11 day old kitten questions

chrikc1 · May 6, 2016

Hi, I am a newbie here (and to cats in general). I would like to start by saying thank you to the people here. My first foray into pet kitties started when my dogs found 3 abandoned baby cats in our back yard. That was 8 days ago and since that time, the advice and information on this site from you all has been WONDERFUL. The babies are in a quiet bedroom in a box with a heating pad beneath filled with fleece blankets. They are steadily gaining weight (are all between 7 and 8 ounces). One just opened her eyes and another is in the progress. They are becoming more active. My questions are, 1) when will they be okay to be without a heating pad? 3 weeks? Also, when should I let them free roam around their room (once it's "kitten proofed")? I have ready wildly varying answers in regards to these questions and figured I'd ask the experts. Also, any other advice is welcome as well. Thanks again guys!

handsome kitty · May 6, 2016

The kittens will be able to regulate their body temp when they are 3 weeks old, however depending on the temp in your house you may want to leave the heating pad there longer.

The will want to roam around 4 weeks maybe a little earlier.

jen54 · May 6, 2016

I am no expert in this but from my experience of my 4 week kittens I will tell you that it would maybe better if you take the heating pad off at 4 weeks old. You can replace the heating pad with a warm blanket or just leave the heating pad until you see they no longer need it. And about letting the kittens roam around I'm unsure I usually let my 4 week kittens roam around the living room for a little before they go to sleep. Also like said by Handsome Kitty it depends on your house temperature if it's warm for them to be with no heating pad. If you decide to take the heating pad at 4 weeks you should leave some blankets.

chrikc1 · May 6, 2016

Thanks so much for the replies! I live in Florida so its fairly warm here. The house usually stays around 74 degrees.

Sarthur2 · May 6, 2016

Hello! Where in Florida do you live? I live in Florida too. The babies definitely need the heating pad set on low under their blanket for 3 weeks, but with room to move off if they get too warm.

You've clearly been feeding them and sounds like they are doing well. Thst's great! Are they on KMR with a bottle?

Can you post a picture of them for us?

It sounds like you are weighing them, and they are gaining well. The feeding protocol is 8 mL's of formula for every ounce of weight each 24 hours per kitten, divided by number of feedings. Sleepless nights much? [emoji]128521[/emoji]

Thank you for saving them! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

chrikc1 · May 6, 2016

Oh boy, the sleepless nights! I am in Jacksonville, where are you? Another question if anyone can help! My smallest was eating out of a bottle while on his tummy. I could see bubbles drifting up in the bottle like normal. All of a sudden he aspirated some milk and it came out of his little nose! I was sneezing some out! I have read that this can cause pneumonia and am worried! What should I look out for? Warning signs? As for pictures, here you go!

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Sarthur2 · May 6, 2016

I'm in St. Petersburg.

When did the bubbles/sneezing/nose thing happen?

If he aspirated, it won't take long to know. Kitten will demonstrate lethargy and difficulty breathing. Will not eat.

How's he doing now? If pneumonia occurs, you'll almost assuredly lose him, though a few kittens have been saved by antibiotics, but usually older than yours. Let's hope nose bubbles was the worst of it. Just be extra careful they do not feed too fast. Keep nipple hole small until they are bigger.

Sounds like you are doing a terrific job. Hang in there! We're here for your questions!

Sarthur2 · May 6, 2016

Wish I was closer, I'd help you with your kittens! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

StefanZ · May 6, 2016

chrikc1 said:
Oh boy, the sleepless nights! I am in Jacksonville, where are you? Another question if anyone can help! My smallest was eating out of a bottle while on his tummy. I could see bubbles drifting up in the bottle like normal. All of a sudden he aspirated some milk and it came out of his little nose! I was sneezing some out! I have read that this can cause pneumonia and am worried! What should I look out for? Warning signs? As for pictures, here you go!

With a little luck it never come down into lungs, he perhaps managed to stop it in the throat and get back out. That is why it come out throuth the nose and with the sneezing.

So, yes the situation is dangerous, but lets hope for the best. *vibes!*

chrikc1 · May 6, 2016

Thanks for the words of encouragement! We have done another feeding (3 hours after the aspiration) and he ate normally. He is breathing normally as far as I could hear but he purrs so much sometimes it's hard to tell. Burping normally and I didn't hear him sneezing. How fast would I notice symptoms?

Sarthur2 · May 6, 2016

Try not to worry! He sounds fine to me. He would have gone downhill already. Things should be fine. Carry on! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

chrikc1 · May 6, 2016

So awesome to hear, thank you! Maybe now i can actually try to get some sleep! Lol

Sarthur2 · May 7, 2016

Yes! Set your clock between feedings. It's rough, I know. You'll make it! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Mamanyt1953 · May 7, 2016

I just found this thread. You've gotten wonderful advice, and things seem to be under control, just I'll just follow along and admire the kittens! Glad little Sneezy is OK!

chrikc1 · May 7, 2016

Me too! I'm so happy to have found you guys! This support system is beyond wonderful!

chrikc1 · May 8, 2016

A couple of questions about my babies: 1) is it weird for a 2 week old baby to pee in a strong stream when stimulated? 2) how long should I wait for a poop before I get worried? 3) is an ounce and a half (8 oz to 9.5 oz) too much to gain in 2 days? Thanks for the input guys!

talkingpeanut · May 8, 2016

How often are you stimulating them? My first thought is that it might not be often enough. Maybe he really has to go by the time you're helping?

They should be pooping every day or every other day. How often are they going? There are a few things you can try if it's less frequent than that.

Do you mean 8-9 grams? That's right on target!

Sarthur2 · May 8, 2016

The baby is a healthy weight! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

chrikc1 · May 8, 2016

talkingpeanut said:
How often are you stimulating them? My first thought is that it might not be often enough. Maybe he really has to go by the time you're helping?

They should be pooping every day or every other day. How often are they going? There are a few things you can try if it's less frequent than that.

Do you mean 8-9 grams? That's right on target!

I stimulate them before and after each meal which is every 3 hours. 2 go regularly and 1 does not. Maybe once every 3 days or so

talkingpeanut · May 8, 2016

chrikc1 said:
I stimulate them before and after each meal which is every 3 hours. 2 go regularly and 1 does not. Maybe once every 3 days or so

That seems often enough to stimulate. I wouldn't worry too much about the pee. Does the kitten seem constipated when he does go? Is it hard? You can add a few drops of olive oil to his bottle to help.

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