Canned food earlier than 3 weeks??

Is it okay to introduce kittens to canned food before 3 or 4 weeks?

My litter is only 16 days old but they are pretty strong and big. All of a sudden lately they are just fighting each other like mad for mother's nipples. They scream and they claw each other. It seems like they're really stressed and angry at not getting enough food. They suck on each other's feet and faces and appear to be capable of sucking at a feed dish.

Do you think it would be okay for me to introduce them to some soft food?

The kittens will start crawling and walking over to Momma's food bowl. You can feed her near the kittens. I think 16 days is a little young for solids, but if they go for it, I'd say let them!

Do be prepared for a mess. Little kittens make a mess with the food...so put something under the dish!

They're a little young for that. Solid food should start being introduced at about 3 1/2 week, and they usually start to wean at about 4 weeks plus.

I would suggest instead some KMR. You can put some on a dish or very shallow bowl and bring them to it to lap at it. Maybe put a drop on your finger and then their lips to give them the taste. Or you can even supplement them by bottle feeding them.

The first litter I cared for was a Mom with 6 kittens (7 actually, but one died shortly after from internal abnormalities (I ran them all to the vet as soon as the kitten died). Since the Mom had been a stray and almost starved to death when I found her (she literally came into the house, ate, lay down and had her kittens). Surprise!

Since she needed to be built up herself and was not up to caring for 6 kittens (though she did her best) twice a day I would bottle-feed the babies with KMR (morning and evening) and they got the rest from Mom. Foir me and them, this seemed to work out fine.

Two of the bigger ones really weren't too interested, but being the biggest they got what they needed from Momma. The rest really enjoyed it and would literally line up. One of them (who I named Mad Dog and he was so cute the vet's assistant decided to keep him the minute she saw him) loved it so much if I didn't do him first, he'd scream his head off, so I'd do him first, then he'd sit and meow until I finished the others, and he'd have to have a second turn or he'd scream again, even if he wasn't hungry. Even a few more slurps and he was happy. I stopped bottle feeding them as soon as they started to wean, which was sometime during their 4th week (I start putting down solid food for them beginning at the 4th week for when they and mom are ready).

I actually wanted to keep him, but knowing he was going to as good a home as he possibly could go to, I gave him to her and ended up keeping Fuzz, who was never anything but a joy in my life.

They still nursed from Mom, and everyone started to wean at about 4 weeks, and for me this solution was perfect.

I do think however, they need the nutrients they would get in KMR at this age that they wouldn't get from canned food.

Sounds like they might eat the canned food. What I would do is make a gruel and mix a teaspoon of canned kitten food with some KMR and let them lick it off your fingers. It might be more messy as they are not coordinated at 2 weeks old.

But don't be surprised if they don't want to eat it either

i need some help here this is my first time with kittens, they are 4 weeks old saturday and they are very fat,, ha ha they are so cute there are 5 of them, and i think i should be feeding them, what about a litter box. i just don't know what to do, if i let them out of the closet they get lost and scatter everywhere.. could someone give me a countdown on what i should and shouldn't be doing...

thank you

jonie

Question about transitioning to solids--

I'm feeding KMR by dropper and it's time to introduce solids. The lady at the shelter recommended trying a little IAMS from the purple pouches ground up, adding KMR if needed to interest it. This morning we were just chuckling because it took one sniff and backed up with his hair standing up. I feel a little like that when I get a whiff but I didn't think a kitten would. This afternoon when it was asking for food but I didn't think terribly hungry I offered it again and it ate what was out then I followed up with KMR from the dropper since it hasn't taken to lapping it up.

How do you advise making the transition? Feed meals entirely of solids or entirely of KMR? Meals consisting partially of each?

how about the mushy type of food for that age?

Originally Posted by Pippen

Question about transitioning to solids--

I'm feeding KMR by dropper and it's time to introduce solids. The lady at the shelter recommended trying a little IAMS from the purple pouches ground up, adding KMR if needed to interest it. This morning we were just chuckling because it took one sniff and backed up with his hair standing up. I feel a little like that when I get a whiff but I didn't think a kitten would.

This afternoon when it was asking for food but I didn't think terribly hungry I offered it again and it ate what was out then I followed up with KMR from the dropper since it hasn't taken to lapping it up.

How do you advise making the transition? Feed meals entirely of solids or entirely of KMR? Meals consisting partially of each?

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I would keep offering moist kitten food before each KMR feeding. But at 4 weeks, I doubt if your baby is ready to give up the formula. Try putting a little KMR next to the food, and baby may learn to lap it up.

Originally Posted by joniealcorn

i need some help here

this is my first time with kittens, they are 4 weeks old saturday and they are very fat,, ha ha they are so cute there are 5 of them, and i think i should be feeding them, what about a litter box. i just don't know what to do, if i let them out of the closet they get lost and scatter everywhere.. could someone give me a countdown on what i should and shouldn't be doing...

thank you

jonie

Click to expand...

Check out the links from the sticky at the top of the forum.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74659
At four weeks, you can start offering moist kitten food, or dry food softened with either water or KMR.

You will need a litterbox in the closet for the babies soon. Get one with low sides so they can easily get in and out, and use clay litter. Never use clumping litter with tiny kittens, because they will eat some, and it isn't safe.

Also, they will be wanting more space soon, as they will be needing to exercise. Can you give them a bigger space than the closet? Or take them into another area to play for a while, then return them to their bed.