problems with feeding kittens

Our kittens are 5 weeks old today, and we can't get them to touch moist cat food of any kind. I've tried giving them small bits of soft cat treats and they will eat one or two and that's it.

We've even tried leaving the mother outside for an extra hour around feeding times, and they would rather wait than eat anything we put in front of them. Other than that, they are fine.
Is it normal for kittens to still be on milk only at 5 weeks??
can anyone give us a tried and true kitten food recipe?

One of them may have something wrong with her sight, we are not sure yet. She constantly looks surprised, it's damn cute.

Well, at 5 weeks old they should be beginning to wean, but it's perfectly normal for them to still prefer nursing. I would let them take their own pace with their mom. Keep offering them alternatives and give it time.

By the way, now is the time to make an appointment with the vet and have the mother spayed. Don't wait too long as she can get into heat again any day now.

Well, kittens can benifit from being with mom until they are 12 weeks. They usually bother her to eat until about 8 weeks. So, I would wait until they are fully weaned to have mom spayed. Once she is spayed she can't provide milk. As for feeding them, you can make a gruel out of dry food and the KMR milk replacer at the pet store. I think wal mart even carries a brand called tiger. Warm the milk to about 80 degrees and let the dry food soak in it. Put a little on their lips and let them get a taste. Keep working with them until they get it. It may take a week or so, but they will get it.

You shouldn't get too worried about kittens eyesight yet. Of course they should all see a vet and you can get his/her opinion. Lots of people don't know this but a cats sight, especially it's tracking ability, isn't fully developed unitl about three months of age. Of course sometimes it's obvious there is blindness but sometimes it's just due to the growing process.
I have a book I just love that I bought when I got my girls, Cruella and Lianna that I found very useful. It has lots of information in it that helped out. It gives all kinds of information about caring for them, symptoms to look for if you think they might be ill. Even a little cat folklore and the history of the cat. It's the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Living with a Cat." It has helped me alot and also to learn more about them.

You might try Glop, an inexpensive, easy food to make that they will readily accept. If you can't find the recipe let me know and I will post it for you.

Pete

I'll be beginning to wean my kittens any day now, so I'm pretty confused myself. but I have a question for Sandie...I've said this in various posts of mine, but we had to have our momma cat spayed when the kittens were about 3 1/2 weeks, because she had a uterine infection. she still makes milk for them...what's going on? our vet told us not to worry, she'd still be able to feed them after the operation; is our vet crazy? that kinda creeps me out.

Sounds pretty crazy to me. I am sure there may be some left, but she should not keep producing milk. I would be shocked to see this happen to say the least. The kittens may be sucking still and mom may let them, but I cant see the kittens getting anything more than comfort. How is the weaning and feeding going?

We haven't yet actually begun the weaning, but we think they're almost ready. they love to stick their noses into the water dish, but haven't yet picked up on the idea that they're supposed to drink it...not inhale it. they seem to be getting food somewhere, they don't act hungry, and she doesn't seem like she's really emptying out. I'm really confused.

If they aren't crying, they are getting some nutrition some where. Maybe she still has a little left for them. Hopefully, they will be eating soon. Usually, they will get hungry enough and begin eating moist food (the really smelly kind). If they don't, let me know and I will try to give some advice as what to do. If they aren't crying, they are okay.

Originally posted by Michelle
I'll be beginning to wean my kittens any day now, so I'm pretty confused myself. but I have a question for Sandie...I've said this in various posts of mine, but we had to have our momma cat spayed when the kittens were about 3 1/2 weeks, because she had a uterine infection. she still makes milk for them...what's going on? our vet told us not to worry, she'd still be able to feed them after the operation; is our vet crazy? that kinda creeps me out.

Click to expand...

Michelle,
Do you have a scale, preferably one which measures in grams rather than ounces? If you plan to breed this is almost a necessity as you will know very quickly if your kittens are in distress. Within 24 hours of birth you should notice a significant weight gain and they should gain weight daily for several weeks. An underweight kitten will be difficult to notice in the early days and a scale will alert you to the problem. Kittens should be weighed as soon as possible after birth and daily thereafter to monitor their growth. Are there stools in the litterbox from the kittens, or anywhere else around the room (G)? If there are then your queen is still providing milk for her babies. You might purchase cans of kitten food, 6oz size, and add a teaspoon of plain yogurt to it, mixing well, and feeding it to the kittens. You might make a double batch as mom will certainly take to it as well and the kittens will learn to eat it by watching her. The yogurt helps replace the calcium she is providing the kittens through her milk. The larger the litter the more important this is as once her reserves are depleted her body will begin to pull the calcium from her bones to supply the kittens.(not good for mom) Hope some of this has been of help.

Pete

Oh gosh, no! I have no intention whatsoever of breeding. Sasha was pregnant when we adopted her; this was all a huge surprise for us. We won't be having any more cats for a long time (that is, until I can convince my parents). I just wonder why she is still producing milk after spaying.

She is producing milk because there is a demand which was established before the spaying. Just because she was spayed does not mean her body shuts down immediately thereafter. Her supply will dwindle as the demand becomes less once the kittens are eating whole food until they are completely weaned. Nature has a way of providing.

Pete

ooooh...thank you