Re homing fee...

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catownerof2

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Things are good.  She wont leave their side.

They weigh the following..

All white paw: 1.8 oz

Black Back: 2.5 oz

Heart shape:  2.8

white trail: 2.3

White stripe: 2.9

All black "Midnight": 2.5

Dipstick: 2.4

So obviously the first one is the runt.  

When should I feed her again?  She did in fact eat all the sacks and a 3.5 oz can this morning.  
 

Sarthur2

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Just leave some dry food out, and offer her another can this afternoon.

A healthy kitten weighs 3 to 3.5 ounces at birth, so they are all low weights, but yes, you do have a tiny runt!

Ideally they should double their weight in the first week, if not more, and they need to gain half an ounce a day or more each.

Have you seen them all latch and nurse yet?
 
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catownerof2

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Yes they have all been latching.  She gave birth while nursing actually.  I really am proud of her.  She didn't complain at all and handled it well.

If they are all under weight should I give her some formula?  Keep giving her eggs and chicken?
 

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Yes, mom will probably love to drink a dish of formula.

You are going to need to weigh them every day now for awhile. This is how we know if one has not gained weight, which is when you would step in and supplement, or need to rotate.

Unless one is obviously pushed out to the side and crying or lethargic (not just napping), we want to give mom a chance to feed them as much as possible on her own. Her milk is always best.

So just keep an eye out for now and keep us updated. It's always best to head off a problem before the kitten goes downhill.
 

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Make sure you weigh them in front of mom so she can see what you are doing.  You will probably need to help they go pee and poop,  So gather some clean washrags, soft ones or you can use cotton balls.
 
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catownerof2

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Yea, she is ok with me handling them until they start to cry.  Then she just wants to lick my hand.  I did read about helping them go potty.  Should be fun haha.
 
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catownerof2

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I dunno, watching them for the past few hours I think things will be alright with out intervention.  It seems to me that she is doing the rotating all on her own.  She sticks the bigger three behind her back legs every so often.  I am hoping that weighing them tomorrow reflects this.  Tank is living up to her name in gas again though. Tanky Stanky!   Tink and Pirate are pretty upset with me at the moment though.  Pretty sure the dog knows what is up too.  She sits at the bottom of the stairs and whimpers.
 

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Other pets do get jealous!

So far so good, so the weigh-ins will tell the story.

If she manages seven that will be great. Often though, at some point, a runt needs a bit of intervention. Sometimes it happens a week later when the bigger ones get feisty about "their" nipples!
 

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The kittens should be gaining a minimum of .2 - .4  ounces.  The first couple days the mom produces colostrum and the kittens may not gain as much.  I'm not sure if you should wait a day or supplement now. @sarthur2 will know.
 

Sarthur2

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I think that is fine for the first day and seven kittens!

As mentioned, mom produces mostly colostrum the first day or two, and there will be minimal weight gain.

If you don't mind though, I'd like you to weigh them again tonight.

They are very tiny and we need to keep a close watch.

Do they cry much? Does mom stay and nurse most of the time?
 
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catownerof2

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Yea, I spoke to my friend and she said it is more important for them to get colostrum the first to days.  Not to worry unless they are crying and lethargic.  Which they aren't.  She is nurses constantly and didn't leave them at all yesterday until dinner time.  This morning was the same.  She ate breakfast and hasn't left their side since.  
 

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Ah, very good that mom is staying with them and they are not crying much. That means they are getting what they need. I'm glad you spoke with your friend and everyone is in agreement.
 

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They are adorable


Sounds like both you and mama cat are doing a great job!
 
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catownerof2

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I am going to run out real quick tonight to get some dry kitten food.  She's been eating wet kitten food but I don't think it's enough and the only dry I have at the moment is for adult cats.  What brand should I get.  I checked the stores site and they have in kitten kibble:  Royal Canin, Wellness, Iams, Simply Nurish, Natural Balance and Blue Buffalo.  I usually buy Rachael Rays Grain Free, but that isn't an option for kitten kibble.   The wet is Fancy Feast Kitten but again they don't carry the dry.  She doesn't really have an issue switching foods, she's kinda like a goat haha.  Everything bathroom related has been fine as well.  I was kinda worried because she didn't go until this afternoon.  She didn't strain or anything.  
 
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