Feeding Liver To A Kitten

[angel.celeste]

The short of it is, I’ve introduced liver to my 6 week old anemic kitten’s diet. I gave him a small amount with his dinner. I’m wondering, should I feed him a small amount daily? Or less regularly?

Our full story below:

One week ago today I started caring for a stray kitten, about 5-6 weeks old. He was very skinny, lethargic, and had pale gums and tongue, but I got him to eating and drinking by the end of the day.

The following day I took him to a vet. She seemed optimistic about his anemia (“it’s not the worst I’ve seen”). He received flea treatments, deworming and his first booster.

It’s a week later, and he seems to have improved maybe a bit, but nothing too notable. He’s eating like a champ (Blue Buffalo canned kitten food), drinks lots of water, has regular bowel movements. Loves pets and cuddles, can climb stairs and walk around, but shows no interest in anything other than people and food. He’s a sleepy boy.

He’s mostly outdoors as I don’t have the ability to keep him indoors. He only leaves the porch to poo or follow me to my RV.

I’ve noticed some behaviors such as sometimes drinking rain water from planter pots or wherever it puddles, rather than his fresh water. As well as licking the concrete porch (or possibly the dirt from it). Clearly, he’s seeking nutrients. After a bunch or googling, I decided to introduce some liver into his diet. I mixed a tiny square of it into his dinner and he was wild about it. I know that too much liver can lead to Vitamin A toxicity. I’ve also read to have liver be no more than 5% of a cat’s diet. I’m wondering, does that same percentage go for young kittens as well? Can I feed a bit to him daily, or should it be less regular? In all my searching, I can’t find a recommended amount or schedule for feeding liver to a kitten.

I’m keeping a close eye on him. He has a vet appointment again in two weeks, but I may take him in sooner for more testing just to be certain of any ongoing cause for his anemia which may need medical treatment. In the meantime, I wish to do what I can to help him nutritionally.

Any guidance will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[duckpond]

I also know liver is good for them, but not too much. I dont know how much is too much, maybe someone who feeds raw will come in on this.

I do like to give my cats some foods that have liver in it, they are not big on pate but they do like the fancy feast liver and chicken classic, i guess because they like the liver? and the fancy feast kitten wet food also has liver as the second ingredient, as does the Turkey and giblets. Several fancy feast, and friskies foods have liver as the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd ingredient. I dont feed it daily if its first ingredient. Tiki cat after dark also has some chopped up liver, as does weruva nine liver and chicken. my guys like both of these.

here is a good place to read up on nutrition, if you have not been to this site?
Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition – Common Sense. Healthy Cats.

Best of luck that he is all better soon. Do let us know what your vet says!

 

[angel.celeste]

I also know liver is good for them, but not too much. I dont know how much is too much, maybe someone who feeds raw will come in on this.

I do like to give my cats some foods that have liver in it, they are not big on pate but they do like the fancy feast liver and chicken classic, i guess because they like the liver? and the fancy feast kitten wet food also has liver as the second ingredient, as does the Turkey and giblets. Several fancy feast, and friskies foods have liver as the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd ingredient. I dont feed it daily if its first ingredient. Tiki cat after dark also has some chopped up liver, as does weruva nine liver and chicken. my guys like both of these.

here is a good place to read up on nutrition, if you have not been to this site?
Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition – Common Sense. Healthy Cats.

Best of luck that he is all better soon. Do let us know what your vet says!

Thanks for your recommendations. I’m trying to feed him only kitten formulated food for now, and my options are pretty limited as far as what I can purchase nearby. Limited as in the store only had one wet food for kittens. I calculated about what 5% of his diet would be and plan to give him that amount daily.

He’s such a sweet boy. The last couple of days I’ve had him walk around the side of the house to get moving around a bit more. He ran a bit today, when I got ahead of him, which I hadn’t seen him do before. I worry about him, but there’s little things each day that help me feel like he’s indeed getting stronger.

 

[duckpond]

I am glad he seems to be doing better! Sounds like you are doing your best for him! Keep us updated with how he is. sending him hugs!

 

[ArchyCat]

Please keep him as an indoor pet. If he goes outside he can again pick up parasites (fleas, ticks, worms). plus be attacked by dogs, larger cats raccoons.

Did the vet give any reason for the anemia? I have read of kittens having such a heavy infestation of fleas that the kittens were anemic.

Another inexpensive food, would bed Kitten Milk Replacement. The dry form is recommended. Just mix with water and put in a saucer. It has a lot of calories, protein, and minerals that kittens & cats require.

Thank you for rescuing this kitten! Do you intend to keep him?

Keep us updated on how you and the kitten are doing.

 

[1 bruce 1]

Liver is an excellent addition.
BUT..
if he's outdoors only, or mostly outdoors, do you have any way of monitoring his stool output? Liver can = diarrhea in high quantities which is the last thing a kitten (let alone an anemic!) needs.
Odds are, it will help, but knowing how much how often will only be visible IME in their stool production...if it's runny, back off, if it's normal, you're doing A-OK =)

 

[angel.celeste]

Please keep him as an indoor pet. If he goes outside he can again pick up parasites (fleas, ticks, worms). plus be attacked by dogs, larger cats raccoons.

Did the vet give any reason for the anemia? I have read of kittens having such a heavy infestation of fleas that the kittens were anemic.

Another inexpensive food, would bed Kitten Milk Replacement. The dry form is recommended. Just mix with water and put in a saucer. It has a lot of calories, protein, and minerals that kittens & cats require.

Thank you for rescuing this kitten! Do you intend to keep him?

Keep us updated on how you and the kitten are doing.

Oh, believe me, I understand the perils of outdoor life. Unfortunately I live in an RV, parked outside a friend’s house. They have indoor cats which can’t be exposed to the kitten. He’s staying partially in my RV and partially on their front porch. Lately he spends his nights in the RV.

He’s received two kinds of flea treatment, dewormer, and his first booster. He’s bathed and well taken care of for an outdoor cat. It’s not perfect, but with the local rescues being full, I’m doing my best to care for him. He’ll be receiving further vet care soon.

 

[angel.celeste]

Liver is an excellent addition.
BUT..
if he's outdoors only, or mostly outdoors, do you have any way of monitoring his stool output? Liver can = diarrhea in high quantities which is the last thing a kitten (let alone an anemic!) needs.
Odds are, it will help, but knowing how much how often will only be visible IME in their stool production...if it's runny, back off, if it's normal, you're doing A-OK =)

I’ve been able to monitor his stool. He was actually constipated recently, so I introduced a small amount of pumpkin purée into his diet. So far he’s handling it well. The liver is a small amount and so far not having an effect on his stool. I did not know that it can cause diarrhea, so I appreciate the tip!

I took him into the vet today for an unrelated issue and received a nutritional supplement to help with his anemia. Everyone that saw him remembered him from last week and said he was looking better.

 

[angel.celeste]

Please keep him as an indoor pet. If he goes outside he can again pick up parasites (fleas, ticks, worms). plus be attacked by dogs, larger cats raccoons.

Did the vet give any reason for the anemia? I have read of kittens having such a heavy infestation of fleas that the kittens were anemic.

Another inexpensive food, would bed Kitten Milk Replacement. The dry form is recommended. Just mix with water and put in a saucer. It has a lot of calories, protein, and minerals that kittens & cats require.

Thank you for rescuing this kitten! Do you intend to keep him?

Keep us updated on how you and the kitten are doing.

Sorry, I didn’t acknowledge all of your points. I had divided them into two messages in my mind.

The vet hasn’t yet done any testing. They tried testing his stool on his first visit, but didn’t get a very good sample. He has another appointment on the 28th, and I plan to ask a bunch of questions then. He was given some things on his first visit, but I’m still worried he may have something undiagnosed that needs additional treatment. He’s remained stable, and shows regular signs of improvement in terms of his activity level. Today I was given a nutritional supplement by the vet, to improve his recovery. I’m just hoping for the best and keeping an almost constant eye on him.

My husband and I would like to keep him but he will have to be an indoor/outdoor cat. We live in an RV (actually, small converted school bus) and have plans to add a cat door if we are able to move to a more suitable property soon. We’ve really gotten attached to him, but we may still consider finding him another home once he is healthy.

 

[10009891]

Duckpond, I thought you fed your cats healthier food. I tried Fancy Feast can cat food to my cats before and their poo become like pancake batter.

 

[nese]

For anemia you can also add splean to his diet. I strongly recommend it. I give our cats splean occasionally and they all love it. One of our cats had weak immune system when she was a kitten, together with the supplement our wet gave us, raw splean helped a lot. It is especially recommended fo anemia, or for the donor after blood transfusions, by one the vets I know.

 

[angel.celeste]

For anemia you can also add splean to his diet. I strongly recommend it. I give our cats splean occasionally and they all love it. One of our cats had weak immune system when she was a kitten, together with the supplement our wet gave us, raw splean helped a lot. It is especially recommended fo anemia, or for the donor after blood transfusions, by one the vets I know.

Interesting! I’ll consider getting some. I actually haven’t given him any liver since I started the supplement just so I would know how he reacts to the supplement alone. I may introduce the liver back in, and I’ll see about getting spleen.

 

[angel.celeste]

A little update.

Today, Bones played for the first time! He was batting and biting at some dried grass I was using as a toy. This is the first time he’s shown any interest in play. We went into the yard and he was for once curious about all the grass and weeds towering over him. He also feels more sturdy and less skinny when I pet him.

I took him to the vet on Wednesday for an inflamed spot on his leg. The vet told me they didn’t think it was fungal and sent me on my way with some antiseptic wipes. After doing some research, I was peeved that the vet was so quick and nearly dismissive. My best guess based on photos online is that he developed a “hot spot.” From what, I don’t know. I’ve been wiping the area twice a day with the wipes, treating with neosporin, and wrapping lightly with gauze. At first I was removing the gauze after about 30 mins, but I’m concerned with him licking the area and making it worse so I’m going to keep the area covered. So far it hasn’t spread or worsened, nor is bright red anymore. I’m hoping this treatment will be enough.

He sure does keep me worried! I hope we don’t have to visit the vet again before his next scheduled appointment. I’m going to ask for a blood test. Is there anything specific I should ask for that isn’t covered by a blood or fecal test? He should be about 8-9 weeks old at that time.

 

[sabian]

You may want to have him tested for FIV and FeLV. Thanks for taking care of the little guy. Your probably saving his life. It would be great if you could keep him indoors as much as possible but, regardless, he's better off in your care and being outdoors than being outdoors on his own. Doesn't sound like he would have lasted much longer without your help. It's a great thing your doing and sounds like your doing your very best and, that's awesome!

 

[duckpond]

Duckpond, I thought you fed your cats healthier food. I tried Fancy Feast can cat food to my cats before and their poo become like pancake batter.

Some cats do well with fancy feast, some dont, same as any other brand. sorry your guys had a problem with it. I feed my guys all different kinds of wet food. I do offer fancy feast, there is one they like, the liver and chicken. They will not eat pate for the most part, of any brand, so its high praise from them that they like this one. I stand by fancy feast as a good, staple, affordable food for many cats

 

[maincoonmama]

I make fresh and raw food for my cats. The liver is healthy in the appropriate quantities. my oldest is thirty-two and eats raw food made with muscle meat, organs, and bones. be sure to buy a premix to make sure needed supplements that are missing like taurine, calcium, and selenium are met. I use alnutrin. knowwhatyoufeed.com is where i buy it. if your cat insists on being outside, please build a catio, be sure they are vaccinated, and protected from parasites, have them microchipped and wear a breakaway collar with tags.

 

[maincoonmama]

testing for f.i.v,felv,and f.i.p is also important. if your cat is healthy vaccinating your cat against viruses is essential to protect them. f.i.p is not recommended due to serious risks. if your cat is infectious, you must keep them indoors to prevent the viruses from spreading. please S.N.Y.P your cat as well for their safety and to protect other cats. S.N.Y.Pping your cat reduces the wanderlust, and they will be less likely to get into territorial disputes. they also will not come home pregnant, or impregnate other cats, increasing feral cat population. curbing the feral cat population protects the wildlife in your area and unwanted cats from being destroyed because they are homeless. there are parts of Toronto and the surrounding areas that have massive feral cat colonies that have killed all wildlife not just for food, but for entertainment.cats will still hunt and kill even if they aren't hungry. you cant find a bird, squirrel or rodent for kilometers. The cats are sickly and starving, and most don't live past 2 years even with our TNR programs, and volunteers who care for the colonies.