When should I switch kittens to food other than their mothers milk, and what type of food?
Kittens typically start the weaning process between 4 to 6 weeks old. Start mixing a good quality kitten food with milk replacer (such as KMR) or water and soak it until it resembles oatmeal. Place the food in a shallow bowl and stimulate the kittens to eat it by placing a bit of the food in their mouths. Start separating the mother cat from the litter for an hour, then two, then three, etc. Once the kittens are enjoying and tolerating (no vomiting or diarrhea) their new diet, wait one more week and then totally separate the mother from them. The mother will still be producing milk and her mammaries may become overfilled (ouch!). A cold compress of ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth can help. Apply it for about 15 minutes twice a day. You can help her stop producing milk by not giving her any food the first day (her body will reabsorb the milk). Give her a quarter of her usual amount on day two. Give her half of her usual amount on day three. She can return to her regular eating habits o
