Hi, I've been a learning lurker for nearly three months now, since taking in a neglected pregnant neighbourhood moggy (owners refused to believe she was preg, at 6weeks, too focussed on their pregnant pedigree money maker dogs). Bonnie was starving, begging at other people's doors (she'd shown no interest in other people when she had no need - now she did need!).
Anyhow, 3 weeks after I took her in, she had 5 beautiful babies, one ginger, four black, all with their mickey mouse gloves on, plus white socks and bibs. Three boys, two girls, all as they developed, conforming to stereotypical boys and girls (boys - a ruffian, a rascal, a gentleman; girls - one soppy little sister and one who likes to take herself off for some "me time" out of the chaotic fray! The girls even have longer fur than their brothers, making their bibs look feathery.)
I made a rod for my own back, as Bonnie went completely off her branded cat food after giving birth, unable to stomach more than licking the gravy off it. So it was in with the canned tuna, pilchards and chicken breast. Only when they were three weeks old did she start adding back a little cat food.
When the babies were four weeks, I started putting down the larger plate of branded food, thinking the babies would start investigating it and eating. No joy. Bonnie wouldn't allow it, and scoffed the lot before they could get a look in! Not until 5 1/2 weeks did she allow them to try anything, and then it was the tuna and chicken. Three are feeding well on this plus pilchards now, but two are not. Jingo, the little rascal, will drink goatsmilk, but eats nothing else. Myrtle, the soppy little sister, is still seemingly 100% mamacat. I make sure there is food available 24/7, and on occasion have got up to find small puddles of sick (thankfully on the kitchen floor, never elsewhere) which makes me wonder if one or both of them have tried and failed to keep food down. Are these two just late developers, or could there be a specific problem with either of these two babies? Bonnie's still providing them enough to grow, but at a slower rate than the other three. Please advise! Thanks.
Anyhow, 3 weeks after I took her in, she had 5 beautiful babies, one ginger, four black, all with their mickey mouse gloves on, plus white socks and bibs. Three boys, two girls, all as they developed, conforming to stereotypical boys and girls (boys - a ruffian, a rascal, a gentleman; girls - one soppy little sister and one who likes to take herself off for some "me time" out of the chaotic fray! The girls even have longer fur than their brothers, making their bibs look feathery.)
I made a rod for my own back, as Bonnie went completely off her branded cat food after giving birth, unable to stomach more than licking the gravy off it. So it was in with the canned tuna, pilchards and chicken breast. Only when they were three weeks old did she start adding back a little cat food.
When the babies were four weeks, I started putting down the larger plate of branded food, thinking the babies would start investigating it and eating. No joy. Bonnie wouldn't allow it, and scoffed the lot before they could get a look in! Not until 5 1/2 weeks did she allow them to try anything, and then it was the tuna and chicken. Three are feeding well on this plus pilchards now, but two are not. Jingo, the little rascal, will drink goatsmilk, but eats nothing else. Myrtle, the soppy little sister, is still seemingly 100% mamacat. I make sure there is food available 24/7, and on occasion have got up to find small puddles of sick (thankfully on the kitchen floor, never elsewhere) which makes me wonder if one or both of them have tried and failed to keep food down. Are these two just late developers, or could there be a specific problem with either of these two babies? Bonnie's still providing them enough to grow, but at a slower rate than the other three. Please advise! Thanks.