kitten feeding burn out!

mom2raven

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My little orphan is doing good. She is a little over 4 weeks old and way more aware of her surroundings. She also can walk really well now. It is cute to watch her walk around when I take her out of her box for supervised playtime. She also has just started using her litterbox by herself. I still wipe her bottom to stimulate her to pee before feedings but she is pooping in it independently.

I have tried introducing canned wet kitten food, mixed with her kmr but she shows no interest. I have only gotten her to eat some by putting the tip of a spoon in her mouth. She drinks her milk with vigor! Her little paws go so fast and furious when I feed her...it is starting to get irritating. I am tired of getting hangnails and scratches on my hands.

So how do I get her more interested in her food? And how much longer do I need to wipe her bottom?

On a good note, I am keeping her. I told my mom that she is mine.
 

levi68

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Kittens at that age do not get the concept of biting at their food and chewing. It will take a few days and some patience.
When I first introduce wet food, I take a pea size amount on my finger and open their mouth (very, very gently) and rubbing into onto the roof of their mouth. With some, they catch on after once or twice...others may take several days.
They also do not understand the concept of putting their heads into bowls so I usuall finger feed them for a few days and then slowly introduce a low dish or even a plastic lid.
I would put the pea size amount in her mouth and then put another pea size on your finger and offer it right close to her nose. She should start to lick at it and eventually bite. Be careful .... she won't know that your finger is not edible!!
 

jezzybezzy

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I know what you mean about bottle burnout, I currently have 3 almost six week old orphans I've had for 4 weeks. I introduced soft food that had been loosened up with kmr and they showed nearly zero interest. It was right when I was about at my wits end with bottles that something just clicked for them. Literally it was like a light was flipped and they loved to dive right into the soft food, and what a mess it was! My kittens didn't lap it up, they more sucked it up so the food spread thin on a tupperware lid worked best for them.
good luck, and congrats on getting to keep her!
 
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