i have a litter of kittens and dont know if i have to indroduce them to soilds or if there mum will do it all. also will mum toilet train them or do i have to???
2006-09-23 23:51:08 · 14 answers · asked by mrs nevz 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I've fostered kittens for years and this is how I've done it:
Make a gruel from a canned food (kitten formula) and mix it with KMR (kitten milk replacer/water mixed up). They even sell a form of it at Walmart that's less expensive, and since you're only using a little bit, it's okay to use.
Plates work best instead of bowls because they are much lower for the babies. You can start around 5 weeks just putting their chins down towards the food. When they are ready, they will start lapping at it. Mom would also benefit from snacking on it as well, and often it's good to have mom their showing them how to do it. I never seperate the mother from the kittens at this age, as it can stress the kittens and the mom out and even cause hypoglycemia, as stress often does in kittens.
As for the litterbox, that's generally a behavior that is mimicked by the kittens when the mother does it. The best litterboxes I've found for young kittens are the cardboard trays that they sell canned food in. You should use non-clumping cat litter so the kittens don't develop a behavior of playing with the clumps. With the cardboard boxes, they are low enough that the kittens can get in without any problems and easy enough to toss the whole thing daily. You can usually pick them up for free at your local pet store or vet's office.
2006-09-24 00:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by Kitty Fosterer 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Your five-week-old kittens are the perfect age to start weaning. Usually at this point the mother is worn out and chewed up from the five hungry and already sharp-toothed mouths! Start the process by putting out a bowl of a good quality kitten chow soaked in milk replacer, such as KMR. Start separating the mother cat from the litter for an hour, then two, then three, and so on. After you feel confident that the kittens are enjoying and tolerating (no vomiting or diarrhea) the new solid diet, wait about one week, then totally separate mother and children. The mother's mammaries will still produce milk and may become overfilled and painful, so I recommend that on the first day of separation from the kittens you deprive her of any food. This will force her body to reabsorb the milk. On day two, give her a quarter of her normal daily ration; on day three, one half of her normal daily ration; and on day four, return to her full meal.
You can also help her along during this transition time by applying a cold compress to her mammaries using some ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth for about 15 minutes twice a day.
Once the kittens and mother have been separated, I would wait about two weeks before having the mother spayed. It will give her body enough time to regroup. Keep in mind that the mother cat can go right back into heat during this time so it is a good idea to keep her indoors until the time of surgery. If she has had no formal medical care so far I would recommend having her tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids. This will let you know her status before surgery as well as give you an indication of the kittens' health.
Kittens can start using the litter box anytime after 4 weeks. If the mother cat uses a large box, you may want to use a slightly smaller container for the kittens. Be sure to place the kittens in the box after each meal and take the kittens' paws and rub them in the litter using a scratching motion. This will get them on the road to becoming socially mannered kittens.
2006-09-24 07:00:40 · answer #2 · answered by ...m-k... 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Congrats on your bountiful litter of kittens, im sure there very cute !!
Mum will feed them milk for the first 6 weeks but after that youll need to provide some food for them. Soft kitten specific canned food is best....cat biscuits can be a bit hard for kittens to eat and digest. Make sure they always have access to water when eating solids so they wont choke..and yep unfortunatly the toilet training is up to you. Just train them like you would and pet cat. If you can take them to the litter tray and wait untill they wee they will smell it and go back next time. If they wee on the carpet pick them up quickly (even if they are midstream) and pop them back in the tray (or outside) Im sure they will pick it up !!
Best of Luck with the Kittens :-)
2006-09-24 06:57:24 · answer #3 · answered by psycgirl25 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
After the absolutely perfect diet they have had from their mother's milk don't wean these obligate carnivores by giving them some form of moistened "cereal". You should wean to a good canned meat. 'Kitten" food is simply a marketing ploy. Yes, it has more protein and far than regular cat food and regular cats need more protein and fat too. AAFCO "standards" set protein amounts in food at only 30% - their minimum. Appropriate protein levels for cat diets are around 60%!
Get a quality canned meat with wholesome chicken, turkey, duck or some other good food source. No by-products.
Do you think the mother cat in the wild brings her kittens special "kitten" mice she catches? Such a ridiculous concept!
2006-09-24 10:37:55 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually I always introduced solid food to my kittens around 4 weeks of age once they get their little sharp teeth. LOL. I would wet some Purina kitten chow so it's kind of moist and they would eat it or I would give them a little bit of soft canned food with it. Some won't eat right away but will pick it up a little later. As for the litter box I just sat them in there and took their little paws and proceeded to dig with them. Sometimes they learn by watching the mother too.
2006-09-24 06:58:40 · answer #5 · answered by Turtle 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
For solid food usually they can start eating that about when they are 8 weeks usually kittens should have food for kittens then for older cat food. there things in the food just for kittens.Now for litter training as long as the box is clean+ mommy going to it they may do the same if not put them in the litter box + take their paw + scratch around the litter with it usually that works.
2006-09-24 08:30:26 · answer #6 · answered by tiny 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Mothers Milk is important to the little guys right now, and they will learn from her, their diet when they are ready should be a kitten formula food, hard is the best, I think for healthy teeth, and they will catch on regarding the Litter box from Mom, you may have to guide them a bit, they are stubborn just as all little kids, but they should be just fine.
The Mother will wean them on her own when they are ready to eat solid food.
2006-09-24 07:06:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they are older than 6 weeks, you may want to make it a bit easier on mummy cat, give them a little bit of solid food to try, and every once in while (to help domesticate them) put them in the litter box so they can get used to the feel of kitty litter and different smells.
2006-09-24 06:55:46 · answer #8 · answered by ang_172 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
yes and no because when the kitten is a certain age then the mom wont let them drink milk so then that will be your sign to come in and get them hooked off of milk and introduce them to new foods
2006-09-24 11:50:10 · answer #9 · answered by gigi_luv94 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
congratulations on the kitties, the mom cat teaches them everything that they will need to know. normally you wont have to do any of that except just love the kitties and make sure they are kept away from small children for a while..
2006-09-24 07:03:03 · answer #10 · answered by feline 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋