Kittens develop at breakneck speed. They therefore need a special kitten food that provides them with the best support during this sensitive growth phase.
Feeding kittens: nutrition in the first few weeks
Shortly after birth, the mother cat helps her small, blind kittens to find their way to their teats so that they can start drinking immediately. In the first few days, they receive a special milk (colostrum) that has a particularly high energy content and contains special antibodies. This is a kind of "vaccination" by the mother cat and strengthens the kittens' still untrained immune system.
From the 4th day, the transition to "normal" mother's milk takes place. Mother's milk provides the kittens with all the important nutrients they need for healthy growth. It creates the conditions for kittens to multiply their weight within a few weeks. However, care must be taken to ensure that the mother receives sufficient food so that enough milk is produced.
In the first 4 weeks of a kitten's life, it mainly drinks and sleeps. However, this changes as they get older: the kittens become more active and their energy requirements increase accordingly. Now the mother's milk is no longer sufficient and a suitable kitten food must be fed.
Getting kittens used to food
When can kittens be fed? When kittens are about four weeks old, the mother cat's milk production is no longer sufficient to fully meet the kittens' nutritional requirements. The breeder now starts to offer solid food. A high-quality kitten food is used for this.
Over the course of the next few weeks, the proportion of kitten food compared to the mother's milk is slowly increased until the kitten is 12 weeks old. How much should a kitten eat? Due to its small stomach, the kitten can only ever cope with small portions. It is therefore important to provide kittens with four to five meals a day in the early stages.
Ideally, offer your kitten food from a shallow bowl. As kittens have a high fluid requirement, make sure that there is always enough water available for them.
Feeding kittens in their new home
Most kittens move into their new home between the 12th and 14th week of life. This involves separation from their mother cat and siblings. The kittens have to get used to an unfamiliar environment and new people. This is quite exciting and stressful for kittens, which is why no new food should be given during the acclimatization phase. It could cause diarrhea or vomiting. Find out from the breeder or animal shelter what food the kitten has been given so far and stock up on a small supply.
If you want to change your kitten's food, please wait until the kitten has settled in well and gained confidence. As soon as this is the case, you can gradually mix the food of your choice into the previous food. Start with small amounts and increase the proportion continuously. This will allow the young cat's stomach and intestines to get used to the new food. Observe acceptance: not every change in diet works straight away. The transition phase may need to be extended.
How often should kittens be fed?
To ensure a carefree start, kittens should not lack for anything. The amount of food a kitten needs depends on its breed, age and, above all, its temperament. Sleepyheads need less food than daredevils.
Cute baby fat has just as little place in kittens as it does in adult cats. It is best to follow the feeding recommendations on your kitten food. The recommended daily ration takes into account the age and weight of the kitten and should be divided into several portions per day.
Start with four to five meals a day and reduce the number to two or three over the course of the kitten's first year of life. How long should kittens be given kitten food? At the age of one year, the transition to food for adult cats usually takes place. Remember to make this transition slowly and continuously.