what to feed 5 week old kittens?

Question

I found 2 apprx 5 week old kittens - what can i feed them?

Answer 1

At 5 weeks old, they still need their momma. Know where she is? If not, go to your local pet store and ask them for kitten formula, because for another week, they'll need that, and then you can slowly switch them to dry kibble.

Answer 2

I foster baby kittens when there is no mama. I bottle feed them kitten formula only until 4 Weeks of age. Then I slowly wean them off the bottle by mixing kitten formula with wet canned kitten food, and if they can lap that up by 5-6 weeks old they are down to 1 bottle a day, usually at night and are then eating moist Purina kitten chow and the canned kitten food. I have some now that will be 7 weeks on Sunday and they drink water, eat dry kitten food and some can, but mostly dry food. After 6 weeks they no longer wanted the bottle. Kittens should usually stay with the mom and not be given away until 8 weeks old...the momma cat should have them pretty much weaned by then.

Answer 3

Are you quite sure the mother is not around? At 5 weeks old, kittens need to be with their mothers. It's entirely possible their mother had just left them to go hunting, she might be wondering where her babies are gone now!

If you can be sure they're orphaned, take them to a vet for a checkup and to arrange when to have their first vaccinations. Do you know what sex they are?

They need to be on kitten food (not adult cat food) until they are about a year old. You can buy this from any store. It's probably a good idea to give them canned kitten food at first - they're very young and this will be easier for them. They not quite at weaning age yet, so they also need kitten milk replacement formula (NOT cow's milk) until they are about 8 weeks old.

Chalice

Answer 4

5 week old kittens should still be with mama. In most states it is illeagle to take them from mama until they are at least 8 weeks old and some states, even 12 weeks. The only acception is the death of the mama or a rescue. Since you do have them, and depending on the circumstances, they may still need some milk. Get the kitten formula at a pet store. Also, they do not need dry kibbles. That is not a good diet for any cat let alone a kitten. Purchase a very good quality mostly all meat canned food for them. You won't be sorry. They are carnavoirs - all meat eaters - and require that to maintain their health. Good varieties are ones that do not have garlic and onions in them since the ASPCA has that on their Cat Poisons list. I suggest Innova, California Natural, Natural Balance, WySong. You will find at least one of those in any pet store. They are all great for cats and fit the Carnavoir requirements for cats. Be sure you put fresh water down daily and DO NOT use plastic bowls. Plastic slimes down and can cause a mouth disease in cats. Use either stainless steel or Ceramic or Porcelean dishes for both their food and their water. Watch for diarrhea also especially if you did not get any pet food that came with the kitten. Abrupt changes in diet will cause diarrhea. When ever you start them on a new diet it is best to do 1/4 to 3/4's the first week, half and half the second and then 3/4 to 1/4 the third and then the fourth week they can have the new food all by itself. That can not always work that way so if that is your case, then watch for runny stools and check with your veterinarian about solutions. When cats have a tummy upset, even if it is from stress, my Vet puts them on that Activia by Dannon. As adult cats they get 1/2 tsp twice a day for a week and it clears their tummy problems right up. Kitties that are taken away from mama too soon will also develope habits of sucking tails and also sucking and chewing on material. They will also ingest it and it will get lodged in their tummies so be sure you watch for that. They just need more attention than a normal cat does if that happens. Cat beds need to be warm and cozy too, made from a warm fabric even in the summertime and especiall if you use air conditioning. Cats temperatures are higher than ours. A normal cat temperture is between 101 and 102 degrees. That means that they feel colder more than we do and that is why you see them laying in the sun all the time. A nice warm cosy bed can be a big help for a wee kitty that is all alone. When they are that small, they also need more than one litter pan in the house. Their bladders aren't big yet and if the litter box is too far away, you will have accidents. Be sure you have several until they are at least 6 months old. Then you can gradually omit them if you have a small house with no basement but if you have a basement and a large house, then keep them so that you continue to guard against accidents. Also, use clumpable, dust free litter as well. That will most simulate the natural environment that they would have outdoord. PLEASE keep it as an indoor kitty. Indoor kitties actually live almost twice as long as an outdoor one does and get fewer diseases and infections. Plus, you don't have to worry about mosquitoes and fleas giving them bad sicknesses as well. Be sure you get him current on shots if he isn't and a good health check up to make sure that he doesn't have anything now and is not underweight or have worms. I don't know where you got him from so that is just a 'check point' if they haven't been done already. Also, watch the toy you do buy for htm. Believe it or not, there is NO such thing as a KITTY PROOF toy out there. The companies that make cat toys, make them to attract the owners of the cats and they have tiny bells and glued on felt eyes, etc that the cat will ingest and choke on. Good luck on your new friend. Remember that they cannot talk to you when they need something so watch their body language and signs for attention. Also, a cat is the #1 animal for hiding illness so make sure you watch for any hidden signs of loss of appetite, sleeping habits or mood swings that you do not think are normal and contact your veterinarian if you need to.

Answer 5

You should let them still have momma's milk (Or kitten milk replacement) a little longer. (Maybe 1-2 more weeks.) But after that...

I suggest that you start introducing them to canned cat food. Go and see if your petstore has any kitten canned food. But be sure to start canned cat food soon. Take the food and place it down. Put the kittens near the food. I suggest you do this is a closed room, so they are not distracted or anything. Try to rub a little on their mouths if they are not eating it. Make sure they always have fresh water handy, so they can drink whenever they need to. Also give the dry food. They will start eating it soon, trust me!!! You can also give them a little KMR (kitten milk replacement) for a treat once in a while. If the mom is still there, let them suckle if they want to, but minimize the time. MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET USED TO THE MILK! Oh, and NEVER EVER give them cows milk. It is really bad for their small little stomachs. (I bet you already knew about the cows milk but, just in case!:)
Well, good luck!

Answer 6

feed 5 week kittens

Answer 7

"Sunnyside Up" said it best! The only other thing I'd do is contact a vet and take them in to be checked. The vet can recommend the exact formulation for you to give your new kitties. That same thing happened to me. We had 3 of them abandoned in a box on our doorstep. They still had the ambilical cord attached. We had to gently massage them all over, especially their bellies so they'd go to the bathroom just like a Momma cat would when she licks them after they are fed. It took a lot of work, because they needed to be fed every hour or so. The vet didn't think they'd live, and one didn't. But 2 did to grow up into 2 beautiful siamese. They were wonderful cats! So it can be done! The best of luck on the new additions to your family! =^.^=

Answer 8

Go to walmart theres kitten mothers milk I did it with my puppie when his mom stopped feeding him at two weeks old. and hes totally healthy two years later. And try to include a little dry kitten food just to see how well she/he does.

Answer 9

mix some kitten milk with some wet kitten food . E-mail if you need anything!

Answer 10

milk it needs milk at that age they are not ready for food wait til they are 8 weeks old and they should be ready.