with all the necessary conditions for development and surround them with love.

Video: how to teach a kitten to eat independently