Weaned Kittens
By the age of 7-8 weeks, most kittens will be fully weaned. However, these kittens still have special needs around meal time and it's important for rescuers and kitten parents to exercise proper feeding even with kittens who are weaned.
1. Feed Them the Right Food
Kittens require more fat, protein, and calories than adult cats, so be sure that you're choosing a high quality food formulated specifically for kittens. Wet food is the best option, as it contains essential moisture content that the kitten needs to stay healthy and hydrated. Pet parents should be cautioned against feeding strictly kibble diets.
With lots of great brands on the market, you can choose the product that meets your price point. Kitten Lady personally uses Royal Canin Babycat Formula.
2. Feed with Free Access
While you may have heard of strict feeding schedules for adult cats, you don't want to withhold food from a growing kitten. Kittens should be given free access to food during the first four months of life, with wet food being offered at least 3 times daily. Once a kitten is 4 months old, adopters can begin to transition to a twice a day meal schedule and a food specially formulated for the 4-12 month growth phase. At 12 months old, the kitten can graduate to an adult cat food and an adult cat feeding schedule.
3. Provide Fresh Water
Hydration is an important part of keeping kittens healthy. Provide a shallow dish of fresh water at all times, and if you're concerned about the kitten not drinking enough water, you can entice her by adding additional water to her food, or introducing something fun like a water fountain.
