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Don't forget the kitten environment. Vacuum really well after bathing. Fleas spend a lot of time off the pet, too...jumping on to feed.
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stray pregnant kitten
- Thread starter kat thompson
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The kittens live outdoors. They are only 4 1/2 wks old. Can they be bathed at this age with Dawn? I'd be afraid of any flea product.
They are too young for any flea product right now, except Capstar which is a pill you would have to give them. A bath with Dawn and a flea comb is probably safest. Also wash any blankets or towels they sleep on, in hot water.
I don't know the answer to your question. I searched this site for 'kittens fleas' and this is what I found:
http://www.thecatsite.com/newsearch?search=kittens+with+fleas&=Search
http://www.thecatsite.com/newsearch?search=kittens+with+fleas&=Search
A family member took in a kitten that had fleas and the kitten died from anemia brought on by the fleas.
I know it is important to deal with the fleas, just have not had experience myself with kittens. Hoping you can find the answer by searching the forums if no one is able to get you an answer soon in this thread.
I know it is important to deal with the fleas, just have not had experience myself with kittens. Hoping you can find the answer by searching the forums if no one is able to get you an answer soon in this thread.
This thread, Stephanietx mentions Dawn dish soap and flea comb. Also that fleas can cause anemia and death.
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/247096/tiny-kittens-and-fleas
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/247096/tiny-kittens-and-fleas
Here's someone with experience catwoman707
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/247096/tiny-kittens-and-fleas#post_3234142
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/247096/tiny-kittens-and-fleas#post_3234142
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Ihave not seen any more fleas, but once they hit 5 weeks I will bathe them if I see any. My concern with my babies right now is that I can not get them to eat kitten mush, or take very much of the KMR in a bottle. By the look of momma's titties, I don't think they get much from nursing. How can I get these little babies to eat? They will be 5 weeks old tomorrow.
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Okay, have you tried rubbing a little turkey pate, smooth style canned cat food on their lips, very carefully watching your fingers? If this does not work, try a little turkey baby food in addition to bottle feeding if they'll take to it. I recommend KMR. Do make sure the baby food doesn't have any garlic or onion powder in it.
Do they seem hungry? Have you weighed them to see if they are gaining weight? The straight Gerber turkey is usually a winner with kittens.
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Hello everyone. Sorry I have been off the site for a while. I have spent all my time rearing these 4 babies. To update; they are doing great. I was able to get them to bottle feed and then at 5 wks they ate a little mush. I think momma was nursing them just enough to sustain them. With the substitute of bottle and mush, they are thriving. At 6 wks they are all eating mush very well and rarely do I have to get the bottle out. they are even lapping up the KMR with the mush. They come inside a lot now bc it is so hot outside. they love playing in the house and 2 of my 4 cats seem to be okay with them. My dogs don't bother them at all.
They are even using the litter box. They will be 7 wks old this Weds. By next week I think they will be ok to find them new homes. We are keeping the little buff girl with the bad eyes. She loves my husband. It is so strange, she gets up on his lap and rubs her head on his arm and bites his fingers then licks him. Never saw a kitten this young show affection. These little babies have given me a lot of joy and I am going to miss them. The momma is spayed now so I think she will just become my outdoor cat. I am concerned that she may leave once the babies are gone. She still keeps an eye
on them when they are outside and sleeps in the crate with them at night. I am afraid she will leave when there are no babies to protect. I got her a collar (a breakaway) and put her rabies tag on it and engraved my number on the back, but she lost it after one day. At least if she goes away, she can not get pregnant.
They are even using the litter box. They will be 7 wks old this Weds. By next week I think they will be ok to find them new homes. We are keeping the little buff girl with the bad eyes. She loves my husband. It is so strange, she gets up on his lap and rubs her head on his arm and bites his fingers then licks him. Never saw a kitten this young show affection. These little babies have given me a lot of joy and I am going to miss them. The momma is spayed now so I think she will just become my outdoor cat. I am concerned that she may leave once the babies are gone. She still keeps an eye
on them when they are outside and sleeps in the crate with them at night. I am afraid she will leave when there are no babies to protect. I got her a collar (a breakaway) and put her rabies tag on it and engraved my number on the back, but she lost it after one day. At least if she goes away, she can not get pregnant.
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Aww, very pretty baby. I don't think she'll leave as she knows you feed and care for her. I do want to ask, could you keep the mother inside or not an option? If not, I think she'll do well outside with a little shelter and regular food. Your yard is her home now, as she thought well of you to leave the kittens in your care and not get aggressive. I also think the others will be ready for homes in a week or two. You've done such a great job with them.
That baby is precious! So glad you are keeping her! Yes, at 8 weeks they are ready to go if you have homes for them. Mama will miss her babies for a couple of days when they go. But maybe you can still let her love and nurse your buff baby in the crate for a bit longer. So glad mama is spayed. I've never had any luck with a cat keeping a collar on either, but I think the mama will stick around as long as you feed her and love her. They become very complacent once spayed. You have done a brilliant job with this cat family! 
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I have really enjoyed this kitten raising experience. I am keeping the little buff girl because of her eye problem. The others are fine, the little black boy is cross eyed, but cute as heck. I bring the kittens inside a lot to feed them and get them litter box trained and used to dogs. When they are not out in their playpen, the momma stands at my door looking in and cries for them. I don't know what she will do when they leave. I can not bring her inside to live because she is not litter trained. I tried to get her to use one outside, but didn't work. I can not risk her pottying in my house because then that leaves a chance for my other cats to pick up the habit. I hope she stays in my yard. I will be certain to show her love and affection daily as well as food and water and a shelter from the elements. I plan on leaving the crate outside covered with the tarp. She is use to that and when winter comes I can add straw to it for warmth.
As far as the kittens, when it is time for them to go to forever homes I am gong to request a vet reference. I told my husband I did not spend this much time and energy and love into them to have them go to a home that might not be suited. I figure if a person can give a vet reference that checks out good, they will more than likely be a good pet owner. and they must get it spayed/neutered. I am going to be so sad to see these precious babies go. they have become a big part of me for the last 7 weeks. I have gotten up at all hours of the night to check on them, spent money for vet visit when they were sick, and nurtured them along the way from birth to now. I am going to have kitten withdrawal I'm afraid. :-)
As far as the kittens, when it is time for them to go to forever homes I am gong to request a vet reference. I told my husband I did not spend this much time and energy and love into them to have them go to a home that might not be suited. I figure if a person can give a vet reference that checks out good, they will more than likely be a good pet owner. and they must get it spayed/neutered. I am going to be so sad to see these precious babies go. they have become a big part of me for the last 7 weeks. I have gotten up at all hours of the night to check on them, spent money for vet visit when they were sick, and nurtured them along the way from birth to now. I am going to have kitten withdrawal I'm afraid. :-)
I'll bet you will have withdrawal! I would too! You have certainly invested a great deal of time and money, and I would consider a vet reference and a spay/neuter contract the bare minimum. Please get full addresses and work references and multiple phone numbers as well so that you know where your kittens are and can follow-up with phone calls and a visit. In fact, check out the homes and other pets before you relinquish the kittens. And, be sure to tell them to return the kitten to you if for any reason it doesn't work out and they change their mind. Extra trouble to do all this but well worth it!
I think if you brought mama in with the kittens she could check out your place a bit. I imagine she would use the litter box quite easily if brought in and you showed it to her. Cats are very clean and learn the litter box instinctively, if you decide to give her a chance. She's not going to use a litter box when she has the yard right there. I'll bet she could easily become an indoor/outdoor cat if given the chance.
My kittens are 11 weeks old and mama kitty cries for them if they fall asleep under the bed or coffee table and she doesn't know where they are. Once I show her she is fine and lays down next to them.
You have done an outstanding job and had an experience you will not soon forget! Keep us updated!
I think if you brought mama in with the kittens she could check out your place a bit. I imagine she would use the litter box quite easily if brought in and you showed it to her. Cats are very clean and learn the litter box instinctively, if you decide to give her a chance. She's not going to use a litter box when she has the yard right there. I'll bet she could easily become an indoor/outdoor cat if given the chance.
My kittens are 11 weeks old and mama kitty cries for them if they fall asleep under the bed or coffee table and she doesn't know where they are. Once I show her she is fine and lays down next to them.
You have done an outstanding job and had an experience you will not soon forget! Keep us updated!
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Hi everyone. Well my babies will be 11 wks old Weds. and yes, I still have them. They are doing great. Eating kitten food (soft and hard) and I still give them a little KMR with their food. They are litter trained very well and they get along with my dogs and cats. I have tried several times to adopt them out with no luck. I had 2 people interested, but backed out. I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to take them to a shelter after all the hard work and love I have put into them, but I just can't keep all 4. Two I can keep, but not 4. I feel so bad because they are getting a little wild having free roam of my house. I try to pick them up and hold them a lot, but they just aren't into it. I find this perplexing, because I have held them since they were born. Are they just going through something right now. I thought all kittens loved to be held. ?? I'm trying to get them into new homes, but if the potential owner has small kids I am afraid they will try to hold the kittens and get scratched. Any thoughts?
Is there a nearby rescue you can work with?
They are being kittens whose mom is not with them to teach them manners!
Kittens love to run around and chase each other and toys, and tussle, and then collapse for long naps. They will not be lap cats for quite awhile!
It sounds like they are very healthy and happy and doing just great!
It would be ideal if you could adopt out the other two together so they can play together as they grow up. Shelters are incredibly full of kittens right now.
Can you put a notice at the vet, or an area church? Call the church office and ask if they can put the word out.
Small children and kittens do not go together well except under heavy supervision.
Can you ask friends to ask friends? Put it on FB?
Keep trying, because it's far better if you know who is taking them.
How's mama kitty these days?
Kittens love to run around and chase each other and toys, and tussle, and then collapse for long naps. They will not be lap cats for quite awhile!
It sounds like they are very healthy and happy and doing just great!
It would be ideal if you could adopt out the other two together so they can play together as they grow up. Shelters are incredibly full of kittens right now.
Can you put a notice at the vet, or an area church? Call the church office and ask if they can put the word out.
Small children and kittens do not go together well except under heavy supervision.
Can you ask friends to ask friends? Put it on FB?
Keep trying, because it's far better if you know who is taking them.
How's mama kitty these days?
Some of the rescues by us use petfinder.com and I see a few 'courtesy' posts. these are usually older cats whose owners have passed away or are too sick to care for them.
