Need help for a friend

Ok soooo long story short, she took in a kitten original owner claims 6 weeks (I call bull) looks more like a 4 week old they were feeding it dry dog food, formula gives her major runs, weight was going up now loosing weight because it refuses to eat even dry food. :/ she can't get into a vet with it.



Any ideas how to get food into this little one ?!? She's an online friend so I can't just go over and help her out.

Try pouring formula milk over the dry KITTEN chow - not dog food. Kittens have very different nutritional needs than dogs. Also try making a mush with wet cat food and formula and sitting with the kitten and having her lick from a finger. Kittens usually love Gerber turkey baby food that comes in the jar. Try that too.

If she won't eat, your friend may need to force feed the kitten by using formula in a needle-less 1-ml syringe, which can be obtained from a vet or a pharmacy. The kitten must be held on its tummy, head up (never on its back), and put a couple of drops in the side of its mouth, let her swallow and breathe, and go again. You can also try a kitten bottle. She may be missing nursing her mommy.

If none of this works, she needs to see a vet asap, as something may be wrong with her. Kittens must eat or they can go downhill quickly and die.

Is she warm enough? Kittens do not eat or digest well when cold. Try a heating pad under her blanket, set on low. Or a sock filled with rice, microwaved for five minutes, wrap in a towel and place nearby.

Also try stimulating her behind by gently tapping with a fore finger to go wee and poo. Tummy rubs help too.

But she must eat! For a quick pick-up, try smearing some honey on her lips. But somehow your friend must get formula into her, and hopefully some solid food soon. Kittens usually begin to transition to solid food around 5 to 6 weeks old. She may not be ready to eat solids and may take the bottle. Can be purchased at Walmart or pet store. Please give us an update when you can. Thank you for trying to help. Good luck!

As for the formula, she needs KMR by Petag, preferably the dry powder in the can that you mix. She will get used to it. Don't know what is causing diarrhea (the dog food maybe?), but she needs to stay hydrated. Like I said, kitten can be wrapped in a towel and force fed. Your friend must get food into this kitten! She looks about 4 weeks old maybe. Too young to eat much. Try the bottle asap!

Jannette said:

Ok soooo long story short, she took in a kitten original owner claims 6 weeks (I call bull) looks more like a 4 week old they were feeding it dry dog food, formula gives her major runs, weight was going up now loosing weight because it refuses to eat even dry food. :/ she can't get into a vet with it.





Any ideas how to get food into this little one ?!? She's an online friend so I can't just go over and help her out.

Click to expand...

A good alternative to kmr-formulas is goat milk.  Raw goat milk is best, but bottled full fat is OK too-

  Exactly what formula is used?

If you get the KMR mentioned by SArthur, use stage one, not stage 2.