New Foster Mom Update: Overfeeding kittens?

sonadora

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Hey all,

I posted before about some kittens I am fostering, found here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/266793/new-foster-mom

They are doing well, but I have a concern. Short story is, I've never cared for kittens this young before (they are coming on 9 weeks, now) and I'm worried about how much I am feeding them. On the one hand, I understand that kittens should eat as much as they are able, but on the other hand, I've made the mistake of overfeeding one of my cats before and I don't want to start them on an unhealthy lifestyle (I kept feeding my first cat, Romeo, kitten food a month or two past his first birthday. The age estimate for him given me by the shelter was inaccurate). 

Also, as they are fosters, I'm not sure how quickly I should encourage eating only kibble/dry food. I'd prefer them to eat wet food, of course, but the majority of families will most likely only feed dry food, and I don't want the kittens to become spoiled. 

Right now, I feed the kittens 2/3 - 1 cup of dry food plus half a large can of wet food. The brand varies somewhat, but it's usually Canidae and almost always grain-free. The biggest kitten is over 3 1/2 pounds, the smallest is just over 3 pounds, and the two biggest eaters (as far as I can see) weigh almost 3 1/2 pounds. 

Maybe I'm worrying too much, but that's what I do with my fur-babies, I worry about them. 

 

faery

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Keep an idea on their weight and size in general. With dogs and cats you can generally see a definite waste when standing over them (looking down at their back, their waste should be a tad smaller than their rib cage). The amount of food varies on the brands fat and protein level, as well as the activity level of your cat. I have one adult neutered male that will eat 2 cups, and a lazier adult female that only eats 3/4 cup (and she's rather overweight). Personally I'd cut the kittens down a bit and keep weighing them. The average weight of a 9 week old kitten is around 2lbs.
 

pinkman

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I'd feed the kittens as much as they want to eat. After asking around (multiple vets, techs, shelter volunteers, posters here, and my friends who have owned kittens before) the body conditioning score shouldn't be really used for kittens so young. If their stomachs are big and HARD/bloated I'd be concerned but otherwise a kitten's body proportions are very different from an adult cat.

When I had a 9-week old kitten he ate around 10 ounces of raw split into 5 meals a day. I did not feed any dry. I understand that most families will only want to feed dry. Is it possible to educate potential adopters about the importance of incorporating wet food in their diet? Maybe not a full switch, but at least partial? 
 

StefanZ

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I'd feed the kittens as much as they want to eat. After asking around (multiple vets, techs, shelter volunteers, posters here, and my friends who have owned kittens before) the body conditioning score shouldn't be really used for kittens so young. If their stomachs are big and HARD/bloated I'd be concerned but otherwise a kitten's body proportions are very different from an adult cat.

When I had a 9-week old kitten he ate around 10 ounces of raw split into 5 meals a day. I did not feed any dry. I understand that most families will only want to feed dry. Is it possible to educate potential adopters about the importance of incorporating wet food in their diet? Maybe not a full switch, but at least partial?  
Im seconding Pinkmans  suggestions.

I do also like  Faerys little practical tip for a quick overall assesment of (adult) cats: how is their waist line, if you look from above?

I
 
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