First Time Mom Here

[treehouse55]

This is my first time having a cat let alone with kittens so I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing.

She finally had them on saturday after being a week and half over what the vet thought in ultra sound plus two extra kittens.

I got their staring weights a few hours after they were born at:
Tabby - 116 oz
Black -110 oz
Tux - 113 oz
Lighter Tabby - 113 oz
Darker Tabby - 116 oz

This morning they were:
Tabby - 120 oz (+4)
Black -120 oz (+10)
Tux - 130 oz (+7)
Lighter Tabby - 125 oz (+12)
Darker Tabby - 120 oz (+4)

I was going to wait until tomorrow to supplement the two that only gained four to see if maybe the gain more today. I thought i would be better for them to have mom milk that the supplement.

 

[Sarthur2]

I agree you can wait a day. They are gaining a little. Mom has colostrum first, then milk. The more they suckle the better her milk comes in.

They should gain 6-10 grams a day each, so if it doesn't pick up, then supplement.

 

[treehouse55]

Today's gains are pretty high. I think they may have just gotten done feeding so I'm sure that skewed the numbers.

Tabby - 150 oz (+30)
Black -140 oz (+20)
Tux - 150 oz (+20)
Lighter Tabby - 140 oz (+15)
Darker Tabby - 140 oz (+20)

I was also wondering if I should feed her wet food whenever she seems hunger or if there would be an issue if I over feed her. The also has access to dry food but she seems to eat wet food better. The wet food I am giving her does have instructions for lactating mom's only kittens and cats. I also have been mixing the PetAg PetLac with her wet food to help supplement. I thought I had read that somewhere on this site too.

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, feed wet food as often as she wants it. Wet food is better for cats, and particularly pregnant and lactating cats. Leave the dry food out too though.

Mixing the PetAg in with her food is perfect. She's getting great nutrition.

The weight gains are fantastic!

 

[talkingpeanut]

Sounds like mom and babies are doing well!

Are you keeping mom inside and away from intact males?

 

[treehouse55]

Yes. She was a stray that my friend found around his neighborhood and I was supposed to be a foster home until she could find a forever home but she is so sweet I decided to keep her. Foster fail mom her

He thinks one of his neighbors dumped her. She was super skinny when he found her and is still skinny but she has put some weight on. I already have surgeries scheduled for her and her kittens for when they are old enough.

 

[talkingpeanut]

Thank you so much for taking them in! They're so adorable.

 

[foxden]

treehouse55
She'll be skinny as long as she's nursing. My Kiki was so skinny after nursing her six kittens.
I kept her and moved the kittens to the adoption center. But, I had that planned when I brought her home to foster.

 

[treehouse55]

treehouse55
She'll be skinny as long as she's nursing. My Kiki was so skinny after nursing her six kittens.
I kept her and moved the kittens to the adoption center. But, I had that planned when I brought her home to foster.

That's good to know. I would have started worrying if she didn't put any weight on herself

 

[foxden]

Not to hijack your thread, but
Here's a picture of Kiki and the 6 kittens during their dinner at 12 weeks.
Obviously everyone is very well fed. Can you pick Kiki out from the kittens?

 

[treehouse55]

Not to hijack your thread, but
Here's a picture of Kiki and the 6 kittens during their dinner at 12 weeks.
Obviously everyone is very well fed. Can you pick Kiki out from the kittens?

Cute That's going to be my house soon I would guess her to be the bottom one on the left.

 

[treehouse55]

Weight gains for today are good I think. the Tuxedo is going to be a chunk.

Tabby - 160 oz (+10)
Black -150 oz (+10)
Tux - 170 oz (+20)
Lighter Tabby - 155 oz (+15)
Darker Tabby - 150 oz (+10)

I can't believe how much bigger they have gotten in only 3 days.

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, the weight gains are very good! Healthy born kittens grow amazingly quickly.

 

[treehouse55]

Today's weights:

Tabby 185 (+25)
Black 155 (+5)
Tuxedo 175 (+5)
Lighter tabby 160 (+5)
Darker tabby 165 (+15)

The three where a little little so I reweighed them during lunch and got:

Black 165 (+15)
Tuxedo 185 (+15)
Lighter tabby 175 (+20)

Do you guys think they are still doing good?

 

[Sarthur2]

If the weights are accurate they are doing fantastic!

 

[treehouse55]

I was wondering if I should change the blanket that is in there box? I didn't want to change it and have her move them somewhere else. It doesn't smell or anything.

 

[Sarthur2]

If it is the same blanket she gave birth on, yes, you should slide another blanket or two under that one, then remove the top one.

This might best be accomplished while mom is out of the nest eating or doing her business, so as to cause less upset.

Bedding should be changed at least once a week, more often if necessary.

How are kitten weights today?

 

[treehouse55]

Good

Tabby - 195 g (+10)
Black -185 g (+30)
Tux - 195 g (+20)
Lighter Tabby - 185 g (+25)
Darker Tabby - 180 g (+15)

They are growing like weeds I can't wait until they open their eyes.

I can't believe how good she is doing with them. I was super nervous since she is so young.

 

[Sarthur2]

Those are excellent gains!

 

[treehouse55]

I can't believe it. I was so nervous she wouldn't take to them or no provide enough milk.