Re homing fee...

ok, Tanks milk has come in!  Yay!  I feel her pain though, haha

Tonights weigh in:

                          Yesterday        Today       Tonight

All white paw:      1.8 oz   ~~    2.2 oz ~~  2.4 oz

Black Back:          2.5 oz   ~~    2.6 oz  ~~  2.8 oz

Heart "Love":       2.8 oz   ~~    3.1 oz  ~~  3.4 oz

white trail:            2.3  oz  ~~     2.4 oz  ~~  2.8 oz

White stripe:        2.9  oz  ~~     3.1 oz  ~~  3.3 oz

 "Midnight":          2.5  oz  ~~     2.6 oz  ~~  2.8 oz

Dipstick:               2.4  oz  ~~     2.6 oz  ~~  2.9 oz

The one with the white heart on her back (daughter named her Love)  is getting her share!  I watched for a while tonight and she shoves everyone out of the way.  Next up would be the one with the stripe.  The only one I am concerned about is of course the runt.  She just doesn't come to nurse often.  At this point I am unsure if I should be rotating if they are all thriving.  She's also cleaning them all very well.   Should I just keep weighing and only stepping in when someone loses weight?  

Continue watching and weighing. They have all gained so it's good for now. I think we'll know tomorrow if you need to begin supplementing the runt or any others, but as long as they are nursing and gaining and mom is cleaning them, let's not interfere yet.

That was two weigh-ins today, right?

Yes.  Once this morning and once tonight.  

She really has turned into the little mother.  I was worried.  She hasn't been with us long, but she has a bit of a wild streak.  Then again I have never met a black and white cat that was affectionate.  She has been today though.  

Thank you for your help  I feel like it will all work out. 

It will work out, and they all made steady gains from yesterday to this morning to tonight, so all is good so far. We'll just take it one day at a time .

Everyone was doing great until yesterday.  They are all over 5 oz.  The runt Wittle hasn't gained anything in 24 hours and two others only gained an oz.  Should I be worried or wait another 24 hours before rotating?

You need to begin rotating immediately. You should also supplement the runt who gained nothing, as well as each of the two others who only gained an ounce.

If you give me each of their weights I can tell you how much KMR to feed and how often.

This is very serious when they are not gaining at all or not gaining enough!

Well now I am really worried.  None of them have gained a lot since yesterday here are the weights...

             Yesterday    Afternoon   tonight

Tiggy:  5.5                   5.6              5.8

Midnight   5.1             5.3               5.4

Trail          4.8              5.0               5.1

dipstick     5.2              5.6              5.7

black back   4.9           4.9            5.1

little               5.0            5.0           5.1 

love              5.7              5.8          6.3

C catownerof2

There are seven, which is a lot of kittens.

Did you see my earlier post to begin rotating and supplementing? Did you start yet?

At this point they all need supplementing in order to gain 6-10 grams, or half an ounce, per day.

Is mama kitty eating a lot? She needs lots of wet food.

She's eating her wet food but refusing to eat the kitten dry food.  So I have been giving her adult.  She drinks probably two bowls of water a day.  I have noticed she is sleeping away from them and wanting out of the room more often.  She has even come down stairs.

I have been trying to rotate them today but she wont let me.  She gets up and wont nurse until I put them back.  I haven't supplemented yet... I don't know I really wish she would nurse.  I know cats aren't humans.  But when you start to supplement your supply dwindles.  Can't I boost her supply?  Give her coconut oil or fish? Something with good fats.

I don't think you need to worry about her supply dwindling.  I assume their body works similar to ours and mine would produce more milk if my kids were hungrier for some reason.  Once the teat is empty she will produce more milk.

The kittens need more food to survive.  Do you know how to feed the kittens.

C catownerof2

Is she drinking KMR?

I think she just does not have enough milk for all seven to gain more weight per day. They have actually come a long way in one week.

Supplementing will not further diminish her milk supply. It will only enhance their gains. They will continue to nurse regardless. But it's up to you.

I know what everyone is saying, but I just feel this is going to back fire.  In humans if you supplement your supply dwindles. 

I've watched videos but I am not confident , no.  Guess I will start and hope for the best.  I really just wish there was something I could do more for her.  I have even added water to her wet food though, so I guess supplementing is the only option.  

C catownerof2

For now, supplement Trail, Black Back, and Little. Those are the three who need it most. See if they will take about 10 mL apiece three times a day.

This is really in the best interest of the kittens.  When they are back up to speed you can ease off.  Remember, as the kittens grow they will need more to eat and the mother cat's body will produce more milk.

Please stop putting this off, kittens can go downhill fast and right now they are only getting enough food to maintain.

Have you considered that there may be something wrong with mom?  Have you checked her nipples to make sure none are red and warm/hot, irratated.

You can put some olive or veggie oil on her nipples to soothe them.  Or the Udder cream if you have it.

Ok, everyone is good.  All are gaining weight and we are coming up on 4 weeks.  Most are walking but the smaller ones are still crawling.  Should I wait until the smaller ones are walking to feed them?  Or just go a head and start giving them all some tomorrow?  How much?

** Sorry next week.  I don't know why I keep thinking they are a week older than the are.

Good news.  Post some pictures when you get a chance.

Handsome Kitty said:

Good news.  Post some pictures when you get a chance.

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They are so cute!

You can go ahead and try the mush with the bigger ones. I doubt the smaller ones will be interested yet. It's a process.

sarthur2 said:

You can go ahead and try the mush with the bigger ones. I doubt the smaller ones will be interested yet. It's a process.

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Oh good. I'm hoping the bigger ones take to it fast. Give the little guys a chance. I rotate but non of them will take the formula. Rotating and giving mum the formula seems to help though.

They're so stinking cute and my daughter has named them all. It's going to be hard on her, but I might ask a local shelter if we can foster after this. It's sparked some important conversation.