How to Feed Kittens at Three Weeks Old
When a kitten turns three weeks old, it is an important transition in its life. Most three-week-old kittens are still suckling their mother's milk, but at this age you can introduce the kittens to eating regular food. The kittens will still nurse up until eight to 12 weeks of age, but the mother will usually start pushing them away on her own at four weeks. As the kittens eat more solid food, the amount of milk they drink decreases until they are completely weaned.
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Things You'll Need
- Kitten milk replacer powder
- Water
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Wet cat food
- Shallow bowl
- Bathtub
- Washcloth
Instructions
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1
Combine one part kitten milk replacer powder with two parts warm water in a mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients with a spoon until completely combined.
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2
Mix the liquid with a small amount of wet cat food and stir until the consistency is a thin paste. Pour the mixture into a shallow bowl.
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3
Place the bowl and kittens in the bathtub.
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4
Dip your finger in the food mixture and allow the kittens to sniff and lick it. Lead their noses to the shallow bowl once they are licking the food off your finger. Let the kittens eat for 30 minutes.
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5
Wipe the kittens down with a damp washcloth once they are finished eating. Return them to their mother.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Feed the kittens several small meals a day.
Gradually increase the amount of cat food and decrease the amount of kitten milk replacer, until the kittens are eating regular food at around eight weeks old.
Store leftover food in the refrigerator and don't store it for more than 24 hours. Reheat it in a microwave. Test the reheated food for hot or cold spots before giving it to the kittens.
The mother will start pushing the kittens away at around four weeks of age. If she doesn't show signs of weaning them herself by six weeks, take her to see a veterinarian.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
