When Should Kittens Stop Nursing

The mama cat will likely stop lactating by the eighth week after the kittens are born.

When should kittens stop nursing. The weaning process also varies from kitten to kitten. Most kittens will nurse for an average of 8 weeks. They should be stopped even if it comforts them. When do kittens stop nursing.

But the weaning period of your kitten usually lasts for about 6 to1 0 weeks. Kittens usually begin the weaning process around 4 weeks of age according to the general consensus. The kittens may mostly play with the food at first but will eventually begin to eat more of it. Weaning a kitten who still has her mother is quite different from weaning a kitten who has been orphaned.

Kittens should remain with. Most kittens will gradually stop nursing after they are introduced to solid food she explains. However anywhere between the 4 to 6 week mark is acceptable. The end of nursing according to the american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals aspca a mother cat typically stops nursing their kittens when they are around 4 weeks old.

This is now the cue for the weaning process to begin. Kittens bodies are very sensitive to premature weaning so be careful about starting them too young. However you or their mother can start introducing solid food at about 4 weeks. You can also complete this process in your kitten when it becomes 8 to 10 weeks old.

Purchase only foods for your mama kitty listed as for growth and meet the nutrient profiles of the association of american feed control officials. Typically that s week 10 for the kittens. They shouldn t be relying on their mother to this time. As soon as the kittens appear to be eating nothing but solid food the mother cat s breast should be dry within a week or two.

In my opinion you should not allow your kittens to continue this behavior but they should not be punished or scolded for their kitten behavior. The best time to start weaning your kitten is when it is 4 weeks i e. When do kittens stop nursing from their mother. This makes them dependent and cats are independent creatures.

Krieger says that most kittens outgrow the behavior as they mature. Around 5 weeks of age the kitten s premolars will begin to emerge indicating that she is likely ready to start trying out some. Let the cat nurse its kittens for 7 9 weeks. A normal lean cat needs about 30 calories per pound of weight per day so a pregnant and nursing cat will need between 60 and 75 calories per pound of weight per day.

Kittens sucking on their mother at 9 months old isn t normal in the wild. The entire process generally lasts for about a month.