How to Ween a Stubborn Kitten From Cat Milk

Weaning is the process of gradually switching a kitten from mother's milk to solid cat food. It shouldn't be started earlier than 4 weeks or so. The kitten needs to be able to open its eyes, focus, and stand on its own feet before it can be transitioned to solid food. It usually takes around four weeks to complete the weaning process, but for an especially stubborn kitten it can take longer, up to eight weeks. The key to weaning a stubborn kitten is to take the weaning as slow and gradual as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Kitten milk replacer
  • Shallow dish
  • Dry kitten food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pour some kitten milk replacer into a shallow dish and set it in front of the kitten. Dip your finger into the formula, let the kitten lick it off, and lead the kitten to the dish. Give the kitten time to discover that the replacer is actually food. Even if the kitten is stubborn, he will eventually give in and drink.

    • 2

      Repeat step 1 day after day. Weaning is a gradual process, especially with a stubborn kitten. After the kitten has gotten used to the milk replacer and is no longer feeding off of cat milk, it is time to start the next transition--introducing it to solid food.

    • 3

      Mix some dry kitten food with the kitten milk replacer until it is a gruel with the consistency of oatmeal. Set the dish in front of the kitten and let him inspect it. At first, he may only play in it or stare, but keep trying. As the kitten learns to eat the gruel, very slowly lessen the amount of milk replacer that you mix with the solid food until you eventually add none.