Kittens Losing Weight

hi everyone, you’re always so helpful and I appreciate it so much. I am fostering a new litter of kittens that came to me on Sunday. They are 6 weeks and 2 days old.

They came to me Sunday, and that same day, the shelter took them from their mama. They told me the kittens were completely weaned and eating dry and wet food. I have no idea why they separated mom and kittens so early. They were already underweight with the littlest one weighing .88lbs

The kittens were doing ok and slowly gaining but all of a sudden on Thursday they started dropping weight. The littlest one is now weighing 0.138lbs. They have barely touched their food. I see them eat it sometimes and I know they get hungry but I’m worried now with their weight loss. They cry a lot and I give them plenty of attention and they have a warm snuggle disc in their bed so I’m at a loss.

I’ve tried giving pumpkin purée, tuna juice, mixing KMR with their wet and dry food, everything short of syringe feeding. I have tried everything under the sun.

I know a little weight loss during weaning happens but I’m worried. I’m calling the shelter in the morning but has anyone been through this? Any suggestions? I keep feeling like I’m doing everything wrong as much as I try!

You may need to try bottle feeding, syringe feeding, or see if they'll lap KMR
Can you rub some slightly diluted honey on their gums?

Try the KMR in a bottle. You may have to squirt a few drops into their mouths if they won't suck on the nipple. Most of the foster kittens I've dealt with are not completely weaned until somewhere between 8 and 10 weeks.

6 weeks is rather young to be separated from mom, so I wouldn’t expect them to be fully weaned. I would also recommend bottle feeding KMR. You can also try a needleless syringe if the kittens have trouble with the bottle.

Agree. Not impossible they are somewhat stuffed in the nose, ie a slight URI. Not that much you notice it loud and clear, but enough they dont feel the tastes of food. So handfeeding is wise here by several reasons.
Possibly also to warm up the food some, so it smells more.

I want to add. Use pedialyte to dilute the KMR, or as their drinking water. Not because they need these extra salts - as they dont have diarrheas. But the glucose sugar in pedialyte gives some extra calories for free. A pure bonus here.

Goats milk is always OK to use as a supplement. And if you can get raw goats milk it may even give an extra touch.

Last, is it possible for you to give the weight in grammes? Its easier to follow with just a glance, than in parts of lb...

Is there any way at all that the shelter would allow you to foster the mom along with the babies? Even if she is recently spayed, she should be able to care for them. I highly recommend goat's milk and if you do try bottle feeding, please consider the regular size Miracle Nipple. The MN already has the hole in it and the kittens seem to adjust more readily to the taste and texture of it. Also, the MN does not seem to irritate their tender mouths as does the plastic on most nipples. Vets typically recommend Nutrical to rub on their gums.
....and thank you for fostering

Thank you all so much!! I will try the KMR in a bottle today. I tried it yesterday and they didn’t like it - they just chew on the nipple, but I will try again and I also ordered a syringe with a miracle nipple on amazon and it should be here today. I also ordered a snuggle kitty which is supposed to mimic mama’s heart beat. We will see if they fall for it.

I plan to call the shelter today and ask about the mom and see if I should bring them in to be checked out. They’re still pooping etc but the rapid weight loss scares me.

I will try the pedialyte. Great suggestion!! I will buy some today and keep everyone updated

They still need their mom. Ask if you can foster her too. In the meantime try syringing KMR into the side of their mouths. Poor babies!

I agree they should have their mama!! They wouldn’t release her but the vet at the shelter gave me syringes and told me to syringe feed them baby food, and also gave me a probiotic. I will update. Thank you all for your advice!

Did they give a reason for not giving their mom back?

Sarthur2 said:

Did they give a reason for not giving their mom back?

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They did not!! I’ve asked 3 times

Unfortunately even after syringe feeding and probiotics, our littlest foster kitten passed away. This is only my second litter of fosters and I’m devastated and sad.

I took her brothers to be looked at and they couldn’t find a cause for their diarrhea so they gave me marquis paste and after 2 days I’ve noticed their poop is less liquidy. They’re playful and have an appetite usually but they still aren’t gaining much.

One of them keeps hovering just below a pound, which worries me since the kittens are around 6-7 weeks.

Today is the last day of marquis paste. I’m giving high calorie kitten food mixed with pedialyte and occasionally baby food. Trying desperately to entice them to gobble up food.

Any idea of what could be wrong or how I can help them gain? I’m at a loss

Eloise613 said:

our littlest foster kitten passed away.

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RIP sweetheart Your time here was short, but you had a loving person, warmth and food

Can you try rubbing slightly diluted honey on their gums? Also, Kitten Milk Replacer may be of help, and goat milk.

What do they eat best? Baby food? Whatever they eat best is what you should give at every feeding for now.

Will they lap KMR? If so, offer it 3 times a day.

Keep an eye on the diarrhea. Hopefully the paste cures it, if not they may need another round.

The problem here is they were separated too young and they have not adjusted well.

Hopefully they will begin putting on weight soon. They are just now hitting the age to transition to solids well even if they had their mom.

Thank you so much. They do love their wet food mixed with baby food so that’s what I’ve been giving them. I’m so frustrated one of them keeps dipping below a pound. He is 15oz / 425 grams. Not sure how correct my conversion is. I know they can’t help it but it’s frustrating to weigh them in the morning and see them drop

Do not use water for drinking. Use pedialyte and goats milk / kmr. Pedialyte good as they have some diarrhea, and glucose sugar there gives some calories for free.

StefanZ said:

Do not use water for drinking. Use pedialyte and goats milk / kmr. Pedialyte good as they have some diarrhea, and glucose sugar there gives some calories for free.

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Ok!! We have a farmers market open on saturdays so I will get raw goat milk tomorrow but for tonight do you think it’s ok to use the powder goat milk from the pet store?

Eloise613 said:

for tonight do you think it’s ok to use the powder goat milk from the pet store?

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Yes, I believe it is

Yes till both! Good thinking!

The other thing to be aware of is the fact that they are growing quickly at this age, so even though they may be eating well, their bodies need time to catch up.