food for 6 week old kitten

Firstly, please remember next time you get a kitten that 6 weeks is far, far too young to be away from mother and littermates.  A kitten of that age would normally be suckling and exploring it's mother's food.  8 weeks is a bare minimum.

 

However, any sudden change in diet can upset it's tummy.  Change gradually over a week or more from one food to another.

 

Kitten food is available in both wet and dry form in the UK, and presumably in the US as well.  The kittens I fostered also got occasional meals of cooked white fish, and raw mince.  Not mixed of course! 

 

And ring your vets.  Anyone letting a kitten go at that age has probably not wormed it or treated for fleas, all cats and dogs should be chipped in my view, and it will need innoculations.

 

The Cats Protection I fostered for let them go at 9 weeks after their first vaccination, and had been wormed as well.  Mother didn't have fleas when I got her, mine don't have fleas (indoor with a cat-proof garden) so no need to treat for those.  They had developed a massive amount both physically and mentally between 6 and 8 weeks.

The vet will know what she should get.  I live in the UK, I wouldn't expect her to get an innoculation this visit, but I would expect her to get a general check over, weighed, treatment for fleas if necessary, and if she is heavy enough a kitten wormer.  I suspect a wee cute kitten would get a big cuddle as well.

 

BTW was she given away or did the owner ask for payment?

 

And please, just because it's a bad experience so far with this kitten doesn't mean it always will be. 

Yea people who didn't get their cat fixed end up giving them away WAY TOO EARLY.    A lot of the times, they don't make it very long because they are too young, they get sick and they don't have an immune system of their own built up enough to fight off infections.   Not only that,  Kittens have special nutritional needs to promote growth and development, such as extra protein for muscle development; fat for energy, fatty acids, and to carry fat-soluble vitamins; and extra vitamins and minerals for strong bones and teeth. These foods were ranked first, for protein source, and second, for nutritional analysis, giving weight to protein and fat, although other factors applied.

 

My vet recommends (as I do as well) treating the kitten as an orphan.  I doubt the people will take her back.  They didn't care enough about her before they gave her away too soon.... So,...

For your vaccination concerns, there are 3 separate shot sessions at different ages.  You can't just do them all at once for a kitten so young.  And deworming, they might... But they are going to requests a fecal sample to see if she even needs it.  And the fleas, again, they might.  It depends on her weight.  But they might give her Revolutions kitten formula. 

 

Kittens at six weeks of age should be fed a high-quality commercial kitten WET diet food (this is NOT Meow Mix, Fancy Feast) , which should include high amounts of proteins, fats and vitamins. Kittens -- as well as cats -- like to nibble on their food throughout the day, but if you cannot leave your kitten's food out, try to feed your kitten at least three to four times a day.

There is no doubt that kittens, and cats, enjoy the taste of wet food, but a diet of only wet food can harm the long-term health of your kitten's teeth. At eight weeks of age, your kitten's teeth are strong enough to handle dry kitten food. If you still wish to feed your kitten wet food, mix a small amount of wet with dry kitten food. Follow the feeding amount recommendations on your kitten's food package, and remember to introduce new foods slowly.

 

I would do some research on the best high quality foods for your little one.  You might put some kitten formula supplement in there for good measure (NOT cows milk) actual kitten formula supplement.  You can find them even at Walmart.  Best of luck!!!

When I get baby kittens (usually orphans/strays) I always add kitten formula to their canned food for a while. Up to about 10-12 weeks old, just to give them a good start. The pre-mixed stuff is convenient, but the powdered kind is less expensive. I just mix enough to make the canned food soupy.

I do use Fancy Feast kitten food. . .it's not bad, really; better than most of the adult formulas. There are 2 flavors for kittens--turkey and whitefish. Nutro has a kitten food, also Pro Plan and Iams. At that age I feed them canned food 3 times a day.

Dry food is a bit trickier. Meow Mix is bad, really bad. I have used Purina ONE kitten food but it isn't the best. It is the best that's easiest to find, though. I did use Iams Kitten in the past but they changed the formula and now I think Purina ONE is better (as far as brands available at regular stores go). I always leave a full bowl for young kittens. Which brands are available to you?

Yeah, don't change too many things at once. She's had enough upheaval in her life for one week!

I think Meow Mix used to be higher quality (I think most foods were better before), but now it's one of the worst. Although a kitty could still live to be 19 on it--lifespan is largely dependent on having good genes. Although general health is affected by diet so it's best to get something higher-quality when you can.

I'm not saying that Iams is any good--I would choose Purina ONE over Iams (ETA--oops, unless you meant canned. Then, yeah, get some of that. . .it's nice to have a good variety of canned food for her). There are a ton of really high-quality foods out there, though, but I can't really make recommendations without knowing what brands are available to you or I'd be rattling off a whole long list! I will say that Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lover's Soul is pretty good (yeah, stupid name, I know) and costs about the same as Purina ONE. I don't know if there's a store in your area that has it. But if you happen to see it in whatever store you go to, pick some up!

I have tons of experience with kittens, newborn-6-8 weeks, as the local shelter contacts me when they are lacking fosters or space for the older ones and will be euthanized if I can't grab them.

So, here's some basics-

 

First thing is, go get KMR (kitten milk replacement) or other brand that the local pet supply store has.

This is essential to this kittens growth and developmental needs, whether it's you or another owner for it's life, and know if were not pulled from momma so early it would be happily nursing for weeks more than it was allowed. (how sad)

 

This baby will chomp on dry because of hunger, but will not take in enough with only dry, so you want kitten canned. 3x a day give the baby 1/3 of a small can such as fancy feast (KITTEN) which is more nutritious and higher caloric than adult.

 

As for the dry, the very best I believe is BABYCAT. Second is NATURAL BALANCE KITTEN FORMULA.

 

Always have fresh water available.

 

By the way, for so young of a baby, I find works ideal is keeping a low -sided litter box with non-clumping litter (never use clumping litter for a kitten) , a small bed/bedding and food and water dishes in a closed/small area. Not in a different room or it will not always go in the litterbox, when they get the urge to go, it must be right in their face so to speak for them to get in on time. They do not hold it for more than seconds before whoop, gotta go now!

Also allowing a baby of 6 weeks to roam free is overwhelming at least. They are perfectly happy to only be in 1 small area right now, then by 8 weeks will want a bit more space to roam and play.

 

My personal way is setting up a large carrier with a small litter box at the back, their bed towards the front and small dishes like a cut down paper cup taped to the front door. The carrier is kept on the floor with the door wide open during the day for easy access, and at night the kitten is put inside and the door closed, for safety, etc.

 

Works perfect!

 

As for the vet visit, it needs the first FVRCP vaccination (not too young unless still with momma) and a deworming treatment. That's it.

 

Good luck, it's pretty easy really, just feels like alot when it's the first :)

 

 

Yes, I was going to suggest a low sided litter box too, and definitely the non-clumping litter for a kitten.

 

Maria, would you like me to request this thread be moved to the kitten car forum? 

Hi, I do not believe that Walmart will have Babycat, maybe the Natural Balance kitten, you can take a look but if not, at least the Purina One kitten is okay too. MUCH better than Meow Mix, etc.

Sounds like things are going along pretty well!!

No Walmart will not have Natural Balance Kitten or Babycat.  The highest grade brand they have is Iams.  They do have Purina One Beyond, its the new supposedly healthier brand of Purina One.  You can try that, too.  Do not be scared by pet specialty stores.  Contrary to belief, they are often much cheaper than Walmart on a lot of things.  Of course, the higher grade stuff will cost more but if you get their "cards" for their clubs, you can save a lot and earn points toward free stuff... Toys, furniture, food, litter, whatever you want. 
 

 

First off;  Congratulations on the new addition to your household I've read all of the responses you have gotten in this thread and there is a LOT of good advice given by other posters.  A milk replacement mixed in with wet food might be the right way to go with your baby.  As far as brands go, I don't know what Walmart has to offer.  I have had excellent luck with Nutro Natural Choice and Nutro Max kitten.  Both are premium foods of high quality.  The Nutro Max will be the less costly of the 2.  You may want to research different kitten foods that are available to you and find the best one to fit your budget.  Best of luck to you and bless you for taking in this tiny 6 week old baby