What Happens After The First Month Of A Cat’s Life
The socialization period of a cat begins at 2 weeks of life and ends at 7 weeks. During this time, kittens learn everything from their mother. Physical contact with humans is essential for optimal behavior in adulthood as certain events during this time will have a long-term effect on the cat’s personality. This is the moment when cats should meet different people, other animals and visit different places. This way, they will have a more balanced temperament as adults and be able to adapt to different situations more easily, avoiding stress.
Once your kitten is 1 month old they will begin the weaning stage, reducing their ability to digest the lactose in milk and increasing the amylase enzymes that are responsible for breaking down the starch present in the carbohydrates of dry or wet food for cats. Weaning begins at four weeks of age and can be extended to eight weeks of age, where the transition is complete.
If you want to read similar articles to What to Feed a 1 Month Old Kitten – Bottle Feeding and Amount, we recommend you visit our Healthy diets category.
Should Kittens Be Given Antibiotics To Keep Them Well
Unless a bacterial infection is known to be present, and antibiotics have been prescribed by the veterinarian, they should not be given. Antibiotics severely disrupt the process of normal colonisation of the gut by harmless bacteria, and can, because of this, produce diarrhoea. Antibiotics cannot be used as a substitute for colostrum. If hygiene standards are good, antibiotics are simply not needed.
The Truth About Homeless Kittens
Not every kitty orphan has a happy ending our staff and volunteers have been there for many sad stories. The only way to prevent sad stories is by preventing litters before they are born.
Spaying and neutering house cats and feral cats is vital to the health of the animal population. Some 80% of the kittens that are born each year are born to feral cats. Those that survive often end up being young mothers and fathers, perpetuating the sad cycle. When abandoned or orphaned, these infant kittens often have nowhere safe to go many municipal shelters do not have the resources to properly care for them and will euthanize immediately.
Special Pals is a limited intake shelter, and we can only help as many orphaned kittens as we can manage with our resources and volunteers. To help save more kittens, volunteer to be a foster with Special Pals. We give you guidance and support while you give these at-risk kittens a safe place and a fresh start. Contact us now for more information about being a foster.
Cant foster but want to help? and send some love to these babies.
*images attributed to JenniferC and Kellinahandbasket on Flickr.
Also Check: How To Train A Cat Not To Bite
How Often Should A Kitten Eat
The frequency that your kitten eats normally depends on how old they are:
- Up to 1 week old: every 2-3 hours
- 2 weeks old: every 3-4 hours
- 3 weeks old: every 4-6 hours.
- 6 weeks old: three or more feedings of canned food spaced out evenly throughout the day
- 12 weeks old: three feedings of canned food spaced out evenly throughout the day
If you have questions or need additional guidance about how often or what kind of food to give to your kitten, contact your veterinarian for help.
Continued
Preparing The Kitten Formula
Boil water and then store it in a glass jar in your refrigerator. Never mix KMR with tap water. Chemicals and bacteria found in normal tap water are harmful.
Soak all bottles and syringes in boiled water to sterilize them. Kittens are susceptible to germs.
Mix up the formula right before using it for optimal nutrients.
Never microwave the formula. It depletes some nutrients and can cause hot spots that burn a kitten’s mouth. Instead, when feeding kittens, soak a bottle in a bowl of hot water. After a minute, test the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm, but not hot.
Also Check: Accidentally Cut Cats Whiskers
The Beginning Of A Happy Life
Bottle-feeding and raising orphaned kittens to an adoptable age can be difficult but very rewarding work. Ensuring that all of the physical and emotional needs of an orphaned kitten are met can influence the kittens entire life. Happy, healthy individuals have a better chance at a future becoming someones loving pet.
Your Guide To Bottle Feeding Kittens
While there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of cats dying in the shelter system, statistics indicate that about 1.4 million cats are still killed each year. The most challenging residents for many municipal shelters are neonatal kittens . Bottle baby foster folks are the front lines of increasing this age groups save rate. Bottle feeding kittens is a science and an art: you need the right tools, proper nutrition, a stringent schedule and plenty of patience. It cant be stressed enough knowing how to bottle feed kittens will help save precious feline lives. Lets dive into what to feed, when to feed and how to bottle feed kittens!
Also Check: What Was Hp Lovecrafts Cats Name
How Do I Feed A Newborn Kitten
Kittens under 4 weeks of age cannot eat solid food, whether its dry or canned. They can drink their mothers milk to get the nutrients they need. The kitten will rely on you to survive if their mother isnt around.
You can feed your newborn kitten a nutritional substitute thats called kitten milk replacer. Its essential that you avoid feeding a kitten the same milk that humans consume. Typical cows milk can make cats very sick. If youre unsure of which kitten milk replacer to choose, talk to a veterinarian. They can help you select the right one.
For many dry milk replacers, refrigeration is not always required. But if extra milk is prepared, it should be stored in the fridge. To feed your kitten, follow these steps:
Prepare the formula. Warm the kitten formula to slightly above room temperature. Test the temperature of the formula right before you feed your kitten. Do this by placing a few drops of the formula on your wrist to ensure its not too hot.
Keep things clean. Before and after each feeding, you should wash your hands and the bottle that you used to feed your kitten. Its also recommended that you use a kitten gown. This could be a robe or a shirt that you only wear when youre handling or feeding your kitten. Using a kitten gown helps reduce the possibility of spreading germs.
Continued
If for any reason you cant get your kitten to eat, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Newborn Kitten Age: 0
During this stage, most kittens rely on their mothers milk as their only source of nutrition. If their mother is present, you wont need to feed kittens at alltheyll know how to feed themselves! That said, if youve rescued an orphaned kitten, youll need to bottle feed him. Kittens require a kitten milk replacer, which replicates the nutrition found in mother cats milk. Do not feed a kitten cows milkit doesnt have the right nutritional balance to nourish a newborn kitten.
Don’t Miss: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Weeks Seven And Eight Feeding Schedules
Limited nursing sessions should still be allowed until the kittens are two months old, assuming they are all eating the kitten food that is offered to them three times a day. The mother cat may need to be separated from kittens that are relentlessly trying to nurse more than they should, but by the end of week eight, a kitten should weigh about two pounds from the combination of limited nursing and eating regular kitten food.
How To Feed A Newborn Kitten With A Bottle
Once the bottle is prepared, then you are ready to feed your kitten. It is important that kittens are fed on their feed with their belly on the ground and head up. You want to make sure that your kitten is in the proper position. Experiment with what position works best for you and the kitten.
It is also an acceptable position to be holding the kitten in the same position they would be on on the floor. It just allows them to feel safe.
I also know some scenarios where people will place the kittens on a low level heating pad while eating to keep them water and relaxed.
The opposite of babies, you dont want to feed your kitten on their back. That is the equivalent to hold a baby on their ankles and trying to the feed them.
It is helpful to place the kitten on the ground. Gently but firmly place their head upwards towards the bottle. And place the bottle into the kittens mouth. You want to make sure they are swallowing the bottle. You can tell neonatal kittens are consuming the bottle by watching their ears start to wiggle.
Another important call out that I almost forgot to mention in the tilt of the bottle. The reason you want to tilt the kittens head up is so you can tilt the bottle. In order for them to get the formula from the bottle, it needs to be turned at a pretty high angle, around a 45-degree angle or higher.
That part is very similar to having a baby. It wont always be easy. But once you get the hang of it, it all comes together.
Read Also: How Many Calories Cat Per Day
How Do I Keep A Newborn Kitten Warm
Kittens should be kept in a cat carrier wrapped in a few layers of towels. Using a heating pad or heat disc for pets alongside a soft fleece blanket can also help keep them warm. Ensure that the carrier is large enough for your kitten to move away from the heater when they want to.
It is very important to keep your cat carrier in a safe, warm room away from other pets. Its helpful to go and check on your kitten throughout the day. If your kitten feels cold, you need to warm them up as soon as possible.
Feeding Schedule Of 2 Week Old Kittens
When feeding a kitten, you want to read the instructions on the formula to determine the proportions of water to formula to get the minimum amount that the kitten needs. Notice I say the minimum, but I will touch on that more later.
You should never heat up the formula itself. Instead, heat up water, either on the stove or however else you choose to do so. Measure out the water and add the corresponding formula amount to the warmed water.
From there, the formula mixture can be placed in a bottle.
Again, you can get a bottle either at a pet store or on if you do not want to leave your little one alone for too long. It is also important that you test out the heat of the formula mixture before giving it to them.
You dont want to be giving them a formula mixture that is too hot or too cold. Usually, it is recommended to do a similar test as you would a baby. Testing the heat out on your wrist.
From there you are ready to start bottle feeding.
Don’t Miss: Blue Buffalo Kitten Wet Food Reviews
Young Kittens Up To Four Weeks
If you have found an abandoned kitten or your female cat gave birth, you might find yourself hand-rearing newborn kittens. Up to the age of four weeks, kittens should only be eating milk. Cows milk wont do though a kitten milk formula is the best bet to ensure they thrive.
At this age, your kitten will need to be bottle-fed every 2-3 hours. Youll also need to ensure theyre toileting by stimulating them with a wet cloth if the mother cat isnt there to do it. Raising kittens is hard work, and its best to seek professional advice.
- Top six kitten care tips: A vet’s guide
Which Kittens Need To Be Hand
Normally kittens have their environmental and nutritional requirements met by their mother. However, a number of different situations may lead to kittens requiring extra care, eg, death of the mother, rejection of the kittens by the mother, ill health of the mother, or the production of too large a litter for the mother cat to care for.
When the mother cat is only temporarily ill, the kittens may only need to be hand fed for a few days, while in other situations the kittens may need to be fed by hand until they are weaned. In the case of a very large litter, where the kittens are gaining some milk from their mother, they will only need supplemental feeding.
Read Also: Is Thieves Oil Safe For Cats
How Much Do 2 Week Old Kittens Weigh
Their weight at this age should be between 250-350 grams depending on the kitten and should continue to steadily gain weight each day.
If you notice your kitten is not gaining weight for a few days, make sure you are feeding them enough, and speak to your vet about possible other reasons for delayed weight gain.
How Much Does A 1 Month Old Cat Eat
A 1 month old kitten will need at least 130 kcal per kilogram of weight divided into 4-5 daily intakes. A 1 month and a half kitten will need about 225 kcal per kg daily, and once they reach 5 months it will be the maximum of 250 kcal per kg of weight daily.
Normally 1 month old kittens naturally continue to drink milk if they live with their mother, although since their teeth have already started to come out, they will show interest in solid food, especially their mother’s solid food.
Once your cat is 18 months old they will be an adult cat and will then need 70-80 kcal per kilogram of weight. This may vary if your cat needs to gain weight or lose weight, and depending on the type of lifestyle they have. Indoor cats will need less calories than active outdoor cats. Talk to your veterinarian to learn more.
You May Like: Diy Kitten Clothes
What To Feed Kittens 10+ Weeks Of Age A Kittens Diet After Weaning
Most kittens need to continue eating foods designed specifically for growth until they are around 10 months of age. Only feed your kitten commercial diets that meet the standards put forward by the Association of American Feed Control Officials . Look for a statement on the products label that says something along the lines of:
- Kitten Food A is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and reproduction.
- Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Kitten Food B provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth and reproduction.
Try these vet-recommended wet kitten foods:
How Do I Feed Orphaned Kittens
Most kittens will suckle on small pet nursing bottles, also known as pet nursers. When bottle fed, kittens will nurse until they are full and then reject the bottle.
Be sure the opening in the nipple restricts the outflow of fluid to one drop at a time in order to avoid a flow rate that is too rapid for the kitten. When the flow rate is too rapid, it can lead to aspiration, pneumonia, and/or death.
When feeding, hold the kitten in a horizontal, head-neutral position. If the kitten is too weak to suckle, your veterinarian can show you alternative feeding methods and assist in tube feeding if needed.
TIP: Handling kittens during feeding contributes to critical socialization.
Also Check: Are Dragon Trees Poisonous To Cats
Is It Okay To Feed A Kitten With A Syringe
Be very careful not to squeeze formula into the kittens mouth as this can cause aspiration. If you are feeding a very young kitten and having a difficult time controlling the flow, consider syringe feeding . If the kitten latches, thats great, but its okay if it takes a while for her to get the hang of things!
Recent Posts
When Should I Give The Kitten Water
All kittens and full-grown cats should have water available to them. Cats dont typically get enough water in their diets and they dont always drink water when they should. This can lead to urinary tract infections which cause extreme discomfort for your feline friend.
Many cats prefer moving water, which also keeps it fresh. Consider investing in a small drinking fountain to entice your kitten into drinking more water. It can also double as a fun toy for playful cats.
Because kittens who are without their mother will be bottle-fed, having water in a dish or a fountain is a great way to help the kitten learn how to lap up liquid from a dish. This will be a very useful skill for them to have when they are weaned off of the bottle.
Read Also: Why Is My Cat’s Paw Swollen
Bottle Feeding The Newborn Kitten
Kittens grow at an astounding rate, making proper nutrition vital for healthy growth and development.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to feed your newborn kitten. This can be because of abandonment or loss of the mother, because the mother cannot produce enough milk to feed all of the young or because one of the newborns is not as strong as the others and is not receiving enough nutrition. Feeding a young kitten is best accomplished with a bottle specially designed for newborn animals. The opening in the nipple of the bottle should only allow one drop to fall at a time when the bottle in inverted. Sometimes a slit will work better than a small hole for this purpose.
Use a milk replacer formulated for kittens do not use cows milk or goats milk as the fat, protein, and lactose levels are not correct for a kitten. If you are using liquid milk replacer, it should be ready to serve as is. If you are using powdered milk replacer, it is important to follow the manufacturers instruction for reconstitution. If the formula is too concentrated then the kitten may become constipated and if the formula is too dilute, not only will your kitten not receive the proper amount of nutrients but she could develop diarrhea. Both of these can be life threatening to your kitten. Never heat the formula itself instead, soak a bottle in a mug of hot water. After a minute, test the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm, but not hot.