When it comes to nurturing kittens, understanding their specialised needs is crucial. These young cats, essentially baby carnivores, undergo a delicate transition phase as they wean off mother’s milk. Typically, this process starts around the age of 8-12 weeks. At this stage, they are old enough, around 8 weeks, to begin to eat solid food on their own, while simultaneously decreasing the amount of milk they suckle from their mother.
Basic Kitten Feeding Guide
General advice on kitten feeding should always consider the individual and veterinary perspectives on dietary needs. A kitten’s reaction to a standard diet forms the basis of tailoring their diet. Opt for a high quality, complete, and balanced premium commercial kitten food. The life stage and health status of your kitten are pivotal in this selection.
Always make it a point to check the label to ensure it complies with the Australian Standard for Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food (AS). When you start feeding your kitten, balance between wet and dry foods as the kitten grows. Provide moist foods regularly, such as can food, but never feed them puppy or dog food, as these are deficient in taurine, an essential protein that cats must obtain from their food.
Kittens should be offered food 4 times per day. Take care not to overfeed or underfeed; consulting a vet to weigh and assess the body condition score is wise for tailored advice. Ensure clean, fresh drinking water is available at all times. Do not provide milk as it can cause gastrointestinal upsets.
Teething
When kittens reach around four to six months of age, a significant change occurs in their oral development. This is when their permanent teeth start to appear and grow rapidly. As a proud cat parent, I’ve witnessed this phase firsthand and know how crucial it is to introduce kitten-specific items to help them during this period. The global Veterinary Oral Health Council provides a list of dental products meeting certain standards for safety and effectiveness in reducing plaque and tartar.
One thing I learned is that Bones and raw meat are not recommended. They can easily break, leading to internal blockages or constipation, and they carry bacteria harmful to both animals and humans. This knowledge changed my approach to keeping my kitten’s growing teeth healthy. Instead, I focused on providing healthy, chewable treats to alleviate teething issues.
Deciding what to choose and offer to your teething kitten is crucial. If you do opt for bones, it’s essential they are always raw, introduced gradually, and large enough so they cannot fit entirely in the kitten’s mouth to swallow whole. Smaller, more suitable options like chicken necks and wings are safer. However, never feed cooked bones, as they can splinter, causing potentially fatal internal damage or intestinal obstruction. It’s imperative to supervise your kitten while eating these items to avoid any mishaps.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Fish Food?
Toxic Foods
As a cat owner, I’ve learned it’s vital to be aware of toxic foods that should never be part of your kitten’s diet. Cats and kittens can be severely harmed by seemingly harmless human foods. It’s a no-brainer that alcohol is off-limits, but did you know that onions, onion powder, garlic, chocolate, coffee, and other caffeine products are also dangerous? Even mouldy or spoiled foods often tossed into the compost can be lethal.
Other surprisingly hazardous items include avocado, bread dough, yeast dough, grapes, raisins, sultanas, and festive treats like Christmas cakes and currants. Nuts, especially macadamia nuts, along with various fruit stones, pits, like those in mango seeds, apricot stones, and avocado stones, and even fruit seeds pose a significant risk. Be cautious with corncobs, tomatoes, and mushrooms, and avoid giving cooked bones that could splinter into small pieces or raw bone with fatty trimmings. High-fat items, fatty foods, and salt can be detrimental to their health. Also, beware of roughly-cut vegetables and ensure your kitten doesn’t have access to string wrappings from rolled roasts or the absorbent pads found under meat in trays.
What Do Kittens Need to Eat?
When kittens are weaned off their mother’s milk, they begin to enjoy a more varied diet. If you’re wondering what to feed them, it’s important to search for products that are specially formulated for young cats. I always opt for high-quality foods that are packed with essential nutrients to ensure a balanced diet. These foods are typically rich in protein, which is crucial for their growth and development. Increasing energy levels in kittens requires a diet fortified with calcium for healthy, strong teeth and bones. Also, ingredients like DHA are vital to promote brain and vision health.
A Kitten-Inspired Feeding Chart Timeline?
If you have a kitten, or you’re looking forward to welcoming a new feline friend to your family, here is a timeline to help you decide what to feed your kitten as they grow:
- 0-4 weeks: Newborn kittens should be with their mother, receiving her milk. In cases of illness or rejection, a milk replacement formula fed frequently, every 2-4 hours, is essential.
- 4-5 weeks: As the kitten ages 4-5 weeks, start introducing solid foods while still providing milk or formula. This transition can vary; some may be eager, others reluctant. Monitor their weight to ensure they’re growing and ready for this change.
- 6-8 weeks: By 6-8 weeks, kittens should be weaned off milk and onto solid foods. Offer both wet and dry food, formulated for kittens, along with a fresh water bowl, about 3-4 times a day.
- 8 weeks and beyond: After 8 weeks, feed your kitten high-quality food around 4 times a day. As they approach 6 months old, you can reduce this to two meals a day.
Foods to Feed Your Kitten in Her First Year
Her Primary Kitten Food
Selecting the right primary food for your kitten is crucial as it supports various feline life stages. Opt for high-quality kitten food that caters to their developmental needs. Introducing new foods should be done gradually to avoid digestive upsets. It’s beneficial to stick with one brand and flavor initially to maintain consistency in their diet. As they grow, you can explore different flavors and brands, but always keep in mind their primary nutritional requirements.
Canned Cat Foods
Including canned cat foods in your kitten’s diet can offer a variety of ingredients and flavors. When you introduce your kitten to these foods, it exposes them to different tastes, such as shrimp, fish, poultry, vegetables, and various meats. Starting with just a spoonful alongside their primary diet, you can use these as a treat. Many cat owners find them useful as training treats while teaching their cat new behaviors or commands.
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs can be a delightful Sunday treat for your kitten. On a cozy Sunday morning, preparing a small spoonful of plain scrambled eggs, without salt, pepper, or salsa, can add a bit of variety to their diet. While it’s tempting to add melted cheese, it’s best to keep it simple to ensure it’s suitable for your kitten’s nutrition.
Fresh and Salt Water Fish
Offering cooked fish like trout, catfish, salmon, or tuna in moderation can be a healthy treat for your kitten. A small teaspoon of cooked fish can satisfy their begging for a taste of your meal. Brands like Honest Kitchen’s Mmmixers provide meal toppers with fish varieties such as salmon and pollock, which are suitable and safe for kittens.
Cooked Meats
Feeding your kitten cooked meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, or venison can be beneficial, provided they are lean meats and not fatty, greasy, or fried meats. It’s important to avoid meats with added salts, nitrates, or preservatives, like hot dogs, bacon, or sausage, as these can upset their digestive system and cause diarrhea. When serving meat, always dice or shred it into tiny pieces; kittens can be greedy and may choke on large pieces. Products like The Honest Kitchen offer specific meal toppers with safe chicken and duck options for cats.
Salad Greens
While cats are obligate carnivores, primarily needing meat, incorporating some vegetables into your kitten’s diet can provide additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Items like broccoli florets and lettuce can be given as a pinch of salad greens. This can add variety and extra nutrients to their meals.
Squash and Pumpkin
When cooking squash or pumpkin for the family, it’s easy to set aside a small piece for your kitten. Simply grate it, place it on a paper towel, cover it, and microwave for a few seconds until it’s cooked. Always wait until it cools before offering a pinch to your kitten. You can refrigerate the rest and use it another day.
Cat Grass
Cat grass, easily found in pet stores or grocery stores, or grown at home using cat grass kits, is a great addition to your kitten’s environment. This grass, often a mixture of wheat grass and oat grass, provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a delightful experience for a kitten, both uprooting and eating it. However, it’s essential to remember the 10% rule when introducing different foods to your kitten’s daily diet; these should only make up 10% of their total daily calories to maintain nutritional balance. Offering a new item like cat grass allows time for them to taste and know their food, making their explorations both fun and enjoyable.
How Do Kittens’ Nutritional Needs Differ From those of Adult Cats?
In the initial weeks of life, a kitten’s weight can double or even triple, indicating their need for a diet that supports explosive growth and high activity levels. According to Jennifer Larsen, DVM, PhD, a nutritional consultant and assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, kittens have higher energy needs than adult cats. They require more calories per meal, and it’s often recommended to feed them three to four meals a day for their comfort and to satisfy their nature as snackers at heart.
Kittens have a higher requirement for fat, fatty acids, vitamins, protein, amino acids, and minerals to fuel their rapid development and energy levels, roughly 30% more than adult cats, as noted by Larsen. This enhanced nutritional profile is crucial for their overall health and development during this critical growth phase.
Experts recommend feeding your kitten with specially formulated kitten food until they reach age 1. It’s important to select cat foods that are labeled as being appropriate for kittens or for cats of all life stages. These foods have undergone feeding tests to ensure they meet the nutritional needs specific to kittens, as stated on the label claim.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Cucumbers?
How Can I Know I’m selecting a High-Quality Kitten Food?
Mindy Bough, CVT, senior director of client services at the Midwest Office of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), emphasizes the importance of high-quality kitten food. Unlike generic store brands, foods from a reputable company are often recommended by veterinarians. They are known to contribute to a kitten’s excellent health. Research and vet recommendations should guide your choice, as kittens have specific nutritional needs during their growth stages.
Determining if a kitten food is high quality involves checking the label for its nutritional requirements. Look for the standards set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a group of state and federal officials who regulate pet food. Complete and balanced nutrition, backed by AAFCO feeding trials, is crucial. Be cautious with mineral and vitamin supplementation; while often a good thing, too much can lead to severe medical problems unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian.
Caution is advised against homemade diets, especially those that are all-meat, as they can be low in calcium and lead to mineral imbalance and hyperparathyroidism, a serious disease in growing kittens. If considering a homemade diet, it should be formulated by a reputable nutritionist, as emphasized by pet nutrition experts like Bough.
The feeding period is a critical time to judge if you are providing proper nutrition. A healthy kitten should be alert, show steady weight gain, and have a clean, glossy coat. If you notice any changes, it’s wise to check with your veterinarian before making any diet changes, especially if you suspect any health problems.
What Type of Food Does My Kitten Need, Wet or Dry?
For very young kittens, canned food is an important part of their diet as small kittens with small teeth may find it hard to chew dry food. As they grow, a combination of both dry and canned foods can be introduced, with twice a day canned feedings being sufficient if they are only eating dry food the other four times in a daily feeding schedule.
Are there Foods I Should Avoid Giving My Kitten?
When it comes to feeding your kitten, it’s important to know which foods are off-limits. While it’s OK to feed your kitten treats, always follow the 10% calorie rule as advised by pet nutrition experts like Larsen; treats should make up less than 10% of their total calorie intake. Also, avoid giving leftover table scraps as they may not meet the nutritional requirements and can pose health risks.
- Avoid feeding raw meat or liver as they may contain parasites and harmful bacteria.
- Raw eggs should be avoided due to the risk of Salmonella and they can decrease the absorption of a B vitamin, leading to skin and hair coat problems.
- Raw fish can cause a B vitamin deficiency, resulting in loss of appetite, seizures, or even death.
- Milk often leads to diarrhea in weaned kittens and cats, as they lack the enzyme to properly break it down.
Certain foods pose significant risks and should be strictly avoided. Onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, and tea contain substances that are toxic to both kittens and cats. Similarly, raisins and grapes can cause severe health issues, even in small amounts. Always exercise precautions with these foods.
How Much to Feed a Kitten?
Growing rapidly at a young age, kittens need to eat more food than adult cats to provide their bodies with the necessary nutrients for growth and healthy long-term eating habits. Feeding guidelines can be variable, so always check the feeding directions on the bag or can of food as a good starting place, and don’t hesitate to adjust these amounts based on your kitten’s needs.
Consulting a veterinarian or using metabolic formulas to calculate the exact calories required per day based on your kitten’s current weight is advisable. If your kitten seems hungry after a meal, having devoured the entire portion in a few seconds, you might need to increase their intake, especially for young kittens who may require about ¼ to ½ cup.
However, if your kitten is gaining weight too much or too quickly, you should cut back. Regularly monitoring their body condition score can help you assess their weight and adjust their diet accordingly.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Coconut?
Healthy Kitten Growth Rate
A general rule of thumb for monitoring a kitten’s growth is that kittens should typically gain about 1 pound per month. For instance, at 1 month (or 4 weeks) old, a kitten might weigh around 1 pound, and by 2 months (or 8 weeks), they could be around 2 pounds. Their growth in both height and weight continues rapidly until they are about 4-5 months old. Throughout the first year, their growth gradually begins to stabilize as the growth plates in their bones and the overall kitten skeleton close, usually around one year old.
Feeding Methods for Kittens
The two main ways to feed kittens are free-feeding and portioned meal feeding, each with its own pros and cons; consult a veterinarian for more details.
Free-Feeding Method
Free-feeding allows kittens to have dry food in their bowl out all the time, making it readily available. This method is particularly convenient for pet parents with busy schedules. The benefit of this type of feeding is that kittens can eat when they want and self-regulate their need for food. However, a disadvantage is the tendency of some kittens to overeat and gain excessive weight. In a multiple-cat household, there’s also the challenge of older cats having access to and eating the kitten food.
Free-feeding isn’t always healthy due to the older cat’s needs and the possibility of dominant cats controlling the kitten’s access to the food bowl. In such cases, kittens might not be getting enough to eat, and it can be hard to track each individual cat’s eating habits when they share a free-feeding bowl. To deal with this, using a microchip-activated feeder that opens only when it scans the kitten’s microchip can be helpful, preventing another cat from guarding the feeder and keeping the kitten from eating.
Meal-Feeding Method
The meal-feeding method is the second option for feeding kittens, especially effective when using wet food that cannot be left out all day. This involves feeding specific portions at certain times, which is particularly helpful for monitoring how much and what kind of food each cat is eating in a multiple-cat home.
Though it can be time-intensive, it’s ideal for pet parents with a routine schedule who are able to feed their kitten often enough. This type of feeding can be aided with cat food bowls with timers that automatically release a measured amount of dry food at specified times.
Kittens learn their instinctual hunting behavior as part of their daily food routine, which is both healthy mentally and physically. Interactive bowls or balls that disperse dry food slowly are options available to keep your kitten occupied once the meal is gone in a few seconds.
Conclusion
Raising a kitten is a rewarding journey, enriched by understanding and catering to their unique dietary needs. From the tender age of weaning to the rapid growth phases, the key lies in offering a balanced diet that supports their developmental stages. Whether you choose wet, dry, or a combination of foods, the focus should always be on high-quality, nutrient-rich options. Remember, while kittens are adventurous in their tastes, caution against certain harmful foods is imperative. The feeding method, whether free-feeding or meal-feeding, should align with your lifestyle and your kitten’s health. Above all, regular consultations with a veterinarian will ensure that your kitten grows into a healthy and happy cat, thriving under your care and love.
People Are Also Interested In:
Do kittens need milk or food?
Kittens under 4 weeks of age should primarily drink their mother’s milk for essential nutrients. As they grow, they gradually rely less on mother’s milk and start eating solid food, both dry and canned. If a mother is unavailable, a newborn kitten should be fed a nutritional substitute, such as kitten milk replacer.
Should I feed kitten wet or dry food?
Feeding your kitten with dry food allows them to eat whenever they want, while wet food should be given in small, regular portions. A combination of feeding dry and wet food is acceptable and ensures they receive sufficient nutrients throughout the day.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Olives?
Can kittens eat rice?
While rice offers little nutritional benefit for cats, it’s not harmful and can be given as a treat. However, it’s best to avoid feeding your cat rice entirely and stick to a high-quality diet specifically designed for feline consumption. If needed, you can feed your kitten a tiny bit of rice.
Can I mix dry kitten food with water?
Yes, you can add water to dry kibble, which is sometimes preferred by both dogs and cats. If your pet is showing less interest in their dry kibble, adding water can create a gravy-like consistency that makes it more appealing.
