Weaning a kitten is the process of teaching the young cat to eat solid food instead of solely relying on his mother’s milk for nourishment. This guide will explain the best way to help him make this transition in a stress free and enjoyable way for the kitten, his mother and his human.

You will need to buy a suitable dish, special baby cat milk, tinned kitten food and dried kitten food.http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/weaning-kittens.html

It is a good idea to seek the advice of your local veterinarian as to the best type of diet for you kitten.

From about five weeks old the kitten can be begin the weaning process, he may well indicate when he is ready by starting to show an interest in his mother’s food.

The process must be done gradually; kittens still need milk, either from their mother or a specialized substitute until they are around twelve weeks old.http://www.our-happy-cat.com/kitten-weaning.html

The mother cat will possibly show that her kittens are ready for weaning by refusing to feed them occasionally and even hissing at them! This is normal behavior and should not be a cause for alarm.http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/cats/weaning-kittens.aspx

Do not offer cows milk to the kitten, it is not suitable and will probably cause an upset stomach.http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/weaning-kittens.html

To begin feeding your kitten, first prepare some warm baby cat milk in a suitable small dish, as directed on the packet or tin. Mash into this a little tinned kitten food, to make a soft paste suitable for the kitten to lap. Do not be tempted to make too large a quantity and then try to re-warm it next time. It is much better to make it fresh. Remember that kittens have only tiny stomachs, so if you are feeding only one he will not take very much at each mealtime.http://www.our-happy-cat.com/kitten-weaning.html

Do not give adult cat food to the kitten, adult food is not high enough in protein and other nutrients that the kitten needs.

Next, pick up your kitten and place him somewhere safe with the dish of food, a high enough surface for you to be comfortable to feed him. As he will be used to reaching up to get his mothers milk, it is best to dip your fingers in the dish and let him lick them to begin with. Once he masters this, you can gradually lower you fingers into the dish until he starts to eat directly from it.http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/cats/weaning-kittens.aspx

It is quite normal although messy for the kitten to walk in his dish, he will always lick the food off his feet so it will not be wasted.http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/weaning- kittens.html

Kittens of five weeks need about a tablespoon of food five times a day. If he is looking for more let him have extra, little and often is the best way at this young age. At eight weeks old their stomachs are only the size of a walnut!

If, and it only rarely happens, the kitten shows no interest in the food, it is possible to smear a little food on his mouth or tongue until he gets used to it.

It is important to cover the tin of kitten food and place it in the refrigerator when you have finished with it. Before the next meal, another small quantity will need to be brought up to room temperature or microwaved for a very few seconds, making sure that it is only warm not hot.http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/weaning-kittens.html

As with all animals, there should always be a supply of fresh water readily available.http://www.our-happy-cat.com/kitten-weaning.html

Once the kitten is used to taking the milk and tinned kitten food mixture, you can then introduce him to dried kitten food as well. This should be mixed with warm milk as before and allowed to become soft. By mixing with milk this will increase the amount of protein in the food, which at this tender age is a good thing as the kitten will be growing rapidly and using up lots of energy!http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/cats/weaning-kittens.aspx http://www.purina.co.uk/Home/All+About+Cats/Food+and+Nutrition+Cat/Choosing

As the kitten gets older, leave a little dried kitten food for him to eat when he wishes. Cats and kittens like to graze, just make sure that there is clean, fresh water always available.

The number of meals can be reduced as the kitten matures and by the time he is about twelve weeks old he should be weaned.http://www.purina.co.uk/Home/All+About+Cats/Food+and+Nutrition+Cat/Choosing