Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/can kitten eat human food

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 4/4/2009


Question
Dear Tabbi
I've got a 8 week-old kitten last week. I've heard that KITTEN can't have human food, especially salty food. But my boyfriend's mum keeps feeding him with her food. I am very annoyed and had arguments with her. could you please tell me whether kitten can have human food (chicken, ham)? thanks

Answer
Ning,

There is nothing wrong with a cat/kitten eating human food like chicken, ham, etc. as long as the kitten is also getting kitten chow. The kitten needs the protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. for the first year that the kitten chow provides. The only really toxic foods to a cat are chocolate, onions, and raisins/grapes. Cats are carnivores so they need meat also. At 8 weeks the food should still be chopped up VERY small so the kitten can eat it and not choke. And they have tiny tummies still so they can't eat a large amount of food yet. Also make sure there is lots of fresh water available at all times for the kitten.

The only problem is that the food should be a treat, not a steady diet, or the kitten will refuse to eat cat food. And it's not good to feed at the table either. It's cute now, but it won't be when the cat gets big, and it will be a hard habit to break. Put treats in the cats dish where it normally eats.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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