Why is water access critical during weaning?

Water access is even more essential at this time due to the transitioning kittens from liquid diets. Their kidneys are still developing at this stage! I learned this the hard way in 2018 when a dehydrated kitten needed emergency care. Toxic waste builds up in their bodies if they are not adequately hydrated, and it causes irreversible kidney damage.

Introduce water at four weeks (in shallow dishes). Kittens require 60ml/kg (0.9 fl oz/lb) per day initially. Be sure to monitor your consumption carefully, as dehydration can develop quickly. I use coloured water, so I can keep a visible check on how much they have had. Test skin elasticity twice daily by gently tenting the skin.

Be on the watch for dehydration. Look for lethargy, dry gums, or loss of skin elasticity. In my experience, the eyes appear sunken last, indicating a real state of emergency. If you pinch their skin and it doesn't spring back within two seconds, you must take them to the vet immediately.

Prevent dehydration by strategic placement! Put several water bowls at varying distances from where your cats eat and do their business. Change the water entirely every four hours. In the summer, I add ice cubes to keep it cool, and this benefited my 2022 fosters by reducing dehydration cases by eighty percent.

Kittens who are properly hydrated cope with weaning beautifully. They are gaining weight at 10g+ daily, full of beans, and bright as buttons. My kittens, who are practically drip-dried, have always had beautiful kidney function when checked every year.

Read the full article: Kitten Weaning Age: 3 to 8 Weeks Guide