Newbie who could use some pointers...

Now I know that this was not exactly smart, so please do not flame me. I am trying to do the right thing, and I really would like the advice of those who have been there!

My son has been begging for a cat for years, so when I saw a sign on the side of the road I pulled over. The owner told me the kittens were ready to go, and were eating and drinking on their own. I was so scattered with trying to keep my kids in check, that I did not ask him anymore questions. Thankfully, I took his number.

When we got home and noticed the kitten was not eating well, we called him. It turns out she was only about a month old. The next day I took her to the vet, and was given some specialty food. She told me that it was not necessary to bottle feed her, but to get some replacement milk. We have been very good about making sure she eats every 4 hours, and she is growing. She is also very playful, and has not given us any reason to be concerned that she is not eating well enough.

I felt sorry for her since she did not have anyone to play with, so I went back and picked up a sibling for her today. I am shocked by the difference in size between our first kitten and the second. They were the same size a week ago.

What might I be doing wrong, and what can I do to help her grow? I am worried about her!

Hi and welcome to TCS.

No-one is going to flame you here. We all make mistakes and you are doing the best you can for this little one by coming here and finding out as much information as you can.

It doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. Kittens really thrive on mother's milk and even the best milk replacers can't mimic it perfectly. I would advise you to mix some good quality wet kitten food in with the kitten formula, so it's a nice mush like a thickshake.

Leave it like that for a week or so and once the kittens are 6 weeks old, you can slowly, over several days, increase the amount of kitten food and decrease the amount of formula until they are eating just the wet kitten food. You can also introduce dry kitten food then.

A web site you might find helpful is www.kitten-rescue.com . It is mostly designed for those who have an orphaned or abandoned kitten but you'll find lots of helpful tips as you look around that web site.

I know when we talk about pets, that sometimes innocent comments can be taken the wrong way. I appreciate your help. It makes me feel better to know that I am not harming her. It does sound like I have not been putting enough formula in her food though, so I will start doing that. I will also check out that site!

Thanks again!

You're welcome. Please keep us updated on both kitten's progress and we all love pictures.

Hello and welcome, well you've had some great advise from Kumbula, please dont feel bad, it sounds like you're doing a marvelous job I am sure she's gonna be just fine.

Theres lots of experienced members here, so if you have any more questions, just jump right in

Do keep us posted about the kitties progress

Also, good job getting her a companion! They will learn how to be cats from one another. Photos when you can please

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

Hi and welcome to TCS.

No-one is going to flame you here. We all make mistakes and you are doing the best you can for this little one by coming here and finding out as much information as you can.

It doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. Kittens really thrive on mother's milk and even the best milk replacers can't mimic it perfectly. I would advise you to mix some good quality wet kitten food in with the kitten formula, so it's a nice mush like a thickshake.

Leave it like that for a week or so and once the kittens are 6 weeks old, you can slowly, over several days, increase the amount of kitten food and decrease the amount of formula until they are eating just the wet kitten food. You can also introduce dry kitten food then.

A web site you might find helpful is www.kitten-rescue.com . It is mostly designed for those who have an orphaned or abandoned kitten but you'll find lots of helpful tips as you look around that web site.

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This is really good information! I just wanted to say Welcome to TCS! You'll love it here, and if you ever have any other questions, feel free to post them! Alot of other people have gone through similar situations, so your not alone in this! Take Care!

Welcome! I just wanted to add that I think it's great of you to have gone back and adopted a second baby so they can grow up together...littermates are soooo much fun to watch together, and I truly believe that kitties are happiest when they have friends to play with!! With all the loads of advice available here, you will do fine with little baby number 1. Just remember to come back here any time you have questions or concerns, and we'll all help get you through!!

AND...we do love pictures.

Kittens go thru growth spurts. At a month old, its risky and iffy in feeding them yourself without mom's influence. The fact that the sibling got to spend a little more time was an advantage over his/her sister.

And also keep in mind if they were outside cats, the kittens may have different fathers and one takes after one father, the other takes after another father.

Its obvious the owner of this cat/kittens doesn't have a CLUE on how to raise kittens...they should be pistol whipped and shot!

I'm sure over the next few months with good care and good food, they will even out. Just be sure to get them spayed/neutered by 4 months - if they are male/female they can and will breed at 4 months old! Even if they are both the same sex, get them done between 3-4 months old or at a healthy weight - discuss the age when you can get them done.

Oh and don't forget - we need pictures!