Why won't my queen let me introduce food to the kittens?

[Renee Z]

Hello all, I am fostering a cat that had 6 kitts 4.5 weeks ago. This is my first time helping raise kitts. I tried to introduce wet kitten food to the kitts, but every time I try to, the queen eats the food herself, even if I give her some wet of her own. Is this because she thinks it is too soon, or will she always do this?? They are already starting to use the litter box to urinate, but she won't let them eat. How will I know when she thinks they are ready?

 

[Ree]

if you really want the kittens to eat the wet food, separate the queen from her babies just during feeding time. at least so that the kittens get used to eating something else.

 

[chzbrgr]

Separate the queen from the kittens when you give them the food. It could be that she just wants the food and it has nothing to do with the kittens at all.

Don't worry, this age is a perfect time to start introducing solid food, though obviously they will still rely on nursing as the bulk of their diet for at least another few weeks. Right now you are just letting them experiment and taste, don't try to rush them into weaning.


http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/kittens2.html
http://cats.about.com/cs/kittencare/a/tracksixweek.htm
http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/cats/when-can-kittens-be-weaned.aspx
http://www.petpublishing.com/catkit/faq.shtml

 

[shaycos]

It's a little early yet, most start at about 6-8 weeks though some do eat food earlier. Just start leaving a little down over the next two or three weeks, but don't push them. You only need to worry if they are not feeding after 10 weeks (some can be a little slower than others.)

When the mum thinks they are ready she will start pushing them away.

 

[ezzzzz]

Ohhh this happened to me!!!! Okay what you need to do is wait..... just wait. When the queen is ready for them to stop feeding off of her or being around her, she'll eventually just, ummmm, kinda attack them..... yeah its weird but that's what happens.

 

[*Da chef*]

Kittens need nutrition from their mothers breast milk if they're 4 weeks old, they can start eating wet food in a 1/2 month or so, then after another month, they can eat hard food.

Heres a web link to take care of a mother cat and kittens;

http://www.ehow.com/how_4489243_take-care-newborn-kittens-amp.html

Your doing a wonderful thing taking care of animals that need a good home. : )

 

[Ontario Loyalist]

It might be a little too soon. They should still be getting enough by feeding from their mother, but she she is driven by instinct and will soon expect her kittens to start find their own food. Keep putting it out for them and eventually they will make the transition. Give it another few weeks, but in the meantime find a good reliable source to verify this, as it is just my opinion.

 

[I love my mutts~]

At 4.5 weeks, the kittens are too young to start on food. Wait until 5.5 - 6 weeks before you try giving them anything. Also try feeding the mother a bit more, it sounds like she needs it.