How will I know when it's time to feed my kittens solid food?

Question

They are 3 weeks old today! Feeding well enough from their mother but they seem to becoming more and more interested in their mothers food..when is the right time to feed them solid food?

Answer 1

i just had a litter of kittens about 3 months ago and they started eating solid food when they were ready.  we just kept a bowl of food out for the mother and when they were ready to stop drinking from their mother they started to eat. this was around 4-5 weeks old.

Answer 2

When they are between 4 and 5 weeks try to offer them some wet food, they should take it at that age, and leave out some dry food for them and moisten it with water so it is easier for them to chew it, they should be on their mothers milk until they are at least six weeks old, and should be fully weaned by 7 weeks, it is ok for them to have some of moms milk and eat normal food at the same time.

Answer 3

Generally try to get them going on wet kitten food at 4 weeks, that's when their teeth start coming in and mom starts thinking about weening. She will keep nursing them but will begin to limit them as time goes on.  

If you haven't already, you can offer them a shallow bowl of water.  They may just play in it, but they'll figure out.

If they have no interest in the wet food then take a little and rub it off on their face, near their mouth.  They'll l**k it off and should work out that it's food.  

If you're going to feed them hard food too then wait a little bit longer so they'll have more teeth.  You can add water or kitten formula to it if they are disinterested or mix a little in with the wet food.  

Answer 4

I think you will get a lot of different answers to this questions.  I have fostered many litters of kittens and I usually let the kittens decide when the time is right.  

I always feed both wet and dry food and have found that eventually the little ones found the wet when they were interested.  They will still nurse though.  3 weeks sounds very young though.. Mine were usually interested closer to 4 to 5 weeks.  

Answer 5

It is time to offer them a little moist food. either canned kitten food or dry that has had liquid added and allowed to soak to become soft. They probably won't eat over a spoon full, so save the rest of the can...but allow it to come to room temperature before you feed the rest to them.

I am certain the momma cat will appreciate you feeding the babies, as it will give her a bit of a break.

Hope this helps.