How do I care for an underweight kitten?
elaines2bzy asked:
the kitten is half the size of the other three kittens. He is nursing but the bigger kittens push it away when nursing. I am feeding him some kitten formula a few times a day but he doesn’t seem to like it. He is alert but not as strong and playful as the other kittens? How can I help him to gain weight? Is there a good supplement? he is almost four weeks old-is it too soon to start feeding him a little baby food?
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the kitten is half the size of the other three kittens. He is nursing but the bigger kittens push it away when nursing. I am feeding him some kitten formula a few times a day but he doesn’t seem to like it. He is alert but not as strong and playful as the other kittens? How can I help him to gain weight? Is there a good supplement? he is almost four weeks old-is it too soon to start feeding him a little baby food?
February 10th, 2009 at 12:31 am
you should take him to the vet and see what they tell you. and there is probably some kind of kitten food for underweight cats. probably IAMS or something.
February 12th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
You need to go to a vet. Yes, there are special foods you could feed him. I dont know if he can eat baby food yet. But I think maybe you should give him some. Because my cat was getting old and stopped eating, so we had to start feeding her baby food, it really helped. But she ended up having to be put to sleep.=( So please take good care of that kitten. *Good Luck*
February 14th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I would go to petco or call your vet and ask them what kind of formula or food your vitams you can give the kitten to make it gain weight.
February 18th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Your safest bet is to talk to your local vet and follow their instructions. Your kitten may have a vitamin deficiency. The vet should be able to answer your questions though.
February 21st, 2009 at 4:54 am
You may have to pull the other kittens away from mom for a little while a few times a day to give your little one some quality nursing. You may want to try mushy food. Not sure if it is too soon to give that to him but try anyways. If he eats it then you will know. As he get older and can eat food be sure to give him kitten food that is high in protein. Ask at your pet store. Also mix a raw egg and milk or cream together for him. It will give him strength and make his fur shine.
Hope this helps. All the best to your little baby! =)
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Actually 4 wks you can start making his own food and a good way to tell is get a wet can of food and put it on your finger .. if hes interested then you already know.
How I do food for my litters is a mix of wet with some of the milk replacement and Ive had litters as early as 3 wks but they also do get moms milk but arent so desperate for it.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Ok, he’s bviously a runt! Runts don’t always make it and you have to be very gentle with them.
Try pulling the other kittens off of her every once in a while t ensure that the little one gets some mother’s milk. If you can’t do that, it gets a little hard. You would have to find a supplement. There are two things I have used that work. First, 1/2 and 1/2 pet milk with water. Warm it up a little like you would for a baby and try that. Second, tuna with oil. When it’s able try to feed him that, because it has some nutrient in it that can help. My kittens loved it! But you will have to feed them little of that at a time, and don’t let them stand in it, because they will get very messy and oily.
This is what you have to do when you can’t afford a vet, or they say “well, there isn’t anything we can really do to help at this point”.