Water or Milk?

oreo

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I just found a kitten in the street, she looks like she is about 6 weeks old. I don't know whether to feed her water or milk. I tried giving her water but, she drank very little of it.

How much water and/or milk is normal for a 6 week old kitten?
 

ollyextra05

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#1 Don't give the kitten milk! Most cats are lactose intolerant, it could make her very sick!
#2 It may seem like the kitten isn't drinking a ton of water, which is normal, BUT the kitten should see a vet ASAP to check for any diseases and to get the proper vaccinations--and, when she's old enough, to be spayed.

Also, you should put up signs in your neighborhood and ask around to make sure this baby doesn't already have a home!
Good luck!
 

arlyn

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Never give cows milk to cats.
Try getting some canned kitten food and mixing it with a bit of water and giving it to her, or some kitten milk replacer.

If you don't have, or can't either, there is a sticky thread in this forum with a recipe for "Kitten Glop" formula.

Kittens will eat quite a bit, but not all at once, they are sort of 'snackers' if you will, eating many small meals throughout the day.
 

scamperfarms

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You have gotten good advice. from the other posters here


If you want to give her some sort of milk you can try some KMR since she is still little. or the kitty milk they sell at petstores
 

planetofthecats

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Originally Posted by oreo

I just found a kitten in the street, she looks like she is about 6 weeks old. I don't know whether to feed her water or milk. I tried giving her water but, she drank very little of it.

How much water and/or milk is normal for a 6 week old kitten?
Did you take the kitten inside? If so, then she may be too scared of the indoor environment to eat, drink, or use the litter box normally for the 1st day or so.

Her drinking a little water is a good sign - you can graduate her from water to KMR (kitten milk replacer) to kitten food. At six weeks, she should be old enough to be eating solid food, although she may still appreciate having some KMR in the beginning.

Definitely leave some water for her at all times, and try giving her a good kitten food such as Nutro Natural Choice - start with either a tablespoon of the canned or a teaspoon of the dry in a jar lid or small shallow dish. Sometimes it helps to wet the dry food with a little water.

Leave her in a small, safe room such as a closet or bathroom with the water, food, a small box to snuggle in, and a small tray of non-clumping clay litter. She may run into the box to hide, which is a natural defensive reaction to a new environment. Turn on a small night light and leave her to eventually come out and explore the room on her own.

When you come back to check on her later, she may go back into hiding. But you'll be able to tell if she's eaten or used the litter box, which would be good signs of progress.

Good luck, and feel free to post any more questions that you may have.
 
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