8 Kittens- Advice Please

[Maplesleaf13]

This is her 2nd liter- my tot held the door open just enough and she got out when her kittens were 6 weeks old. I had planned on getting her spade. This time around it will for sure happen.

This evening she birthed 8 kittens. Twice the size of her first liter.

They seem significantly smaller then the others did brand new. Should I start supplementing right away?

 

[Maplesleaf13]

Here they are.

 

[StefanZ]

Its good to monitor development by weigting - you wont need to guess.
What supplement do you have at hand?

 

[Maplesleaf13]

I currently have some kitten formula. I got it for a snack for mama during her pregnancy. However, I can go to the store in the morning.
I have a digital scale I plan to use tomorrow (today) and gather accurate weights.

 

[StefanZ]

Yes begin to weigh asap so you get count asap. With that many kittens you always risk a runt. You may allso rotate them - four off four on every two hours. Have an extra cozy nest for the midday nappers.

 

[ashade1]

Weighing and rotating is definitely necessary! We had a momma with 8, lots of information in this thread Rescue Momma and Kittens... Advice Needed Please! you don't have to read the whole thing because it is really long lol. You will definitely have 3 or 4 runts!

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, begin weighing daily and supplementing right away.

Do rotate the 4 biggest and 4 smallest in 2 groups every 2 hours. Keep the 4 who are not on mom in a box with a heating pad set on low under a blanket.

What happened to her first litter?

 

[Maplesleaf13]

Yes, begin weighing daily and supplementing right away.

Do rotate the 4 biggest and 4 smallest in 2 groups every 2 hours. Keep the 4 who are not on mom in a box with a heating pad set on low under a blanket.

What happened to her first litter?

Her first litter of 4 are healthy and I actually kept all of them, it was my first time with littles and I just fell in love with them. But there's no way I can keep 14 kittens long term.

They all made it through the night. My daughter is in the bath and then we will be going to the store to get more supplies. I'm nervous, it will be my first time supplementing.

 

[Maplesleaf13]

4 of them are the same exact color, this may be difficult keeping track.

1. 3.1oz
2. 3.7oz
3. 3.4oz
4. 3.2oz
5. 3.8oz
6. 3.6oz
7. 3.2oz
8. 3.1oz

#5-#8 are all orange.

 

[StefanZ]

All has decent weigh so its not alarming. Supplementing prob not necessary. Keep your eyes open weigh daily and rotate. You can use food dye or even nail polish to see the differences get

 

[ashade1]

How are these babies doing?

 

[Maplesleaf13]

All are alive and thriving. Mama is super tentative and doing well.