How Long Do Kittens Need Kitten Food. Pets generally start the weaning process around six months of age.
Prior to that point, it’s really not advisable to force an animal to eat anything other than its mother’s milk unless it’s an orphan or the mother cannot provide nursing.
After the sixth month of age or adulthood, if you have a breed that is considered full-grown before then, pets can start the process of transitioning to adult food and ultimately, senior pet foods.
How Long Do Kittens Need Kitten Food
It’s recommended that you switch your kitten to an adult cat food when they have hit the ages of about one or two years. Make sure to keep an eye on your four-legged friend’s waistline though. If your cat starts to put on too much weight and isn’t getting enough exercise, it’s time to cut back on the amount you feed him.
Dry Food
Most veterinarians recommend feeding a wet and dry food diet, as cats sometimes don’t get enough water in their diets.
Wet food can help keep the cat hydrated, but it’s important to speak with a vet before switching to a homemade hand-made diet.
Some vets recommend starting kittens on an adult kibble when they are around three to four weeks of age, but kittens should still be fully weaned from their mother’s milk by six to eight weeks of age and just eating kitten food.
Transitioning
The first step is to figure out what types of kitten food your cat would eat. Once this is done, mix your kitten’s meal either with water or milk warm, not hot and let them taste it for a day or two.
By doing this you are introducing their palates to the flavors they’ll be eating in the future.
This will ease the transition between mommy’s milk and solid food dramatically, as they’ll be more open to different flavors at an early age. After one or two days, gradually start replacing milk/water with solid food.
Avoid
Treats should only be given on rare occasions and in tiny amounts, as with many animals. Treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your cat’s overall calorie consumption.
This does not preclude them from occasionally finishing the final scraps of chicken or fish on your plate.
Simply ensure that anything you serve them is completely cooked and clear of any sauces, condiments, or other substances.
However, be cautious that this may encourage kids to beg for food or even take it from you when you leave to work.
Health
Kittens have many different nutritional requirements from adult cats. Just like humans, kittens are prone to putting on extra weight very quickly and this can cause health issues in the future.
Kittens also have a lot more energy than adult cats and so need food that will help them gain both weight and muscle while not compromising the quality of their high-energy lifestyle with protein.
As a result, most kittens will want more meals than adults and they need quite a bit of quality protein and water.
FAQs
Do Kittens Actually Need Kitten Food?
Kittens, at least those who reside inside, require particular nutrition. Kitten food is critical during a kitten’s first year of life in order to assist its growth and development.
Large breed cats, such as Cats, need longer to mature since they don’t grow as quickly as other breeds, so it’s critical that they be fed kitten food with greater protein content from the age of 8 months to 2 years. Kittens are energetic, curious, and lively.
Conclusion
There are a few things to bear in mind whether you’re new to pet ownership or have previously taken care of an adult cat. First and foremost, you must feed your kitten. For many people, this is the most difficult portion because each kitty is unique and generally has varied feeding preferences. While some kittens begin eating almost immediately after birth, others may not begin eating until they are three months old or later.