How to Feed a Cat from 0 to 12 Months

How to Feed a Cat from 0 to 12 Months

0-1 Month (Breastfeeding)

  1. Feed with breast milk or colostrum goat milk powder.
  2. Keep warm, maintaining the temperature between 25-30°C, and do not take the kitten outside.
  3. If there is no mother cat, feed using a syringe and assist the kitten with excretion.
  4. Drinking milk and exploring the world! Sleeping for 20 hours a day is normal.
    • 0-1 week: Feed every 2-3 hours.
    • 2-3 weeks: Feed every 4 hours.

Supplies: Goat milk powder, pee pads, blankets, feeding bottle/syringe.

1-2 Months (Weaning)

  1. Kittens can start weaning gradually and begin eating cat food.
  2. Soften the cat food before feeding and ensure scheduled, portioned feeding.
  3. Secure windows to prevent falls.
  4. Best time to train kittens to use the litter box; guide them step by step.
  • 1-1.5 months: Feed every 6 hours.
  • 2 months: Feed every 3-4 hours.

Supplies: Cat food, cat litter, litter box, cat bowl.

2-3 Months (First Deworming & Vaccination)

  1. Deworm for the first time at two months old:
    • Internal deworming: every 3 months.
    • External deworming: every month.
  2. One week after deworming, start vaccinations (a total of 3 doses, each 21 days apart).
  3. Ensure the kitten is healthy before deworming or vaccinating.
  • 2 months: Feed every 3-4 hours.
  • 3 months: Introduce small amounts of egg yolk and chicken breast.

Supplies: Cat food, pet carrier, scratching board, cat shampoo.

3-4 Months (Socialization)

  1. Start trimming nails and getting kittens used to body contact.
  2. Kittens’ claws are now sharp; prepare a scratching board.
  3. Dry cat food can be fed without soaking.
  4. Kittens are in a vaccine gap period; vaccinations can continue.
  • In addition to cat food:
    • Goat milk powder twice a week.
    • Egg yolk + chicken breast once a week.

Supplies: Cat teaser toys, fresh cat food.

4-5 Months (Shedding, Teething, Cheek Development)

  1. A critical growth stage; high-nutrition freeze-dried food can help with cheek development.
  2. Kittens start shedding; feed fish oil and egg yolk for healthier fur.
  3. Play for at least 30 minutes before bedtime to use up energy.
  4. Avoid frequently changing food, as it can cause diarrhea.

Supplies: Nail clippers, toothbrush, high-nutrition canned food.

5-6 Months (Heat Cycle)

  1. Around 6 months, kittens may enter their first heat; keep windows and doors secure to prevent them from escaping.
  2. If you have both male and female cats, separate them. Male cats may start spraying; clean up immediately.
  3. Maintain regular cleaning to prevent tear stains.
  4. Spaying/neutering can only be done after the heat cycle ends.

Supplies: Cat toys, brush, eye drops.

6-7 Months (Companionship)

  1. Spend more time playing and interacting with your kitten; they need lots of love.
  2. Kittens sleep a lot at this stage—don’t worry.
  3. Do not feed human food or too many cooling foods.
  4. Appetite increases; provide high-protein food for strong bones.
  5. Consider getting a cat tree to increase daytime activity.

Supplies: Cat brush, freeze-dried treats.

7-8 Months (Hydration)

  1. Ensure sufficient water intake to prevent urinary issues.
  2. Diet stabilizes, and appetite becomes more regular.
  3. Kittens are very curious—guide them positively.
  4. Kittens may experience an awkward fur stage and appear bald in some areas.
  5. Supplement the diet with deep-sea fish oil and prebiotics as needed.

Supplies: Automatic water fountain, ear cleaner, bonito flakes.

9-10 Months (Shedding)

  1. Kittens remain curious about everything—provide proper guidance.
  2. Regularly brush out loose fur to prevent hairball issues.
  3. Some kittens may develop aggressive behaviors; train them patiently.
  4. Regular grooming and baths are necessary; ensure thorough drying to prevent colds.
  5. Consider getting a cat tree to increase daily exercise.

Supplies: Cat grass, hairball remedy.

11-12 Months (Adulthood)

  1. The kitten has now reached adulthood with a stable lifestyle and constitution.
  2. Avoid scolding or hitting cats unnecessarily—it will backfire as they do not understand. Positive reinforcement is best.
  3. Use proper training methods to instill good habits.
  4. Consider an annual health checkup, focusing on kidney, heart, and endocrine health.
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