Feeding and litter training

I did do the warm compress and she seemed to like it. I didn't know it could clear up on its own. Will keep a more watchful eye out re feeding!

Thanks for the info

I think the compresses helped a lot. I'm glad she is nursing more normally today. Do keep an eye out as mastitis frequently requires antibiotics to clear, and kittens must be supplemented while mom heals. And it is very painful for a cat.

The kittens are slowly getting the litter tray though we do catch them squatting in random places, one is eating Poppy's food and we had a kitten poop a few days ago. He hasn't pooped since and I think he may be struggling. He keeps getting in the tray and meowing them getting out again. Should we be worried? Is this a potential vets visit?

How old are the kittens now? About 7 wks?

Kittens can be weaned from 4 weeks and this normally takes around 4 weeks. So they should really be getting to grips with wet food at least and maybe having a nibble at dry. They should be able to do their business without mom having to stimulate them. @sarthur2 is very knowledgeable on this so hopefully you will get some helpful advice. I don't know what to say really. II have a foster litter in at the mo with momma and they are 5 1/2 weeks. They eat wet and nibble dry. They lao krm from a bowl and most of the time the time they make it to the tray. I think there's one in particular who is still having quite a few accidents and has actually pped in their bed. With him I try to grab him after feeding and when he wakes and put him in the tray. And as sarthur2 said if he has an accident I blot it and out it in the tray. Are you using something to clean the pee up? If they smell it on the floor they will be drawn to pee there again. As for the little one not pooing I'm at a loss. I would probably be inclined to ask a Vet before he gets too bunged up. Hope you find some answers. Keep us updated.

So after having not seen him poop for like 3 days he went just after I posted!!!

I've not seen the other two go but they aren't interested in meat and kibble yet, I've been feeding them BabyCat mousse with a tiny bit of kitten milk and am planning to slowly mix in meat next. How much should I be feeding them? I currently give them about 15 grams each (though no.3 never finishes hers) twice a day. They are still gaining 10+ grams in weight a day.

There is always dry food down but I've not seen them eat it yet.

Thankssss

I don't measure I just watch them eat and make sure they all walk away with full tums. I make my kitten meat up and store it in a container in the fridge (but serve it at room temp). I just keep topping up as they go if they look to be clearing their bowls. Like you there's always dry kitten kibble down and water. I offer them a bit of krm twice a day. As long as you keep monitoring their weight and they are gaining and not crying for food they are getting enough. I would really start getting them onto meat if you can. So glad the poop came lol.

Donna, they were 6 weeks last friday!

Twice a day may be too much for them to handle. I feed mine small amounts 5 times a day and then bring that slowly down to 2 meals a day by the time they are 6 months old .

Wow only 6 weeks. Awwww bless. Deffo small amounts more often.

Based on the weight gain, it sounds as though things are going well. I'd give the mousse 3-4 times daily.

Thanks - shall I reduce the amount per meal then too? Say 10 grams 3 times a day for example?

No.1 is eating more as he regularly tucks in to Poppy's meat!

Not necessarily. Just see how much each eats and adjust accordingly. They will of course eat more as they grow.

Hi all, no.3 in Poppy's litter has become quite shy. He backs away if you try and stroke him. I managed to get him to sit on my lap yesterday when he'd fallen asleep but he often falls asleep under the chair so you can't pick him up.

I'd really appreciate any advice on how we can help him overcome his shyness, we will need him to go to a new home in 4 weeks or so and want him to be friendly and cuddly.

He'll quite happily play around my feet and play with toys, he just doesn't seem to like human affection!

Thanks in advance as always!

Poppy09 said:

Hi all, no.3 in Poppy's litter has become quite shy. He backs away if you try and stroke him. I managed to get him to sit on my lap yesterday when he'd fallen asleep but he often falls asleep under the chair so you can't pick him up.

I'd really appreciate any advice on how we can help him overcome his shyness, we will need him to go to a new home in 4 weeks or so and want him to be friendly and cuddly.

He'll quite happily play around my feet and play with toys, he just doesn't seem to like human affection!

Thanks in advance as always!

Click to expand...

How old are they, exactly?

Also, cats are individuals.

There is a trick sometimes used on fostered semiferales, when they had landed some.

You wrap up the kitten (or even a somewhat older cat), in a thick soft towel,  up to the neck, alike a burrito.

And you carry the kitten at your chest around, half an hour, a full hour...

In the time you speak friendly, you make friendly crooning sounds, you sing some if you can...  In a soft friendly voice...

After a couple of such sessions its done.  The ex-semiferal is now a  loving home cats.

It reminds quite a some of the american way of "breaking in" a horse - although 1000 times as gentle, and more nice for everyone involved.

Hi StefanZ, they are 7 weeks this morning (the weeks are just flying by!!). It's funny because he's friendly otherwise, just not keen on falling asleep on you and having a fuss.

I wondered if removing some (not all) of the furniture from the living room that they can hide under would help? To discourage him from hiding and falling asleep hidden... The sofa (and various other bits of furniture) are already card boarded up to kitten proof them

I'll give picking him up in a towel a go this weekend, I might do it with them all for less time as they wiggle lots when being picked up!

Thank you. Any other ideas are very welcome!

You could have a couple of  cat igloo / small cat tents, for them to sleep cozy in hidden some.  It will be better than sleeping under a bed.

Or perhaps best,  set up a carrier as their cat igloo...

BUT, if he really wants to not be disturbed sometimes, its not good to disturb / cuddle when they are in their private corner in the igloo...  That will be their legal retreat - but you can reach them there if necessary..

Also, say you take him up, and he begins to wiggle. Let him go immedaitely  (the only exception is this burrito-session).

This way, he learns, its ok to be taken up - he will always be let down as soon he begins to feel it uncomfortable.

You had not describetn this as your problem, but its a common question, and a common problem - I myself had it with my oldest resident, whom didnt liked to be carried.

But with time he learned to accept, even appreciated - as long I didnt overdo it.

Hi all, just thought I'd post a quick update. Kittens were 8 weeks on Friday (it goes so fast), timid kitty is no longer so timid, we are working hard to pick them all up lots etc now so they stay friendly.

We got there with the litter training. I ran out of puppy pads and as a result they stopped peeing outside of the trays! Dont hink we've had any accidents since and that was a week ago.

They are all eating solids, I rarely see Poppy feeding them now. We just have little number one to rehome, it's going to break my heart when they get picked up in a couple of weeks but we can't possibly keep them all!

Re-homing is always the hardest part!

Hi all, just after some quick advice about whether Poppy has gone into season. The kittens are 9 weeks old and she feeds them no more than once a day. Over the last week she's been meowing over a sock, largely over night.

This evening she's genrally vocal and keeps getting behind the curtains and meowing out the window.

Is it likely she's gone in to season again already?

The vet said we have to wait til 3 months after she gave birth before spaying her, what's this based on? If she has gone in to seasons it's going to be a difficult three week wait!

Thanks