What are the methods of feeding kittens?

For new cat mothers and fathers, feeding kittens has always been a headache, especially when they had no intention of feeding them, but suddenly encountered an abandoned kitten on the road and brought it back to the “cat” who decided to give it a home. For cat mothers and fathers who have a “big responsibility from heaven”, how to feed their kittens has become the number one problem.
How to feed kittens? What are the precautions? Animal nutrition experts have specially prepared a comprehensive [Comprehensive Summary of Kitten Feeding Guidelines], hoping to help all cat mothers and fathers.

Cats of different ages require different feeding methods and frequencies:

0~4 weeks, the female cat breastfeeds;

Feeding frequency:

Kittens aged 0 to 2 weeks should be fed every 2 to 3 hours and once in the evening.
Kittens aged 2 to 3 weeks should be fed every 4 hours. There is no need to feed at night, but the feeding interval should not exceed 6 hours.
4 to 6 weeks, continue breastfeeding, but also add some soft kitten food;
Feeding frequency:
Kittens aged 4 to 6 weeks should be fed every 6 hours and no feeding is required at night.
During this period, we should let the cat try to eat some cat food (soaked in warm water until softened).
At 6 to 8 weeks, the mother cat gradually weans the kitten, and the kitten can eat kitten food;
Feeding frequency:
Kittens aged 6 to 8 weeks should be fed every 6 hours and no feeding is required at night.
During this period, the cat’s chewing and digestive functions have been greatly improved, and the cat can start to eat kitten cat food.
At 12 to 14 weeks, the cat has been weaned, its teeth have grown, and it begins to eat cat food;

Feeding frequency:

At this time, the kitten can already control its own food, but it is recommended that the mother and father feed it in the morning and evening every day. If possible, pay attention to feeding at regular times, quantitatively, and at fixed points.
In addition to cat food, it is recommended to feed kittens some meat food every week, which should be crushed before feeding to facilitate digestion and absorption.

Twice daily after six months of age.

Feeding instructions:

Don’t give your cat too much or too little food. As the cat’s age increases, the kitten’s food intake gradually increases at 3 or 4 months of age, and remains stable over 8 months of age.

[Cat feeding taboos]

Some foods commonly eaten by humans cannot be fed to cats, such as garlic, onions, chocolate, grapes and raisins, as they are toxic to cats. Also, don’t feed your cat at the dining table.
Feeding your cat at the dining table will make the kitten develop a bad habit of crawling onto the dining table whenever you want to eat.
Cats should only eat tuna occasionally, about two or three times a week. Although many cats love canned fish, canned fish cannot provide the balanced nutrition cats need, and some cats often become addicted to tuna and avoid other more nutritious foods. This is the same as people not eating other foods but only eating potato chips.
Taboo: Never give milk to kittens! Many cats lack the enzymes to digest and absorb milk in their intestines. Drinking milk can cause indigestion and diarrhea! Moreover, the composition of cow’s milk and cat’s milk are also different.

[Cat mothers and cat fathers should pay attention]

Starting from 3 months old, kittens have begun to control their food intake. If you leave cat food in the food bowl, they will eat it themselves when they are hungry. But if possible, it is recommended that the mother and father feed the cat in the morning and evening. If possible, it is best to put away the food after meals, especially those that are easy to spoil. In addition, attention should be paid to feeding: timing, quantity, and fixed point.
–Timing: Feed at a fixed time every day to develop good eating habits. This will help control the cat’s diet and control the cat’s weight.
–Quantification: Do not eat too much or too little. As the cat’s age increases, the kitten’s appetite gradually increases during a certain period of time (usually three or four months old), and remains stable after eight months or more.
–Fixed points: The cat’s food bowl and water basin should be placed in a fixed place in the room and should not be moved around.
Don’t scare the cat when he eats, otherwise it may cause anorexia.
Always prepare drinking water for your kitten (not tap water!) and change it every day.