Weaning your kittens
Weaning (the transition to solid food) should begin at around three to four weeks of age.
What human food is good for cats? While it's best for cats to eat cat food, these "human" foods are safe for your cat: thoroughly cooked lean meats that haven't been seasoned with onions or garlic, fish with the bones removed, hard-cooked eggs, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Eggs should be always be cooked before serving to your cat. Cook or boil the eggs as-is without oil, butter, salt, or any other additives. We suggest making scrambled eggs, as it's much easier for your cat to digest and can provide quick access to the protein cats need for maintaining lean muscle and energy.
Homemade milk replacer for kittens1 • 6 tablespoons (90 ml) condensed milk • 6 tablespoons (90 ml) water • 1/2 cup (120 ml) plain yogurt (not low fat) • 3 large or 4 small egg yolks Blend uniformly and warm to 95-100°F. + Refrigerate between uses. Discard any unused milk replacer 24 hours after mixing.
Fish, such as tinned sardines in springwater, tinned tuna and tinned salmon (take care with any fish bones) can be offered as a treat occasionally but please avoid feeding fish constantly because this is not a complete diet.
Yes, cats can eat rice in small amounts. It's non-toxic, so it won't harm them to have a bit in their food, but you shouldn't give too much as it's not an essential part of their diet.
Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.
Cheese and dairy are not good for cats. They aren't toxic to cats, but eating too much cheese can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhoea or vomiting. Eating cheese over a prolonged period can also lead to obesity. Cats are obligate carnivores and get all their nutrients from meat.
Although kittens can easily digest their mother's milk and need it to survive, they should not drink cow's milk. Drinking cow's milk may give kittens diarrhea or cause dehydration because kittens do not have the proper enzymes to break down the sugars in view milk.
While many "people foods," like chocolate, are toxic for cats and other pets, and they should be avoided altogether, bananas aren't toxic to pets. It is one of the fruits that cats can eat safely in small portions.
Avoid feeding raw meat until the kitten is at least 20 weeks of age, as their immune system isn't robust enough for potential pathogens. Strips of raw beef can help remove plaque from your kitten or older cat's mouth.
How Often and How Much Should You Feed Your Kitten? It's important to feed your tiny newcomer small portions at regular intervals, up to 6 times a day. Some veterinarians prefer free-feeding, meaning providing unlimited kitten food all day long, tapering off to meal eating at around four to six months of age.
Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.
In most cases a kitten will alert you when she has had enough at individual feeding times. If you overfeed her she will then be predisposed to constipation, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or other serious gastrointestinal complications. In newborns, these can be fatal.
As is the case with many human foods, small amounts of baked bread are generally OK for cats to eat in moderation. Cats shouldn't eat bread on a regular basis but, rather, reserve it for a once in a while treat.
Cats can survive up to two weeks without food as long as they have access to water, although they'll likely survive only three to four days even with water. “It's important to emphasize that if a cat goes for two days without food, it'll become malnourished and unwell,” Dr. Sievert told The Dodo.
Kitten milk replacer should be the sole source of nutrition until 3-4 weeks of age at which time the weaning process may begin.
Can cats eat cheese? According to experts, yes — but only in moderation. If you give your cat cheese at all, just give them a small piece once in a while, about the size of a dice.
So remember, nonfat plain yogurt is usually safe and healthy for cats and dogs to eat as a fun snack — just check the nutrition label first to make sure it doesn't contain a dangerous ingredient, like xylitol. And for even more power-packed benefits, consider adding a daily probiotic to their regimen.
So, while cats can eat bacon in moderation, you need to keep track of the bacon's high amounts of fat and sodium. With that in mind, it's probably a better option to stick with your cat's veterinarian-recommended food and treats.