Does anyone know anything in what to feed baby kittens?
A few days ago a very pregnant momma cat we had seen hanging around the neighborhood had her kittens in the window well of the our neighbors home. They were well protected as the owner had flat wooden coverings on the window wells but there was just enough room for the momma cat to get in and of course out. Then yesterday when we peeked in we saw three of the kittens were gone but she had left two of them behind. Oh how they fussed yesterday! Went out after dark and listened and all was quiet so we didn't peek in on them and assumed momma cat had taken them or would if nobody was around. WRONG!
We peeked this morning and they were still there and obviously hungry. My other half absolutely detests cats and figures the world would be a better place without them. He did however help me get the kittens out (it's a very deep window well) because he knew one way or another I would take them out. Haven't a clue as to what to feed them so I mixed up some of our baby granddaughter's milk-based formula. Didn't have an eye dropper so used a straw. Worked pretty well although I'm going to buy a couple eye droppers later today.
My question is this: Is baby-formula okay to feed them or should I be giving them something else? At this time they are sleeping like babies in a large box with a fleece blanket. Tried setting them in different parts of the house but they didn't quieten down until I placed them by the computer! All hints will be appreciated.
One has it's eyes open and they have lost their umbilical cords, too.
By the way one is orange and the other is black and white. Momma cat took the two calico kittens and the all black one.
AAAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can get kitten formula at walmart, or places like pet-smart and other pet stores. It's probably a good idea to take them over to a shelter, and ask them to give them a look over (free, or course) and see if they need anything special. Most shelters LOVE for people to help house and take care of strays. If you don't plan on keeping them, but want to help them, you can strike a deal with the shelter to keep them at your house, and the shelter will let you know when to bring them in to get shots and to get spayed/neutered. Then, they'll take pictures and keep them there to show people who want to adopt. The good thing about doing it this way, is that cats in foster homes are guaranteed to never be put to sleep. :) Good luck!!!!
I wonder why she left those little ones behind. Katie has the right idea about taking them to a shelter for a going over. They will probably allow you to foster them and then they will get adopted out when they are of age. Hopefully the shelter will give you some kitten formula too. They also have little bottles you can get to feed them with. It's a round the clock job!
I hope these little ones aren't sick and that is why momma left them behind.
yea its such a hard long job taking care of baby kittens.. since the mother is gone you will also have to teach them to go to the bathroom too. My grandparents have "mothered" a few sets of kittens now and it is definitly a round the clock job...good luck :)Post some pictures - PLEASE!!!!!
Kitties that are hand raised are so affectionate, so people pleasing and loving. I hope they win the heart of your better half, and maybe change his way of thinking about cats. They say that the only people who hate cats are those who have never owned one!
Good luck to you. You are doing a wonderful thing!
Oh, I have to tell everyone what happened this weekend. My cat Percy, who is getting up there in age but is still very healthy and active, walked into the livingroom from being out "catting around" and said "Helloo" and then "Mom". I swear to you, it was a clear as if a human had said it! It was like when one of my kids comes home and pops in to say hello. Then Percy just went into the kitchen to get something to eat. He didn't want anything, just wanted to greet me I guess!
Oh how I miss those days with my cat. She is a big old baby now...I spoil her though...LOL
Pet Smart has a really good kitten formula. It provides them with all the same nutrients as their mothers milk. I don't think the baby formula will hurt them.
Hi, I'm a cat person and I've taken care of several baby kittens. You don't want to feed them cow's milk as it isn't good for them. The best thing is the replacement milk that's at a pet store. You can also get these bottles to use to. They work better than a eye dropper as the kitten can suck on it. You need to feed them every two hours and then afterwards you need to rub their behinds around the anus with a q-tip to make them go. If the mother cat was taking care of them, she would lick them there to make them go.
Then you want to place them in a box with a nice clean blanket or towel in it. Place the box in a warm draft free location. What I would do was put the box in my closet. Place a old fashion alarm clock that would tick tock in the corner covering with a blanket. The kittens would think that this is "mom".
You need to have them checked over by a vet as they may have something. As for the mother cat, she moved her little family because she didn't feel safe or the 2 kittens are sick.
Good luck with your little babies.
Here is the formula I use for my puppies.. We breed...
if they are still alive, you have gotten some good info.
go with the kitten milk replacer and for us an infants motrin syringe is just the right size. use moistened cotton balls.
lots of good information here:
http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm#Orphan
I just fostered orphaned baby squirrels for a few days til I found a wildlife rehabilitator
Hi Watchingwolf,
It sounds like the kittens are doing well as they're becoming older and sleeping longer. Now you want to feed them every 3 or 4hrs. If mommy was around she would be leaving the box for a while to get her break. Both of their eyes should be open by now and they should be starting to try to walk on their legs.
The blanket should be changed when it gets soiled. This is a good sign as they are going potty. They will stay in the box until they're about 4 wks old and then watch out as they will want to explore. By the time they're 6 to 8 wks old, they should be able to eat kitten food, use a litter box, and get in to mischief!!!
Good luck with your little fur babies.
I have to say that is the first time I have heard of a cat loving to be blown dry. Sheeesh my dog wont even let me do that to him after a bath.
I am glad to see they are doing very well!!! That is great!!