When should kittens start to eat solid food?

[Elsa]

The litter of kittens I have at home are 5 weeks old (Ruby's favorite subject) and two are eating cat food (that I've seen) and two I have never seen eat. All are still nursing. I'm concerned because one of the non-eaters is going to her new home Christmas Eve. What can I do to get her to eat?

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-Elsa

Ruby- Flashy Fawn, Black Mask,Cropped, 5/1998

 

[LeedsDevil]

Elsa,

Kittens start to eat solid food at about 4 weeks old. I will ask that you wait until the kittens are at least 8 weeks before sending them to their new homes :( They still need to learn how to be a CAT at 6 weeks. My kittens are 15 weeks now and their Mother still lets them nurse a couple of times a day! There is no hard and fast rule as to when Kittens are old enough to leave but genrally 6 weeks is just to young (same as for puppies). You will know it's time to send them off when you put kitten food out and they all come running, and don't let Mom eat until they are done :D

Good luck and feel free to e-mail me at leedsdevil@home.com if you need any more help

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Jennifer
much Loved companion of
Greta the Boxer, 2/6/89
Adopted 9/12/99 at age 11
Flashy Brindle, docked with natural ears

Greta's story www.angelfire.com/games2/leedsdevil/

or Family Pics http://community.webshots.com/album/4482780oYztpZCqFo