Weaning Kittens Off Bottle

Benson also recommends adding a layer of diapers above the towels cutting the leg holes to make them lie flat.

Weaning kittens off bottle. After the kitten has gotten used to licking your finger direct him to the shallow bowl. Bottle feeding is necessary until the kitten is four to five weeks old. The weaning process normally begins when kittens are around four weeks old and is usually completed when they reach eight to ten weeks. It is designed to replicate the nutritional value and to a degree the taste of its mother s milk.

Repeat this until the kitten gets used to the taste. You should wean a kitten off of the bottle only when they are ready or show interest to be weaned off the bottle. Do not be tempted to push his head into the bowl. 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.

Remember that you should never wean an unhealthy kitten. Typically weaning a bottle fed kitten takes about two weeks. You can switch a kitten from kitten milk replacer to solid food over the course of about a week. This should be done no earlier than four weeks old and no later than 12 weeks and needs to be done slowly.

Benson also recommends adding a layer of diapers above the towels cutting the leg holes to make them lie flat. Build a nest by lining a high sided box or pet carrier with towels. 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. Do not shove the kitten s nose into the food.

They re going to get messy he says and this makes clean up much easier. Here are few don ts when weaning a kitten. You ll also want to be sure to purchase high quality cat food which will be introduced to the kitten gradually. Weaning kittens must be kept warm.

Weaning kittens must be kept warm. They re going to get messy he says and this makes clean up much easier. When you first start weaning your kitten off of its mother s milk you ll want to buy milk replacer. 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.

Once that age is reached there are several signs to watch for that signal the kitten is ready to begin the weaning process. Build a nest by lining a high sided box or pet carrier with towels. 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.