The kittens (5 1/2 weeks now ) have taken to mimicking mom, which is great when it comes the litterbox and cleaning themselves, but they've also started munching her dry food. She is free fed dry, and we try to get in two canned servings a day, but my schedule has been crazy lately, so I won't be able to get into a routine until Monday
So the kittens are mildly interested in the wet food, they'll eat it about half the time (she's still nursing consistantly), but when there is no wet they - specifically the boys - will chow down on mum's dry food (Chicken Soup Kitten). My mom's not sure if this is good for them. They have really large and well developed teeth, but I don't know how well they're chewing it, and how well it'll "pass through", so to speak. None of the kittens has yet made a bowel movement in the litterbox, only pee, mom has been taking care of the rest. Will eating dry affect them, or give them constipation?
I am really trying to be more consistant with the wet food (I'm even hoping to switch to raw *fingers crossed*), but should I put the dry where they can't get it, or is it ok? I like to keep it out because Scully is still underweight and is now nursing very large kittens, so she needs it. But if they need to learn to eat the wet, I can just take it away, and get them used to meals. Any advice is great!
So the kittens are mildly interested in the wet food, they'll eat it about half the time (she's still nursing consistantly), but when there is no wet they - specifically the boys - will chow down on mum's dry food (Chicken Soup Kitten). My mom's not sure if this is good for them. They have really large and well developed teeth, but I don't know how well they're chewing it, and how well it'll "pass through", so to speak. None of the kittens has yet made a bowel movement in the litterbox, only pee, mom has been taking care of the rest. Will eating dry affect them, or give them constipation?
I am really trying to be more consistant with the wet food (I'm even hoping to switch to raw *fingers crossed*), but should I put the dry where they can't get it, or is it ok? I like to keep it out because Scully is still underweight and is now nursing very large kittens, so she needs it. But if they need to learn to eat the wet, I can just take it away, and get them used to meals. Any advice is great!