feeding questions

sylorna

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Hi again!
I'm sorry for asking so many questions, but I just can't seem to find the answers I need to my situation quickly enough with my web searches. Perhaps I need to brush up eh?
As an introduction: I have 5 orphaned kittens which we figure are about 2.5 weeks old now and weighed in at an average of 10oz this morning before feeding. They have started getting their teeth and spend (rightly so) quite a bit of time during feeding knawing on the nipple.
My first question is when I'll know to cut back on the time between feedings. So far we've been going by how much they're eating every feeding, so if they're eating less amounts every other feeding we know to expand the time between. Right now they're eating just over the recommended amount from the back of the can per day and agressively so when they're not chewing. The feedings have just been moved to every 5 hours from every 4. Is that about right?
The second question is regarding weaning. From the readings I've done, some sites say that it's ok to start looking at that now but others say to wait another 2 weeks. Wouldn't momma cat start doing something like that once they started chewing on her with the teeth? They still require stimulation for bathooming and I'm not sure if that factors into how advanced they're considered.
Thank you for your help and patience. So much to learn in such a short period of time and I just want to make sure I'm doing it right.
Jess
 

ryanjay

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I hand raised 6 kittens-3 died before 2 weeks old the remaining three are all healthy 3 1/2 yo. I backed off with feedings when it came to me going in and them still being asleep. i did the every 2 hours for first week then did every 3-4 hours. by 4 weeks old theyd eat every 4 hours but sleep the night. I just went along with the flow of how often they wanted to eat. as for when to stop bottles...mine were still on bottles at 8 weeks old lmao!... theyd eat but still wanted a bottle each a day(would proceed to take it all down in minutes tho lol)
 

tnr1

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Kitten Feeding Schedule
What To FeedFeeding TechniquesKitten Feeding Schedule
Birth to 1 week: Feed every 3 hours (8 feedings per day)

From 1 to 3 weeks: Feed every 4 hours (6 feedings per day)

From 3 to 4 weeks: Feed every 5 hours (5 feedings a day)

From 4 to 5 weeks: Feed four to five times a day.

Total Formula required per day
Birth to 1 week: 24cc

1 week: 32cc

2 weeks: 54cc

3 weeks: 80cc

4 weeks: 104cc

5 weeks: 128cc

As a guide, a kitten should drink about 8cc's of formula per ounce of body weight per day.

For example, a kitten that is only one or two days old, will need 24cc divided into 8 feedings, which is 3cc per feed. He may drink a little more or less but you'll know if he's receiving enough formula by monitoring his weight gain.

Sometimes kittens are too weak to feed. This is when you need to tube feed. If you have never done this, please consult your vet in the proper way to tube feed. You can also contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center if one is near you and ask if you can have a special feeding nipple. This is an elongated nipple that attaches to the bottle and goes further down into the throat without being so intrusive as to go all the way to the stomach. Use this tip with great care (do not choke your kitten or force fluids too quickly). Again, having someone experienced in using this and showing you how would be the best way to go.

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/kitten_..._schedule.html

Weaning information:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/weaning.html

Katie
 
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