How does a cat feed newborn kittens? - briefly
A mother cat nourishes her newborn kittens by producing milk from her mammary glands, allowing them to nurse frequently for essential nutrients and growth.
How does a cat feed newborn kittens? - in detail
A mother cat, known as a queen, instinctively provides nourishment to her newborn kittens through lactation. Immediately after giving birth, the queen begins to produce milk, which is rich in essential nutrients, antibodies, and colostrum. Colostrum is particularly vital as it helps strengthen the kittens' immune systems during their first few days of life. The kittens are born blind and deaf, relying entirely on their sense of smell and touch to locate their mother’s teats. The queen positions herself in a way that allows the kittens easy access, often lying on her side or back. Kittens knead their mother’s belly with their paws to stimulate milk flow, a behavior known as "milk treading." The queen’s milk is highly digestible and tailored to meet the kittens' nutritional needs, ensuring rapid growth and development. During the first weeks, the kittens feed frequently, often every 1-2 hours, as their stomachs are small and cannot hold much milk at once. The queen keeps her nest clean and ensures the kittens are warm and safe, often grooming them to stimulate circulation and digestion. If a kitten struggles to latch onto a teat, the queen may gently nudge or reposition it to assist. As the kittens grow, the frequency of feeding decreases, and by around four weeks of age, they begin to transition to solid food, though they may continue nursing for several more weeks. The queen’s care and feeding are critical for the kittens' survival, as they are entirely dependent on her for sustenance and protection in their early stages of life.