Feeding 1-month-old cats: everything you need to know
Your kitten’s diet is especially important during its developmental stage. Weaning should begin after the first month of life, but the transition to solid food does not finish until the second month. If you have just adopted a kitten and don’t know how to feed it, don’t worry. Below we explain everything you need to know about feeding 1-month-old cats.
What should the diet of 1-month-old cats be like?
In their first hours of life, newborn kittens obtain antibodies from their mother through colostrum. From then on and during the first weeks, mother’s milk will provide them with all the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy. It is very important that the diet of 1-month-old cats matches their growth stage. Therefore, if the mother cannot nurse the kitten because she rejects the litter, does not produce milk, or for any other reason, you will have to give kitten formula milk with a bottle.
How much food does a newborn kitten need?
If you have to feed your little kitten with formula milk, you should keep in mind that the amount of food and feeding frequency will vary depending on their age in weeks:
- During week 1 it is recommended to offer 8 bottle feedings per day: one every 3 hours.
- From week 2, reduce feedings to 6: one portion every 4 hours.
- From week 4 onwards, as you introduce solid food into their diet, you will need to gradually eliminate milk feedings.
How to feed a 1-month-old kitten with a bottle?
To feed a 1-month-old kitten with a bottle, you should follow some guidelines to avoid choking or swallowing too much air:
- Place the kitten in a horizontal position, belly down and with the head raised to simulate a nursing posture.
- Put a drop of formula milk on your finger and bring it close to your kitten’s mouth to stimulate the start of sucking.
- Until the feeding is finished, do not remove the bottle from the kitten’s mouth, as this could cause loss of the contents.
When to transition to dry food?
From the fourth week, your little feline will be ready for weaning and can start eating solid foods. To encourage the transition, place a little wet food in its mouth, without forcing it. If it isn’t interested, it’s better to wait or try another type of food. At first, it will be difficult for it to eat, but over time it will become interested in its new food and stop asking for mother’s milk or formula.
When your kitten is two months old, it will already be fully adapted to wet food and you can start offering dry kibble. To make the transition easier, you can moisten the kibble with a little warm water in the first feedings. To take care of the digestive system and ensure maximum nutrient absorption, it is essential to provide your kitten with a special diet for kittens that is natural, hypoallergenic, and balanced. Now you know everything you need to know about feeding 1-month-old cats.
If you have any doubts about your little kitten’s nutrition, ask your trusted veterinarian for help in adjusting your pet’s diet to each stage of its life.
