CatHobbyist - the online community for the feline hobbyist.

	Businesses Breeders Classifieds Forums Photos Chat News Video Features Events Clubs Books

Reptile & Amphibians Insects Birds Cats Dogs Exotics Horses Aquaria Ponds PetHobbyist PetPress PetSupport RescueNetwork My Account
auctions - advertising rates - site news - help - contact

Looking for a pet? Try a rescue first!

Thursday Chats: 9 PM ET Behavior - Pet Loss
10 PM ET Cats Let People Talk - Long Term Illness Support - 11 PM ET Cat Talk

Re: Kittens~~~ Weaning

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ kids Forum ]

Posted by Nancy on June 30, 2002 at 02:44:08:

In Reply to: Kittens posted by Jessica on June 29, 2002 at 13:36:00:

: When should the kittens be weened? and what kind of food should they be introduced to?solid or canned?When can they leave their mother?

Kittens can start the weaning process at 4 - 5 weeks old. Their teeth are in so they can start to chew. I always started offering canned cat food usually a fish or chicken flavor. I also used some baby foods. I used to put a dab on my finger and offer it directly to the kitten's mouth. Often what happeed was that they ate it right down, sometimes growling at another kitten if they came near and/or biting my finger looking for more. By the time the kittens are 6 - 8 weeks old the mother cat will start to push them away from nursing on her. This is a neccesary thing for the mother to do to teach her kittens to eat on their own. If mother cat growls or hits the kittens with her paw it is past time for weaning! SHE knows what's best. As when you were a baby your mother gave you more solid foods as you got older. Mother cat is doing the same thing plus teaching her kittens how to get along without her which is absolutely neccesary for them to grow up healthy & strong. If the kittens haven't yet had solid food, you can mix it with a little water and warm it JUST a little bit to make it more enticing for them. It's not a difficult thing to do as Mother Nature has already provided cats with the instincts to move on as they get older. Best of luck!

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : : When should the kittens be weened? and what kind of food should they be introduced to?solid or canned?When can they leave their mother? : Kittens can start the weaning process at 4 - 5 weeks old. Their teeth are in so they can start to chew. I always started offering canned cat food usually a fish or chicken flavor. I also used some baby foods. I used to put a dab on my finger and offer it directly to the kitten's mouth. Often what happeed was that they ate it right down, sometimes growling at another kitten if they came near and/or biting my finger looking for more. By the time the kittens are 6 - 8 weeks old the mother cat will start to push them away from nursing on her. This is a neccesary thing for the mother to do to teach her kittens to eat on their own. If mother cat growls or hits the kittens with her paw it is past time for weaning! SHE knows what's best. As when you were a baby your mother gave you more solid foods as you got older. Mother cat is doing the same thing plus teaching her kittens how to get along without her which is absolutely neccesary for them to grow up healthy & strong. If the kittens haven't yet had solid food, you can mix it with a little water and warm it JUST a little bit to make it more enticing for them. It's not a difficult thing to do as Mother Nature has already provided cats with the instincts to move on as they get older. Best of luck!

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ kids Forum ]

Employment | Advertising Rates | Contact | Support