When should I wean my kitten?

Question

My kitten has just reached the age of 4 weeks, and I've heard that you can begin weaning them at this age. He's being bottle fed kitten milk replacement. I wasn't exactly sure how to go about weaning him, and I was wondering if maybe I should just wait until he's closer to 6 weeks of age?

Answer 1

Yes you should buy some dry kittten food, mix it with water until it is soft(er), drain off the water and put it on a plate and try setting him beside it, and if that doesnt work you can lift a piece up under its nose. Alternatively, you can buy wet kitten food and using a little water, mix it into a paste.

It will only try nibbles at first but eventually it will start to eat the food. However, you should keep giving it milk. Watch how much food it is eating and balance the amount of milk you give it accordingly while it is necessary.

Answer 2

Just buy some soft kitten food and put some in a small bowl, mixed with a bit of milk, when the kitten is hungry. Don't force it, if he is ready he will start eating. If he is not ready he will smell it and go away. If he doesn't eat, continue bottle feeding and try again with the food in 2 days or so. Once he starts eating, feed him with the bottle twice a day and with canned food twice a day. Gradually he will start eating canned food only. By the time he is 5-6 weeks he can also eat small kibble (Royal Canin baby cat or Weaning, mixed with some water at first). Keep water available once he starts eating. Don't worry and don't be anxious, it will happen at its time. By the way, when he has started eating properly, he may still want milk, but you will have to stop giving it to him, so that he is properly weaned and not have diarrhea problems.

Answer 3

It's up to you and your cat. I would suggest starting slowly with regular food (dry pellets mixed with water to make it soggy) twice a day or even once, but continue with the bottle feed. If it doesn't work then carry on with the bottle for a few more days then try again. Gradually introduce more food and less bottle. Don't suddenly change from one to the other even if u wait till he's 6 weeks. Kittens have quite sensitive stomachs and a sudden change can cause diarrhea. Hand reared kittens make the best pets. You're lucky.

Answer 4

we adopted a cat that was motherless at the age of 3 weeks. we started the weaning process at that time. You still feed by bottle but introduce wetted dow kitten chow and cut down gradually the number of times you feed by bottle. after the kitten learns to eat the food. try to change him to the food not being wetted down. remember to feed him or her kitten chow for 18 months this the amount of time that the cat will be growing. remember to have the cat spayed or neutered around 12 months.

Answer 5

More details please. Is this cat without a mother? The monther will wean the kitten when it is time, usually around 6 weeks, but it is best for the kitten to stay with the mom until 10-12 weeks.

Answer 6

Have hard food accessible to him at all times.

Mix kitten food and milk replacer till musshy like canned and let him try to lap it up. Slowly start making the food with mor consistancy

Answer 7

I suggest 6 weeks, and consult your vet for weaning suggestions. It might be different for a bottle-fed cat.

Answer 8

you should wait another week or so; to about five weeks. start giving him soft solid food to begin with (canned kitten food) until he develops his teeth.then move on to harder solids (like chewy cat treats) and then finally kitten chow.

Answer 9

I would wait..the more nutrition the better. If his Mom was feeding him, he would still nurse for at least a few more weeks.