Milk?

x-ta-z

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Hi!
I just got a five week old kitten and the petshop told me to give her milk ??? (some powder) until she is 3 months old....

is that true?
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by x-ta-Z

Hi!
I just got a five week old kitten and the petshop told me to give her milk ??? (some powder) until she is 3 months old....

is that true?
At 5 weeks, she is barely weaning and providing her with a kitten milk replacement formula or goats milk is a good thing (please do not supply her with cows milk as that can upset her stomache). This is a good site for you:

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

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/general...of_kitten.html

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

Katie
 
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x-ta-z

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hmmm... the foster said she is fully weaned - if I understand correctly it means no more milk but wet food, right?

So is milk still necessary till she is 3 months old? Or is water alongside with her food better? Or milk AND water?
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by x-ta-Z

hmmm... the foster said she is fully weaned - if I understand correctly it means no more milk but wet food, right?

So is milk still necessary till she is 3 months old? Or is water alongside with her food better? Or milk AND water?
If she is fully weaned...then giving her kitten food is fine, but you may want to provide her with some cat milk as a treat.

Katie
 

goldenkitty45

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No - you can add some kitten milk (KMR) or similar to canned or dry food at that age, but no they really don't need milk till 3 months old.

They should ALWAYs have fresh water available - I've had 3 week old rex kittens drinking water!
 

poohandwendy

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I agree with the others, they don't need the milk after weaning. I would probably supplement until the kitten is eating solid food with no problems.
 

jen

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What pet shop sold you a 5 week old kitten? That is awful. What happened to the kitty's mother? That is great you came here for advice. We are all more then willing to help you with any questions you might have. Oh I just realized you aren't a new member. But still, just ask if you have any more questions!
 

wookie130

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I think she mentioned she got her kitten from a foster, which I'm assuming worked for a rescue organization or shelter. Yes, 5 weeks is too young for a kitten to be re-homed, and a foster person working for an organization should know that. And not all 5 week-old kittens are fully weaned...

Anyhoo, start with some canned kitten formula, and see how he/she eats it on his own, and if the kitten is truly not weaned, and doesn't seem to quite get the idea of kitten food, add a bit of the wet food to the KMR (kitten milk replacement) formula. Gradually increase the amount of wet kitten food, and back off on the KMR, over a week's time, and see how he/she does with that. No real milk...cats and kittens are lactose intolerant!
 
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x-ta-z

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The milk powder is called PetLac and it's says its for all pets (also for pregnant cats and nursing) and to be used as a supplement. The kitten is gobbling up kitten food like no cat's business and without me having to do anything, so i assume she is fully weaned.

And for the histroy of the kitten - she was found with the mother and 3 siblings behind some food stall in Singapore. The person who found her immediately called a lady who is very engaged in feral help (e.g. sterilization or rescue of kittens). This lady got the mother sterilized directly and took one of hte kittens to rehome. she already has 4 cats and was happy when I adopted the one. She seems like a very nice lady with a big heart for cats (all her cats are rescues). But yes, I am not too happy that the kitten was seperated so early... but then again, she would be dead by now if she hadn't taken her in, because when she last cheked on them (about 1 week after finding them) all other siblings where gone (basically taken away and disposed of).

So I am doing what i can to raise the little one like a cat mommy.

My resident cat isn't happy, but I guess she'll get used to it. I'm a newbie to young kitten care. Singa was 2 or 3 months old when I got her (and when she was seperated from her mom and siblings). So it's gonna be a little adventure for me to take care of the new kitten
 
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x-ta-z

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I just noticed the kitten is not much of a water drinker. And to be honest I am not sure if she really is fully weaned...
She digs into her kitten food, but after a while she gets all cuddly and licks and bites my fingertips.... but she does drinkt the milk formula from a shallow bowl....

any suggestions?
 
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x-ta-z

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Can anyone tell me how I can get the kitten to drink water? She sniffs at it, but never drinks. Not even from my finger.
 

poohandwendy

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Hmm, I think my kittens just naturally drank the water because mama cat did, LOL.

Maybe just start diluting the cat milk more and more, gradually, until the kitten is drinking only water? I dunno, I am sure someone will come along who has experience with this...
 

xxtashaxx

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sometimes with kittens and cats they cannot see where the water starts so as they sniff it goes up there nose a little which they dont like lol. with milk they can see where its edge is. someone once suggested to put pebbles in the bottom of the bowl to make it easier for the kitten to see( make sure there clean lol) or a small water fountian as some cats perfer water that is not just sat there. 1 of mine perfer the tap running to drink from( bad habbit i know)
 

fudge's mum

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My cat is exactly the same! She follows me to bed every night and comes in the bathroom,sits on the sink until i brush my teeth and then drinks from the tap!! I have to wait for her to finish then so i can turn the tap off and go to bed!!
 
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