Questions - Introduction to food

Hi guys,

Kiddo will be 5 weeks old next Sunday and we want to start weaning him (is that the correct term)? With other kits I've had in the past, the transition was smooth because they would eat a bit and go back to their momma for milk. But Kiddo has no momma and we are bottle-feeding him. How should we make the switch to food? Will we still have to bottle-feed him for a while after he's learned to eat? I usually start my kits with dry kitten food softened with some water. Is that ok?

Originally Posted by zabby27

I usually start my kits with dry kitten food softened with some water. Is that ok?

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Yes, or softened with goats milk or KMR solution.

You can start gradually by offering him kitten glop. there are recipies all over the internet and kitten-rescue on how to make this.
You want to gradually get him accustomed to hard food. so starting with Glop or very mushy dry food is a good way to go.
You do not want to offer the bottle to much as you progress in his weening.
After he has taken to firm or even mushy food, do not offer the bottle anymore.

How should we make the switch to food? Will we still have to bottle-feed him for a while after he's learned to eat? I usually start my kits with dry kitten food softened with some water. Is that ok?

I have been a foster mom for some years now and "resident" mom to a happy group of seven At approx. 5-6 weeks, I start with a premium kitten wet food mixed with some premium kitten dry food. I mush it together and add some KMR to it. A dab on a finger and the little one's usually lick it off. I've never had a kitten here that did have a "real" mother so I never really pushed on a full-weaning until 10 weeks or so. Even though they may cry for that bottle, you will start to notice that they nibble at the bottle rather than suckle...they are being weaned.

Kiddie is only 4 weeks old. I should wait at least another week? I always started weaning them at 5-6 weeks and today I read on the kitten rescue site that I could start now... although I find it a bit early...
I'll start him on the littler tonight, though!

You can start him now if you want - What I did with Portia was buy Kitten Food packets (Whiskas I think they are) Its just very mushy cat food and I put it in a bowl for her (Make sure the bowl is very shallow, or even use a plate)

I then just pushed her head into it and put some on my fingers and rubbed it in her mouth. Safe to say I got most of it on me, and she would walk through it and get ite everywhere but her mouth, but she eventually got the hang of it.

Keep bottle feeding as well, and when you feel that Kiddie is eating more solids then reduce the bottle feeding.

It took me about 2 weeks to get Portia properly weaned!!!

Now she eats like a trooper!