Feral orphans

I have been taking care of two feral kittens for the last five days, found them at about 10 days old.  One's eyes were open and the other's were half-way open.  I have questions about pooping.  Initially, the first poo one of the kittens did was like a rock, and I wonder if he wasn't a little dehydrated.  I think they had been without their mom for a couple of days when I found them.  I did research and learned that they will poo once a day and it should be well formed.  I've seen a couple of those, but now we are getting soft-serve, really smelly - not outright diarrhea, though.

Both are eating really well.  I'm wondering if it might be like other species of babies, where if you over-feed them get loose?  Should I feed less, more frequently?

Also, I was under the impression that they have to be stimulated to pee/poo, but I have found that they "leaked" on a few occasions, and the towel in their nest was damp, so is that normal, or is it a sign that I'm not pottying them often enough?  I'm feeding them every 3-4 hours!

Since this doesn't seem to be true diarrhea, will probiotics help firm up the stool?

They are sooo adorable!  I'm in love!  I've already got two cats at home and two barn cats, so I certainly don't NEED two more cats, but I know they would be put down at most shelters so I absolutely won't allow that.

You need to stimulate their genital area after every feed.  You also need to double-check you are making up their feed at exactly the right strength.  Weighing them every day at about the same time is also helpful - they should put on 10g-20g (1/3 - 2/3 oz) per day.  This URL might be useful:

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/kittens/handrearing.html

(this says to stimulate both before and after each feed)

Welcome and big thanks for helping these two babies!

Another good link for orphans is www.kitten-rescue.com

The exactly consistence and color of kitten poo may be difficult to hit as handraiser.

but kitten poo is certainly looser than when they are adults. As long they seem to thrive and it isnt diarrhea I think you can be happy.

Good luck!   *vibes*

Thanks, everyone!  Great links!

Betsy

Great job!

They were dehydrated if the poop was hard, you probably found them in the nick of time.

They need to be pottied before and after each meal. I just stick their butts under nice warm water and tap on their rear end and genitals with a finger, this way it just goes down the drain and the warmness of the water makes them go so easily since they relax.

Of course be sure to dry well and put back on a low temp heating pad.

Their poop at this age is usually a mustardy color and soft. As weeks go by it will become firmer and browner in color. More like a regualr turd

The wetness would be leaking, yes. Overfilled bladder.

Thank you, catwoman707!  I feel reassured that all is going well.