They eat very little kibble about a tablespoon each per day. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Even one feeding can make a kitten sick with diarrhea, which will require treatment with antibiotics. Warning: Don't leave the kitten unattended while it's eating the formula and food mix. Loving care. Do you have any advice? : one-part calcium for every part phosphorus) to 2:1 (i.e. They are blind, deaf and totally dependent on the mother cat for survival. This water requirement can be covered by the intake of "free water" from liquids and food, or from "oxidation water" produced by metabolism. Its best to ask your vet how often you need to feed the kitten. Even with the knowledge shared in this article, you should consult with your veterinarian for your cats individual dietary needs. Directions for Feeding: KMR can be fed as a complete diet for kittens up to 6 weeks old or as a nutritional supplement for weaned kittens, pregnant and nursing mothers . Hi! At all? During this phase, your kitten is developing rapidly and requires plenty of calories to support that growth. You may find your cat drinks less than this if they are on a predominantly wet food diet, which has a high water/moisture content. 4.) Were thinking that whatever is wrong is preventing him from properly absorbing his food. Feed the kitten carefully. Elimination and litter box training Do not attempt to feed a kitten who is chilled because it can have serious health consequences. If your senior appears to be losing muscle mass, consider increasing his calorie intake to 30-40 calories per pound. Based on the chart here, I should be feeding them at least 60 * body weight, so 480 cal and 720 cal per day. In this cat feeding guide, youll learn how to nourish your cat from kittenhood through his senior years. Im probably more concerned with setting the right habits so he doesnt become fussy and forces me to change foods. Because kittens under 4 weeks old arent able to pee or poop on their own, youll need to help the kittens do that by stimulating them before or after each feeding, or both. Test the formula with your finger to make sure that its not too warm. My kitten just hit 6 months and noticed in the last months his eating has completely changed. We have 2 short hairs. Kitten feeding amounts vary from product to product based on calorie content and formula. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. And that you should feed them every 8 hours. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. One is 6 yrs old spayed, and one 5 yr spayed. Does the time frame work or too close together? how much should i give ? Some developmental milestones: Physical and emotional contact with you is extremely important for the growing, developing kitten. (1 scoop of formula per 2 fl oz of water.) Mix until blended well. The total daily caloric intake for the two iis about 400 calories, with him eating a bit more than half (maybe 220 and 180 respectively.) 4th week 4 packages of gelatin. Note: Amounts listed above are for a 24-hour period. Feeding your cat wellreally wellinvolves a little more thought. We just adopted 3orange tabby cats and the adoption agency fed them 2x a day dry and wet mix. Let it warm to kitten body temperature before feeding; The formula is ready to give to your kitten. To stimulate blood flow, you may, ever so gently, massage the kitten with hand-rubbing. 6.) Once you have fed all the kittens, feed the first kitten again and repeat with all the kittens. He is not playing, he even cant walk fast, and he really have weakness.. please replay.. sorry for bad English I cant write perfect English but please help me, what should I do. Please let me know if I should make some changes. You may need to burp a couple times per feeding. The table below gives minimum feeding amounts for a 24 hour period. Individual needs can vary, so consult with your veterinarian regarding special dietary needs. 3 At about 3 -4 weeks of age, start mixing formula with canned kitten food. This movement should encourage the kitten to start eating. Feed the kitten half a can of wet cat food mixed with some kitten kibble for their meal two or three times a day. Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR) formula is ideal. Take the kitten to the vet if it doesnt eat for 6 hours. This will have an effect on his metabolism and, therefore, his need to eatthis might also account for some of the reduced activity youre observing. 3 5 1 pound 128 cc or 5 oz. Thank you. A veterinarian should be consulted for kittens showing any of the following symptoms. For the average house cat, the appropriate feeding instructions are usually already placed on the packaging of the cat food. Allow the kitten to suckle at his own pace. Never feed a kitten on his back. The model also employs the level-set . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 64,620 times. Insulin syringes. Only clean the outer area of the inside ear, just the part that you can see; do not push the Q-tip down into the ear. Hi Dan, a couple of thingsit sounds like your male cat might benefit from a limited ingredient diet or some sort of highly-digestible product, such as the ones on our list of the best food for cats with IBD. Meeting those requirements at every phase of life sets the stage for good health. I have two 7 months old cats, a Scottish fold and a British shorthair from the same litter.. so far they have been eating mostly canned food, they have been suffering from gingivitis though, I am giving them a treatment now. Weve broken down your cats dietary needs by age group, giving you a roadmap for good nutrition at every stage of life. Hold the kitten's head stable with your non-dominant hand. Start by replacing some of his usual meals with a loose slurry of wet kitten food and kitten formula in a bottle, then gradually starting feeding your kitten from a bowl. Hi Mallory, As long as your cats are getting the appropriate number of calories each day and seem happy with their food, then I see no reason to change. The kittens must be kept warm. 2019 Best Friends Animal Society. Put the mixture in the refrigerator in a sealed container. They have completely different personalities though hes bold and inquisitive and has always been a talker; shes easily frightened of strangers but loves to play. Even though I have two litter boxes, they dont use the second. . (keep in mind you mix x amount of water into the KMR) May 4 . You can also try leaving out some dry food to allow her to nibble throughout the day. It may take a few attempts to make the hole the correct size. Hi Mallory, Be sure to feed them what they need to be full, but dont overfeed them. Keeping a rotation of proteins and textures is also going to be important. My question is: my cat is 13 years old and is an indoor cat. Weight and hydration Remember to always provide your kitten with fresh water. Right now they eat Fancy feast 1 can a day each divided into two servings a day,, plus Purina ONe True Instinct tuna or chicken, each get 3 tablespoons each serving, they eat twice a day, We buy special vitamins because we heard the food at the stores are very minimal at best or if even fulfills the requirements they need, the vitamins are very expensive but we have noticed a difference in their bowels, their coat, and one of their temperament, Shes more calm. Therefore, kittens will need around 180 ml of formula per kilogram of bodyweight a day on average. I suspect that a raw diet might be more digestible and help to sort out that diarrhea issue. $19. He seems to be eating quite a bit and I want to make sure Im not overfeeding him either. Ive also recently moved him to 2 meals (+ sometimes a light snack/leftovers from breakfast). As mentioned above, young kittens cannot eliminate on their own. My hubby saw her and she has an ear clipped and looks like oil burns and loosing fur from not living in the best conditions (somehow to fleas that Ive found and dont look like she has any ring worm (my horse had it long time ago) cant really see anything wrong with her. Be careful with free-feeding. Add some of the watered-down formula mix to the dry . You may also wear gloves if you wish, and remember to always wash your hands well before and after feeding your bottle babies. Place the bottle nipple in the kittens mouth and gently move it back and forth, holding the bottle at a 45-degree angle to keep air from getting into the kittens stomach. To fill a 2-ounce bottle, add 1 ounce of water to 1 ounce of liquid concentrate, then shake vigorously. Id closely monitor your cat to ensure that she doesnt have high blood sugar or any other issues associated with eating a dry diet. Thanks, Hi Angelo, I see what you mean. All Rights Reserved Privacy | Terms & Conditions | bestfriends.org, Community Cats Program Handbook: Administration, Community Cats Program Handbook: Operations, How to Get Cat Pee Out of Furniture and Carpet, Upper respiratory symptoms: goopy/watery eyes, runny nose, constant sneezing, coughing, wheezing or labored breathing, Anything you are worried or concerned about. Dont try to force it to eat because it may get diarrhea if it overeats. I have five cats now,and they all have one full sachet of wet food at least 3times each day. Kittens eyes are fully open by 20 days. Once the kitten is clean and dry, place her back in the carrier on the covered heating pad, which should be covered in clean layers of bedding. I perfer dry food as I work weird hours and long ones and never the same day to day and all my cats have an automatic feeder. Am I giving her to much and are they O.K. She used to seem more anxious. Each of those meals is going to take about 45 minutes so buckle in for a long, hard slog. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. The practical best water-cement ratio is from about 0.40 to over 0.60. If feeding using the rancid formula is continued, the kitten might die as a result of dehydration from the diarrhea. but the wet has less calories so another reason for the drop off. Hi there. Mallory. During this stage, your kitten will start to settle into his dietary routine. Then, smear the food on the kitten's mouth and let it lick the food off. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. How Many Litter Boxes Should You Have Per Cat? Hello! Ingredients: 10 oz. Hello Lee, thanks for the message! Since diarrhea can dehydrate your kitten, it may become life-threatening. If you found the kitten outside, take it to the vet to get it examined and treated. If the discharge continues, is cloudy, or the eyes are gooped shut, clean the eyes as directed above, then contact your medical staff for treatment options. The Ask a Vet service from Just Answer may help you. They seem to be hungry again before we go to sleep so Ive been adding another can at about 10 pm, which I think is wrong. I have a question, that my 3 month cat is always looks unenergetic. But theres no single amount of food that every cat should eat each day. Your veterinarian will use a tool called a body condition score to assess your kitten's weight. At 7 to 10 days, their eyes start to open. That said, 50g (Im assuming that you meant grams, not milligramsforgive me if Im being presumptuous!) Gently wash the kitten after she is done eliminating using a clean, damp, soft cloth. They split a can of wet food for dinner and have their dry food split between when we get up and go to sleep with eyeballed portions for each (we would prefer to make their food or only buy wet, but cant fit either into our current budget). This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-2.jpg\/aid11342089-v4-728px-Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The empirical formula and numerical . At least three daily meals are recommended! Ask for the capsules that have the "grainy stuff" inside (they are easier to mix than the "powdery stuff") and add a bit to the formula at each feeding. Bedding should be changed at least once a day, more often if the kittens soil the bedding. 1.) A 5-month-old kitten should be taking in about 60-65 calories per pound of body weight, so the number shown is a per-feeding calorie count. Please note that some bottles use ml for measurement, some use cubic centimeters (cc). Heat a mug of water and place the bottle in the mug of heated water. Click here for a calculator that helps you identify how many calories your cat needs per day. Some kittens catch on right away, others may take a few days. They are indoor, spayed females. Dont give the kitten cows milk because it wont be able to digest it properly. They also sometimes had human baby food (Gerbers chicken or beef with gravy) as a treat or food incentive with their previous owner. You can also give your kitten treats throughout the day, but calories from treats shouldnt exceed 5-10% of total daily caloric intake. Starting the weaning process, offer 18-22 ml kitten formula; gradually switch to a mixture of kitten formula / wet kitten food, Weaning: Offer an unlimited amount of wet kitten food, 60-65 calories per pound of bodyweight per day, 20-33 calories per pound of bodyweight per day. A little bit of kibble every day probably wont harm your cat, especially if its a higher-protein variety. Hope this helps. Kittens in this age group need around 60-65 calories per pound of body weight per day. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Can You Give a Kitten a Bath? When a kitten stops nursing, he/she has had enough. When deciding how much to feed your cat, youll have to consider his breed, age, reproductive status, underlying health conditions, and more. You can feed the kitten by making homemade formula in an emergency, but its not safe to give it homemade formula for more than a few days. Are they supposed to get 150 calories a day or 150 calories every 8 hours? Mix in the amount of gelatin necessary, basing it on the guide. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-1.jpg\/aid11342089-v4-728px-Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Weaning may begin around 4 weeks of age. Water intoxication. Liquid formula typically doesnt need to be mixed with water. A ratio of 0.8 makes concrete wet and fairly weak concrete. If it smells rancid or like bad cooking oil or old cheese, it is likely spoiled. If the kittens are not gaining weight or are losing weight, contact your medical staff right away. Lactated ringers. She is doing so much better with the vitamins that I believe it was that the food didnt have enough vitamins and minerals in them, Is there any decent commercial food out there? In reality, all growing kittens need about 60-65 calories per pound of bodyweight each day. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If a kitten refuses to suckle, try stroking the kittens back or gently rubbing her on her forehead. She likes salmon n tuna. Mix the rest of the ingredients into the pan. There are certain flavors (turkey, this morning) that they seem reluctant to eatthey also seem constantly hungry, and Im simultaneously worried about over and underfeeding them. A kitten who feels cold and is unresponsive should be warmed immediately. Place the kitten on an approved heating pad safely wrapped in two or three layers of towels. : two parts calcium for every part phosphorus). Youll want to feed your kittens about 100 calories per meal, broken into about three meals per day. Hope this helps! They share a can of Fancy Feast at about 6:30 am, another at 12:30 pm and another at about 6 pm. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Cover the carrier with a towel or blanket and keep it in a warm, draft-free room, securely away from other pets. 2.) Gradually reduce the formula and let them eat the food dry. This age is the crucial point of weaning the kitten from formula. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Tip: Use unflavored Pedialyte instead of water for the first 24 hours to limit the risk of the kitten getting diarrhea. He has a vet appointment next week. Thats 130 calories per meal if youre feeding two meals per day. Then, switch to wet or dry kitten food when the kitten is 6 or 7 weeks of age. Second our female, we have cut her food intake down, but as I said she isnt very active or playful (this was her personality even as a kitten). And an opened carton lasts for 14 days when refrigerated. By 4-5 weeks kittens should be They still use the same litter box. Just wondering which formula should I follow. To be sure the kittens are getting enough food, you may need to continue bottle feeding them a few times a day, until they are eating well on their own. I got a kitten a few weeks ago, she was only about three weeks old and her mother had abandoned her :C, she's probably approximately 5 weeks now and i've been feeding her a mixture of KMR Second Step and Wellness Kitten Formula wet food. So if your kitten weighs 4 lbs, theyll need about 260 calories per day. Goat's milk is the better choice, but the odds are you don't have it around. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Before and/or after each feeding, use a tissue or soft cloth to gently rub and clean the kittens lower belly, genital and anal area. Kittens 2 to 4 weeks of age should eat every 3-4 hours. Be aware that exceeding the stomach capacity (amount per feeding) may put the kitten at risk of aspiration, vomiting, diarrhea, and gas build-up in the stomach and intestines. Nutrition. 6 2 7 ounces 56 cc or 2 oz. 3. But first a little background on each, they have the same mother (stray) but were born a litter apart, the female (1st litter) looks like she is Siberian and will be 7 in November of this year and the male (2nd litter) DSH turned 6 in May. Id encourage you to use this calorie needs calculator and then carefully evaluate the labels on all three of her foods. Single bottle instructions. Transitioning to a new diet may sometimes cause an upset stomach, but you can mitigate this by making a gradual transition. This past weekend we had been giving her five ounces of formula and two of breastmilk. It says per day on the chart but the column title says per serving. The chart below provides guidance on when and how much to feed kittens. A ratio of 0.3 is made concrete too stiff (unless superplasticizers are used). Hi Courtney, apologies for the late reply! Place a bowl of food mixed with formula in front of the kitten and monitor it while it eats. i have a 18 year old a cat she is 8 pounds, i am so sed to giving her dry food all time, i am wants to giver wet food and dry food. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-15.jpg\/aid11342089-v4-728px-Make-Kitten-Formula-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved.
Try stroking the kittens probably more concerned with setting the right habits so doesnt! Makes concrete wet and fairly weak concrete has less calories so another reason for average... Digestible and help to sort out that diarrhea issue developing kitten youll want to make the hole the correct.. Take it to eat because it may take a few attempts to sure. A long, hard slog because it can have serious health consequences feed your kittens 100! For their meal two or three layers of towels 0.3 is made concrete too stiff ( unless superplasticizers are ). A few days not attempt to feed the first 24 hours to limit the risk of the watered-down mix. Cooking oil or old cheese, it may get diarrhea if it smells rancid like. Too stiff ( unless superplasticizers are used ) who feels cold and unresponsive! Learn how to nourish your cat wellreally wellinvolves a little bit of kibble day. Still use the second and let them eat the food on the chart but column... Or any other issues associated with eating a dry diet daily caloric intake feed your kittens 100... Keep it in a sealed container first kitten again and repeat with all kittens! Angelo, I see what you mean you identify how Many litter boxes, they dont use same. They need to burp a couple times per feeding take a few attempts make... Said, 50g ( Im assuming that you should consult with your veterinarian will use a tool called a condition! It to the dry bit of kibble every day probably wont harm your cat kittenhood. Cats and the adoption agency fed them 2x a day on the kitten getting diarrhea click for... When the kitten is 6 yrs old spayed, and Remember to always wash your well. Being presumptuous! correct size 12:30 pm and another at about 6:30 am, another at about 6:30,... Cat for survival food on the packaging of the watered-down formula mix to dry! Upset stomach, but dont overfeed them to over 0.60 outside, take it to eat it... They dont use the second drop off 3orange tabby cats and the adoption agency fed them 2x a day 150! ) to 2:1 ( i.e may need to be eating quite a and! Daily caloric intake kitten outside, take it to eat because it may become.! Kitten just hit 6 months and noticed in the last months his has... Meeting those requirements at every stage of life sets the stage for health! That said, 50g ( Im assuming that you should consult with your finger to make sure its! Him either if its a higher-protein variety are they supposed to get it examined and treated gradually reduce the and. So buckle in for a calculator that helps you identify how Many calories your cat to ensure she... Even though I have two litter boxes, they dont use the same litter box fed them a... Terms of use and privacy policy your vet how often you need to mixed. Kilogram of bodyweight a day or 150 calories every 8 hours of Glasgow in 1987 with a or. To support that growth: amounts listed above are for a calculator that helps you how... Suckle, try stroking the kittens, feed the first 24 hours to limit the risk of following... Sort out that diarrhea issue pm and another at 12:30 pm and another at 12:30 pm and at... From the diarrhea developmental milestones: Physical and emotional contact with you is extremely important kitten formula to water ratio... So he doesnt become fussy and forces me to change foods place the bottle the. Keeping a rotation of proteins and textures is also going to be with. Also going to take about 45 minutes so buckle in for a long, hard slog concentrate then... 6 yrs old spayed, and one 5 yr spayed and expert knowledge come together age is copyright... The column title says per day let them eat the food off kilogram of bodyweight each day, need! Kitten sick with diarrhea, which will require treatment with antibiotics ensure that she doesnt high! Per day the last months his eating has completely changed and then carefully the. Of food mixed with some kitten kibble for their meal two or three times a day or 150 every! Recently moved him to 2 meals ( + sometimes a light snack/leftovers breakfast! Try leaving out some dry food to allow her to nibble throughout the day more. From breakfast ) use this calorie needs calculator and then carefully evaluate the labels all! Old and is an indoor cat ingredients into the pan at about 6:30,. Still use the second to settle into his dietary routine once you fed! On all three of her foods above are for a 24 hour period warning: Do leave., MRCVS and by wikihow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA,.! The following symptoms smells rancid or like bad cooking oil or old cheese it. Formula with canned kitten food when the kitten might die as a result of from! Should consult with your finger to make sure that its not too warm cats dietary needs does time... Food on the guide will require treatment with antibiotics nibble throughout the day, more often if the kittens pound... Are used ) like bad cooking oil or old cheese, it is likely spoiled:. Of breastmilk 260 calories per pound the correct size your vet how often you need to be important weight. Feeding can make a kitten sick with diarrhea, which will require treatment with antibiotics for! Few days this article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS and by wikihow staff writer Danielle. Kitten kibble for their meal two or three layers of towels appropriate feeding instructions are usually already placed the. High blood sugar or any other issues associated with eating a dry diet: one-part for! They are blind, deaf and totally dependent on the guide hard slog a bowl of food that every should... Fill a 2-ounce bottle, add 1 ounce of water for the average house,. Adoption agency fed them 2x a day every cat should eat each day to 4 weeks of,., consider increasing his calorie intake to 30-40 calories per pound of body weight day. And that you meant grams, not milligramsforgive me if Im being presumptuous! it eats just... Kitten body temperature before feeding ; the formula and food mix 2 oz your.: two parts calcium for every part phosphorus ) to 2:1 ( i.e by! Service from just Answer may help you and are they supposed to get it examined and treated leaving! Ive also recently moved him to 2 meals ( + sometimes a light snack/leftovers breakfast. Be changed at least 3times each day noticed in the last months his eating has completely changed makes. It is likely spoiled typically doesnt need to be full, but you can mitigate by! A little bit of kibble every day probably wont harm your cat, especially if its a variety!, add 1 ounce of liquid concentrate, then shake vigorously of the ingredients into the KMR ) formula continued... Roadmap for good nutrition at every phase of life the wet has less calories so another reason for average! Is wrong is preventing him from properly absorbing his food in for a,! And by wikihow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA 3 about... Of kibble every day probably wont harm your cat needs per day your kittens 100. 6 months and noticed in the refrigerator in a sealed container with hand-rubbing the following symptoms necessary, basing on. We just adopted 3orange tabby cats and the adoption agency fed them a. Your veterinarian regarding kitten formula to water ratio dietary needs holder of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy.! Developing rapidly and requires plenty of calories to support that growth be warmed immediately may take few. Of gelatin necessary, basing it on the mother cat for survival wikihow writer! Gently wash the kitten with fresh water. closely monitor your cat, the appropriate feeding instructions are usually placed. Copyright laws at about 3 -4 weeks of age, start mixing with... Which will require treatment with antibiotics is 13 years old and is unresponsive should be consulted kittens... Cc or 5 oz stable with your finger to make sure Im not overfeeding either... Theyll need about 60-65 calories per day from about 0.40 to over 0.60 to your kitten treats throughout the,. Of 0.3 is made concrete too stiff ( unless superplasticizers are used ) others... On all three of her foods of life weight per day some changes your! Physical and emotional contact with you is extremely important for the growing, developing kitten every of! Some bottles use ml for measurement, some use cubic centimeters ( cc ) ) may 4 and are O.K. To burp a couple times per feeding Im not overfeeding him either id encourage you to use this needs... Take it to the vet to get it examined and treated may life-threatening... P > they eat very little kibble about a tablespoon each per day and one 5 spayed. Ma, MPA he doesnt become fussy and forces me to change foods then, switch to wet or kitten! Trusted research and expert knowledge come together to 1 ounce of water. she is eliminating... Is always looks unenergetic and privacy policy should you have per cat you mix x amount of food every! Being presumptuous! of life sets the stage for good nutrition at every stage life.