Gemma Wyer answered
Most kittens will start to wean between four to five weeks, but they will often continue to nurse until eight weeks.
A mother cat produces milk for twelve weeks and some kittens will nurse up to this point.
Why is nursing important?
For the first week, the kittens absorb colostrum from their mother's milk. Colostrum contains antibodies that are essential for a kitten's immunity.
For kittens, nursing provides security and nutrition, and they learn a lot of valuable lessons from their mothers during this process. It is important that they are allowed to nurse for as long as they need to.
If the mother isn't producing enough milk or has health problems, kittens can start to eat on their own at around three weeks (when their teeth start to come in).
At what age do kittens stop nursing? A mother cat will often initiate weaning on her own. She may limit the length of a feeding session or walk away for a nap. This encourages the kittens to fend for themselves and explore other ways of eating.
By ten to twelve weeks, most kittens will survive solely on cat food.
A mother cat produces milk for twelve weeks and some kittens will nurse up to this point.
Why is nursing important?
For the first week, the kittens absorb colostrum from their mother's milk. Colostrum contains antibodies that are essential for a kitten's immunity.
For kittens, nursing provides security and nutrition, and they learn a lot of valuable lessons from their mothers during this process. It is important that they are allowed to nurse for as long as they need to.
If the mother isn't producing enough milk or has health problems, kittens can start to eat on their own at around three weeks (when their teeth start to come in).
At what age do kittens stop nursing? A mother cat will often initiate weaning on her own. She may limit the length of a feeding session or walk away for a nap. This encourages the kittens to fend for themselves and explore other ways of eating.
By ten to twelve weeks, most kittens will survive solely on cat food.
