How to Wean Hand-Raised Kittens

Weaning a hand-raised kitten takes a bit of knowledge.

Hand-raising a kitten can be a rewarding experience. It can also be stressful and challenging. Responsible pet parents know that this tiny, fragile creature is dependent on them for everything and take this responsibility very seriously. Whether you have hand-raised the kitten since birth or found an orphan that is not yet weaned, it takes a bit of time and knowledge to make this transition successfully. After all, sustenance is the most important thing in any creature's life, no matter how large or small.

Things You'll Need

• Canned or wet cat food
• Kitten formula
• Dry kitten food
• Small dishes for food and water

Instructions

How to Wean a Hand-Raised Kitten

1. Introduce the kitten to wet cat food. You can begin this process at four weeks of age. Allow the kitten to lick small amounts of wet cat food off your fingertip either before or after each feeding for about a week. This will allow the kitten to get used to chewing as well as drinking, The kitten will also begin to associate wet food with eating.

2. Mix dry kitten food with formula and wet food with dry kitten food. Put these mixtures side by side, or in a divided dish. Doing so will gradually get the kitten used to eating solid food, while still ensuring that it stays hydrated and gets necessary nutrients. Do this for another week. Use small, shallow bowls or dishes.

3. Switch to dry kitten food and water. At six weeks of age, naturally raised kittens are usually taught by their mothers to eat solid food. At this point, give only dry kitten food and water instead of formula. By then, the previous steps should have gotten the kitten used to eating dry food. The dry kitten food will provide all the necessary nutrients, so the formula is no longer needed if the kitten is eating properly. Continue to feed your kitten a good quality dry kitten food until it is one-year-old.

Tips & Warnings

• If you keep the kitten in a kennel, do not place its food and water inside with it. It will not help. The kitten will only crawl through it and get itself dirty and will not understand or recognize it as food. Instead, place it a short distance from the kennel or from where the kitten sleeps.

• Always consult a vet before beginning any course of action with any pet, especially one so small and young. It is also wise to take the kitten to the vet to determine how healthy it is, as well as its exact age if unknown.