Feeding & Transitioning Kitten Food: A Beginner's Guide

1. The Transition to Solid Food for Kitten Pups

From the moment kittens start nursing, around three to four weeks of age, they can begin to sample solid foods, marking the transition from milk to kibble. During this stage, many cat owners often go through a trialanderror phase with their kitten's primary food, which can lead to concerns about switching diets. This might involve changing brands or formulas, or eventually transitioning from kitten food to adult cat food.

2. Feeding Kitten Pups from 0 to 3 Weeks

When a kitten has its mother, there's usually no need for additional feeding. The focus is on ensuring the mother cat is wellnourished. Kittens are lactose intolerant, so they should not be fed cow's milk. Instead, they are typically given goat's milk, which can be purchased as goat's milk powder and mixed with water. A "bottle" can be a syringe with the needle removed, or a softnosed bottle purchased online. Feedings should be around 20 milliliters each, and they should be administered every two hours, including during the night.

Feeding After Weaning

At around 3 to 4 weeks, kittens can start to try solid foods. Kibble should be softened with warm water or goat's milk to help them adapt to the progression from liquid to semisolid to solid foods. If there are multiple kittens, they should be fed individually with separate bowls. Meals should be offered four to five times a day, with the specific amount of food depending on the kitten's age. Most kittens prefer to eat small, frequent meals and can be left to selffeed as long as the portions are controlled. However, it's important to note that food soaked in warm water or milk should not be left out for too long to prevent spoilage. Pay close attention to their stools, as a healthy gastrointestinal system typically indicates no other issues.

Choosing Kitten Food

When you have multiple cats at home, the choice of food is crucial. Our family uses Qiyuan kitten food, which is a highquality imported brand that offers great value for multicat households. Qiyuan's kitten food is rich in protein, with a 42% crude protein content that's a feast for growing kittens. The protein is sourced from six types of fish in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ensuring safe ingredients and a comprehensive nutritional profile. Additionally, the formula includes probiotics, which are very friendly to a kitten's digestive system. If you're unsure about which kitten food to choose, Qiyuan is a reliable option that you can feel confident about using.

How to Transition to New Food

New kitten owners often know that it's not as simple as just switching to a new food. The correct approach is to first let the cat become familiar with the new food by letting it sniff and get a sense of it. Then, gradually mix new and old food in a ratio of approximately 1:9 to allow for an adjustment period. Gradually increase the proportion of new food, with a common method being to switch over in seven days. If the cat shows no aversion and there are no unusual stool changes, the kitten should be fully adapted to the new food after about a week.