adp_description_block98
Caring for a New Kitten: The First 6 Months

Raising a kitten is one of the most enjoyable experiences a pet owner can have, but it can also be as challenging as it is rewarding. When it comes to your kitten’s diet, it’s important to set up a solid foundation to make sure your kitten grows into a healthy, well-adjusted cat.

Feeding Your Kitten during the First 6 Months

The timeline for feeding your newborn kitten changes rapidly during the first six months. The following is a broad overview of the key development milestones your kitten will experience to help you learn what and how you should feed the newest member of your family.

Common Milestones for Kitten Development

AGE	MILESTONE
7-10 days old	Kittens begin to urinate and defecate on their own.
10-18 days old	Kittens attempt to stand. Kittens double their birth weight at about day 14. Kittens’ eyes begin to open. Kittens’ ears begin to open.
18-21 days old	Kittens hear and respond to noises. Kittens begin to walk.
3 weeks old	Begin weaning process for orphaned kittens. Kittens begin responsive vocalization. Deciduous (baby) teeth will begin erupting.
4 weeks old	Begin weaning process for mother-fed kittens.
3-6 months old	Kittens’ adult teeth erupt.

Due to breed differences and animal individuality, it is impossible to predict exact dates for growth and development milestones for kittens. However, by using these milestones as a guide for healthy growth, you can spot and possibly prevent developmental problems early on.

How to Wean Kittens with IAMS™

When your kitten reaches 4 weeks old (or 3 weeks old for orphaned kittens), you can begin the weaning process. Follow this step-by-step process to wean a kitten using IAMS:

Introduce a small amount of water in a shallow dish. Most kittens will play in the water; however, within four or five days, they begin to develop drinking skills. Some kittens may require longer periods for training, so don’t be discouraged if they resist bowl training.
Begin mixing IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Mother and Kitten with water. Be sure to also provide a separate dish for fresh water.
Gradually increase the amount of soft food while decreasing the amount of water in the mixture until the kitten is eating soft food only.
Repeat the process, mixing dry food with the soft food, and then increasing the solid food while decreasing the soft food until the transition is complete.

The entire process should take approximately three weeks.

adp_related_article_block126 315 YOUR --spice-- MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block126
Kitten Basics: How to Keep Your Kitten in Good Health

adp_related_article_block126
The Cat Personality Awards: The Unique Temperaments of Popular Cat Breeds

adp_related_article_block126
Myths About Feeding Your Kitten a Raw Meat Diet

adp_description_block134
How Nutrition Can Help Manage Your Cat’s Hairballs
Share
Why Make a Hairball Management Formula?
Most cats are susceptible to hairballs due to continual ingestion of hair during regular self-grooming.
Cat owners have told us that hairballs are one of their top concerns.
According to IAMS™ consumer research, a number of cat owners and their cats have found hairball treatments to be an unpleasant experience.

How Were the IAMS Hairball Formulas Developed?
IAMS nutritionists were looking for a way to control hairball formation while maintaining optimal feline health and well-being. They evaluated risk factors for hairball formation in cats fed diets that varied in fiber source and content.
98 cats were studied.
Nine groups were fed test diets and three were fed control diets.
The test-feeding period was six to seven weeks, following a five-week control-feeding period.
Total cat-days of testing = 9,968.

Researchers found that feeding diets that contained a blend of beet pulp and cellulose was more effective at moving hair through the digestive tract, compared with the same diets containing beet pulp as the only fiber source.
There was an 80% to 100% increase in fecal hair excretion with beet pulp/cellulose-blend diets, compared with the beet-pulp-only diet.
By promoting the passage of hair ingested by the cat during normal self-grooming, an important risk factor for hairball formation is minimized.
Hairballs were not evident in cats fed the beet pulp/cellulose-blend diets.

How Do IAMS Hairball Formulas Work?
The fiber system (blend of beet pulp/cellulose) gently moves hair through the gastrointestinal tract while maintaining healthy digestion.
Beet pulp, a moderately fermentable fiber, promotes optimal intestinal health.
Cellulose helps to enhance the passage of ingested hair.
An optimal fatty acid ratio enhances skin and coat health, which decreases the likelihood of excessive shedding, a factor related to hairball formation.

How Do IAMS Hairball Formulas Compare with Other IAMS Cat Food Formulas?
IAMS hairball formulas provide high-quality nutrition and taste, like our other adult formulas, with the added benefit of reducing the risk of hairballs.
High-quality nutrition for adult cats
Optimal protein and fat levels
Higher fiber content due to added cellulose
Excellent stool quality, skin and coat condition, and taurine status
Great taste
Similar acceptability and palatability test results as other IAMS adult formulas
adp_related_article_block2 353 YOUR --spice-- MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block2
The Nutrients Your Dog Needs for a Healthy Coat and Skin
Read More

adp_related_article_block2
Kitten Basics: Do Kittens Get Hairballs?
Read More

adp_related_article_block2
How to Care for Your Cat’s Hairball Issues
Read More