1day to maybe 1 week kittens not suckling.

I'm a complete newb to handraising kittens. I have two that were abandoned, and I couldn't just let them die so here I am. I have them on KMR and have been feeding them about 4-5ml every 3-4 hours. Things have been rocky because I am syringe feeding because niether will suckle on a bottle, and when one of them did try they weren't getting much even though they should have been (I tested it when I cut the nipple). It almost seemed like they weren't sucking strong enough. I would like to get both on bottles because I'd feel much more comfortable (worried about aspiration). Any tips? I've watched a ton of YouTube videos but none had any newbs that struggled.

Also what can cause constipation besides dehydration? I did the tent test and both passed, but for sure one is constipated because she really strains. I am getting pedialyte to mix with the formula and hoping that solves our issue.

i'm not an expert but kittens that young need to be fed every 2 hours around the clock. they may be too weak to suck. have you tried rubbing honey or karo syrup on their gums? that usually gives them a little boost of energy..

bless you for taking these babies in!

are you stimulating them to pee and poo? they cannot go on their own at this age.

Yes, thank you for caring! Can you please post photos so we can help you age them?

They need to be fed every two hours. Aim for 2-3ml each feeding. They may not be strong enough to suckle right now, so they will need the syringe until they can. You can add a few drops of olive oil to their bottles to help them poo. Which formula are you feeding?

Are you stimulating them to pee and poop before and after each feeding? They cannot go without you until they are 3-4 weeks old.

And do they have a heating source in their nest? They can't regulate body temp until three weeks.

I agree with above. That young should have more often, somewhat lesser a time.  That is prob why they dont manage fully 4-5ml.   Even every hour till your are sure they are stabilized.   And when you know they are stabilized?  They shall gain nicely 8-10g a day - depending on their starting weights.

The beauty of syringe is, they dont need to suckle.  So if you expect them to suckle the syringe, you use a variation of the usual technique.   Although I do admit, some kittens DO learn to suckle the syringe...

I admit too, if they are willing to suckle bottle, its safer than the syringe.   Tummy down, head up, may be raised diagonally up if its comfortable for you.  Slowly in the corner of the cheek, a drop or two, so you are sure they do swallow properly.  If they swallow nice and good, it can go rather quickly.  If not, it will take time and patience.   Burp afterwards.

This way, also the weak sucklers do have a fair chance.  Its enough they can swallow, they dont need to suckle.

Btw, a new but promising trick is to use  a make-up sponge.  You drop the kmr on the sponge, perhaps with this syringe, and the kitten suckles off the sponge.  Many finds its easier so.

Exactly WHAT kmr do you use?    I can agree more water or pedialyte is one receipt.  Sometimes the best is to dilute the kmr a little more.  Sometimes a couple drops of water between the feeding is another option.

Having a drop or two of coldpressed olive oil or canola oil with the kmr, does often helps too.

I talked with a vet because there was so many varying answers on the internet and was told 3-4 was fine but if I need to do 2 I will because I want them to thrive! I've done so much research on this that I think I freaked myself out, and worries I'm going to accidentally kill them! I have been helping them go to the bathroom before and after every feeding. I'll try the Karo syrup too, I'm assuming I should use like a q-tip?

You can put some olive oil in the KMR, just a drop to help with constipation.  You should be feeding smaller amts every 2 hours around the clock.  Can you post pictures of the kittens?

You should also get a kitchen scale to weigh the kittens.  This will help you figure out how much the kittens should be eating.

the kittens and the food both need to be warm - body temp or slightly higher.  The kittens can not regulate their body temp until they are 3 weeks old so they need a heat source; a heating pad on low, hot water bottle or raw rice in a sock and microwaved.  The heat source should be covered with a towel or blanket and should only cover half the nest so they can move on and off as they get warm and cool.

Newbie2016 said:

I talked with a vet because there was so many varying answers on the internet and was told 3-4 was fine but if I need to do 2 I will because I want them to thrive! I've done so much research on this that I think I freaked myself out, and worries I'm going to accidentally kill them! I have been helping them go to the bathroom before and after every feeding. I'll try the Karo syrup too, I'm assuming I should use like a q-tip?

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I think this with every 3-4 hours is mostly because its easier to the caretaker.  Not all are dedicated.  Many have jobs to manage.  And most wants to sleep some in the night.  So, better to give them a shadow of chance and give them 3-4 hours, than abandon them anew...   Also, it may be OK with older kittens.

The dedicated whom really want them to live, give them every 2 hours, and if they are weak or in crisis, small portions down to every hour.

Thanks for all the responses. I am using the Petag brand KMR it was a suggested brand on many, many sites. I will try switching them back to 2 hour feeds and adding some oil. As for a heat source I have a rice sock in with them plus a blanket over the top of their box. Ill get pictures uploaded next

Newbie2016 said:

Thanks for all the responses. I am using the Petag brand KMR it was a suggested brand on many, many sites. I will try switching them back to 2 hour feeds and adding some oil. As for a heat source I have a rice sock in with them plus a blanket over the top of their box. Ill get pictures uploaded next

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PetAg is great. Powdered by PetAg is best, and least likely to cause constipation.

I would use your finger to rub a little honey or karo on the gums. If you are feeding smaller amounts more often their blood sugar should stay more consistent. Definitely recommend every two hours until they are more stabilized and a bit older!

These are the best I could I get. The black calico

PetAg KMR in the powder form is fine as it contains probiotics.  The liquid form does not, so you will need to add a few drops of something called Bene-Bac to help with digestion, or just get some of the powdered KMR.  Actually, healthy kittens that are fed KMR do not usually poop every day.  The last one I raised would go every three to five days, a perfectly formed stool, no problems.  If they have diarrhea, of course, they will poop many times a day.  Once they start eating solid food, they usually poop daily.

For some reason these didn't upload when I posted. They still have their umbilical cord attached as well. 

aaww, sweet little calicos! i know you'll find conflicting info all over the net and i haven't been here as long as some but you will get the best advice here!

Yeah, maximum 1 week old.  At least one manages to hold up his body beautifully, so its a good sign.

Calicos, with the Harlequin pattern they are.

They're lovely kittens. Go with every two hours for now. You can slow down in a week or so.

I got the black calico on Wednesday(5-3) and then her sister came to join on Saturday (5-7). My grandpa is the one who found them on his farm, so that's how I got them and unfortunately we couldn't find a surrogate. The black calico has been pretty active since we got her here and all nice, warm and fed. But the white one is very slow in responding. The black one is so active she likes to escape from the box I have them in. My husband picked up pedialyte and since feeding with a tblsp of water, tblsp of pedialyte and tblsp of powdered formula both have pooped great without much strain. I don't have high hopes for the white one because she's been so weak all day even with changing up the feedings so their getting less but more often. I'm thinking she was without momma and not noticed as soon as the first one was and that's what is setting her back. Seriously thank you everyone for all the great help, I appreciate greatly.

You're doing great with them. Don't give up on the white one yet. She may turn around with the more frequent feedings.

I'm preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. My 3 year old son absolutely loves these two little things, and their growing on my husband and I so I'd hate to lose them! Thank goodness fornthis forum because it has pretty consistent answers versus everything else out there. Going forward is there anything in specific I should look for as far as their development goes?

You've already gotten such wonderful advice. I just wanted to say that I'm so happy you're taking care of these sweet babies! They're adorable. I know it's nerve wracking because they're so young and delicate, but it sounds like you've got this. And I can tell how much you care. [emoji]128149[/emoji]

I thought coming home with my newborn son was nerve ending, but I'm pretty positive this is worse! They are so stinking tiny and we've got a dog that is semi huge (pit bull) who I swear thinks he can fit in the box with them! Everyone has pitched in, including the dog and toddler. Never thought I'd see a male dog have motherly instincts but he never strays far from their box and wakes me up/whines at me if they make a noise. It takes a village right?!