NEED HELP KITTENS BORN AND HAVE NOT FEED

Today my cat had 4 little black kittens ( first time mom). I thought she would be OK but the kittens would'nt feed idk why. When I left to go the restroom I come back and she had a kitten in its mouth shaking it. I thought that was weird so I took the kitten out and lay it down so it would try to suckle then she tried to eat it. So I called the vet they said feed them formula and remove them. Now the mom is going crazy. What should I do?

you might want to pm @catwoman707  or one of the other advisors

Is the Mum trying to kill all the kittens or just one? Sometimes they can tell if a kitten is not healthy and will try to kill it.

If it's just one kitten, remove that one. She might be OK with the others. Keep a close eye on her and make sure she lets them suckle and doesn't try to bite or shake them. For now the most important thing is to keep them warm. You need something to help them stay warm, such as a hot water bottle or rice sock. Don't try to feed them unless they are warm, they can't digest the milk and it could kill them.

Here is an article to look at, it explains how to make a warm nest for them and what to feed them.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens

@catwoman707  @StefanZ  

Thanks @detmut  and @Norachan  and that is a very good question, if mom has it in for the one baby or if she is acting this way with them all.

I suspect it will be with all since it takes longer than a few minutes for her to sense something wrong with the one baby.

Definitely keep the one away at least until you see whether or not the others need to be removed as well.

This is NOT common, so be sure this is what needs to be done, as their lives are much less secure when they have to be cared for by a human from such an early point, but it can be done.

It is alot of work and time, just so you know.

A few things, first of all before anything, make sure they are all warmed, either from mom with the others, or the one pulled out, blankets are not a heat source, so you can not insulate for warmth, they must have a heating pad or some sort of heat source.

One thing I want to ask. Did you handle the babies prior to her shaking the one?

Is mom able to leave the kittens or is she contained with them?

When did she give birth? Did she tear the sac and clean them?

Wrinklelegs said:

Today my cat had 4 little black kittens ( first time mom). I thought she would be OK but the kittens would'nt feed idk why. When I left to go the restroom I come back and she had a kitten in its mouth shaking it. I thought that was weird so I took the kitten out and lay it down so it would try to suckle then she tried to eat it. So I called the vet they said feed them formula and remove them. Now the mom is going crazy. What should I do?

Click to expand...

Why they didnt ate may be several things. Are they premature? Or are they fully haired, decently rounded?

I mean, if premature, tehy would be weak, and mom perhaps not ready with milk...   If so, figth on as long there is life, but its usually a fight uphill with prematures.

Another possibility is, she by any reason has no milk as yet.  It may come in later, but anyways, for now you must take charge and feed them yourself.   Also help them stimulate and doing eliminating.

Lotsa work and effort, but it can be done.  If they are otherwise fullgone and healthy, you may even save them all. People had done it, I even know an example of 13 kittens saved and one sick mom (two litters almost simultaneously, and it wasnt even an experienced rescuer, just a loving and determined breeder).

You had already got excellent advices re keeping them warm.  You can also carry them at your chest, if there is one or two  especially in need of extra care.

Also, its good with fleece, kittens feel it almost as moms fur.

Had you got a kitten replacement milk,  kmr?  Which one, exactly?

There are several brands, some excellent, some OK, a couple arent good.

The best is made by PetAg, called KMR, in powder.   Royal Canins baby milk is OK - their bottle is easy to use.

GNC is another good brand.

Goat milk is also OK to use.  Raw goat milk is best, but bottled or even in powder are OK.   Some of our forumites even prefer raw goat milk over kmr.

You may find its easier to use a syringe than bottle.  Use a syringe of 1ml.  after a week 3ml.   They need 8ml / oz=30g  a day.  This means, a normal but smallish kitten of 90 grammes, will need at least 24 ml  milk every day.   Say you have 12 feedings, so it will be at least 2ml a feeding.   Burp them afterwards like a baby.

Be careful when you feed.  Tummy down, head up, you put in the syringe in the corner of the mouth, and very easy pressure.  If they swallow actively, it can go fairdly quick, but it fhey dont swallow actively, be extra slow, and it will take time.

A good site to get inspiration from is  www.kitten-rescue.com.  If you google so the words is hand raising, hand rearing, kittens...

End of this message.

Good luck!

ps. Please come back with reports and further questions.  Now the alarm has gone out, so it will always be someone here ready to answer waiting for you.