Expert: Karen Craft - 6/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my name is Tanya. My cat had 5 kittens on May 26, so there about 3 and 1/2 weeks old. I was wondering, at what age should I start litter training them? I heard at about 4 weeks, is that too early? And at what age should I wean them off of the mother's milk? Can I give them cat food while there still drinking the mother's milk? I have one more question, when I do start giving them cat food, is there a certain type of food I can get for cats and kittens? Cause I still have one cat and 5 kittens and I don't want to have to buy 2 different types of cat food. I feed my cat Meow Mix, can I give that to the kittens when they start eating solid foods? Thank you in advance for answering all my questions.

Sincerely,
Tanya Thurmes

ANSWER: Hi Tanya,

Welcome to the wonderful world of kittens. Litter training should start at about 4-5 weeks. Get a cardboard soda flat. This makes a great litter box for the kittens. It is low enough for them to crawl into.

I like to start to wean kittens at about 6 weeks of age. Yes you can give them kitten food while they are still nursing. Mix some of the food you get for them with water and make a gruel of it. You can use a spoon and bring it to their mouths to sample. They will figure out pretty quick that it is good. but also keep in mind that it's messy weaning them. You also need to get a shallow bowl for them. Place the gruel in there when they learn the taste of it. Be aware that they will step in it to get at the food.

Feed them about 3-4 times a day. Remove it after about 20 minutes. After about a week you can start adding less and less water till they are on hard food. Feed both the mom and the kittens something like Purina One Kitten Food. The mom needs kitten food right now because of her extra nutritional needs. Good luck and write back if you have any other questions.

Ciao, Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, it's Tanya again. So, even though the kittens are not even 4 weeks old yet, I can still give them regular kitten food? What about after the kittens are done nursing and they are eating hard food? What should I feed the kittens and the mother? We will be getting the mom spayed after she's done nursing, so she won't be producing anymore milk after the kittens are 6 weeks old. Can I give the kittens adult cat food or the adult cat kitten food? I found a brand of food that says it's for cats and kittens, it's called Whiskas. Have you ever tried that, do you know if that brand's good or not? Or can I continue giving them Meow Mix when there done nursing? One more question, and if I give the kittens kitten food right now, do I have to give it to the mom too, since they will be getting the nutrition from the food? Cause the mom really likes Meow Mix, so can I continue giving her Meow Mix and give the kittens the kitten food? Thanks again in advance for your help! And thanks for responding so fast last time.

Sincerely,
Tanya Thurmes

Answer
Hi Tanya,

No, don't start feeding them hard food till they are 6 weeks old. You can start to litter train them when they are 4 weeks.
Meow Mix makes a kitten food. Get that now and feed it to the mom. You can switch her back to the regular when the kittens are switched to regular. The kittens don't get the food yet; in another 2 weeks you can start to wean the kittens on this. Kittens need to stay on kitten food until they are about 6 months old.
I don't know of any vet who will spay a cat when she is nursing. Usually it's done when she has finished and dry.
Good luck.

Ciao, Karen