We just got another kitten today! Feeding (?)...

happyviking

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I have been interested in a kitten that a neighbour has, a female, and one thing that I liked was that it's been raised inside with it's mother, thogh the mother is inside/outside. I was going to check'em out again today and make a desicion on whether to get this one or not, but I was planning on asking if they could keep her a little longer since it's only about 7 weeks old or so. Turns out they had seperated the kittens from the mother 1 1/2 weeks ago, because the mother had gotten earmites and they wanted to prevent the kittens from getting it, + they wanted to find out if the kittens were able to do without the mother. They also figured that the mother was done with them anyway since she only nursed for 5 min at a time and not being with them much........ How misunderstood all this is!!!! Anyway, it was quite disapointing, but the kitten is a ogod one, and I figured I wanted her despite of this, and if she wasn't with the mother anyway it could just as well be here. They were ready to adopt them out now.
The issue I have with her is that she gobbles down any food I give her, and she swallows dry IAMS kitten food whole. She doesn't chew hardly any of the pieces, and she just keeps swallowing one after another; quite a lot! She's pretty plump. I read that kittens should be able to eat freely without restriction, but I'm nervous about that when she doesn't chew... Won't she get a tummy ace? She's mostly used to canned food or moistened dry food.
I think she's old enough for dry....
 

sharky

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I would mositen the dry but I am not an expert theyll come... Cats by being carnivores arent natural chewer this is why many "dental diet" kibbles are huge to require chewing , this is just a thought in case she vomits from not chewing
 

musicteacher

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I read that young kittens should only be fed wet food. Experts will let you know if this is correct or not. At seven weeks, my kitties were too little to chew dry food, even when moistened with water. I know you need to continue giving her the same food she's been eating in order to avoid stomach upset. Maybe IAMS makes wet food, or you could moisten her dry food enough so that you can mash it up for her, and be sure only to give her a proper portion each day so she doesn't over eat.
 
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happyviking

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By the way, she's a bit gassy... It really stinks now and then, I assume she must be passing gas.....
I'll take your advive and go over to canned and/or softened food. Maybe the gas is because of the dried food she's not used to.
 

scamperfarms

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We have always moistened the dry food for them til about 8-9 weeks or so. and or mixed in some wet food just to make sure its easy enough for them to eat.
 

pat

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I can't call myself an expert, but I would get back to canned kitten food, and when you again want to try a kitten dry, moisten it (and or mix some wet food with just a few pieces to get her going with it) so it's not hard.

You can also try raising her feeding dish a bit (maybe get an elevated feeder, or simply put her bowl atop a steady box).
 

jennyr

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I would get her checked for worms at the earliest possibility - that could explain quite a lot re the appetite and the gas. And she would have a round tummy with worms.
 
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happyviking

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

I would get her checked for worms at the earliest possibility - that could explain quite a lot re the appetite and the gas. And she would have a round tummy with worms.
Well, she doesn't really have a round tummy, she's just overall filled out. But I'll take her in tomorrow and get her checked. It wouldn't surprise me if she does have worms... Seems like they get that so easily. So that's a good piece of advice! I didn't know that they could get gassy from worms.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by HappyViking

Well, she doesn't really have a round tummy, she's just overall filled out. But I'll take her in tomorrow and get her checked. It wouldn't surprise me if she does have worms... Seems like they get that so easily. So that's a good piece of advice! I didn't know that they could get gassy from worms.
You dont sya if you switched her food.. often that is the gas thing ... corn wheat soy and chn can be food caused gas agent
 

keltednora

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I've had kittens get gassy from wet food. You might try a kitten food with larger pieces, like Nutro Maxcat or Natural Choice to slow down the eating a little. I agree with the worming, too. The ravenous eating might be because the kitty is just so hungry due to worms.
 
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happyviking

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I'll bring Senja in to the vet today, along with a stool sample.
I don't really know which kind of food she's been on before; I know it was the cheapest possible, and various canned and dry with water... Seems like it's been different things. So I just started her up on my own canned and also dry Iams with water. The eating has slowed down to a more normal pace; it was especially when I fed her the completely dry food that she went nuts. She'll be ckecked for worms regardless.
Thank you for your help, everybody! I keep learning all the time, from you all! It's wonderful to be able to ask all these questions and get some real good advice!
 
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happyviking

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I took her in today, and she's negative for worms! That's great to know. She was treated for earmites though. The gas problem is alot better, maybe because I give her soft food now.
 
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