Help with kittens

Hi all
A young cat that we recently have been feeding has gone missing and left her 4 kittens behind. We started feeding this cat after our older cat went missing. She was very thin so we flea treated and wormed her as we had young children m, and left food for her and we let her have the run of the kitchen? We have a cat flap. 3 weeks ago we heard funny noises and discovered she'd given birth to 4 kittens under the cupboard. We left her in peace as not to disturb her. Once the kittens were moving round we put them in a basket with her and she was happy leaving them to go outside then coming back. 5 days ago I went down and realised she wasn't there I left it 36hrs before intervening. I went to the vets for some formula. I've been syringe feeding them ever since. They feed well and the vet seems happy, but they mews lot and try to suckle on each other. Any advice, they won't take a bottle. Can I weak them soon.

mamakitty82 said:

Hi all
A young cat that we recently have been feeding has gone missing and left her 4 kittens behind. We started feeding this cat after our older cat went missing. She was very thin so we flea treated and wormed her as we had young children m, and left food for her and we let her have the run of the kitchen? We have a cat flap. 3 weeks ago we heard funny noises and discovered she'd given birth to 4 kittens under the cupboard. We left her in peace as not to disturb her. Once the kittens were moving round we put them in a basket with her and she was happy leaving them to go outside then coming back. 5 days ago I went down and realised she wasn't there I left it 36hrs before intervening. I went to the vets for some formula. I've been syringe feeding them ever since. They feed well and the vet seems happy, but they mews lot and try to suckle on each other. Any advice, they won't take a bottle. Can I weak them soon.

Click to expand...

Momma left because she prob got in heat anew.  She should return, unless something bad happened her...

The only prevention is to let them be inside the whole time, even the litter...

Ok, but its old.

The kittens dont take bottle, because they  were used to mommas teats.  That is why you must use a syringe, which you apparently do very nicely - good as its not entirely easy.

They are probably somewhat hungry!   Ie, you must increase the dosage as they are growing...

They need 8ml kmr / goat milk / OZ a day.     So if they say, weigh 300g, its about 10 oz, they shall each have around 80 ml kmr or goat milk.

Yes, you can try and slowly begin to wean them now, if you hope it will make your task somewhat easer.

Minced meat )cow, not pig), Gerber baby food, unllavored, turkey or chicken flavor.   Wet cat food...

Observe, when you change the food into real food, their poo will change too.

I hope the poo and pee works ok for them`?

Continue to try the bottle. If they eventually take to it, feedings will be easier. As Stefan said, the amount of formula they each need is based on weight. At 3 weeks old they should weigh around 12 ounces, and close to 16 ounces at one month. The rule of thumb is 8 mL's of formula for each ounce of body weight each 24 hours. So they should be drinking around 96 mL each per day, divided by the number of feedings. If you feed every 3 hours, they will need about 12 mL per feeding.

Let's hope mom returns. If she does, please take her to be spayed immediately to avoid another litter.

Most kittens will wean by 5-6 weeks old using mush, which is pate style wet food mixed with formula so it's easy to lap. When they begin solids they'll need a kitten sized litter pan with non-clumping litter. They are too young to wean at 3 weeks.

As for sucking on each other, that's for comfort since mom is gone. You can try giving them a stuffed toy to snuggle with. They may need a heating pad on low under the blanket in their nest for warmth too, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.

Good luck!