Bottle Feeding & Weaning

8 days ago I took in two orphaned kittens who appeared to be 3-3.5 weeks old. Within a day they were taking the bottle pretty well. The problem is now they are eating SO vigorously that each feeding results in an annihilated nipple, as well as the female kitten getting quite a bit of the milk down her chest and the male latching on so tightly he has two times gotten bloated after eating. I manage how much they eat and feed them frequently, but I'm now looking into how to wean them and when, etc. I read somewhere that when they start tearing through nipples that a good sign they might be ready.

What is the best course with weaning and how would it affect the feeding schedule? I have kitten canned and dry food, as well as the KMR powder formula that I've been using since I got them. Do I alternate the milk with canned? Do I leave the dry food out for free feeding? I'm started to see if they'll take the formula from a dish and that's hit and miss, they walk through it and spill it, etc. So I'm not sure if they're quite ready for water, or maybe I need to give them more practice?

I've never done this before so I'm sorry if these questions sound ridiculous. 

sonnyvincent

Do they have teeth? I recommend that you begin leaving out dry kitten chow 24/7, and start offering wet pate-style cat food mixed with kitten formula into a mush. Offer it on a flat plate 6 times a day. You can then top them off with the bottle, until they are eating solids well. As they begin eating their solids better and better, you can make it less mushy. If they can lap, you'll be able to put their milk in a dish soon too.

At the same time you'll need to set up a kitten-sized litter box and put them in it before and after meals. Have you been stimulating them to go pee and poop thus far? They should be able to go on their own anytime now.

Can you post a picture of them?

Thanks for rescuing them! Use this thread for all your questions.

They've been going to the bathroom on their own since I got them, so it's possible they might be a bit older than I thought. They look younger than they seem; they were playing, purring, jumping, etc, early last week, but their ears still haven't come up all the way and their tails still seem small. They have all their teeth, the back teeth and fangs are decent sized and the front teeth are smallish but definitely have come through. Their eyes were bright blue a week ago and have started to darken. They climb, jump, play, and can definitely hear as they respond to our voices and sounds.

I put in a litter box for them; up until now they have been good about peeing on a newspaper (for the most part) so I think they'll get the hang of the box fairly quickly. 

Thanks for the advice. I gave them some dry food and they dug right in. The boy is the darker striped and the girl is the orange/white
. 

They are precious! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

They look about 5-6 weeks old. Glad they like the dry food. Have you tried the wet food yet? [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Update on Bonnie & Clyde:

Clyde is doing very well with adjusting to the new types of food, but having some issues lapping the water and formula. I literally cannot feed them by bottle anymore as the nipples last about 3 seconds. He seems to be doing better today.

Bonnie is doing fine in terms of lapping and eating, but her stools are super soft. Not quite running but soft enough that she gets herself dirtyfrom walking through it when she's done. She also won't go in the litterbox when she has the softer stools.

Any feedback? TIA

They probably need worming - both of them. You'll need to see the vet for the proper med and dosage.

Glad they are eating well!