11 day old kitten questions

We are also approaching litter training. So, in addition to the questions regarding plug in scent diffusers posed above, please weigh in as to the best litter to use for young kittens. I know clay is bad and I've read corn is good. Any thoughts on blue buffaloes walnut litter? What's the safest? Also, how low should the opening of the litter box be? I've been looking around but they all seem so high! Thanks guys!

You can use baking sheets at the very beginning. Any litter is fine as long as it is non clumping and unscented.

When would it be okay to start providing formula in a dish rather than strictly a bottle? They are 18 days old ( so almost 3 weeks). Also, how often should I dish feed rather than bottle feed? I have noticed they have started licking.... Thanks for any input as always guys!

You can try anytime, but many don't figure it out until 4, 5, or even 6 weeks old. You might want to put a dish down while they are still on the bottle to see if anyone shows interest. They seem on the young side right now to be lapping enough from a bowl to thrive.

I wasn't planning on stopping the bottle but I figured since they are up and walking it might be a good time

I agree with you!

I highly recommend not using any air freshener chemicals with pets/babies/humans. The reason is those chemicals irritate our lungs. The animals sense of smell is much stronger than ours=it will be overwhelming and has been known to cause asthma like symptoms in pets. I  don't think its necessary to have smelly things to make home smell better...if something stinks really bad-baking soda works wonders=trash smells-cat box poop-baby diapers in the trash-rotted food=pretty much covers up the smells and its cheap.

If you need to use cleaner vinegar and baking soda together are great for getting grit/yucks off the floor-wear gloves as it burns the sensitive hands-and don't let pets walk on wet surface with these things-just uncomfortable for them-the good news is vinegar works great on mold/mildew and the smell goes away in an hour-so you wont always smell it. That's just my 2 cents regarding air fresheners-just another marketing gimmick to make money.

Litter-same=unscented non clumping-they sometimes eat it so we cant use clumping litter-

Food-you can try leaving a bowl of KMR down to see if they are interested. Or kitten canned food mashed with water added so its easier to lick up-they sound so adorable=keep doing what you are doing.

and...Pictures of their adorable faces?!

Can't believe how steady they are walking already! 3 weeks old today!

It goes quickly! Enjoy! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

So prince was shaking last night and didn't eat great. Seems okay today. Any ideas? Also, anyone have any guesses as to whether they will be medium or short hair? One seems very slick and flat, one is poofy and her hair sticks out and the last is somewhere in the middle. Here they are at 3 weeks!

Adorable little fluffs. I would consult a vet about the shaking. My first thought is low blood sugar, but I would want a second opinion.

I agree. Possibly low blood sugar. Has it happened again?

Could be low blood sugar, or possibly hypothermia.  They're getting to the age where they will start regulating their internal temps better, but they had a shaky start in life and may still have some issues.  If it happens again, head to the vet. 

Nope, hasn't happened again. He is eating well, active, playing with brother and sister as well as toys. Weighed him this morning and he is right under a pound. Gaining great. We have started litter training so I flipped their box sideways (heating pad still underneath) and they now have their own room. I've made sure they are safe but I'm wondering if maybe something spooked him? I don't know but he is thriving

Good to hear that all is well. It sounds like maybe he was frightened. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Hey guys, can I pick your brains on the subject of litter training and weaning the orphaned babies? I know you all will have some valuable input. They are 24 days old. They have their teeth coming in, are walking around fairly confidently, and are starting to groom themselves. They are playing with toys and each other as well as venturing out into their room. They are 16.5, 16.25, and 15 ounces. My questions are:

Litter Training- We have been working on it for 5 days. We are using Yesterdays News. I put them in the box before and after each feeding and wait to see what they do. If they try to leave the box I place them back in it. After a few minutes I stimulate them in the box and once they have gone I let them walk out. The will dig and sit in the box. They will walk in and out of the box. They have yet to go in the box on their own.

1.) Should I let them dig and sit in the box?

2.) Is there a technique I should use?

Weaning- They are being bottle fed KMR. I got a small dish with low sides for them. I have been putting the kmr into the dish (just enough to barely cover the bottom of the dish) and offering it for 10-15 minutes before bottle time. They walk to it, in it, over it, and put their noses in it but have not eaten it. I have tried putting it on my finger and on their nose.

1.) Do you mix a tiny bit of canned food with the kmr when you start weaning or do you start with straight kmr?

2.) What schedule do you use (bottle vs dish)?

Please, any advice is so greatly appreciated!

At 24 days old they honestly are young for both weaning and litter training. You will have better results in about 2 more weeks.

Kittens usually learn the litter box quickly around the same time they actually begin eating solids.

Solids are best introduced as mush, which is wet food and KMR mixed together. When they are truly weaning, always offer solids first, then the bottle. Most kittens will want both until they are eating more wet food.

The whole process can take a few weeks, and not all the kittens will eat solids and use the litterbox at the same pace. There are early birds and late bloomers! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

I guess my Asia is an early bird. She has started peeing on her own during play time, lol.

Well then, she may be ready for the litter pan - or not. She may just have been stimulated through play to go! But getting there! [emoji]128522[/emoji]