How old must kittens be when they eat and drink?

Answer 1

Kittens that are six weeks old are probably only starting to take an interest, or picking at solid food. At this age they will still be suckling from their mother, but putting a tiny bit of wet food down every few hours will entice them to eat. You could see if they will lick food off your fingertip or off their own paws.

Mushed up wet food, or wet food that is throughly mixed with a little water or kitten milk is the best type of food for them right now. It is easy for them to eat and digest. It is advisable not to try dry food as, even softened with water, kittens may still not be able to eat it. As the kittens get older and bigger, you can slowly decrease the amount of water or kitten milk you use in the food, and leave slightly larger chunks for them to chew.

Be sure to feed them from a plate, as it is easier for the kittens to pick up the food.

As for liquids, they are still probably drinking a lot from mum. You can leave down a shallow saucer of water, but they may not touch this until they have stopped feeding from their mother completely.

Answer 2

Go to Walmart or your local pet store and buy kitten formula. KMR is a common brand. Mix it with clean water (bottled is best) and either purchase a kitten bottle (don't forget to cut an X on the nipple) or ask the pharmacy for a medicine dropper. It won't be easy at first as the kitten is not used to a synthetic nipple but be patient. I'm doing this right now as my pure bred cat had 7 kittens and can't make enough milk for them all. It is hard to just just how much they need, but a 4 week old kitten should have a reasonable "pot belly" and if their belly is flat you should keep trying to feed her/him every few hours, at least 2-3 times a day and maybe once at night. Let your kitten be the guide. don't introduce cow milk as many cats are lactose intolerant and your kitten will have severe diarrhea. Not to mention cow milk is not nutritious for a cat who is a carnivore, not a grass eater. Cow milk lacks the protein, taurine and other nutrients your kitten needs to survive.You'll have to help your kitten have a bowel and urine movements...yeah sorry but true. Mother usually licks from the abdomen to the genitals over and over again until the kitten responds by deficating or peeing and then the mother eats it. You'll have to simulate this with a warm wet rag or cotton ball. Do this several times a day or your kitten may be constipated or get a UTI. The good thing is in about 2 weeks you may be able to introduce kitten food softened in milk and start making the transition to solid food. Good luck towards having a healthy and happy kitten!

Answer 3

Kittens should start drinking water and begin to eat solid food at about 6 weeks old. They should be weaned at about 8 weeks old.

Answer 4

At four weeks old, kittens are still fully dependent on their mother's milk. Kittens will begin taking an interest in their mother's solid food at around six to eight weeks old.