My adopted formerly feral barn kittens have overcome their ear mite issues nicely, so now I of course have another worry. They are presumed to have been born around May 10, so are estimated to be 7 weeks now.
The boy (Indy, the black one pictured) eats like a horse and is 2.25 pounds, having gained about 15 ounces since I adopted them on June 7. The girl (MJ, the brown one pictured) weighs only 1.87 pounds and has only gained about 10.67 ounces since June 7. Her build is a little more petite than Indy's, but not all that much.
I worry that she's not eating enough. She doesn't seem very "into" their food, which is Fancy Feast Kitten, turkey flavor. She'll eat a bit, then smack, and walk away. She seems to still want formula, but the plan was for them to be off it by now. I have reintroduced a little poured on their food which does make her interested, but mainly just in licking off the formula. She does also eat a few pieces of clay non-clumping gravel litter, no matter how much I discourage her (I can't be with them 24/7 unfortunately).
That said, MJ has every bit as much energy as Indy, pouncing and playing and all that, and she definitely has normal poop every day. She doesn't feel or look thin, can't feel her ribs any more than his...I just compare their weights and worry something is wrong. It's not an issue I've ever faced before. Their 3.5 year old biological (also formerly feral barn kitten) sister Grace has always eaten more than everybody in the house combined, including me and my husband!
Is MJ's current weight at approx. 7 weeks of age, and weight gain for the past three weeks okay?
Do I need to give them bowls of formula like I did at first, just to get her to consume more calories? Or is pouring a tablespoon of formula over the canned food and hoping she eats both enough?
They saw the vet on June 9 and were given clean bill of health besides ear mites. Next vet appointment is July 7.
If I've done it right, I've included a pic of them conked out on the bathroom rug after a wild play session.
The boy (Indy, the black one pictured) eats like a horse and is 2.25 pounds, having gained about 15 ounces since I adopted them on June 7. The girl (MJ, the brown one pictured) weighs only 1.87 pounds and has only gained about 10.67 ounces since June 7. Her build is a little more petite than Indy's, but not all that much.
I worry that she's not eating enough. She doesn't seem very "into" their food, which is Fancy Feast Kitten, turkey flavor. She'll eat a bit, then smack, and walk away. She seems to still want formula, but the plan was for them to be off it by now. I have reintroduced a little poured on their food which does make her interested, but mainly just in licking off the formula. She does also eat a few pieces of clay non-clumping gravel litter, no matter how much I discourage her (I can't be with them 24/7 unfortunately).
That said, MJ has every bit as much energy as Indy, pouncing and playing and all that, and she definitely has normal poop every day. She doesn't feel or look thin, can't feel her ribs any more than his...I just compare their weights and worry something is wrong. It's not an issue I've ever faced before. Their 3.5 year old biological (also formerly feral barn kitten) sister Grace has always eaten more than everybody in the house combined, including me and my husband!
Is MJ's current weight at approx. 7 weeks of age, and weight gain for the past three weeks okay?
Do I need to give them bowls of formula like I did at first, just to get her to consume more calories? Or is pouring a tablespoon of formula over the canned food and hoping she eats both enough?
They saw the vet on June 9 and were given clean bill of health besides ear mites. Next vet appointment is July 7.
If I've done it right, I've included a pic of them conked out on the bathroom rug after a wild play session.
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