New to orphaned kittens (need advice)

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moriles9

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Also, their two weeks old tomorrow, is that the time when I can start feeding them less frequently?
I feed them every 3-4 hours now.

Also is it normal for one to be a lot bigger and more developed than the others? Like he opened his eyes about 5 days before the others and he's such a chunk!
 

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Two weeks is too young to alter their schedule. I know how tiring it is but they must continue to be fed every 3-4 hours for another full week.

I wish we had weights to know how much to feed, but I can estimate for you if you can tell me how much you are giving them now.
 

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And it is not unusual for one to open its eyes much earlier or to be bigger, but we probably need to see more weight gain in the smaller ones. Are all their eyes open now at two weeks?
 
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moriles9

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Yes all their eyes are open.

They usually eat around 10 mL every feeding sometimes 15 (every 3-4 hours) the bigger one usually eats around 10-15 everytime.

I usually let each of them eat twice every feeding to give them a chance to get as much as they want. And it usually adds up to the above numbers.
 
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moriles9

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I'm going the next time I get the chance to get a kitchen scale to weigh them on.
 

Sarthur2

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So do you think you are feeding 6 times a day, or more? Then I'll figure out amounts for you.
 
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moriles9

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Yeah 6 times a day at least
 

Sarthur2

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Okay. Give me a few minutes and I'll give you my recommendation. :)
 

Sarthur2

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I just wanted to see how much they had grown since your pictures four days ago. How many hours at a time are you gone for work?
 

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I am assuming the two smaller ones weigh about 8 ounces apiece now, so they should be drinking 11-12 mL at each feeding based on every four hours. More is fine but less is not okay. So you are not too far off. They need to gain about 4 ounces each in the next week, so close to a half ounce per day.

I am assuming your big guy may already weigh 10-12 ounces, so he should be drinking about 16 mL per feeding every 4 hours. He is also in the ballpark.

Because the little ones are not gaining as fast, they should probably eat every 3 hours ideally. But I like that you go around twice so they can eat more. And you burp and you stimulate.

You said they were constipated with the change in formula. Are you adding the oil and have they pooped?

And do the little guys have their eyes open yet? :)
 
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moriles9

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Thank you very much for your estimate!

Just fed them and they are exactly that. Little ones ate 10-15 and the big guy ate 15 or 16 ounces!

And yes the oil helped and they have all pooped since then and all of their eyes are now open as off today!

Also for work, I'm usually gone 4-5 hours but I have someone watching them here at all times to feed them once while I'm gone and make sure they're doing ok.
 

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This all sounds very good :).

Hang in there and before you know it they will be able to eat mush on their own!

I'm glad someone is there, otherwise I was going to suggest a schedule that would incorporate feedings around your job hours.

As they grow this week, you will need to up this amount. The rule of thumb is 8 mL for every ounce of body weight. So by the end of the week they should each be drinking an additional 5-6 mL at each feeding on top of the amount they are taking now.

Keep us posted on how they are doing :).
 
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moriles9

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Question on my calico. Is it normal for her to chew on the nipple and eat very slowly oppose to sucking and getting it out at a different pace. I can get her to suck eventually it just takes a long time and about 5 mL in.
 

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She could be starting to teethe.  Can you feel tiny bumps under the gums.  Teeth usually come in between 3 and 4 weeks.
 

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Well, she is chewing because she is teething, as Handsome Kitty said, but she should be drinking the amount I quoted you earlier at each feeding, which is about 12 mL.

Is this not happening?
 
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moriles9

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No she still is, it just takes her a little bit to get her going but she eventually starts sucking. Just fed them again and she went straight to sucking and ate about 15 mL. I also tried to feel the lumps by letting her suck on my finger but I couldnt feel any right now.
 

Sarthur2

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Ah, okay, good! I just want her to eat enough to grow! She really needs that minimum at each feeding.

She will get teeth eventually - don't worry! She's chewing because they are coming in. Try to discourage her from chewing the nipple though, because it will break off and she can swallow it.
 
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