Quick Question

How old are they? And what are you trying to feed them? KMR or kitten formula can be fed from a bottle or syringe. Often babies will eat canned food quicker than dry food.

I have some powdered KMR left from Jonah. They just aren't taking well to the bottle. They are three days younger than Jonah was, and he would have been a month old yesterday. So about 5 weeks. They want it, just won't suck it........And I get them to quit crying.......Also after their baths I may not have got all the fleas off, how is the best way to do so? The flea comb sucked. The runt didn't have many, but, the white one was pitiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by MamaSquishy

I have some powdered KMR left from Jonah. They just aren't taking well to the bottle. They are three days younger than Jonah was, and he would have been a month old yesterday. So about 5 weeks. They want it, just won't suck it........And I get them to quit crying.......Also after their baths I may not have got all the fleas off, how is the best way to do so? The flea comb sucked. The runt didn't have many, but, the white one was pitiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click to expand...

I would toss the powdered version and try to find Goat's Milk (my understanding is that you can find it at Food Lion if there is one near you). Remember, you need to find them in the prone position meaning all four paws should be on the ground and you should tilt their head up to drink the milk. If you feed them like a baby (on their back) they could get milk in their lungs and die.

For kittens that young....using the flea comb and a small amount of dawn is best. Remember, these kittens do not have good immune systems yet..so you need to avoid anything that isn't recommended for kittens. You can also speak to your vet as to what your vet recommends.

Katie

I would try enlarging the hole in the nipple. If they still won't take it, use a syringe or an eye dropper to drip the milk into them.

They are probably crying for the food, they just don't know how to get it yet. Keep trying. Also some baby chicken or turkey offered on your finger might be taken. At 4-5 weeks, they are about old enough for solids. Have you offered them the formula or goat's milk in a bowl? And can you call the shelter and ask how they were feeding them?

I Know how to feed them, its just getting them to eat. The big one is getting better at sucking, plus it eats can food off my hand. The little runt isn't doing so well on eating solid or from the bottle. But, when I adopted them I knew I was taking a chance to give them a chance.The people who had them didn't know a thing about cat care. And I am still learning with kittens this young.

www.kitten-rescue.com will give you ideas on how to get them to eat.

At this age, if they are 5 weeks they are in that confused stage. The KMR or mom's milk might taste good, but not quite satisfy them as their bodies are growing and they crave more. I would make sure the KMR hasn't expired and make a mixture of KMR and dry kitten food, let it sit in a covered container until it is soft and mushy. Put a small amount down on a flat plate, not a bowl. Put a small amount on the kitten's paw at the same time and then see what happens. At 5-6 weeks they move off of mom's milk and on to solid food. Mom cat shows them how to eat, but we try to do this, they can end up taking a bath and a rub in their food. Don't be disturbed if that happens, we are a poor substitute for mom cat