A cat's growth rate is very rapid: in just twelve months, it goes from weighing about 100 grams to between 2 and 3 kg. It begins its life completely dependent on its mother, as it is born deaf, with its eyes closed, and unable to regulate its body temperature. But time is on its side, because at three to four weeks old it will be ready to start eating other types of food.
It will still need to drink milk, at least until it's six weeks old (ideally until it's two months old), but its teeth will be strong enough to chew soft food. But what can you give it? This time I'll explain what a young kitten should eat after weaning.
Once the kitten is about three weeks old, it will start following its mother whenever she goes to the food bowl to eat. We can take advantage of this by giving the kitten its own food bowl with special kitten food. This way, it will learn where to go whenever its stomach starts to rumble. But of course, at this age it's still too early to give it dry food since its milk teeth are just starting to come in, so what should we do?
Ideally, you should give him natural meat , but very finely ground (like baby food) and always thoroughly soaked in warm water or kitten milk (he won't eat it if it's cold). But if you don't have much time, you can give him canned kitten food that doesn't contain grains or by-products, as he doesn't need them and they can actually cause allergies; you should also soak his wet food in warm milk or water.
How often should it eat? It will depend on how hungry it is, so the kitten itself will decide whether it wants to nurse or eat. However, once it's a month old, the mother will most likely stop nursing, so we'll have to give it kitten food soaked in kitten milk.
After two months, your teeth will be strong enough to chew without problems. At that time we can give you dry feed for cats of your age until you are one year old. If we see that it costs a little, we will add a little water to soften it.
8 foods to feed your kitten under one year old
Cats and kittens have a reputation for being picky eaters, and unfortunately, that reputation is well-deserved. We want to expand on what we've already discussed so you can better understand which foods you can give them, one by one, keeping some important considerations in mind. If a kitten grows up eating only one type of food, it will become accustomed to that food, and changing it later will be difficult.
However, if a kitten is presented with a variety of foods during his first year of life, even if he has his favorite food, he will eat other foods that are beneficial to him. Here are some foods to offer your kitten during her first year. Some of these are good foods, while others may be special treats but not to eat every day.
The primary food for kittens
Your kitten should be eating a good quality kitten food or a food labeled for all life stages . Even when you introduce other foods, this should be their main food, as too many changes can cause digestive upset. Feel free to switch up the flavors of the food, but stick to the same brand to maintain some consistency.
Canned cat food
The variety of ingredients available in canned cat food makes it a great way to introduce your kitten to different foods and flavors. You can try shrimp, fish, various types of poultry, and more. Some also contain other ingredients (like vegetables), while others are all meat. You can add a spoonful to your cat's main diet or offer it as a treat. Many cat owners use canned food as training treats when housebreaking a cat.
Scrambled eggs
When you make scrambled eggs on a Sunday morning, top them with melted cheese and offer your kitten a spoonful. It's good nutrition and your kitten will love it. However, give it to your kitten before adding salt, pepper, or sauce.
Fresh and salt water fish
Your kitten will be happy if you share your cooked fish with him. It can be a little trout, catfish, salmon, or tuna, although really, any cooked fish is fine. Again, giving him just a little (a teaspoonful) is enough, even if he's begging for more.
Cooked meats
Feel free to offer your kitten pieces of cooked beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, venison, or other lean meats. Avoid fatty meats, fried fatty meats, or meats containing salt, nitrates, or preservatives. Do not give your kitten hot dogs, bacon, or sausages, as these will upset their digestive system, potentially causing diarrhea. When giving them meat, cut it into small cubes or pieces . Some kittens become greedy and may choke on large pieces.
Green salads
Although cats are carnivores by nature, meaning they eat meat, adding some vegetables to your kitten's diet will provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You can offer a few florets of broccoli, finely chopped lettuce, or other salad greens. A small amount at a time is sufficient.
Pumpkin
If you're cooking pumpkin for your family, set some aside for your kitten. Grate a small piece of pumpkin and place it on a paper towel. Cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave it for just a few seconds, until cooked through. Let it cool, then offer a small piece to your kitten. Store any leftover pumpkin in the refrigerator to keep it fresh in case you want to give it to them another day.
Cat grass
Pet stores, and sometimes even grocery stores, carry cat grass growing kits for cats to grow at home. The grass is usually wheatgrass or oat grass, though sometimes it's a mix of grasses. The grass can provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals for your kitten, but primarily it offers them something new to experience. In fact, many kittens enjoy plucking the grass more than eating it.
When offering your kitten any of these different foods, keep the 10% rule in mind. Anything you add to your kitten's daily diet should not make up more than 10% of their total daily calories. More than 10% could upset the nutritional balance of their food. Also, offer one new item at a time. Give them a chance to try and get to know that food before offering them something else . With those thoughts in mind, have fun! Enjoy watching your kitten explore their food!
Remember: human food is for humans
Although you can give your kitten certain foods that you also eat, not everything goes. There are some foods that are for humans and that you can't even give a kitten because you could endanger its health.
Despite all the cute pictures of kittens drinking milk from a dish, kittens should only drink their mother's milk . Some kittens (and adult cats) are lactose intolerant and become ill when fed cow's milk and other dairy products. It's also important to establish good habits early on and ensure your kitten eats only what it should.
While most human food won't harm them, kittens will quickly learn to prefer it to their regular food . You'll never eat in peace again if you get them used to eating your food… Human food can also irritate your kitten's little tummy and cause diarrhea. That's why it's best to keep the food you eat for yourself and not for your cat.
If you're unsure which human foods you can and can't give your kitten, remember that you can always consult your veterinarian to ask about the most suitable foods for your feline friend, taking into account their individual needs. Remember, if you want your cat to live a long and healthy life, you'll need to think about how to feed them properly from the moment they start eating solid food. Their health will depend on the quality of their diet from a very young age! Because in addition to dry food, there are other options to ensure they get all the vitamins they need.
This way your kitten will grow up healthy and worry-free  .