Am I feeding my 3 week old kitten too much?

handsome kitty

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That sounds like a good plan.  It takes time to wean off formula  to wet food.  After a few weeks you should be able to give him the kmr in bowl or on a small plate.
 

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He looks to be about 3 weeks old. He may be too young to eat on his own yet. He may need another week and then try it again.

Yes, 4 mls of wet is good, Then formula. Then wet again. Then formula. You may be able to stretch it to 6 hours overnight so you can get some sleep. If he turns his head he's full. But the wet food will fill him up more and hold him longer. Every 4 hours is good, but if he's not hungry then push it to 6 hours. You really need to play it by ear and whether he's looking for more or turning his head away.
 
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luvfelicia

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And with the formula, he's been eating about 4-6 mls each feeding the last couple of days. But like I said he's so fussy about the formula (he was in love with it until he got the taste of wet food.) Well he's definitely been fussy & acting like he doesn't want to eat with 4 hr feedings so I'll push it to 6 for the next one & see how he does
 
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luvfelicia

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Well I got done feeding him again almost an hr ago. Fed him formula and he only took 4 mls & he fussed from the very first one. Slapping at me & trying to lock his jaw shut. I don't know why he's being such a picky eater. And that was with him going about 6 hrs without eating
 

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Okay. Are you holding him tummy down and head up to feed?

Are you stimulating him to go wee and poo after each feeding by rubbing his tummy and wiping his bum with a warm damp cotton ball? You can also hold him over your shoulder in an upright position to burp him.

I am wondering if he is constipated. The eliminating is very important. You really need to know whether he is going wee and poo. If he is not pooping then he may feel bloated and not hungry, and there are other things we can try.

I also feel that he does not like the syringe, and want to urge you to continue to try to get him to take the bottle. That way he can get the pleasure of sucking and have a little more control over his own feeding.

Please let me know if you have seen him poop and how much.
 
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luvfelicia

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He pees before & after each feeding. He poops about 95% of the time after meals. I burp him after each feeding. He wiggles too much for me to hold him against my shoulder so I hold him in my left hand (belly against my palm) & I pat his back with my right hand. When I first got him I tried the bottle but he hated it. Up until the last couple of days he's never had a problem with the syringe. I did try the bottle thisnkast feeding & he acted the same: fussy & slapping.

And yes I'm feeding him with his belly on my lap & his head up at a slight angle
 
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Sarthur2

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Sounds like he's becoming a little more feisty and independent. I would offer the wet food in a dish before using the syringe each time. Let him check it out and maybe come back to it in the dish. I still feel like he's about ready to self-feed soon since he's pushing away from being fed. I'd also continue to offer the bottle. Beyond that, it sounds like he just may not be hungry.

Is his tummy bloated? How is his energy level? How is he sleeping and moving around?
 
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luvfelicia

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Tummy is fine; not bloated. His energy level seems fine. He wiggles all over the place. He's a great sleeper. After each meal I heat up his rice socks (they're under a towel) & he cuddles up to them & grooms himself & drifts off. The feeding before last when I fed him wet, I put it on a plate before I syringe fed him & he did lick it some but mostly fell & waddled around in it. Should I go ahead & try soaked dry food & see what he does? He does try to chew on the syringe some.

And if he's just not hungry do you think I should go longer than 6? With him this young?
 
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Sarthur2

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It can't hurt. Soak the dry food in formula and see if he likes it. You may have to keep trying some of this until he catches on. He also may lick Gerber turkey or chicken baby food from your finger.

He sounds healthy, so I wouldn't stress if he is eating a bit less at the moment. Again, the wet food is more filling than just the formula. Let's see how he does over the next day or two.
 
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luvfelicia

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Ok so keep it at about every 6 hrs then unless he seems hungry. Hopefully the soaked food works for him
 

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Yes, I would for now. He does need to eat, but I am not sure what is causing the fussiness. Let's see how today goes.
 
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luvfelicia

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I fed him around 5:30 am & he took a little over 9 mls of formula :) fixing to feed him again; this time with wet. He nibbled on the soaked a little but not much
 
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Wonderful! The 6-hour intervals seem to be helping him build his appetite.
 
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luvfelicia

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I just finished feeding him again after only 5 hrs & he took 12 mls of wet & had a great bowel movement :) I'll try again after 5 hrs & see how that goes & I'll use formula.
 

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Well, good! Maybe he just had a spell of not being as hungry for a few days! I'm so glad he's eating better. I was baffled and a bit concerned myself. :)
 

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This is exciting!  Are you weighing him?  I wonder if a growth spurt is coming.  So glad you are taking care of this precious kitten.
 
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