I think my kittens are premature

catquestionss

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
16
Purraise
2
Another one of my cats gave birth, she has two at the moment and they are small, i don't know exactly how small but, they have all their fur and are pretty vocal but like i said, small! 
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,813
Purraise
3,545
Location
Texas
I'm not sure, but they could just be small, especially if mom is small. 
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
True, a good thing for them would be to weigh them daily, to make sure there is enough gain every single day, should gain at least 8 grams daily, 6 is the bare minimum.
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
You get a small scale that will weigh in ounces/grams. Just turn it on and set the baby on it :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

catquestionss

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
16
Purraise
2
I'm kind of worried she now has 7, they are eating, but a couple won't stop meowing, I wish I could take them to the vet, but I don't have the money for that right now.
 

anne with cats

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
251
Purraise
36
If they just being born, they are probably trying to find their way to mama's breast. This is when they start claiming their favorite nipple!  I have read the lower row, maybe because it is closer to the floor. You may have to assist them to be able to find, and latch on. They cannot see or hear anything at this stage of life, so it is a real smell and feel thing only now.  The ones that are meowing are hungry!
 
Last edited:

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
Yes, meowing is hunger, and it takes alot to get babies to mew for hunger at this age.

It's the smallest who will suffer with such a large litter.

They will constantly be pushed off of the better nipples, and end up going downhill soon enough.

You can either supplement them, but honestly your lack of kitten experience tells me rotation is wiset way to go.

This is when you get a small box, put something soft inside but on top of a heating pad turned on low for warmth.

You will rotate the biggest ones out allowing the smaller ones time alone to nurse.

You will not need to pull the smaller ones out at all, only the biggest 4 basically.

Every 2 hours out away from mom, put them back in for an hour or a bit more. Then back out for a couple hours. This will be the only real way to know they are getting enough milk from momma.

They MUST be kept warm though, a heat source, not blankets.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,072
Purraise
10,774
Location
Sweden
 
I'm kind of worried she now has 7, they are eating, but a couple won't stop meowing, I wish I could take them to the vet, but I don't have the money for that right now.
A vet visit wouldnt help you much in this situation.  They are not obviously sick, they are just newborn and many.   And very few vets do take care for newborns instead of the owner.

At best, you would get some advices, and get some gears, if you would need to supplement feed them...

But you get  excellent advices here in this forum, and in our links you can find here...

That tip of Catwoman how to rotate them safeguarding the smaller and weaker get their full share is excellent.

You do have the supplement feeding as a back up, but its not without its dangers too, esp if you arent experienced with it...  So stick to the natural ways as long as you can.

But to safeguard, get home an electronical scale, measuring in grammes, or 1/10 of ounces, and weight them every day, near the mom so she dont get anxious. Have a cloth on the scale, so its not cold to the kittens.

.  Get home some raw goat milk or some good kmr (kitten mothermilk replacement), and a syringe of 1 ml or 1,5 ml.  Or at least, be sure you know where to get them in a hurry.

So you dont be defenceless IF a Situation suddenly arises.

And be sure you give the mom a really first rate nourishment.  With 7 kittens the demands on her are high, there are very few margins.

Please come back with reports and questions as soon there is something.

Good luck!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

catquestionss

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
16
Purraise
2
Helllooooo, only 1 kitten from the litter passed, but they all have homes now.
Thank you guys for all your helpful words!!! 
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,072
Purraise
10,774
Location
Sweden
 
Helllooooo, only 1 kitten from the litter passed, but they all have homes now.
Thank you guys for all your helpful words!!! 
Tx for the update!  Sorry for the one whom passed away, but we are happy all the others made it luckily, and surely with good aid from yourself..

Are they already in the new homes, or are they still together with mom, but have the new homes lined up waiting till a proper time?
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

catquestionss

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
16
Purraise
2
They all got new homes last week.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,072
Purraise
10,774
Location
Sweden
 
They all got new homes last week.
I see. Somewhat early, to speak the truth, 8 weeks is better,  but an own home is an own home, lets rejoice over it!    :)

And again, having 7 smallish kittens, not premature but smallish, and 6 have survived and thrive - its good statistics, if I may say so.   Well done!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

catquestionss

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
16
Purraise
2
I wanted to keep them longer, but I'm getting ready to move really soon and would rather have them in a home getting the proper attention they need. If they were still here it would just be a crazy, messy environment, I feel horrible not being able to keep them here long enough. 
 
Top