What Do Kittens Need To Eat
Since water makes up a larger portion of a kitten s body than that of an adult cat it is extra important to make sure they drink.
What do kittens need to eat. Give your cat constant access to clean drinking water. Remember cats are adapted to eat little and often so unlike dogs they need to be fed more than once a day. Make sure your cat eats a balanced diet that is suitable for their age health status and lifestyle. For example kittens should get about 30 of their energy from protein.
If a kitten is nursing from its mother you ll have to depend on how much the kitten weighs to know whether or not it is consuming enough food. You can also offer some natural foods to provide variety. It is best to start feeding wet kitten food and introducing dry kitten food as your kitten grows. Never feed puppy or dog food to your kitten as it will be deficient in taurine an essential protein that cats can only obtain through food.
Without drinking water your cat could become severely ill within hours. On average cats need 50 ml water per kg of body weight. Cats are naturally poor drinkers but just like any other animal and humans alike cats need water to survive. A 2 to 3 week old kitten will still need to be fed every 2 3 hours and it should consume at least 1 2 tablespoon of formula or milk during each meal.
Wet food is easier for kittens to eat while their teeth are still growing but dry food helps them to strengthen their teeth and gums so many owners choose to feed both wet and dry foods. Top tips for feeding cats. Cow s milk is not a substitute for water. By starting to eat more solids the kitten may become constipated and one way to help is to gently stimulate their gut by giving gentle massages we will leave a small litter tray so they can begin to do their needs there.
But kittens have a higher requirement for protein amino acids and minerals as well as for some vitamins. This amounts to 25 ml for a 500 gram kitten. Kittens not receiving adequate nutrition from the queen may cry and constantly seek the teats. Do not give your kitten milk as it can cause diarrhoea.
Newborn kittens need to feed every two to three hours. Coinciding with the beginning of the ingestion of solid foods and on their own the first internal parasite will be given very important to maintain the health of our kitten. Kittens aged eight to 12 weeks need four meals per day if between three and six months old they need three meals and kittens over six months old need two meals per day. Always read the feeding instructions on the pack of kitten food although remember they re just there as a starting point.
As with all animals kittens need fresh drinking water available at all times. Your kitten will need constant access to water even if they are eating wet food. If any kittens do not receive the first milk contact your vet.