When can a Kitten eat ordinary cat food?

When can a Kitten eat ordinary cat food?

For most breeds the following applies (for large breeds, the kitten stages may be longer): During their first 4 weeks of life kittens rely on their mother’s milk for all their nutritional needs. Mother’s milk shares antibodies from the mother with her kittens. Mother’s milk is the ideal nutrition for kittens at this age.

At about 4 weeks of age, the kittens should be introduced to mostly wet and canned food. Wet food is easier for kittens this age to eat than dry food. Dry food should be offered occasionally. At around 8 weeks of age, the kittens should be completely weaned off mothers’ milk – eating both wet and dry kitten food.

During the next 44 weeks the kittens should eat kitten food. If you do not have access to kitten food, you need to make sure that the kittens get a lot of protein from various sources – lean meats such as fish, beef, chicken, turkey, liver and lamb, but make sure it is cooked. Small portions of cooked eggs in various forms work too. Avoid dairy; milk, cheese, yoghurts and chocolate (toxic to cats).

The cats may look fully grown after say 6 months, but they are still developing, and they need kitten food. In general, when the cat is not a kitten anymore, i.e., at the age of 12 months, it is time to switch to an adult maintenance formula. Kittens are growing and need a richer diet than adult cats. Adult cats are likely to get overweight on a kitten (growth) formula. To summarize: 

Avoid: dairy; milk, cheese, yoghurts and chocolate (toxic to cats). Turkey, fish, eggs, and beef is fine (make sure it is cooked).