Written by Anne Moss
At birth a kitten weighs 3-4 ounces (110-125 grams). The weight must double in the first nine
days and continue to increase by a total of over 30 times its birth weight in the first year. In terms
of physical growth and development, this is the most important year of a cat's life, although many
cats reach full maturity only at 2-4 years of age.
Kittens are full of energy. As they begin walking around and acquiring coordination, they
become very busy little creatures. Any time that is not dedicated to feeding or sleeping will be
spent playing. They practice climbing, jumping, running, and mock fighting with each other and are
a joy to watch. This continuous action requires vast amounts of energy supplied in the form of a
high calorie intake.
The First Weeks
Click here for in-depth information about
hand rearing young kittens
Kittens feed on their mother's milk for the first weeks of their lives. During this time, they nurse
eagerly at every waking hour. The milk provides them with all the nutrients their bodies require. It is
rich in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates and fats, compared to cow's milk. Unless there
is a special medical problem, it is best to allow the kittens to feed on their mother's milk
exclusively for the first 4-6 weeks. This is the best food available for them - always fresh and
served at the right temperature.
In the first two days after the birth, the mother cat produces a special condensed kind of milk
called colostrum. The colostrum contains passive antibodies, which provide the kittens with
temporary immunity to certain diseases. Even if you plan to hand-rear the kittens for some reason,
it is very important to let kittens nurse naturally for the first two days if at all possible.
Weaning
Weaning should be a gradual process, allowing the kitten to slowly adjust to a new type of
food. Given enough food and not too large a litter, a lactating cat may keep nursing her kittens until
the birth of her next litter. Usually, however, it is best for both mother and kittens if you start
introducing food to the kittens when they are about four weeks old. As the kittens demand for the
mother's milk declines, she will produce less milk and gradually dry up. Reducing the amount of
food the mother consumes, helps to speed up the process.
You should start weaning by giving the kittens a mixture of cat food (kitten or growth formula),
mixed with water or cat milk replacement. According to the Cat Owner's Home Veterinary
Handbook, if you use dry kibbles, begin by mixing one part cat food and three parts of water. For
soft canned food, begin by mixing one part cat food and two parts of water. Gradually decrease
the amount of water in the mixture. By the time the kittens are ten weeks old, they should be
feeding solely on kitten food.
Post-Weaning Feeding
Kitten or growth formulas are rich in protein as well as calories and provide the kittens with a
balanced diet suited for their special needs. Investing in quality kitten food will give the kittens a
healthy start in life and will help protect them from disease.
There is no need to supplement such food with vitamins or any other additive. Only in cases of
special medical conditions, and under veterinary instructions, should you supplement quality kitten
food. Adding unnecessary vitamins and minerals to an already balanced diet can actually harm
the kitten.
Kittens usually eat several small meals a day. Their stomach is too small to contain all the food
they need divided into just two portions. It is best to free-feed kittens and let them nibble
throughout the day. However, if you feed kittens with canned cat food, do not leave it sitting out for
long, as it might get spoiled. Instead, divide the daily amount into three or four portions and feed at
equal intervals throughout the day. In between meals, keep the food refrigerated and heat to room
temperature before serving.
During their first months, kittens develop the food preferences that will stay with them for life.
To avoid finicky eating habits later, you should feed various flavors of foods during this time.
Remember that, if you switch between food types, you must always do so gradually by mixing the
original food with increasing quantities of the new food.
Keep feeding the kittens with kitten/growth cat food until they are one year old. At that stage,
gradually change their diet into regular maintenance cat food. Although many cats keep on
growing after they are a year old, the accelerated growth of kittenhood is usually complete and the
cats can adjust to adult cat food and regular eating habits.
Anne Moss is the founder and owner of TheCatSite.com. She is a cat
behaviorist and a member of the Cats Writers Association.
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