Newborn Kitten Weights

[lovelymainecoons]

Hello everyone!

My Maine Coon just gave birth to her first litter four days ago, and the (five) kittens all seem to be doing well!

I have been weighing the kittens each day since then, and they are all gaining weight, but I was hoping that someone could tell me if their weights seem appropriate for day four:

Kitten 1: 6.0 oz (gained 0.7 ounces from yesterday)
Kitten 2: 5.8 oz (gained 0.6 ounces from yesterday)
Kitten 3: 4.6 oz (gained 0.5 ounces from yesterday)
Kitten 4: 6.1 oz (gained 0.6 ounces from yesterday)
Kitten 5: 5.3 oz (gained 0.7 ounces from yesterday)

I’d greatly appreciate any input!

 

[Sarthur2]

You’ve got hefty little Maine Coon babies! On Day 7 they only need to weigh 4 ounces, so yours are well ahead of the norm and that is a good and healthy sign!

Goals are 8 ounces at 2 weeks; 12 ounces at 3 weeks; and a full pound at 4 weeks. They then need to gain a pound a month for a few months. Being Maine Coons they are probably larger kittens to begin with.

I normally prefer that kittens are weighed in grams, especially when born at low birth rates, but it does not seem necessary here. Just watch for the runt lagging, and if a kitten begins to lose weight or does not gain at least 10 grams a day for more than 24 hours, be prepared to supplement.

We’d love pictures!

If you plan to continue breeding your cat, it’s one litter a year and then retired and spayed around age five.

 

[StefanZ]

0,5 ounces is about 14 grammes. Its more than these 10 grammes of healthy minimum raise. As we use to say, they should add 10+ grams a day (but some DO add more, occasionally even thrice that).
So, lets say, 0,4 ounce as a healthy minimum?