when to start weaning

angelbaby518

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hi, should i be doing something to encourage mom cat to start weaning her kittens? my kittens turned 4 weeks old on friday and a few of them have shown an intrest in moms food so i've taken some moisened kitten food in to them but mom won't allow them to eat,she also has not began litter training them yet either, they have some of their baby teeth , should i just let it be until she's ready? thanks
jodi
 

wellingtoncats

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We start weaning our pedigree kittens when they are about eight weeks old. At four weeks old they should definitly still be drinking of Mummy along with supplementary solid foods.
 

hissy

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Yep what Sam says, they will come off mom's milk when they are ready. Don't push them.
 

dr. doolittle

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Even though they should still be mostly nursing, I would still allow them to experiment with shallow dishes of water and soft cat food. It will make it much easier to wean them if they already know how to lap from a dish. I would also provide them with a litter box- just make sure you don't use clumping (they will eat cat litter!) I would used newspaper litter or corncob litter- it is safer if swallowed. You can also put some of moms poops in the kittens box- it might give them a better idea of what the sandbox is for!
 

semiferal

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Weaning is a gradual process that begins with the first nibble of solid food but doesn't end for a couple more months. Give them access to food and a litterbox that is their size and they will get the idea. I second the idea of non-clay litter. They do make a clumping newspaper litter now that is cheaper than the corn or wheat versions, though I personally don't like it as well.
 
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