Taking care of kittens - help

di and bob

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They are beautiful! I'm so happy they are all doing well. You know, I just go with a good name brand food that the cats will eat and enjoy. I'm sure there are many more people than I on here that can advise you on brands. I feed Sheba perfect portions in the cuts and Fancy Feast with extra gravy because they clean their plates. Nobody seems to like the pate. My cats have leukemia, so we just go day by day, so far so good!
 
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Aeoh

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They are beautiful! I'm so happy they are all doing well. You know, I just go with a good name brand food that the cats will eat and enjoy. I'm sure there are many more people than I on here that can advise you on brands. I feed Sheba perfect portions in the cuts and Fancy Feast with extra gravy because they clean their plates. Nobody seems to like the pate. My cats have leukemia, so we just go day by day, so far so good!
At the end of the day, that’s all that matters! My cats don’t love pate either, so I try to find morsels for them (harder with the kitten food).

Thank you! They’re little cuties - starting to get their walking feet on them!
 
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Weekly worrying question:

Kitties are going on 5 weeks and I still haven’t actually seen them use the bathroom/litter box and they are not interested in solid food.

They had their first vet appt last week and all were mainly fine and healthy and at or above the healthy weight for their age, but they do probably have worms.

I’m assuming mom cat is still stimulating them because I see her licking them, but I know at this point they should be going by themselves. I think there was one pee accident one day, but besides that, I haven’t seen any evidence of accidents (and no use of the litter box in their area).

Should I be majorly concerned about the combo of: not weaning, not using the restroom, and probably having worms?

They all seem happy and active. Mom seems to have had an upset tummy the past day, though.
 

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They are still young. You will see them begin to try soft food in the next week or two. I’ve found that kittens wean best around 6-7 weeks, and litter train more easily once they are eating and having solid poops.

Continue offering watered down pate and begin putting them in the litter box before and after meals. They’ll catch on to both quickly when they are ready.
 
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So I’ve never been around a cat in heat, but I think Mom has officially gone into heat. Yowling like crazy and she is very restless.

She won’t settle down to feed the kids and they still won’t eat any combination of watered down kitten food, weaning formula, formula and food, etc.

I’m stressed 😥
 

Sarthur2

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Put her in a cat carrier with her kittens and she will be forced to nurse them. You have no choice. The kittens need to nurse and mom needs to provide. Also, nursing will help mom’s heat hormones to calm down. You’ll see. It will work. Keep us posted!
 
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Put her in a cat carrier with her kittens and she will be forced to nurse them. You have no choice. The kittens need to nurse and mom needs to provide. Also, nursing will help mom’s heat hormones to calm down. You’ll see. It will work. Keep us posted!
So her yowling and crazy only lasted a day or so and she seemed ok with them the last few days, but she’s definitely less interested in feeding them. I know it’s natural and probably her attempt at weaning, but I’m worried she doesn’t feed them enough.

Is there anything I could add or supplement to the kitten food to get them interested? I don’t want to force it on them but I think mom is exhausted and over it. As I said, I’ve tried different brands of kitten food, formula, water mixed in, etc.

They’ll be 6 weeks on Wednesday. Also still having issues picking up on the litter box (little pees outside of it) but I guess that’s probably normal.
 
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Hello again!

Kittens are 7 weeks, seemingly healthy and extremely active. They have their second vet appointment just over a week from now to get first round of shots, 2nd round of dewormer.

Need help with - WEANING and LITTER BOX. They refuse any mix of solid/wet food. I have tried every mix and every brand. The only thing that gets them slightly interested is "toppers" meant for on top of food, but even then they don't do more than sniff it then run back to mom for milk. I'm not sure if I should start separating them from mom or give them another week or so. All 3 only want to nurse on her at this point. They drink water from a fountain, but that is all.

ALSO - litter box help? I have 4 litter boxes set up upstairs (trying to cover places where I've found pee before) but they always find a new spot to pee. They don't really use the litter boxes at all, and now that they're starting to explore the house, we really want them to get the hang of it so the place isn't destroyed. We are using Fresh Step non clumping clay litter at the moment for them.

Please help!! The little critters are stressing me out! We expected to rehome them around 12 weeks, but we don't want to do that if they aren't completely independent from mom (we want the best for them, just trying to figure out if there's anything we can do to help the process).
 
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Hello again!

Kittens are 7 weeks, seemingly healthy and extremely active. They have their second vet appointment just over a week from now to get first round of shots, 2nd round of dewormer.

Need help with - WEANING and LITTER BOX. They refuse any mix of solid/wet food. I have tried every mix and every brand. The only thing that gets them slightly interested is "toppers" meant for on top of food, but even then they don't do more than sniff it then run back to mom for milk. I'm not sure if I should start separating them from mom or give them another week or so. All 3 only want to nurse on her at this point. They drink water from a fountain, but that is all.

ALSO - litter box help? I have 4 litter boxes set up upstairs (trying to cover places where I've found pee before) but they always find a new spot to pee. They don't really use the litter boxes at all, and now that they're starting to explore the house, we really want them to get the hang of it so the place isn't destroyed. We are using Fresh Step non clumping clay litter at the moment for them.

Please help!! The little critters are stressing me out! We expected to rehome them around 12 weeks, but we don't want to do that if they aren't completely independent from mom (we want the best for them, just trying to figure out if there's anything we can do to help the process).
 

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vince

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Cats are very smell-driven. You need to make their litter box smell like one so they'll know what it's for. Often, they'll try and eat the litter or sleep in the litter box before they know what to do there. The best way is to pick up one of their stools and bury it in the litter box. If you can put something with their urine on it under the litter as well, so much the better. Be sure to pick up the kittens and take them to the box every time you see them eliminating in an improper area. Using an enzyme detergent will eliminate the odor so they don't get to associate the wrong places with elimination.

Don't be surprised, but you might need to give them digging lessons. They don't always know what to do. Gently take one of their paws and dig a little depression in the litter with it. They'll get the point.

Sometimes, you can teach them to eat by putting a finger in the food, then putting it in their mouth. If they are interested, gradually bring them closer as you repeat the finger-in-the-food move. That will usually do it, but sometimes you might have to "boink" their muzzle into the food lightly. When they lick their mouth to clean it, that generally will be enough. Don't drown them! Just enough to moisten their lower jaw will be sufficient. It usually only takes one and the others will follow.

A very sloppy mix of KMR and soft food like unsalted meat baby food is something easy to start with when weaning. You can also put canned cat food in with the KMR in a blender. Just so long as it's uniformly sloppy. They'll get it all over themselves, but they'll eat. They don't have any teeth yet, so it has to be just sloppy mush.

Once their teeth start coming in, mom will usually put an end to the nursing, PDQ. In your case, that should be happening shortly. There are always exceptions. Years ago, we had a male who continued to nurse off and on up to almost a year of age. Finally, we had to forcibly separate them to get her to dry up.
 

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Dr elsey makes a litter called cat attract It’s really good for litter box issues
 
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Aeoh

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Back with another question.
The kittens got their second vet visit last week, first round of boosters and second dose of dewormer. They weigh 1.7lb, 2.2lb, and 2.3 lb. All happy and excited

They started eating real food! I have them on Tiki Cat Kitten Mouse packets, plus still some moms milk. Since I’ve transitioned about 4/5 days ago, they’ve had very liquid diarrhea everyday (no solid poo at all).

Is this common when weaning? I’m hoping they’ll adjust, but I’m not sure if it’s the specific cat food or another issue causing this. I do have Royal Canin mom and baby cat pate, plus kitten pate ready to go when I’m done with these packets, but they really love the mouse and I was thinking it would have made their transition to real food easier.

I do have water out so they don’t dehydrate, plus mom is still nursing some, but the poor kids cry when they have to use the bathroom and I can tell it’s uncomfortable for them(plus the clean up is messy).

so.. is it normal to have diarrhea for a week or so when transitioning, or should I try different food?
Thank you
 

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No, it’s not normal, but my guess is that it is from the worming and vaccines rather than the food. It’s a lot for their little bodies to handle and is likely the cause of the diarrhea. It should clear up on its own, but if not you may want to check in with the vet.

You can also give them Gerber chicken or turkey meat baby food for a couple of days and see if it helps. It’s possible they may need to try a different brand of wet food, such as Fancy Feast kitten food.
 

Talien

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Mousse type food can cause diarrhea, I've heard from quite a few people that their cats had the runs after feeding them mousse, and went back to normal after they stopped feeding the mousse. Tiki Cat is a good (if a bit expensive) brand if you want to feed them something good that isn't loaded with carbs and other junk filler though.

If they eat the mousse but don't want to touch the canned food, then you can use the mousse to transition them to it. Mix a small amount of the canned food in, and each day add a little more of the canned food and a little less mousse.
 
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Mousse type food can cause diarrhea, I've heard from quite a few people that their cats had the runs after feeding them mousse, and went back to normal after they stopped feeding the mousse. Tiki Cat is a good (if a bit expensive) brand if you want to feed them something good that isn't loaded with carbs and other junk filler though.

If they eat the mousse but don't want to touch the canned food, then you can use the mousse to transition them to it. Mix a small amount of the canned food in, and each day add a little more of the canned food and a little less mousse.
So with that in mind….

They do like the pate (heck, they’re trying to eat all the adult morsels and stuff for the other cats lol), I just thought the mousse might be an easier transition for their little bellies but maybe its the opposite!

I will try some of the pate for the next few days and see if that is any better, I did also get some of the chunkier kitten stuff (the chicken in chicken broth type stuff), but I don’t want to overload them with super heavy stuff…. I’m just a nervous grandmother!!
 
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Aeoh

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So with that in mind….

They do like the pate (heck, they’re trying to eat all the adult morsels and stuff for the other cats lol), I just thought the mousse might be an easier transition for their little bellies but maybe its the opposite!

I will try some of the pate for the next few days and see if that is any better, I did also get some of the chunkier kitten stuff (the chicken in chicken broth type stuff), but I don’t want to overload them with super heavy stuff…. I’m just a nervous grandmother!!
The kids and their poor dedicated mother LOL, she’s so petite and they are so big now.
 

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So with that in mind….

They do like the pate (heck, they’re trying to eat all the adult morsels and stuff for the other cats lol), I just thought the mousse might be an easier transition for their little bellies but maybe its the opposite!

I will try some of the pate for the next few days and see if that is any better, I did also get some of the chunkier kitten stuff (the chicken in chicken broth type stuff), but I don’t want to overload them with super heavy stuff…. I’m just a nervous grandmother!!
They should be getting weaned any time now, they're big enough and if they are eating solid food it's time to give mom a break and let them eat on their own. Give them as much food as they'll eat. A small amount of vomiting or diarrhea can happen when you're switching foods but if it goes on for more than a day or 2 then the new food is probably not agreeing with them.

If the chicken stuff you mentioned is just chicken+broth and doesn't have a bunch of plant based ingredients it will be easier to digest than most of the commercial foods.
 
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Aeoh

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Hi guys.

I love the kittens but they are driving me crazy. I have watched every video, tried everything suggested, and 2/3 are just NOT getting the litter box thing.

I have the tent that once used to house them essentially as a litter area now. It is lined with puppy pads and has several boxes with different type of non clump litter, some boxes just with puppy pads in them.

  • The male kitten uses the non clumping clay litter without issue (he has since the start, really). He hasn't really caught onto covering it, but it's better than not using the box at all.
  • The one female SOMETIMES uses the paper litter, but usually will avoid a box at all and find any empty space where it is just puppy pad on the floor.
  • The other female WILL NOT use any of the boxes. She won't use the one with just the puppy pad in it. She intentionally makes space between boxes to go on the puppy pad.
My partner tried to move this set up to the basement (because it's been housed in the living room and smells horrendous when they use the bathroom), and that was a disaster - again, Tux caught on, but the two females did not. Pee and poop was then scattered around the living room. I moved the set up back where it was, but I'm worried it somehow messed the girls up even more because yesterday, they went to the second floor and pooped on the hardwood there. Previous to moving it to the basement, it all had been localized to the tent area at least, and now I'm scared it won't be.

I have the Dr. Elsey's kitten attract litter, but I can't use it unless I'm home monitoring them (which is only in the evening on weekdays). They haven't really been eating litter but I don't want to chance it and have them eating it and it clumping and choking them when we are not around.


I'm just stuck and don't know what to do. They will be with us, minimum, for about 3 more weeks probably (they are 11 weeks now).

I am trying to convince my partner to keep one of the females as our pet. I want them all to be pretty well trained when they go to a home (or if the one stays) so there is less chance of them being returned to us or the shelter - we want them to have really good homes and I want them ready to have the best chance there (ie: well behaved as a kitten can be LOL, I know you can't help a few accidents or some mess/chaos, but at this point EVERYDAY is more mess than most people would deal with).

Please help. I've watched all the top videos on youtube and nothing seems to be helping. I'm worried it's too late to fix the issue now.
 
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Aeoh

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Hi guys.

I love the kittens but they are driving me crazy. I have watched every video, tried everything suggested, and 2/3 are just NOT getting the litter box thing.

I have the tent that once used to house them essentially as a litter area now. It is lined with puppy pads and has several boxes with different type of non clump litter, some boxes just with puppy pads in them.

  • The male kitten uses the non clumping clay litter without issue (he has since the start, really). He hasn't really caught onto covering it, but it's better than not using the box at all.
  • The one female SOMETIMES uses the paper litter, but usually will avoid a box at all and find any empty space where it is just puppy pad on the floor.
  • The other female WILL NOT use any of the boxes. She won't use the one with just the puppy pad in it. She intentionally makes space between boxes to go on the puppy pad.
My partner tried to move this set up to the basement (because it's been housed in the living room and smells horrendous when they use the bathroom), and that was a disaster - again, Tux caught on, but the two females did not. Pee and poop was then scattered around the living room. I moved the set up back where it was, but I'm worried it somehow messed the girls up even more because yesterday, they went to the second floor and pooped on the hardwood there. Previous to moving it to the basement, it all had been localized to the tent area at least, and now I'm scared it won't be.

I have the Dr. Elsey's kitten attract litter, but I can't use it unless I'm home monitoring them (which is only in the evening on weekdays). They haven't really been eating litter but I don't want to chance it and have them eating it and it clumping and choking them when we are not around.


I'm just stuck and don't know what to do. They will be with us, minimum, for about 3 more weeks probably (they are 11 weeks now).

I am trying to convince my partner to keep one of the females as our pet. I want them all to be pretty well trained when they go to a home (or if the one stays) so there is less chance of them being returned to us or the shelter - we want them to have really good homes and I want them ready to have the best chance there (ie: well behaved as a kitten can be LOL, I know you can't help a few accidents or some mess/chaos, but at this point EVERYDAY is more mess than most people would deal with).

Please help. I've watched all the top videos on youtube and nothing seems to be helping. I'm worried it's too late to fix the issue now.
Just to add, I really do NOT think it's something medical, just because I will literally see her getting ready to pee, I will place her in the litter box, and she will jump out and find the pad. Repeat, repeat, until I give up and let her pee on the pad. I don't want to force her not to pee at all.
 
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