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How to get my 3-month-old kitten to eat solid food and wean?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Hi one of my 3 month old kittens is refusing to eat? He has never tried to even eat and he only drinks his mom's milk. What should we do?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 30th, 2016

Some kittens do nurse longer than others, and wean at a later date. He does need to learn to eat regular food, however, you can try to wean him. To start, mix dry kitten food with kitten milk replacer formula so they recognize the taste. Smear the mixture around their mouth with your finger and let them lick it off. Once they get used to the taste, they’ll seek it out elsewhere. As he get used to this, add in more dry food, and less formula until you have completely eliminated the formula.

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13Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    The weaning process should be usually complete at 6-7 weeks of age but it may take longer occasionally. 3 months is indeed a long time but it may happen. My suggestion would be to start weaning him immediately. To begin weaning a kitten, mix the kitten food with formula so they recognize the taste. Smear the mixture around their mouth with your finger and let them lick it off. Once they get used to the taste, they’ll seek it out elsewhere. Then you can introduce them to lapping from a bowl. Monitor them so they don’t lap too fast, and never push their face into the bowl, which could cause them to inhale the mixture and develop pneumonia. After that, gradually transition the weaning kittens to dry food, supplementing with formula if needed. Use canned food or dry kitten food mixed with water; at first, add a lot of water, and then reduce the amount of water as the kitten matures. When you are weaning a kitten onto solid food, it’s important to use a food formulated specifically for kittens. These formulas have the higher levels of calories, protein and calcium that growing kittens need. If you are caring for a mother cat and her litter, it’s okay for the mom cat to eat the same kitten food while she’s nursing.

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 27th, 2020

    The kittens should have all been weaned at 8 weeks. I suggest you separate them from the mother. Once she stops nursing she will start to eat cat food better. Do not feed her any human foods. That is a very bad habit for her to get into. I suggest you use Royal Canin Babycat Mousse. This is a good transition food. ( https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=118238 )

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