How to Wean a Kitten From Formula

Raising an orphaned kitten typically involves bottle-feeding it formula in place of its mother's milk. Eventually, you'll need to transition the kitten from formula to solid food. Weaning should be a gradual decrease of formula coinciding with the introduction and gradual increase of solid food. This process naturally takes place when the kitten is between four and 10 weeks old. You can begin weaning an orphaned kitten at around three weeks of age, though the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns not to begin the process too early.

Things You'll Need

  • Formula
  • Kitten food
  • Bowl
  • Towel or newspaper (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place a small amount of formula into a food or saucer. Don't use too much. In the beginning, you're just giving the kitten a small taste and introducing it to the act of lapping up food.

    • 2

      Touch a few drops of formula to the kitten's nose or mouth to entice it into eating. Do this once or twice a day while continuing to bottle-feed the formula.

    • 3

      Add a small amount of solid food to the formula after two or three days have passed. Mix it with the formula until it resembles a runny gruel.

    • 4

      Increase the ratio of solid food to formula until the kitten is eating mostly solid food. This process should take between two and six weeks, depending on the needs of your kitten.