Weaning Kittens Off Bottle

The weaning process normally begins when kittens are around four weeks old and is usually completed when they reach eight to ten weeks.

Weaning kittens off bottle. Weaning is the fun messy adventure of helping a kitten transition from nursing or bottle feeding to eating solid food on her own. If you are in charge of weaning an orphaned kitten please. Build a nest by lining a high sided box or pet carrier with towels. It is designed to replicate the nutritional value and to a degree the taste of its mother s milk.

Build a nest by lining a high sided box or pet carrier with towels. Bottle feeding is necessary until the kitten is four to five weeks old. You can switch a kitten from kitten milk replacer to solid food over the course of about a week. Here are few don ts when weaning a kitten.

When you are feeding the kitten its bottle watch to see if it starts to bite and chew on the feeding nipple as it is nursing. Once that age is reached there are several signs to watch for that signal the kitten is ready to begin the weaning process. Repeat this until the kitten gets used to the taste. Benson also recommends adding a layer of diapers above the towels cutting the leg holes to make them lie flat.

If you are weaning a bottle fed kitten dip the nipple of the bottle or syringe eye dropper in the formula instead of using your finger. This should be done no earlier than four weeks old and no later than 12 weeks and needs to be done slowly. They re going to get messy he says and this makes clean up much easier. If your kitten is bottle fed the weaning process starts at 4 5 5 5 weeks of age and happens much more quickly than under a mother s care.

Again no two kittens are the same so trying to get them to conform to a timetable is futile if they are not yet ready to be weaned. Weaning kittens must be kept warm. Kitten weaning is something that does not have a set time frame. Kittens often need extra support during this time to help ensure they re receiving the proper nutrients in proper quantity and to keep them on track for success and independence.

Dip your finger into the formula and offer it to the kitten to lick it off. They re going to get messy he says and this makes clean up much easier. Benson also recommends adding a layer of diapers above the towels cutting the leg holes to make them lie flat. You ll also want to be sure to purchase high quality cat food which will be introduced to the kitten gradually.

You should wean a kitten off of the bottle only when they are ready or show interest to be weaned off the bottle. Weaning kittens must be kept warm. Do not shove the kitten s nose into the food.