2 kittens are not eating, arent active and i dont know what to do

My two female cats had  a set of 3 kittens each and one of the cats became motherly to all six and began feeding them, the two kittens who were adopted have not been eating at all recently and they aren't active like their sister.We have been feeding them with a bottle but one of the kittens is swallowing the milk very slowly. I don't know what to do any advice is really needed.

Hello.

Could you please share a bit more information with us?

How old are the kittens? Can you separate the two litters? Six is really too many for one mom. Can you weigh the kittens each day? How much and how often are you feeding them? What are you feeding them?

they are 5 weeks, the mother cat keeps nurturing the kittens even though they are not hers, we have not weighed them but they are noticeably losing weight, we are feeding them kitten milk which is warmed and around 20 ml

You have a few issues going on here.  One, these babies should be close to weaning.  20ml of food isn't nearly enough at 5 weeks.  Can you separate the two litters for now?  Each mom and her babies in a room with litter box, food, and water.  Provide little litter boxes for the babies too, with non-clumping litter.

Each mom needs unlimited kitten food to eat while she is nursing so she produces high quality milk for her babies.  She should have dry kitten food down all the time and 4-6 meals of wet kitten food during the day.  You need to stop the alpha mom from stealing the kittens.  No one is getting enough care.

You can also start to offer mush to the kittens now.  You can offer meat baby food, just make sure that only meat is an ingredient, no onion or garlic.  Put this on a flat plate or your finger so they can start to lap it up.  You can also blend up wet kitten food with the kitten milk replacer and make a mush.  They should start to go for this.

For the babies you are bottle feeding, I agree that you should continue to supplement for now.  They should get 15-20ml at a time every 3-4 hours for now.  It sounds like they have a lot of catching up to do.  They will need this around the clock, through the night as well.  Make sure the milk is warm.  Not sure which brand you are using, but we always recommend powdered formula, and tell people to avoid Hartz brand.  Check the nipples before each feeding to make sure babies haven't chewed them.  

Are you able to keep moms completely inside and away from intact males until babies are weaned?  They can already get pregnant again.

Please keep asking questions and let us know how it's going!

splashko

I agree with absolutely everything talkingpeanut has told you.

Let us know how the two families are doing after you separate them and step up the feeding. They can get back together again in 2-3 weeks when they are fully weaned to solids.

splashko

I'm concerned that the two kittens who are lethargic and not eating much may not make it.

It's unclear what is causing this, but I would urge vet care for them. They may need to be given fluids and antibiotics depending on the issue.

Splashko said:

 
they are 5 weeks, the mother cat keeps nurturing the kittens even though they are not hers, we have not weighed them but they are noticeably losing weight, we are feeding them kitten milk which is warmed and around 20 ml

Click to expand...

Exactly what sort of kitten milk?  Such a treat milk for cats any age, commonly called for kitty milk, or kitten mothermilk replacer - kmr ?

Weighting them is crucial.  You see they are losing weight, so its of course RED ALERT.  But to know how much they should have, it good to know where to start...   Later on, hopefully, it will help you see if they do gain.     Although as you probably understand, its not sure they will make it.  Red Alert is always in high danger situations.

20ml at a time or in a day?   the amount of kmr or goat milk is:  8ml / oz / day.  Thus, lets say they have 600grams. Its 20oz, gives 20x8 = about 160 ml a day.  If you give every 3 hours, gives 20 ml at a time.  What is this you meant?

As they are in crisis, I would recommend more often, even if its not so much at a time.  It will also be easier for a weak one..

so perhaps even hourly, if you notice its necessary.

You can perk in some extra energy by smearing a little glucose sugar / dextrose on their lips and gum.  Glucose goes directly into blood from the mouth, it doesnt need to be digested at first.  If you dont have glucose sugar proper, white caro syrup is ok, it contains lotsa of liquid glucose sugar.   Otherwise even honey is OK - it does contain some glucose.    You may find it easier to smear if you make a thick water solution.

Does the kittens seems dehydrated?  I will send some receipts for home made pedialyte.

Eliminating goes OK, I suppose?  As therie are mommas to help them...

Be sure they are warm and comfy. The weak ones are always freezing...

Ah, re the vets.  Most vets arent good to help with weak kittens.  A dedicated caretaker is usually the best here.

  But if there is some real wrong with them, even a so so vet should detect it.   So a visit to the vets is in order, as long as you dont expect too much.  But it can be much enough with any competent vet.

Please continue to report and ask questions.