my kittens don't know how to bath and problems with fur balls

helsic

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Hello dear cat owners!
I have 2 kittens I rescued when they were 2 weeks old, because they didn't have t chance to learn from their Mamas they're clueless about how to clean theirselves. We use a wet soft cloth to clean them and they're starting to learn, the problem is they have been like trying to puke the fur ball but they can't! They make wird noises for a while but it seems like they swallow the fur ball over and over and they don't throw it up,...

So I don't know if Mother cats teach the kittens to puke the fur ball or if it's something they learn by instinct...

They're 2 months know, pretty active, naughty and playful but they're smelly because they don't groom themselves.

Any advice or ideas?
 

red top rescue

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No, coughing up a fur ball is not taught by mama cats.  If they keep choking/coughing like that, it is probably NOT a fur ball but they may have something stuck in their throat.  I would suggest a vet visit, as they are just the right age to be wormed and vaccinated anyhow, and discuss this with your vet.  You can bathe kittens, we often bathe orphan kittens in very mild shampoo and dry them immediately so they don't chill but probably all you need is a bottom bath.  Still, they should not be stinky, so they may have worms.  I'd be glad to give you detailed instructions on kitten bathing if you need them, but please do take them to the vet first.  Little kittens often swallow things they should not and you should get them checked.
 
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helsic

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Thank you for your advice. Since last week we have been cleaning them with a wet soft cloth and they're not longer smelling bad, we used to bath them with warm water and puppy shampoo before when they were around a month but since summer is over, I'm trying to avoid the water as much as possible because I don't want them to catch a cold.

My problem is that I live in a town in China, the only Vet near by is not really trustworthy it seems more focused in dogs than cats and I don't feel my kittens are going to be safe in there.

I have checked their throats and they haven't shallow anything weird, still I'm going to be very careful and clean the floor often to avoid them shallowing something they're not supposed to.
 

red top rescue

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You should add your location to your profile.  It's very interesting that you live in China.  We are definitely an international site and it's good to know where people live -- you never know when you may ave to find some local information for people, so if we can see where you live in your posts (which will show if you add to your profile).  I think a few weeks ago one person in Morocco helped another find a good place to take his animal for treatment.   Since little kittens are like little children and often try to swallow things they shouldn't, you are wise to keep the floor very clean.  Also if you sew, never leave a needle around with a thread in it because they may start eating the thread but end up swallowing the needle!

I do understand what you are saying about not having many vets to choose from in China.  When I was there back in the mid-1980s, when it first opened to foreign travelers, I remember we talked a lot with our guides as they wanted to learn as much about us as we did abut them.  At the time, there were no pets and no pet doctors there.  Animals were considered farm property, not pets, and our guides were very surprised to learn the concept of having a doctor just for animals, i.e. a veterinarian.  They thought that was strange and funny, a doctor for cats and dogs. 
 
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helsic

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Wow really? You went to China during that time? I'm impressed. I'm Colombian but still even nowadays I feel shocked with the weird things I see in this country haha.
There's still many people here that eat dog and cat's meat regularly but I'm lucky to live in a province where people don't eat dogs or cats. Still people don't know how to properly take care of a cat. It's more common to see dog owners rather than cat's owners in this town, that's why I'm not sure if the vet has experience with cats v_v

Many people don't know what to do with the cat and put the cats on a cage or tie then ti a tree FOREVER. It's quite disturbing to see.

Actually my kittens where throwed away from a car in a street when they were still blind and tiny. This hideous was driving and tossed them in to the street like trash!! My husband was passing by and hltook them home.

I believe China has a long road to follow, people is clueless about animal cruelty. There's too much for them to learn. Good thing is new generation of kids look at cats as pets so things are starting to change slowly.
 
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