Including everything your kitten will need and how to make a smooth and gentle transition of the weaning process.
What to Feed Young Kittens
By now, you should most definitely be introducing your kittens to wet food. Your goal is to not only give them the extra vitamins and nutrition they need, but to also work them gently towards the weaning process.
First meals at week four can simply be moistened kitten dry kitten food. Mix 3 parts food to 1 part water and let it sit long enough to get really soft and mushy. This could take about 30 minutes, so plan your day around about 4 of these feedings.
Teaching Kittens to Eat Regular Cat Food
At five weeks old, you’ll only want your kitten food about ½ wet and ½ crunchy. Once you add water to the dry food, only let it sit for about 10-15 minutes until it is moistened about half way through. This will get your little kittens used to chewing. By 5 weeks old, you can begin free feeding, but do not add kitten milk replacement into the food, just water. By 6 weeks old, they can begin eating completely dry food. During all these times, make sure they have water available all day long.
Teaching Kittens to Play
By 4 weeks old, your kittens already need toys to play with and scratching posts to scratch and climb on. They already know that a mouse is the enemy and love to play with toy mice and balls. Avoid catnip toys at this early age.
Are You Working on Litter Box Training?
By 5 weeks old, your kittens should be wandering to the litter box and using it all by themselves. Remember to only use clay litter until they are about 6 months old.
Socialization is the most important part of your kitten’s life during these days! Play with your kittens, let your kids play with your kittens (after washing their little hands), and if there are other animals in the house, let your kittens meet them (from a safe distance). Don’t tiptoe around your kittens or be afraid to make noise.
Raising Kittens Underfoot
By 6 weeks old, you can let the kittens start wandering the house when they can be supervised. It is proven that kittens raised underfoot are much more confident and outgoing! The more you introduce them to early on, the less skittish they will be when they are older.
Beginning the Weaning Process
If you are allowing your kittens to go to their new homes at 8 weeks old, you will want to begin weaning them by 6 ½ to 7 weeks old. Shorten their time spent with their mommy if you can. She will also do her part in beginning to wean them. By 7 ½ weeks old, separate them from mommy so that they have a few days of not nursing. This will help them adjust before leaving your home, and it will also help mommy’s milk begin to dry up slowly.
When you begin weaning, buy some small stuffed animals for your kittens to play with. Rub them on mommy and the other littermates, and when your kittens go to their homes, each one can take a woobie with them to make them feel secure and make the transition easier.
Before Sending Your Kittens Home
Your vet will have his or her own recommendations, but once you begin the weaning process at 7 weeks old, you will need to consider vaccinations. Some vets wait until the kittens are 8 weeks old but others will want to begin vaccinations before the weaning process is complete. You will also want to discuss worming with your vet, as this is done between 6 and 8 weeks old as well.
If you have any questions or just want to share kitten pictures, join us in the discussion area!
You might also enjoy, “Caring for Pregnant Cats,” “Helping Your Cat Deliver Kittens,” “Caring for Newborn Kittens,” and, “Our Top 10 Favorite Cat Toys.”
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