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How do I wean a kitten to solid food if I don't know its age?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 2 days old

What age should a kitten be weaned off of formula? And how do I wean a kitten towards solid food? Lastly, this kitten was rescued from behind a dumpster, what is a good sign that it is ready to be weaned because I don't know how old it is?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on October 30th, 2016

Good questions! A kitten can start being weaned onto solid food around four weeks of age, and it should be done slowly over the next two to three weeks. Kittens are typically on solid food only around six to seven weeks of age. To help her wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality kitten formulated dry food in water water until soft. Then mix that with formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two to three weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry kitten food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until she are eating the dry kitten food only. A kitten's eye will be fully open around three weeks of age, so if Stella's eyes are fully open and she can see, she will be at least three weeks old. The best way to get an idea of her age is to take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can estimate her age. She will definitely need a deworming treatment now, but depending on how old the vet thinks she is, she may be old enough for vaccines, heartworm treatment, and flea medication. I would NOT give her any flea medication unless the vet says it's ok to give it to her, as kittens under six weeks of age cannot receive a spot on treatment. It's not safe and it could be fatal. Because she has to see the vet to get a deworming treatment, at that appointment, the vet can let you know if she is old enough for the other treatments I mentioned. I would take her into a vet in the next couple of days.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on

    Normally, kittens can start to eat solid food around 4-5 weeks of age. This is when the baby teeth start to come in, and also the age when kittens begin to be able to walk and run around. You can introduce solid food by providing a small dish of canned kitten food, or dry food moistened with warm water to soften it. It may take the kitten some time to figure out how to eat solid food, so keep bottle feeding until she gets the hang of things.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 15th, 2019

    If Dewey is 25 days of age, you can start weaning him onto a kitten food now. To help him wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality kitten formulated dry food in warm water until soft. Then mix that with kitten formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry kitten food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until he is eating the dry kitten food only. I hope this helps!

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