Fattening up an older kitten

HI. When I got my kittens, the youngest was 12 weeks old and horribly malnourished. I didn't realize this until I got her home and realized how tiny and fragile she was (long hair disguised her size well). I also found out after the fact that up until a week before I got her she refused food and was only nursing from her mom...so that could explain it. She seems on track now, but I think that she is still quite thin as I think a lot of the food is going towards her growth. I would love to see more weight on her. I am feeding she and the older cat Science diet kitten food as I read it was good for fattening up kittens. Any other suggestions?

Kitten milk replacer (KMR is one brand but there are others) is good for fattening up kitties. Of course she won't need bottle feeding but you could offer her a dish of it once or twice a day. Don't let the older kitty get to it--it's hard to get the weight off once it's on! I wouldn't try too hard to fatten her up. As long as she's well fed and de-parasitized, she'll catch up eventually.

Kmr stage 2 may help....

Have you been to the vet for a deworming program?

SD actually is not a fattening food , truthfully it is about the same quality as the grocery foods...

I had bought the KMR weaning formula when I first got the cats and she didn't want to have anything to do with it. They have been de-wormed, been treated for giardia, and then for tritrichimonas...so they should be completely parasite free! I think that she eats well, and you are right, she will catch up. I probably shouldn't worry much.

stage 2 kmr is easy to mis into the wet food...

WOW she really has been treated for parasites... has the vet done blood work? Do you know what wormer was used? I ask as not all wormers cover even the common worms , plus most of the time it takes 3 times of worming to be rid ...

You may want to ask the vet about a Probiotic as the anitbiotics likely have wiped out all the good and bad bacteria

Yeah, my kitties and I have been through the ringer together. They were both malnourished when I got them (in my opinion...skin and bones), the older one had horrible diarrhea and couldn't control his bowels...he is the skiddish one and would have accidents every time he got nervous... daily cleaning was a mess...worst of all, I had to catch him daily for two rounds of giardia meds then once they were diagnosed with tritrichomonas I had to do the same for 10 days of that! In the end, I think it created a stronger bond with the cats. I feel confident that they are in good health now, just anxious for Femmy to gain weight, but she is growing and so I think she won't gain it as quickly as Falkor has.
Here are some pictures of her when I first got her and then now.... what a difference. Don't be fooled by the fluff...thats all she was, skin and bones and fluff!
Before Before NOW! and NOW.

She's a lucky girl! It looks like you've done a great job with her.

Well done with them - I am sure they will flourish now. You might try giving her some Greek yoghurt or fresh cream cheese as a treat occasionally - most cats love it and it helps put weight on. AS both yoghurt and cheese are processed the lactose levels are too low to affect a cat's stomach.

wow. I didn't know that about yogurt. I am imagining unflavored, right?

Yes plain and start with a small amount as many kitties do okay but other s get loose stools