what to feed kittens after nursing

Make sure mom has access to plenty of wet and dry food. Nursing mother cats need to eat a high quality kitten formula food. If she is a picky eater, do not hesitate to try feeding her canned tuna, chicken or salmon. Do not give cow

’s milk to cats, despite popular belief, it is impossible for cat’s to digest and often causes serious stomach upset. Her calorie intact needs to remain very high to maintain nursing her kittens. Make sure she always has access to fresh water.

Full Answer

What is the best food for a nursing cat?

• A protein-packed, highly-digestible food
• Meat-based
• Calorie-dense

When should kittens stop nursing?

• What Is a Feral Cat?
• When Do Feral Cats Abandon Their Kittens?
• Where Do Feral Cats Have Their Kittens?
• How Do Feral Cats Care for Their Kittens?
• Do Male Feral Cats Stay With Their Kittens?
• Can You Adopt Feral Cats and Kittens?
• What To Do if You Find Feral Kittens
• Summary
• Sources

How do you care for a kitten without its mother?

Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Feeding the Kittens Download Article

1. Buy powdered cat milk replacer. Buy powdered cat milk replacer, like Cimicat, from the vet clinic, major pet stores, or the internet.
2. Prepare to feed the kittens. Sterilize the bottle and nipple in boiling water, then let them cool completely on a clean towel.
3. Correctly position the kittens and bottles for feeding. ...
4. Feed the kittens frequently. ...

When do feral cat mothers fully abandon their kittens?

This typically occurs at around 5 – 6 weeks of age if the kittens have been cared for properly with sufficient food, water, shelter, and warmth and are not suffering from any illnesses which may inhibit their natural development. However, this does not necessarily mean that the mother will leave them never to be seen again after this point.

What do kittens eat after nursing?

Kittens generally nibble solid foods at three to four weeks of age, which is a great time to start setting out moistened kitten food for them. Just add one part warm - not hot - water to three parts dry or canned kitten food, changing frequently to ensure freshness.

What do you feed kittens after milk?

What Do Kittens Eat Besides Milk?Begin by offering your kitten formula on a spoon.Later, start offering your kitten formula in a saucer.Gradually add canned food to the kitten formula in the saucer.Increase the canned food in the saucer, adding less and less kitten formula.

When should kittens start eating wet food?

three weeks oldAt three weeks old, you can start introducing wet food to kittens. Mix the wet food with kitten formula to get the ball rolling. Either let the kittens eat the mixture themselves from a dish or feed it to them with kitten-specific bottles.

How often should you feed a cat nursing kittens?

every 1-3 hoursKittens will nurse every 1-3 hours for the first three weeks. Only when they hit four or five weeks old will they be ready to start weaning off mom and onto wet food.

Can kittens eat scrambled eggs?

Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.

How do you make sugar water for kittens?

Following are the steps of making sugar water for kittens:Boil a pot of water for 5 minutes.Add two teaspoons of white sugar per liter of boiling water.Stir the sugar into the hot liquid until dissolved.Cools down the sugar solution.Filter the sugar solution, before giving it to your kitten.

Do 3 week old kittens need water?

Very young kittens will get most of their fluid from their mother's milk and won't need anything else. Weaned kittens will need fresh water to drink.

When should kittens stop nursing?

between eight and ten weeks oldMost kittens take between four and six weeks to be weaned from their mother or a bottle (if orphaned). The weaning process is relatively brief — a typical kitten will be entirely weaned when they are between eight and ten weeks old.

Can kittens eat tuna?

Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.

Can you overfeed a nursing cat?

Feed a pregnant cat enough to increase its weight. Feeding her too much before the last third of a cat's pregnancy can lead to her become overweight and that can make giving birth more difficult. A mother cat's body weight may have increased by 40 to 50% by the end of her pregnancy.

How much food does a nursing mother cat need?

To keep up her strength through this time, she will eat up to as much as four times her pre-pregnancy diet! To help her nurse happy and healthy kittens, keep feeding mum kitten formula until her litter has weaned.

How can I fatten up my nursing cat?

A healthy, well-fed queen will experience steady weight gain throughout her pregnancy, storing energy to support lactation. A highly digestible, high-quality kitten formulation is generally recommended during feline pregnancy, and multiple small meals per day is an ideal method for promoting adequate food intake.

Can I give a newborn kitten water?

Very young kittens will get most of their fluid from their mother's milk and won't need anything else. Weaned kittens will need fresh water to drink.

What food can kittens eat?

8 Foods to Feed Your Kitten in Her First YearHer Primary Kitten Food. Your kitten should be eating a good quality kitten food or a food labeled for all feline life stages. ... Canned Cat Foods. ... Scrambled Eggs. ... Fresh and Salt Water Fish. ... Cooked Meats. ... Salad Greens. ... Squash and Pumpkin. ... Cat Grass.More items...•

What food is best for kittens?

A Quick Glance at the Winners of 2022RatingProductBest OverallSmalls Human-Grade Fresh Ground Bird Cat FoodClick To Save 33% Use code: Hepper 2022Best ValuePurina ONE Dry Kitten FoodCheck PriceInstinct Original Dry Kitten FoodCheck PriceHill's Science Diet Canned Kitten FoodCheck Price1 more row•Jul 19, 2022

How long can kittens go without food?

The average cat can technically survive for one to two weeks without food if they have a water supply. However, without protein, it may be more like three to four days, even if they have enough water. With no water or food, it is unlikely that a cat would survive longer than three days.

What is the best cat food for kittens?

Wet and dry cat food are commonly available in kitten formulations, and there are pros and cons to feeding each. To decide which option best suits your kitten’s needs, talk with your veterinarian and get their recommendation. Here are some pros and cons of each: 1 Wet cat food is higher in moisture, so it can be beneficial in keeping kittens hydrated, flushing out the urinary tract, and helping kidneys stay healthy. However, wet food tends to stick to the teeth more, which can be associated with dental disease and painful cavity-type problems for cats. 2 Dry cat food is easier to feed in mutli-cat homes and can help scrape tartar from the teeth. However, some cats can overeat with dry food and gain excessive weight, which can be associated with arthritis, heart problems, blood pressure problems, respiratory problems, or diabetes mellitus—just to name a few.

How long does it take for a kitten to grow?

Kittens do most of their growing (both height and weight) within the first year and then stabilize from there. Many of the growth plates of the bones in the kitten skeleton close by about one year old. At this time, after much of the growth is finished, your vet will typically switch your kitten to an adult diet.

What are the disadvantages of having multiple cats?

Another disadvantage is that in a multiple-cat household, the older cats have access to and may be eating the kitten food.

What to do if your kitten is abandoned?

“ Kittens that are abandoned by their mothers should be carefully examined for visible birth defects such as a cleft palate and medical attention provided by a veterinarian if necessary. Supplementation with a milk replacement formula or a surrogate mother will be necessary to raise abandoned or orphaned kittens.” 2

Why do kittens need food?

Your new kitten will likely have tons of energy and engage in rowdy play, so their food needs to support their body as they burn calories exercising as well as expend energy for growth.

How does a cat food bowl work?

There are some cat food bowls that work on timers to automatically release a measured amount of dry food at specified times. Kittens can also learn to use their instinctual hunting behavior to work for part of their daily food. This helps keep your kitten healthy mentally and physically.

How much weight do kittens gain?

A general rule of thumb in kittens is that they typically gain about 1 pound per month. Often, a kitten’s weight is about 1 pound at 1 month (4 weeks), 2 pounds at 2 months (8 weeks), and so on until about 4-5 months. Kittens do most of their growing (both height and weight) within the first year and then stabilize from there.

How old do kittens need to be to get a calorie diet?

As the kittens grow and need more and more calories, your cat’s calorie requirements will also go up, peaking when the kittens are about 4 weeks old.

What to do if kittens don't get enough food?

If the kittens don’t seem to be getting enough nourishment, you can supplement their diet with a kitten milk replacer.

What do mama cats need?

Mama cats have an increased requirement for calcium and phosphorus to support the kittens’ bone development. What you feed your mother cat will also feed the kittens. As kittens grow, they require elevated levels of key minerals and other nutrients to stay healthy.

How often do kittens nurse?

Newborn kittens do two things—nurse and sleep. They nurse every one to two hours, day and night. For the mother providing this nutrition, nursing is a physically and emotionally demanding time. She needs rich, high-calorie food to nourish both herself and the babies.

How much water does a nursing cat need?

The nutritional composition of cat milk is approximately 10.8% fat, 10.6% protein, 3.7% sugar, and 1.0% ash. That means that it’s about 73.9% water. Every time she feeds her kittens, your cat loses water.

What is kitten food made of?

This ultra-simple kitten food is primarily made from chicken and chicken liver. Both are highly-digestible sources of protein and other nutrients.

When can kittens eat kitten food?

She’ll need to continue eating kitten food until the kittens have been fully weaned at around 8-10 weeks of age. By this time, her appetite should have returned to normal and she can start eating her normal, smaller portions.

Why are increased energy and fat so important?

Increased energy and fat are important because pregnant and nursing cats have extremely high energy needs. Nursing is the most energy-demanding stage of a cat’s life. Nursing cats have 2 to 6 times the energy requirements of a healthy adult cat.

How should these foods be fed to pregnant or nursing cats?

Pregnant cats: Feed the suggested amount on the packaging. Continue to feed a kitten food to the mother until her kittens are weaned.

How long is a cat pregnant?

Typical gestation (pregnancy) averages 63-65 days. 2 We recommend that you see a veterinarian weekly during pregnancy and nursing to assess weight and food intake. Please speak with your veterinarian to determine how often your cat should be examined during pregnancy and after the birth of her kittens.

When do I wean my kittens?

Weaning is usually a gradual process. Most kittens begin eating solid food between 3-4 weeks of age. Weaning should be effectively completed between 6-10 weeks of age. 3

Why are kittens high in protein?

Increased protein for growth and development of the kittens. Increased fat to meet the high demand for calories of the mother. Increased calcium and phosphorus for bone growth of kittens and milk production of their mother. High digestibility to provide more calories in a smaller amount of food.

How to feed a pregnant cat?

How should these foods be fed to pregnant or nursing cats? 1 Pregnant cats: Feed the suggested amount on the packaging. Continue to feed a kitten food to the mother until her kittens are weaned. 2 Nursing cats: Leave food available for the mother at all times after the kittens are born. This will ultimately help to wean the kittens to a regular food and provide the mother with high-energy food she will need during this time.

What are the effects of calcium and phosphorus on kittens?

Increased calcium and phosphorus for bone growth of kittens and milk production of their mother

What is kitten food?

Kitten Food A is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and reproduction.

How long does it take for a kitten to wean off milk?

For kittens, this generally begins around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Start by offering a gruel made from high-quality canned kitten food mixed with warm water several times a day.

How to warm up a kitten's milk replacer?

Follow the instructions printed on the label of your kitten’s milk replacer. Powdered milk replacer should be mixed with warm water immediately before feeding. Premixed formulas can be heated to body temperature by placing them in a cup of warm water.

How long should kittens eat?

Most kittens need to continue eating foods designed specifically for growth until they are around 10 months of age. Only feed your kitten commercial diets that meet (ideally exceed) the standards put forward by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Look for a statement on the product’s label that says something along the lines of:

How to feed a kitten when they are older?

Once kittens are a bit older, you may still need to try several different nipple styles before you find the one that your kitten uses best. When you’re ready to feed, first make sure the kitten is warm. If their ears, feet or mouth are cool to the touch, they could be hypothermic and unable to digest their food.

What is the minimum protein level for kittens?

Because of their rapid growth and development, kittens need even more protein than do adult cats. The AAFCO minimum protein level for kitten foods is 30 percent while it is 26 percent for adult maintenance.

When do kittens start drinking milk?

Mom cats usually start to drastically limit their kitten’s access to milk at around 6 weeks of age. When they are 8 to 10 weeks old, most kittens are fully weaned and eating only solid food and drinking water. Bottle-fed kittens can be transitioned a little quicker—full weaning by 6-8 weeks is reasonable.

What causes a cat's milk ducts to swell?

Mastitis. Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the milk ducts, which occurs when the mother cat's milk production gets blocked by inflamed mammary glands. The teats become swollen and hot, with apparent "bruising," and the mother cat may refuse to allow the kittens to nurse. Mastitis is a veterinary emergency.

What to feed a postpartum cat?

Keep the mother cat's litter box, food, and water bowls close by. Make sure you are feeding her a high-quality canned kitten food, supplement ed with KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement). These specially formulated foods ensure that a nursing, postpartum mother cat gets the nutrients she needs.

What does it mean when a cat's uterus is smelling?

Metritis is a severe infection of the uterus; it is also a veterinary emergency. 6  The mother cat will usually have normal vaginal drainage after birthing her kittens. But, if you notice a foul-smelling discharge, that is a red flag. Other symptoms include lethargy, fever, and loss of milk production .

How long after a cat is born can you take her kittens to the vet?

If you haven't already done so, after one week, take the mother cat and kittens to your veterinarian for a well-check. If the mother cat was not vaccinated, this would be a good time to do it. Also, she might get treatment for roundworms, to protect both her and her kittens.

How to keep kittens from defecating?

Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Stack clean towels to line it. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate. It will be easiest to remove the top towel to reveal a clean layer.

How to keep kittens warm?

Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. 1  Provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Stack clean towels to line it. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate.

What does it mean when a cat smells like a red flag?

But, if you notice a foul-smelling discharge, that is a red flag. Other symptoms include lethargy, fever, and loss of milk production . The mother cat may have to be hospitalized for treatment and might need an emergency spaying. As the mother cat recovers, feeding and care for the kittens will fall to you.

Why do kittens die?

About 8% of kittens die from inadequate maternal care . The deaths are usually due to hypothermia if the kitten strays away and is not retrieved, or improper/inadequate nursing at birth and after. Maternal neglect has several causes: some cats seem to lack maternal instincts. In some cases, it is nature’s way: if kittens have birth defects or otherwise weak at birth, the mom may ignore them, or as discussed below, cannibalize them. In many cases, it seems that environmental stress plays a role, and thus it is very important that the environment be kept quiet, calm and with few visits. Except to feed, clean, and check in on the babies a few brief times a day, cats should primarily be left alone the first 2 weeks postpartum.

How to feed a nursing mom cat?

Make sure mom has access to plenty of wet and dry food. Nursing mother cats need to eat a high quality kitten formula food. If she is a picky eater, do not hesitate to try feeding her canned tuna, chicken or salmon. Do not give cow’s milk to cats, despite popular belief, it is impossible for cat’s to digest and often causes serious stomach upset. Her calorie intact needs to remain very high to maintain nursing her kittens. Make sure she always has access to fresh water.

How Do I Feed a Newborn Kitten?

Kittens under 4 weeks of age cannot eat solid food, whether it’s dry or canned. They can drink their mother’s milk to get the nutrients they need . The kitten will rely on you to survive if their mother isn’t around.

How Often Should a Kitten Eat?

The frequency that your kitten eats normally depends on how old they are:

How Much Should a Newborn Kitten Weigh?

Newborn kittens usually weigh about 3.5 ounces, depending on their breed and the litter’s size. A healthy kitten should gain at least 10 grams per day. If you don’t see growth in their body size, this is often a sign of illness.

Why do kittens burp?

Skipping feedings or overfeeding can cause your kitten to have diarrhea or develop severe dehydration. Burp them. Kittens need to be burped the same that way babies do after feeding. Lay your kitten down on their stomach and gently pat their back until you hear a little burp.

What to do if your kitten doesn't take to the spoon?

If your kitten doesn’t take to the spoon or the saucer right away, you can continue to offer the bottle.

How to keep kittens warm?

Kittens should be kept in a cat carrier wrapped in a few layers of towels. Using a heating pad or heat disc (often the safer option) for pets alongside a soft fleece blanket can also help keep them warm. Ensure that the carrier is large enough for your kitten to move away from the heater when they want to.

Why do kittens clean their mothers?

Young kittens can't go to the bathroom by themselves. Usually, a mother cat will clean her kittens to stimulate urination and a bowel movement. If the mother isn't present, the kitten will rely on you.

How to feed a new mom cat?

Feed new mother cats larger portions. After your cat gives birth, you should continue to feed it more than she typically eats. She will need more calories, since she is now providing energy to her kittens by nursing them. The exact amount of food a nursing cat needs will vary in proportion to its litter size.

Why do cats move their kittens around?

In the wild, mother cats may move their kittens around frequently as a way to protect them from predators. Don’t be alarmed if your cat wants to pick her kittens up and move them to a different location, as long as it is a safe one. Socialize the kittens. At first, your cat will be very protective of her kittens.

How to get kittens used to humans?

Socialize the kittens. At first, your cat will be very protective of her kittens. Gradually, however, you can start to touch, play with , and pick up the kittens. Handling the kittens will get them more used to humans, and help with transitioning them away from their mother.

How to take care of a nursing cat?

While a nursing cat isn’t very different from a regular cat, it’s important to give it enough food and space if you want to take care of it properly. When your cat is pregnant and after it gives birth, give it at least twice as much food as usual, since it will need the extra calories for nursing its kittens. Instead of giving your cat food at certain times of the day, leave its dish full all day so it can get enough to eat. Additionally, give your cat food specially formulated for lactating cats. Since your cat will want to create a nest where it can nurse, lay down towels or a blanket in a private area or box where it can take care of its kittens. For more help from our Veterinary co-author, including how to socialize the new kittens, read on!

How to keep kittens' nests dry?

Change the cat’s bedding frequently. Lay towels or a blanket down in the cat’s nesting site. After the cat has its kittens, you will need to change the bedding regularly. You will likely need to change it daily at first, but in general, do it as often as necessary to keep the nest dry and clean.

Why do nursing cats need protein?

A nursing cat will need lots of protein to keep herself healthy, and to provide nutrition to her kittens. Quality cat food will normally provide enough protein. However, if her kittens are especially noisy or mobile, it can be a sign that the mother is not getting enough protein.

How to get a cat to start looking for kittens?

Give your cat a space of its own. A mother cat will need a place to set up a nest for its kittens, and will probably start looking for one while still pregnant. You can offer her a spare bedroom, an unused closet, or a carrier—even a box is fine. The most important thing is that the space is quiet, safe, and free from disruptions or dangers (other pets, traffic, etc.).