New kittens are cuddly, sweet and require a little bit of work when it comes to nutritional requirements. Here is a guide to help you gain a grasp on the basics of feeding your little bundle of fur during those first few months.
Time it Right
Your kitten’s feeding routines will need to be modified as he grows, leading you to feed him fewer meals each day. From about six to twelve weeks, he will need to be fed four times each day. This is because he may double or triple his body weight during this time. From about three to six months, he can eat three meals per day. Once your cat is six months old, you can finally adjust into an adult feeding schedule of two meals per day.
If you don’t know your kitten’s age, try to do some research or talk to your vet to get an idea.
Becoming a Surrogate
If you find an orphaned kitten, first and foremost, talk to a vet. You may be able to find a mother cat through your veterinarian or local animal welfare group to adopt the kitten. If you can’t, bottle feeding is an option.
Being a surrogate and bottle feeding a kitten is a demanding task. Kittens under four weeks will nurse every 1 to 2 hours. Talk to your vet about what to feed your kitten. Do not give her cow’s milk as it may lead to upset stomach and is not nutritionally sufficient.
Transitioning to Solid Food
When your kitten is about three or four weeks old, you can begin introducing solid food. Mix a small amount of commercial milk replacer with moist food that is easy to chew four to six times a day. Ensure that the food is formulated for young kittens.
When your kitten reaches eight to ten weeks, your little furball should be ready for a regular kitten food diet. Make sure the food is still designed for kittens until he reaches nine to twelve months of age.