10 teeny weeny kittens

The kittens are two weeks old! Things went pretty well this week. They were cruising right along until yesterday, when a couple didn't gain well. Kitten #1 (little orange girl) only gained 2grams, and #8 actually lost 3g. Everyone is active, no one is dehydrated, no diarrhea, no sneeziness or sign of any other issue. I think it's a result of human error I worked all 5 days last week (although I cut a couple days short), and I know that's hard on them. Also, I maybe did something dumb, which was to switch orange swirl (kitten 4), from the bigs to the littles for Thursday evening and night. She hadn't gained as much, and #8 had gained a ton, so I thought I'd try one day of them switched to help out orange swirl. Seems like it backfired for #8 (spotty tabico). Sometimes it seems like there are really 6 littles, and 4 bigs. Weights were up a little this morning, and I am supplementing 8 and 4 along with 3 and 5.
Hoping the weekend will give us a good chance to regroup. I did think there would come a time as they got bigger that they would need more supplementing, and it seems like that time has started.

I don't feel like they're out of the woods, although I think there's a bit more chance now to correct mistakes before they turn into a giant problem. I always feel a big relief when they start eating on their own, and with these guys it will be a HUGE sigh of relief! Then, I also feel much much better after they start getting vaccinated.... We still have a long way to go.

Yes, you do have a ways to go still. As they grow and need more milk, if mom doesn't make enough, they will need more supplementing. Are you supplementing #1 as well, since he only gained 2 grams? Are all eyes open yet? It sounds like they are doing okay for the most part.

At two weeks the kittens should weigh about 8 ounces. This should be your goal. Are any of them close?

Yeah, I'm sure it's getting to be a real strain on the poor mama cat because of their increased milk needs. They may take solids as early as next week (I had a litter who started, all on their own, eating their mother's kibble at 3 weeks! I was so surprised) so that will help a bit when they aren't getting all their nutrition from milk, although then the litterbox situation will be the big thing! But wow, you're doing a great job! Keep it up!

Yes, everyone's eyes are open, even my little late bloomer. Mama's wet food is accessible to them in case they get interested early. I doubt they will as they haven't done anything early But it's there and I will start trying to tempt them next weekend just in case. I've really never (or maybe like once or twice out of hundreds of kittens) had them start eating on their own before 4 weeks but that would be really cool if they did. I haven't been weighing in ounces, but apparently 8 ounces is about 227 grams. So yes, some of the bigs are over that now, and a few are very close. Not too worried about that though as they have been gaining pretty well, and
considering their starting size I didn't expect them to be that big yet. Overall, things are good heading into the third week. Definitely getting more mobile and mama has developed a catnip habit. Everytime she comes out for a break, straight to the nip candy cane she goes. Poor thing, can't blame her.

Everything sounds good! Hopefully everyone will be out of the woods in another week. Most kittens do not try wet or dry food until about 4-5 weeks, so we'll see what these do. They are just over two weeks now, so not ready yet.

Go Mama Kitty! Enjoy your catnip! You've earned it! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

Momma cat is beautiful, look at the fur between her toes!

mama has developed a catnip habit.

Click to expand...

Haha, Mother's Little Helper! :tongue2:

Kittens are doing really well. I'll post some weights later if I have time. Things have been really busy! Had to upgrade the nest box and rotation box to slightly bigger, taller ones to keep them safely contained. They are juuuuuuust just starting to walk and look like little drunks. I also need to get some new pictures, just haven't found a moment. Almost the weekend!

Glad all ten plus mom are doing well! Can't wait to see weights and pictures. Thank you for the update. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

They are turning into real kittens!

3) 187- little orange
1) 195- little buff
5) 206- orange girl
4) 232 orange swirl
8) 235 spotty tabico
6) 239 white/buff
10) 240 dark tabby
2) 254 big orange
9) 267 big tab
7) 275 cow elvis

They are so darn cute! Little orange is doing great, but still so tiny. Are you still supplementing Little Orange? What about the others?

Smallest is 6.5 ounces and biggest is 9.7. Ideal weight at 3 weeks is about 12 ounces. They are all about one week smaller in size than normal, but look very healthy for such a large litter. They will catch up eventually.

I'm truly amazed that all ten have made it so far. You must be so in love with these babies! [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

OH my gosh, yes I want to keep all 10 and mama forever, but of course that's not possible. I'm still supplementing, actually more than I had been. Orange girl has been needing help to get enough and of course little orange and little buff. On team big, orange swirl, big orange and dark tabby boy have been needing extra. I'm also really amazed at how well they've done so far, and it might be one for some actual names!

Yes, names would be wonderful now!

Once you get them eating soft solids they will grow faster and you'll get a break from supplementing. They'll be able to lap kitten formula from a dish. The bigs may be ready for Gerber turkey baby food at 4 weeks. Hopefully the littles won't be far behind!

Thank you for all the supplementing to keep them going. No matter how much milk mama makes, there's no way she has enough for ten growing kittens. [emoji]128571[/emoji]

Officially 3 weeks old! I stuffed them back in the same container for a redo of a picture from week 1!

How cute! Looks like they want to get out and start exploring.

Wonderful to see how much they've grown and to see how active and healthy they all are.

They've really grown a lot! Wow! Nice job! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

I was wondering how the 10 kittens were doing.  I hope no news is good news.

No news is good news! Every one is doing well. Just now thinking about trying to eat a little on their own. Things are about to get pretty crazy i think. Currently they are still separated into the two groups, each group of 5 is in a really big tupperware tote and mama goes back and forth between instead of me switching the kittens. She was really tired of being in the crate with them and they were outgrowing the space anyway. I'm still supplementing, pretty much everyone a couple times a day. They are playing and walking pretty well now (a little behind, but I was expecting that). Still not going to the bathroom on their own, but that is about to change im sure. I'm trying to figure out how to set them up next, any suggestions welcome! Not sure how long to keep them in two groups- I figure they will stay in their two totes through this week. Just can't decide if/when they should all be together, and how long I can keep them contained until I just release them into the room (yikes!). My goals are to keep them safe, clean (will be a challenge for the next little while), well fed, and for them to enjoy their early kittenhood, to have lots of space to play etc. They are starting to become individuals. So far, in a way, it's been kind of like a machine, just adjusting and figuring out how to keep them all going. Now that they are really interacting, things are changing and their needs are so different. I've fostered a lot, but its so different with these guys! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with the details and planning this next phase!

The weather here has been so insane for February- 80 degrees on Friday! I'm going with an early spring theme for names! I intend to post a picture of each with a name, but it's been hard to find the time. Below is Walden (big orange boy)....

So cute! I can't wait to see each one of them.

Do you have a separate room in which to keep them all where the door can be closed or a gate can be put up so they are safe, yet they can have their food, water, litter pans, and toys?

This would be the ideal way to safely contain them all and get them weaned and litter trained over the coming weeks. They do not need the run of the house anytime soon.

I'm just tickled pink that all ten are thriving! Thank you for your excellent efforts on their behalf! [emoji]128522[/emoji][emoji]128077[/emoji][emoji]128149[/emoji]