Feeding kittens: how and when to introduce solid food into the diet of babies

September 7, 2018

A balanced diet is especially important for kittens; it is at this age that the animal actively grows and develops. High-quality dry food is just such a product, which means it may well become the first “adult” diet for babies, which is introduced even before the end of breastfeeding. Let's figure out at what age kittens are given dry food.

The need for complementary feeding for kittens up to 1 month

The benefit of breast milk lies not only in its fortified composition, but also in the transfer of protective antibodies. Together with him, the baby receives passive immunity, protecting against infections until the first vaccinations.

If natural feeding is not possible, then artificial milk formulas are introduced into the diet. You can buy them at a pet store or veterinary pharmacy.

NOTE!

The use of goat's and cow's milk is only permissible on a short-term basis. Their prolonged use causes intestinal problems and contributes to the development of vitamin deficiency.

How to continue introducing complementary foods?

At 8-10 months, children learn to bite and chew food (even if there are no teeth yet, they can begin to be given pieces of dense foods, such as vegetables, but they can still choke on solid foods, for example, nuts or seeds should not be given.

WHO and all medical organizations in the world recommend continuing breastfeeding until at least 1 year (WHO even longer, but this is important in countries with poor nutrition and hygiene). Further, this has no undoubted health benefits with a nutritious basic diet.

Complementary feeding table for children under one year of age (according to the recommendations of the American Pediatric Association, the database and the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition).

It makes sense to discuss juices, which were previously recommended to be administered drop by drop from almost 2 months. Currently, child nutrition experts do not recommend giving a lot of juice (or other sugary drinks) at any age. Juice reduces appetite, provokes tooth decay and does not contain anything additional useful compared to fruit.

When do you start feeding kittens?

Breastfeeding continues up to 2.5-3 months, that is, until moving to a new family. Before this important event, the little “mustaches” have their first milk teeth - the main landmark for starting complementary feeding.

Optimal age

The incisors are the first to grow (at 3-4 weeks of life), and after them (at 4-8 weeks) the fangs erupt. Premolars, necessary for chewing, appear only at 2.5-3 months, so at first babies are fed soft food.

Closer to the 4th week of life, the cubs begin to show interest in their mother's feeder, as breast milk becomes insufficient. Thanks to this, problems with introducing new products usually do not arise.

Differences by breed

When feeding, it is recommended to follow the general rules. The existing differences are minimal. They depend on size, rate of maturation, heat transfer characteristics and tendency to be overweight. Based on these characteristics, the following representatives can be distinguished:

1. "Scots" and "British"

   . Both breeds gain weight quickly. They should be fed low carbohydrate, high protein meals.

2. Maine Coons

   . 2-month-old “fluffies” calmly eat 225-230 g of food per day, although in most breeds only adult animals can handle this amount. The rate of maturation also differs, so Maine Coons are fed only at 8 weeks of life.

3. Sphinxes

   . These cats are voracious, but, unlike the “British” ones, they are much less prone to being overweight. Most of what you eat serves as fuel to warm your body. In the first 2 months of life, they are fed frequent but small portions up to 6-8 times a day.

Be sure to consult with the breeder or veterinarian about all possible nuances regarding the chosen breed. This will help avoid allergic reactions and other complications.

When does weaning occur?

The largest amount of beneficial substances and antibodies is contained in colostrum. Kittens feed on it for about 3-5 days after birth, and only after that on breast milk. The duration of breastfeeding depends on the following factors:

1. Individual characteristics of the body

   . The mother can abandon her cubs immediately after birth or, conversely, allow them to come near her for up to six months.

2. Presence of diseases

   . Complications after childbirth, helminthiases and other disorders significantly reduce lactation, preventing prolonged breastfeeding.

3. Number of cubs

   . The fewer applicants for the breast, the longer the milk lasts.

4. Diet quality

   . The more fluids you drink per day, the better your lactation.

Weaning begins with the introduction of complementary foods. After adding it, the number of breastfeedings is gradually reduced from 6-12 to 3-4 times a day. A complete refusal of mother's milk occurs with addiction to independent consumption of adult food.

Timely complementary feeding - why is it so important

From birth, the kitten eats only mother's milk. In the first 3-4 days, the cat produces not milk, but colostrum - a fatty, high-calorie mixture containing vitamins, microelements, antibodies, a huge amount of beneficial lactobacilli and proteins.

At 1–1.5 months of age, only mother’s milk becomes insufficient for kittens. During this same period, babies’ sense of smell sharpens, their eyes open, and they begin to become interested in the outside world.

Encouraging the babies' curiosity, the owner introduces complementary foods into their diet. Why is this so important? Babies begin to spend energy exploring the world, so they need additional sources of protein. Along with the increase in activity, kittens enter the stage of active formation of bones and muscle mass, and this increases their needs for vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc.

Against the background of active growth, the intestinal microflora is transformed. While babies feed on milk, their intestines are populated only by lactobacilli. The first feeding transforms the microflora, which leads to the proliferation of friendly bacteria that help digest not only dairy foods.

Recommended Products

With the appearance of teeth, the first solid food is added to the diet in addition to milk. The list of recommended products depends on the type of feeding chosen.

Industrial feed

The safest and most convenient option is ready-made food intended for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats. They have many advantages:

• save time on cooking;
• have a balanced composition;
• do not require independent calculation of the daily requirement, everything is already indicated on the packaging;
• strengthen the jaw muscles and prevent the development of tartar.

At first, you should feed your pet with heated, wet canned food in the form of a pate, a little later with meat pieces in gravy, and at the very end of complementary feeding with dry granules.

IMPORTANT!

Be sure to check with the breeder exactly what he fed the kittens. It is recommended to stick to this brand for up to a year.

Natural nutrition

Unlike industrial feeds, natural food requires daily preparation and the mandatory inclusion of vitamin and mineral supplements. Stale or improperly prepared food can lead to poisoning and parasite infestation.

When choosing “natural” foods, use liquid rice and semolina porridges, light meat broths, natural low-fat fermented milk products, pureed vegetables and minced meat. All food is pre-boiled and served in crushed form.

Forbidden food

When using industrial feed, it is enough not to buy economy-class products. With a “straight woman” everything is more complicated. Here is a whole list of prohibited products:

• legumes and white cabbage;
• corn, pearl barley and millet;
• garlic, onion and sorrel;
• bones and river fish;
• pork and lard;
• raw egg whites and chicken skin;
• potatoes and mushrooms;
• grapes and raisins;
• any products from the human table (sweets, pickles, smoked foods).

The ban also applies to whole milk. As animals grow older, they develop lactose intolerance, which can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, loose stools and nausea.

Table: overview of the four most popular brands of kitten food

Feeding schedule

When creating a diet, it is important to pay attention to the feeding schedule. The ease of assimilation of what you eat and the saturation of the body depend on the correctness of its construction.

How to give for the first time

Babies are fed simultaneously with drinking milk, that is, every 3-4 hours. Per 100 g of weight there should be 50-55 ml of liquid food.

Remember that all food should be soft and warm. Harder foods are introduced a little later, when the pet learns to chew on its own.

Increasing the size and frequency of complementary foods

Not all animals have a feeling of satiety. Providing complementary foods at every squeak is fraught with obesity, urolithiasis, pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and other diseases. For this reason, it is important to consider portion sizes and meal frequency when creating a schedule. Both depend on age:

1. From 1 to 2 months the pet is fed 7 times a day. The daily serving size should not exceed 120 g.
2. From 2 to 3 months, the frequency is reduced to 6 times a day, and the daily portion size is increased to 150 g.

The exact size of the daily portion is calculated using a special formula with a coefficient taking into account the age and activity of the animal. You can also use an easier option and determine 5% of body weight. This formula gives the average value.

Smooth transition to solid food, portion size

At first, the baby is fed milk porridge, and after 5-6 days - porridge with minced meat. Gradually the amount of meat is increased, and at 2 months it is given in its pure form.

They switch to solid food with the appearance of all the milk teeth, when the pet not only laps up the broth and slimy porridge, but chews minced meat and small pieces of chicken without any problems. Before serving, the meat must be frozen and boiled.

For three-month-old “mustaches,” the number of meals is reduced to 4 times, and the daily intake is calculated based on weight. For every kilogram there should be 200 g of food. At the same time, the volume of fermented milk products is reduced, and when cooking porridge, either water or meat broth is used.

When calculating portions, be sure to focus on your pet’s weight. If it is below normal, feel free to increase the amount of food, and if it is more, reduce it. For 8-month-old animals, the diet should be as close as possible to that of an adult.

How to replace feedings with complementary foods?

There have been no rigorous studies on this topic, so it cannot be said that one technique is definitely better than another. Many doctors recommend giving complementary foods first, and then breast milk or formula, so that the child does not have time to get enough and is more willing to eat unusual purees.

However, sometimes it is advised to first give breastfeeding or a bottle so that the child is tuned in to eating, and not playing with it, then give complementary foods, then supplement with liquid nutrition. Maybe it will be more convenient for someone to do this at first, and when the child gets used to eating from a spoon, move on to the first option.

Introducing dry food into a kitten's diet

Unlike pates and meat pieces, dry granules require the presence of teeth. This is exactly what you need to focus on when choosing the right age.

Suitable age

If you choose to feed with industrial food, then there are two options. It is easiest to feed with meat pates and spiders. They are introduced immediately after the incisors erupt.

In addition to their soft consistency, they have a pleasant smell and taste, so animals get used to them very quickly. In this case, dry granules are added when all baby teeth appear, that is, at 2.5-3 months.

Despite the benefits, not all owners can afford to buy more expensive wet food. Most choose the second option - feeding dry granules with the addition of pates in the form of treats. In this case, the introduction is also carried out after the incisors have erupted. The problem is that babies do not yet know how to chew and cannot crack hard pieces without assistance.

Do I need to soak it?

It all depends on the age of the pet. If he only has baby incisors, then he will have to get help. Soaking the granules in warm boiled water will eliminate the need for thorough chewing.

NOTE!

Use only fresh water. Adding milk or broth will lead to a mixed diet and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

When can you start feeding only dry food?

Focus on the presence of a nursing cat. If she has enough milk and does not drive away the cubs, wait for a natural interruption of breastfeeding. If the situation is the opposite or you have taken your small pet to another home, then feel free to switch to full feeding with dry food.

Complementary feeding regimen and allergies

There is no point in delaying the introduction of “allergenic” foods into a child’s diet until after one year of age. It turns out that if a product is given earlier, it reduces the likelihood of an allergy to it. However, if you or someone you know is allergic to a certain product, consult your pediatrician before giving it to your child.

Most often, allergies develop to nuts, wheat, eggs, soy and fish (there are also seafood like oysters, but children are usually not fed them). Starting complementary foods with fish, for example, is an unusual solution, but there is no scientific evidence that this is in any way harmful. The vast majority of children tolerate them normally, and those who are allergic to them exhibit it regardless of the timing of administration.

Drinking regime

To digest solid food, more liquid is required, so with the introduction of complementary foods it is necessary to pay special attention to the drinking regime. Change the water in the bowl every day, and in the summer - 2 times a day. Otherwise, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms will accumulate in it.

Remember that animals can only be given bottled water from the store or filtered water. Tap water contains metals, salts and other dangerous deposits that can harm the body.

“Pediatric” and “pedagogical” complementary foods

The method of introducing complementary foods is called pedagogical, when the child is given very small pieces of food from the common table, when the whole family eats. It is often contrasted with pediatric, when a child is specially placed in a high chair and they try to somehow make him eat the amount of a certain food written in a special table.

In fact, there is no opposition between these two types of complementary foods, and there are no clear boundaries between them. No modern pediatrician requires a child to eat strictly 150 g of broccoli in one feeding.

When teaching complementary feeding, the parent needs to eat foods that can be given to children (it is not recommended to add sugar and salt to complementary foods, and this may not be very tasty), and also take into account that the child may choke on hard pieces.

The importance of proper feeding in childhood

A balanced diet for your kitten lays the foundation for good health for life. Veterinary specialists and felinologists draw the attention of owners of growing kittens to the importance of certain points:

1. During the period of body growth, the formation and development of all organs and systems occurs, and the components of the daily portion of food are the building blocks from which the cells of the body are built.
2. A baby’s body is much more vulnerable to dietary errors than an adult cat. Particular attention should be paid to babies in the first phase of growth (up to 4 months of age), when the digestive and immune systems are not yet fully formed.
3. To raise a luxurious pet, the owner must provide the growing baby with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Is it possible to give a kitten water?

As long as his mother cat feeds him milk, he doesn’t even need to wash himself. But how

As soon as his teeth grow, they become more active and run back and forth - a bowl of water is needed, and even more necessary if he was taken to another family, or it’s a hot summer outside.

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