I'm fostering a mama cat that gave birth almost a week ago to 8 healthy kittens. Mama has been a very attentive mother. She is eating well; MaxCat kitten wet food, Innova Evo dry (for kitten/growth), and I'm also giving her KMR on a daily basis. All kittens have been steadily gaining weight; most have averaged close to one half ounce per day. However, the smallest kitten has been averaging closer to a quarter of an ounce weight gain per day, so she has been lagging behind her siblings. She does however, seem quite vigorous and healthy.
I have attempted to take opportunities when mama is available and the other kittens are sleeping to place this little one up to mama's nipples for extra feeding time. I have also attempted to supplement with KMR via a bottle; however, she seems totally disinterested in the bottle and I have not been very successful. I imagine if she were an orphan, the bottle feeding would be more successful, but the bottle is competing with mama.
With 8 kittens to feed, I imagine mama and the kittens would benefit if some supplemental feedings were accomplished. Any ideas from you experts out there how to entice these kittens to accept a supplemental bottle, or do you think it is necessary? Thanks!
I have attempted to take opportunities when mama is available and the other kittens are sleeping to place this little one up to mama's nipples for extra feeding time. I have also attempted to supplement with KMR via a bottle; however, she seems totally disinterested in the bottle and I have not been very successful. I imagine if she were an orphan, the bottle feeding would be more successful, but the bottle is competing with mama.
With 8 kittens to feed, I imagine mama and the kittens would benefit if some supplemental feedings were accomplished. Any ideas from you experts out there how to entice these kittens to accept a supplemental bottle, or do you think it is necessary? Thanks!