Kittens on the way - colors and preparation?

Thank-you for the information, newkitties! My vet said to start with a can of KMR as a "just in case," and if the problem persists, to invest in powder. Would you say it's best to just get powder from the beginning?

Yes, definitely get the powder from the beginning. It seems to go over much better for the kittens.

Id say yes, it ends up cheaper if you have to buy more and a premade can expires between a day or several.
You'll want to give mom a bowl of it everyday leading up to birth and until the kittens are done weening, so you end up using quite a bit. Of course you don't have to do it before, but the extra calcium really helps mama produce good milk and help keep her strong while nursing.
I got mine for $14 on Amazon. I ended up buying another container because I gave mom it every day for two weeks before she gave birth, still am, and I have to supplement six kittens so I needed extra. But you likely won't need extra.

When the kittens start to wean you will need the kmr. So the can Will not go to waste.

Mom can begin drinking a dish of it a day now. The calcium will help. You'll also want to have a syringe (small, 1-2 mL size) on hand. Tiny kittens do not always suck a bottle. Needleless syringe is at a pharmacy. Do get the powdered. PetAg is best. Never Hartz.

Went shopping today and grabbed some powdered KMR (the PetAG brand) as well as a scale to weigh the kittens with and some nipple tops and a syringe in case I need to supplement feed the kittens. She is roughly 3 weeks in; that's a good time to start letting her have a helping of KMR every day?

You can. Be sure not to give too much, it can upset her tummy. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Yes, a dish a day as I noted above. Glad you have your supplies on hand!

She absolutely loves getting a little dish of KMR with her breakfast every morning!  Using some text messages we figured that she probably conceived on the 23rd of April, so she's actually a week further along than I expected.  Still, she seems to be doing great, and has already started taking naps in the box I set up for her to (hopefully) give birth in.  I cannot thank you all enough for all of the advice and support.  If there are still people on this thread when the time comes, I'll probably end up posting pictures of momma and her babies.

Well we look forward to seeing pictures when they arrive!

We'll be here! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

We're here when you need it. It's a great community! Never too many photos of cats here [emoji]128514[/emoji]

So Bastet is 6.7 pounds, and I'm giving her the recommended KMR for a 5 pound cat. I noticed that now that she's had it for a while, she's started getting diarrhea. Should I cut what I'm giving her in half, or maybe only give it to her every other day (or every few days)?

It could be due to the KMR, yes. I would continue to reduce to see if it stops. Some cats have sensitive tummies in their pregnancies, I know mine did. She had the runs several times while pregnant. 

Just keep an eye on her

This is what I experienced too. I cut it out completely for 4 days, instead fed her some plain yogurt mixed with pumpkin once a day. Them gave her kmr every other day which she tolerates just fine.

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to give you all a little update, and ask a quick question.

To begin with, Bastet is doing great!  She got pregnancy-safe worming and flee treatments today, and is going to start getting KMR in the mornings again, but only every other day.  She's still pretty active, and her belly gets rounder every day!

Now, I've noticed that her nipples are starting to look really dry.  Is that something I need to be concerned about?  I apologize in advance if these are common things and I'm panicking for no reason.  Being a first time kitten-grandmother I'm just trying to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Thank-you all!

sayuriel said:

 
Hey everyone!

I just wanted to give you all a little update, and ask a quick question.

To begin with, Bastet is doing great!  She got pregnancy-safe worming and flee treatments today, and is going to start getting KMR in the mornings again, but only every other day.  She's still pretty active, and her belly gets rounder every day!

Now, I've noticed that her nipples are starting to look really dry.  Is that something I need to be concerned about?  I apologize in advance if these are common things and I'm panicking for no reason.  Being a first time kitten-grandmother I'm just trying to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Thank-you all!

Click to expand...

You can smear on some coldpressed olive or canola oil on them, if you wish. Cant harm, may help.

It's probably her milk coming in if you're seeing them looking white and flakey. Not to worry! A bit of oil or udder balm will be soothing.

Ah, okay, that makes sense.  Is that natural about 15-20 days before the "due-date"?  MY rough math has her delivering around the 25th of this month, give or take some days.

Thanks for the advice!  I can't stand to think she's uncomfortable, so I'm probably going to go grab some oil/balm as soon as I can.

They are probably chapped from her licking them. When you see dried, white flakes on the nipples it means the milk is coming in. Oiling them or using balm will offer non-toxic relief. [emoji]128522[/emoji]