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Weaning Help

post #1 of 7
6/22/10 at 5:41am
Thread Starter 

Any other tips besides the kitten rescue.com info on weaning?

Kittee is going on 5 weeks this week.

Kittee wants NOTHING to do with real food mixed with her glop or to even lap up her glop in a jar lid, nor take it jello like either..ONLY wants her syringe/bottle we have been using.

She has lots of tiny little milk teeth all around and is teething like crazy.
I thought the transition to *real* food would be easy since she has all those teeth

I am worried I am going to miss the weaning window for Kittee or something and she will be nursing forever...LOL...
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post #2 of 7
6/22/10 at 2:22pm
Mine were bottle fed, but here is what I did. First of all, be patient, they will eventually get it!
They wanted the bottle, so I used it to attract them to their little bowl of KMR. Go slowly and when they try to reach for it, put it low enough at the liquid's level so that they have to slightly put their mouth in the bowl of milk to get it. They might not like it at first, but will soon understand that it is eatable (and good!) too. Keep the same formula as the one used in the syringe until they lap it. Then mix more and more dry food in it until they can eat solid dry food. One of my last litter started drinking from the water bowl before eating in the food bowl. They all learn how to do it eventually!
Maybe other more experienced members of this site will have better advice?
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post #3 of 7
6/22/10 at 2:58pm
Mine wanted nothing to do with food until I bought canned food and offered that. It's very smelly and I think it attracts their attention. I also had to offer food on my finger for one of the kittens as she didn't want to put her head in the bowl like everyone else. Now they are eating soft kitten food mixed with wet food.
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post #4 of 7
6/22/10 at 3:41pm
My kittens are 7 weeks old. They went straight to canned food when I started the weaning process (mama wasn't trying to wean them). I think I started it around 4 weeks old. Now they eat dry kitten food (not wet down). Mama usually nurses them at night when it's bed time. Other then that she doesn't nurse them any more. I am keeping them until 12 weeks.
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post #5 of 7
6/22/10 at 7:15pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Mawilouwl, Carlysmom, cslenker for the advice
I even tried boiled shredded up chicken today with her glop..NO luck...

You know though, this always happens to me.
When I get to anxious to get more info, what I need help with happens naturally

My kids today caught Kittee munching on some Orijen that I have been leaving out for her now that she is in her big girl room
I checked and sure enough she has crumbs of it in her bed.
SO she is chewing on that tiny kibble for those teeth to bust threw I know it.
Still refused to do anything with her glop other than nurse it down for me today.
Little stinker...LOL..
But I know she is trying out the big girl food behind my back... LOL..
just like my human kids..nursed them too and they would always eat food for others never for me.
Thanks again...
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post #6 of 7
6/22/10 at 9:23pm
Awww - the kitten days If at all possible, I would allow Kittee some "nursing time" until she gives it up totally. It is supposed to prevent them from "sucking wool" as adults. But, bottle washing - eeek!!
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post #7 of 7
6/23/10 at 4:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by catsknowme View Post
It is supposed to prevent them from "sucking wool" as adults.
I had to google that catsknowme
I get it now and I totally want her to grow up to be secure and not have to resort to that behavior!
I will do my best!
THANKS!
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