Whether you’re getting a kitten or weaning your nursing cat’s kittens, you want to start making good food choices and establishing healthy eating habits now. Mealtimes are also an opportunity to use food as part of an environmental enrichment program to prevent boredom and promote training and exercise, all of which are important for your cat’s long-term mental and physical health.
Here’s a simple daily schedule for your kitten for the first six months after they’ve been weaned: It’s best to keep to a consistent schedule rather than free-feeding so that you can maximise training opportunities and closely monitor how much food your kitten is actually eating.
Deciding what food to feed your kitten and how much
- Your kitten needs to eat food that provides them with the extra calories, protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they need to grow and develop. Choose a high-protein, low-carb dry or canned kitten food from a reputable manufacturer.
- Check the feeding guide on your kitten’s food label. The recommended portions are based on your kitten’s weight and age. Use the appropriate portions as a starting point. You’ll start out feeding your kitten half wet food and half dry food, so divide the daily feeding amounts of canned food and dry food by two to prevent overfeeding.
- The amount your kitten will eat will change over time and if you change their food. Use your cat’s physical condition as a guide. If your kitten is gaining weight, give them less food. If they are underweight, give them more.
breakfast
- A shallow bowl of fresh water – large enough to hold about 1 cup of water, but low enough for your kitten to reach easily. The water bowl should be cleaned daily.
- Feed your kitten half of that day’s canned food (refrigerate the rest), picking up and discarding any uneaten canned food after about 30 minutes.
- Fill the puzzle feeder with about one-third of your kitty’s daily dry food so she can “hunt and play” all day. If necessary, put whatever doesn’t fit into the food puzzle into a small bowl for your cat to “eat.”
Afternoon meal
- Refresh the water bowl with fresh water as needed.
- Feed your kitten about one-third of its daily diet as dog food.
- Use treats, whether store-bought or homemade (plain, cooked eggs, chicken, liver), to practice simple skills like “get up” and “sit” and help your kitten get used to responding to its name. Keep treats to less than 10 percent of your kitten’s daily caloric intake to prevent obesity and nutritional imbalances.
- Meals and snacks can also be very helpful in career training, and afternoon meals are ideal for this.
- Place your kitten’s food and favorite treats in the carrier (make sure the carrier is clean and comfortable) and leave the carrier door open. Over time, as your kitten gets used to the carrier, close the door for a short period of time. Getting your cat used to the carrier can literally be a lifesaver.
Dinner
- Refresh the water bowl as needed.
- Feed your kitten half of a day’s worth of canned food, picking up and discarding any uneaten canned food after about 30 minutes.
- Fill a small bowl with about one-third of your kitten’s day’s dog food.
- After the last meal of the day is the perfect time for daily play exercise.
image: Africa Studio / via Shutterstock
