Orphan kittens need to be fed every 2 – 3 hours until they are 4 weeks old. Each kitten will develop slightly differently, but a kitten should be at least 6 weeks of age before eating meat chunks. Before you adopt a kitten, make sure that it is over 8 weeks old — a kitten shouldn't be separated from its mother any earlier than this if it can be avoided. Excess carbohydrates and too little moisture can lead to a variety of health issues later in your cat's life. Cons: Wet kitten food usually costs more than dry food. What to feed kittens? ", we're now caring for a orphaned three week old. You may be feeling overwhelmed with all the cat and kitten food choices on there. The formula should slowly drip out one drop at a time. The best approach might be to purchase a feeding bottle, a syringe, and a dropper so that you can try all of these and stick with the one that makes feeding the cat easiest and the most convenient. Cats with kidney issues can become easily dehydrated, as their kidneys cannot retain water efficiently. If you notice diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, bring your kitten to the vet. House cats, like their big-cat counterparts (lions, tigers, cheetahs) are primarily meat … Alternatively, a small dropper used to administer medicine to babies can also be used to feed a newborn kitten. Wet kitten food is easier to eat, especially for very young kittens who may struggle with dry kibbles. But otherwise kittens are usually best served on a very boring diet of high-quality kitten food and plain water. The best overall wet food for your kitten is Hill's Science Diet Kitten Canned Cat Food (view at Amazon), which is a veterinarian-recommended option that includes a powerful combination of antioxidants. This article has been viewed 82,562 times. Don't feed it any more than you can hold in your palm at any given sitting, and make sure it has plenty of water, too. Ground meat more closely resembles the regurgitated food the mother would provide its kittens. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. If the kitten is kept in a clean and warm environment, it will eat more and stay healthy. If it is comfortably warm for your skin, it should be the right temperature for the kitten. How should I clean the kittens after they make waste? In case this happens, stop feeding immediately and give the kitten a break for a few minutes. Mash it up with the back of a fork until it's a purée. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Give them some meat baby food Add some water from a can of tuna or anchovies to their food Add a little bit of warmed, low-sodium chicken broth to your their food, whether it’s kibble or canned. Its eyes will open, and it's completely normal. Kittens tend to get chilly very easily, especially if they have been outdoors for long periods of time. While baby food is sometimes recommended for cats who need easy-to-eat nourishment, not all baby foods are equal. Royal Canin also has several dry and wet food options for slightly older kittens (over four months) that are made using real chicken and chicken liver. If it asks for more, give it more, but be careful not to overfeed it. Chicken and rice has been known as a savior for sick cats and if you are looking to balance out their tummy somewhat, this can be the perfect meal. Even if it eats, the kitten will not be able to take in the nutrients if it is cold. These have all the necessary nutrients needed by kittens to thrive. By transitioning him to a high-quality diet now, you can improve his chances for a long and happy life. Answer: Only Some Kinds Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need animal protein to survive and thrive. Since you do not want the kitten to choke, you should only make a small hole which allows one drop to escape at a time, or two at the most. Let’s point out that the big advantage that chicken and rice has is that it’s bland, yet still contains sufficient nutrients and … Some kittens can be scared without their mother, and may try to attack. Plus, it is more difficult to monitor your cat's intake if you just keep the bowl full all the time. Beech nut chicken is a favorite for many cats and I am definitely sure that your cat will not be an exception. However, there are vegetable ingredients that could potentially be lethal to cats, such as onions and garlic so make sure the baby food does not contain these. Give your cat wet food instead of dry food. You may want to if they have claws. They have no need for plant-based foods. "I'm trying to bring up a 12-day-old kitten that was found, the mother was nowhere to be found. While adult cat food will not harm your kitten in the short term, it is selling him short on the extra nutrients he needs for active growth, which takes place throughout the first year of his life. Poached or steamed chicken or turkey mince with or without white rice. Simply put, wet food is better for your cat's health and longevity. What should I do? Otherwise, you can just wash it properly after every feeding session and sterilize it once every day. Earth’s Best Organics, Happy Baby/Happy Tot, & Plum Organics DO NOT have any varieties that are suitable for cats. If there is no mother present, the kitten should be slowly weaned from breast milk or formula to kitten food. By the way, a newborn and a three-week-old cat are different. Congratulations on your new kitten! A sudden diet change can lead to gastrointestinal upset and may also create stress while he adjusts to his new environment. If he is eating high-quality kitten food and doing well, it might be best to continue him on that food. To treat the milk, brink it to a boil and then cool it back down to slightly warm. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. You should always mix the formula just before feeding time. Look for cat food that has an AAFCO label stating that it is complete and balanced for growth. No, but I'd rather that the bulk of their diet was a nicely balanced commercial cat food and you gave the baby food as a treat. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Pet food labels are required* to carry a statement identifying the life stage (or stages) for which the food is intended. Great, thanks ! A food-dispensing system like Doc and Phoebe's Indoor Hunting Feeder actually mimics a cat's natural hunting instincts and can prevent a variety of behavior issues down the road. In all honesty, the best food for diarrhea is food that is natural and raw. ", article helped me save the kitten's life, now she's two week old. Bringing a kitten home is an exciting time, but you need to take into account your pet's future health and nutritional needs. How is it possible for a kitten not to move from its spot all night? They can be found at a good pet supply store. Look for a kitten food that has meat listed as one of the top ingredients, such as Blue Wilderness Kitten. Look for baby food without the following 4 ingredients: Of course, this type of diet might cause potential problems, such as foodborne illnesses. Whatever you do, don't give the cat cow's milk. Your kitten will probably have been already weaned when he first arrives at your house. In conclusion, you can seek medical advice from your vet … Can I introduce diluted milk, and if so, how much? Glad to find the. Bland diets may consist of the following foods: Poached or steamed chicken breast alone. You can buy kitten food that is specially formulated for kittens; or you can buy a good all life stage cat food. Another way to create a hole in the nipple is to cut it on an angle with sharp scissors or to cut a small "X" into the tip. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to burp a kitten after feeding it, scroll down! On its own, baby food is not nutritionally complete, so it cannot be the only thing you feed your cat. This article has been viewed 82,562 times. While less convenient and often more expensive than dry food, you will find it is worth it in the long run. During the first week, feed the kitten 32 cc of formula per day, broken up into small amounts bottle fed every two hours. Introduce the kits to the bowl and touch their noses to it. At 4 weeks old, you can introduce some canned cat food mixed with the baby kitten formula but supplement with the feeding tube until all kittens are fully able to eat enough on their own. Mother & Babycat dried food (and the mousse) is perfect for weaning kittens. Increase the ratio of new to old food each day over the course of about 5 to 10 days. Some adult cat foods are actually suitable for kittens. Baby food: When puppies and kittens need a therapeutic diet. How can I know I’m selecting a high-quality kitten food? You’ve got green bean baby food, pumpkin baby food, carrot baby … You could consult any vet for advice on this, or refer to the above article. You should look for AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approval on these foods, preferably foods that have been approved through feeding trials instead of nutrient profiles. Some owners like dry food because it is easy to leave food out for your cat all the time. February 20, 2018 in Petfoodology Blog, Pets with Health Conditions. I brought it home but my problem was how to feed it. But baby food lacks proper vitamins and amino acids that are added into your regular cat and kitten food. I've had to use it to get medicine to one of my cats in the past (too freaked out to give liquid medicine to- … Getting your kitten used to eating baby food at a young age … I have 4 kittens, and they sleep in my bed all night. Last Updated: December 11, 2019 Though quality ultimately matters, in general, wet food is the superior option for cats when choosing between canned wet food and dry kibble. What should I feed a kitten if there is no replacement formula milk available? Start by adding a small amount of the new kitten food to his existing food, then gradually increase the amount each day. This article will show you the correct way to feed a newborn kitten in order to give it the best chance of survival. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 82,562 times. While this can eliminate some popular brands, many nutritionists believe that feeding trials provide a better look at how a food performs when its fed to an animal. It’s not that baby food is bad for a kitten. Your kitten is still learning from its mother and is probably just starting to eat solid food. Each week, increase the amount of formula you're using, and after 4 and a half weeks, gradually wean the kitten by introducing it to moist food. Cats can be given meat-based baby foods. Choose the highest protein diet possible. It is not dangerous, though if the kitten is in an odd position, I would recommend moving the kitten so it's in a normal position. Its true that AAFCO and their feeding trials leave a lo… The milk should be warmed to about 95 °F (35 °C), or body temperature. To feed a baby kitten without a mother, feed it a kitten milk replacement formula using a sterilized feeding bottle. The size of the food bits are much smaller than other brands of kitten food. This guide will be needed in the future. 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