A quick weaning question and some others :)

I've made a lot of threads on here and I apologize but  I have a quick question about weaning. I also have a few other things to ask lol.

The kittens are now four weeks old today and are growing so fast! Now that they are out of their nesting box we moved them and their mother into a tent with a normal sized litter box and a tiny kitten one both have corn litter in them. The dry kitten food the mom cat is eating is where they can get to it and so is the water bowl.

I've been reading on weaning but the one thing I'm not seeing is how often to offer the kmr in a shallow bowl.

1 - How often should I offer the kmr, I offered it earlier and they could care less lol. I bring the mom Hina soft food 3 or 4 times a day and kmr, should I bring them some that often each day or more or less?

2 - I saw one trying to eat the hard kitten food that I leave out for the mother cat, is this okay?

3 - When I fed them earlier I noticed one of the kittens had poop on her rear that was the color of mustard and like paste, I read this color is normal. I then found where she had for the first time pooped on her own, it was mustard color as well and pasty but there was also three little more normal looking turds. Is this just her transitioning into more firm feces or should I be worried? They have only been getting mothers milk unless this kittens been eating the dry food. I also found pee a few hours later in the same spot so I put the tiny litter box there after cleaning it though none of them seem interested in it yet.

4 - It is okay for them to reach the water bowl right? I haven't seen anyone drinking from it but it's there if they want, I just fill it half way so they don't get soaked if they step in it.

5 - One of the kittens started heaving earlier like she was going to vomit while playing but she just threw up a little clear then went off to play again. Is this a red flag? She didn't seem to actually vomit, if I hadn't seen it I'd have thought it was drool. It only happened once and I looked for vomit in the tent while cleaning and found nothing.

Sorry for the questions but I can never find the answers to them specifically and I call my vet when if it seems like it's a problem. These were all just things that came up today. My mom took in a stray that had kitten, I keep ssking her what she did but she keeps saying she forgot so she's no help lol.

Thanks for putting up with my questions everyone on here. This site has helped me with the old male stray we took in a few months ago and Hina from her pregnancy to her kittens and I really genuinely appreciate it. Again thank you!

The pooping sounds normal.  They are really too young to use the box but keeping it out for them will help them learn.  They will also try the dry food but will probably find it difficult to chew/digest for a few more weeks.

Once or twice a day, I would offer them KMR or KMR mixed into a slurry with wet food.  (Warning - really, really messy, so have a tarp under it).  See what they do.  Some may dive right in, others will cling to the old ways (mommy).

The water bowl made me worry a little.   If there is any way one of them might get into it, I would make sure it's out of their way until you are sure they know what to do.  They may be a bit young and I'd hate for one of them to drown.  Just a thought ...

Other than that, it sounds like you are doing an amazing job!  Thanks for helping them all ...

And no need to apologize.  That's what we're all here for!

Ondine said:

The pooping sounds normal.  They are really too young to use the box but keeping it out for them will help them learn.  They will also try the dry food but will probably find it difficult to chew/digest for a few more weeks.

Once or twice a day, I would offer them KMR or KMR mixed into a slurry with wet food.  (Warning - really, really messy, so have a tarp un it).  See what they do.  Some may dive right in, others will cling to the old ways (mommy).

The water bowl made me worry a little.   If there is any way one of them might get into it, I would make sure it's out of their way until you are sure they know what to do.  They may be a bit young and I'd hate for one of them to drown.  Just a thought ...

Other than that, it sounds like you are doing an amazing job!  Thanks for helping them all ...

And no need to apologize.  That's what we're all here for!

Click to expand...

The water bowl is wider at the base to help keep from spilling and I've only been putting like 1/2" of water in so mamma kitty can have it at all times. They've gone over to it and stepped in it once or twice but have since avoided it. I noticed one of them peed in the little litter box so that makes me happy.

I was worried about them being introduced to stuff to early but they have been advancing faster than I thought they would. They all run an jump and climb the small scratching post they have.

Should I remove the water bowl and when should I put it back in? Is the concern that they might suck it up in their noses or actually drown in the bowls? They did stick their noses in it at first but I used a paper towel and dabbed the water off, they did this with the kmr as well and I dabbed it off as well.

The bowl has been within their reach for two days now and they are all acting normal and there is never water splashed everywhere.

Thanks for the response it helped a lot! A piece of mind can go a long way!

Then I wouldn't worry about it.  I thought they were younger and less mobile but it sounds like they should be OK.  They will be exploring everything, so expect to clean up puddles of water occasionally. 

 Just want to say I agree with Ondine. 

  I'd do as Ondine says and offer them  the food mixed with KMR  once or twice  a day. 

Often kittens will just start eating the canned food with no KMR. but it doesn't hurt to try that.    In fact,  it's fine for the mom to have the KMR mixed in too maybe for one of her meals if she likes it. 

If it is small pieces of dry  it should be OK for them to try.  

Not sure what the spitting up clear fluid was about.    hopefully not a big deal.  just keep an eye on that kitty.  

The water dish sounds fine the way you have it. 

The poop is normal -- that pasty mustard color is what  it usually looks like from a diet of mother's milk.     the other more normal looking poop.  well I have occasionally seen that even in little kitten babies .  but it may be a sign they actually are nibbling a bit more of her food than you realize! 

 and don't feel too worried if they don't eat much now .  Kittens don't all follow the same schedule.  Some do  start eating regular food this young but some don't start for a few more weeks.     it's no rush,  so don't stress over it.     Just let Hina have the extra if they don't want it yet.  

It sounds like you are doing great!