Six-week-old kittens are mobile, bright and curious. Make sure to provide plenty of play and socialisation. They need engaging toys and lots of love and entertainment. By this age, you should need to bottle-feed much less frequently. Kittens should be getting solid food four times a day (offer a tablespoon of solid food per kitten, mashed well with water, and remove what’s left after an hour). You can continue reducing the amount of water or formula you mix with the food, too. This is also a good time to start offering small amounts of dry kitten food. I vastly prefer wet to dry food for a number of reasons but one dry food meal per day will help keep your kittens’ teeth in good shape.
Check that your kittens are still gaining weight on schedule. Because they need so much extra nutrition at this stage, you should monitor their weight gain to ensure that they’re getting enough of what they require. Be aware that kittens can have growth spurts where their nutritional needs will increase. If they fuss for food, feed them. Adult cats can develop problems with obesity if overfed but small kittens never do. They’ll burn through everything you give them.
By the end of the sixth week, your kittens should be enjoying at least three hearty meals of food mashed with a very little formula or water. Continue to allow them to nurse from their mother or feed them with the bottle from time to time if they still show an interest but encourage the kittens to try more solid foods. Provide bowls of water and let your kittens free-feed from a small dish of dry food. Food needs to be plentiful so that your kittens do not become food-aggressive and get into spats. If you see squabbling or fighting, provide an extra food dish.
Kittens who are six weeks old should eat kitten kibble mixed into wet food. You can start to separate the wet food and kibble, but do so gradually so the kittens won’t have digestive problems.
Food For A 6 Week Kitten
Only purchase kitten-specific food, labeled as “for growth and reproduction.” These foods contain higher amounts of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals for growing little babies, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The wet or dry foods you select need to meet the nutritional profiles set out by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which should be listed on the label. In addition to kitten food, you will need to provide plenty of fresh water for your kitty, given in a shallow dish so he doesn’t accidentally drown. As he grows, you can give him water in a larger bowl.
How Often Should I Feed My 6 Week Old Kitten?
By six weeks of age, a kitten should be eating the gruel four times a day and nursing less. The gruel should become less and less watery and dry kitten food should be introduced, along with a bowl of water. At the end of week six, decrease meal times to only three times a day.
Typically, you need to feed a 6 week old kitten four to five times a day as stomach of kitten at such age is small and it can’t eat much food in one go. When you are purchasing food for six week old kitten, ensure that you are buying food that is “kitten specific.” Kitten specific food is specially formulated for kittens and is labeled as “or growth and reproduction.”
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your kitten’s diet. Even small changes may be enough to give your kitty an upset tummy. Never feed your kitten cooked chicken bones. Cooked chicken bones will splinter when chewed, and may cause serious damage inside your kitten’s tender tummy. Don’t give your kitten chicken that has been cooked with garlic or onions. These are commonly used to spice up human food, but even small amounts can poison your kitty.
Sometimes adding a kitten replacer (available at feed/pet stores and veterinarians offices) to the wet food can help a kitten who is a little undernourished. Kittens 6 weeks and older can eat wet or dry kitten food. Kitten formula foods are much more nutritious for your kitten.
When a kitten is 6 to 8 weeks old, it should be thoroughly weaned from the bottle and transitioned to solid foods. At this time, offer only food that’s been specially formulated for kittens. It’s a good idea to mix dry and canned food together so your pet experiences both at a young age. As your kitten ages, you can switch to an all-dry or all-canned diet. You should be feeding a kitten this age three to four times per day, depending on their appetite. It’s also important to keep a clean, shallow bowl of fresh water available at all times to keep your kitten hydrated.
When kittens are six weeks old, things get easier for their caregivers. The kittens will be able to clean themselves (and groom each other to reinforce their sibling bonds) and should be using the litter box.
At this age, kittens can run well and are very active and playful. Though they should be weaned and are becoming more self-sufficient, they may still nurse and seek comfort from their mother.
Can A 6 Week Old Kitten Drink Water?
Making Sure Kittens are Hydrated. Leave the kitten with its mother until its at least 4-6 weeks old. Kittens learn to eat, clean themselves, and drink water from their mothers as they grow.
When kittens are six weeks old, things get easier for their caregivers. The kittens will be able to clean themselves (and groom each other to reinforce their sibling bonds) and should be using the litter box. At this age, kittens can run well and are very active and playful.
Can A 6 Week Old Kitten Eat Eggs?
Yes. Kittens can have eggs. But considering how few calories kittens need each day, there are much better foods to feed them. To be sure you’re giving a kitten the nutrition she needs as she grows, it’s best to buy food and treats made especially for this time in her life.