Foster Cat Had Her Kittens This Am!

[laurenfosters]

Kittens cannot maintain their body temperature the first 3 weeks.

Kittens can drown in the water bowl, so it's good you moved that higher.

Exploring the room is good for them as long as it's kitten proof. They will be out of the nest most of the time after they hit 3 weeks!

Yes the water dish was my main concern! But I want them to stay warm, too, and I know they can't do that on their own yet. I'm going to continue watching them very closely. Mama has been very clingy with them today, which makes me so happy!

 

[laurenfosters]

Because who doesn't love kitten pictures?

 

[Lari]

The ickle toe beans and boopable noses and open eyes. I'm so in love.

 

[ileen]

I know Olive is the top photo, I recognize her. Help me identify the other two - one with mostly white face, black on left side above eye, the other white in middle of head, black on either side. Did they all wind up with pink toe beans? I see mama has black ones. I love their little pink noses & mouths.

 

[laurenfosters]

I know Olive is the top photo, I recognize her. Help me identify the other two - one with mostly white face, black on left side above eye, the other white in middle of head, black on either side. Did they all wind up with pink toe beans? I see mama has black ones. I love their little pink noses & mouths.

The one with the mostly white face is Chickpea, and the one with the shock of white in the middle of his face is Lentil. Their toes are all pink for now, but I'm assuming they could darken over time? Lord knows I'm watching those paws like it's my full-time job after what happened with Sesame & Chia.

 

[ileen]

Got it, thanks. Chickpea & Olive look like best buddies.
I don't know if pad color changes (again, no kitten experience here). I can tell you that my black and white cat has mostly black pads, but a couple of them are part black and part pink. His legs are all white, but the top of him has a lot of black. You can see from his pic to the left of this post that his right side has less black on it; his left side has more.

 

[laurenfosters]

After 5 days of doing so well on bottle feeding, two of the babies are now outright refusing their bottles. This has been going on for the past 24 hours. I'm puzzled! I always make sure the formula is warm (but not hot) and that they are warm and cozy before/during nursing. They love nursing on mom when she'll allow them so I know it's not for lack of appetite. They chew at the nipple (miracle nipple) like crazy so it seems like a teething problem, but isn't this a little early for that (they are 16 days old)?? Does anyone have any suggestions? Sarthur2 @talkingpeanut @stefanz tagging you very knowledgeable folks; hope you don't mind.

 

[Sarthur2]

They may be teething, but they must eat! Are they still gaining?

 

[laurenfosters]

They may be teething, but they must eat! Are they still gaining?

They were gaining like crazy - went from 198g to 285g in 5 days - but since yesterday the weight on the fussiest one has stagnated (he is only 2g ahead of where he was this time yesterday). The second-fussiest one is up about 10g and the third is up 15.

 

[laurenfosters]

I should mention that mom is nursing them currently, she just seems to take nights off, that's when I've typically been bottle feeding as a supplement.

 

[dustydiamond1]

I should mention that mom is nursing them currently, she just seems to take nights off, that's when I've typically been bottle feeding as a supplement.

CATS!!

 

[laurenfosters]

CATS!!

I know, right?! I wish she'd take the night shift!

I'm getting a lot better at syringe feeding, so I suppose we will just do that in the meantime until these babes decide they're ready for the bottle again. They all cracked 300g today, yippee!

 

[dustydiamond1]

I know, right?! I wish she'd take the night shift!

I'm getting a lot better at syringe feeding, so I suppose we will just do that in the meantime until these babes decide they're ready for the bottle again. They all cracked 300g today, yippee!

 

[Sarthur2]

Sounds like they are doing well!

 

[ashade1]

How is everyone doing today?

 

[laurenfosters]

How is everyone doing today?

Good! As of early this morning, everyone is now between 320-330g. They still are not having it with the bottle, so we've been doing mostly syringe feeding, which is fine. The good news is mom seems to be stepping up and nursing more and more, so I am only having to supplement ~2 times at night and ~2 times during the day, so that is a real relief!

Occasionally a certain kitten will have a day where (s)he barely gains 8-10g. But that day is always followed or preceded by a day where they will have a spurt and gain around 20g. I'm assuming this is normal as long as it all evens out to a consistent gain at the end of each week?

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, that is very normal! Human babies are like that too.

 

[laurenfosters]

Just an update. Kittens turned 3 weeks yesterday. They are getting cuter by the day. They're walking, climbing, playing, purring, and having a ton of fun. They're all around 370g so a nice healthy weight. I've gone down to only occasional supplementing with KMR as mama kitty has really stepped up her nursing. So now I only supplement if someone seems behind at a weigh-in. Here are some pictures.

 

[Lari]

They're getting so big! And cuter than ever!

 

[ileen]

Thanks for the update, keep those pics coming. I particularly love the shot of Chickpea. Can you tell if they are boys or girls yet?