I have 4 kittens and they are about 5 months old and I'm keeping them, but they keep nursing off of the mother after we try and teach them not to and the mother runs from them alot of the time. What can I do other than get rid of the darlings?
2006-07-21 19:41:20 · 10 answers · asked by Dallas B 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Have you tried to wean them yet? The best way is to set out some canned cat food. Usually kittens can't resist!
At five months old, the kittens should be eating dry cat food and drinking water from a bowl. Have you seen them snacking on the mom's food or drinking from her bowl. If you have, then they should be just fine without nursing on the mom.
The best thing to do might be to separate the mom and her kittens for a couple of weeks. That will allow time for the mom's milk to dry up so she won't be able to nurse the kittens anymore. That will also give the kittens no choice but to eat solid food and drink water.
Congratulations on your kittens, and good luck!
2006-07-21 19:52:41 · answer #1 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well a few things:
first: at five montes is about the time the mom stops pretty much to take care of the kittens and usually chase them away. let her do her thing and teach them on her own to stop nursing. you can help by giving them yummy food such as pro plan kitten and canned cat food like once a week.
older cats sometimes keep on suckling on their mother not for the milk but more for the relaxing effect it has on them.
another thing to do which is important get the mom and the kittens spayed they are at the perfect age, if you won't then the males will start spraying urine in the house and both the males and the females will run away at some point when they are in heat in order to mate.
too many cats are being put down each year because there aren't enough homes.
One unspayed cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.
over 5 millions cats and dogs are being put down each year. some of your cat kittens if you chose to find them another home will be part of the statistic no matter how sure you are that they got a loving home.
Spaying eliminates the stress and discomfort that females endure during heat periods.
and decrease the chance of the cat having cancer or infections.
2006-07-22 06:01:02 · answer #2 · answered by hot_for_georgeclooney 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just start supplementing her milk with kitten food. They'll eventually prefer the solid food over their mother's milk. I don't recommend separating the mama from the kittens. Maybe if they start feeding on her...place the food and water in front of them and pick up mama cat and take her somewhere else until they've eaten? You could mix a little bit of kitten formula in with the food and slowly decrease the amount. Otherwise, I wouldn't interfere too much with the 'natural order' of things.
2006-07-21 19:59:29 · answer #3 · answered by redfernkitty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mother will make them stop. But there is a bigger concern here. Cats multiply very fast. In another month or so those little kittens will be able to procreate. I would think about having them spayed and neutered pretty quick.
2006-07-21 19:46:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kittens will eventually get the idea when their mother gives them what for. I've had cats my entire life, and lived through a couple of litters of kittens too. Kittens take mum for granted when they get older, and mum will sort them out. Leave them to it, the "rejection" of their mother is all part of their learning process. They will eventually reconcile and be a family again. Trust me! :)
2006-07-21 20:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by xian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Introduce them to wet food. You can aslo buy "kitten milk" from stores. Also, the mother will wean them. No worries.
PS, Give the little guys a scratch behind the ears for me. I love cats :)
2006-07-21 19:45:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Separate them from their momma. Put them in your spare room, or lock them into the bathroom. Are they eating real catfood yet? If they are, it's probably a comfort thing. Momma is running away because she's tired, maybe even sore.
Good Luck
2006-07-21 19:45:45 · answer #7 · answered by PearLover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it. Their mama will take care of the matter, herself.
She already is starting to run from them....and very shortly will let them know that she's serious, and to stop chasing her! lol.
2006-07-21 19:49:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
awwww, just get them some normal milk, {warm} for them and separate them from the mother. btw, kiss them for me ok.
2006-07-21 21:36:43 · answer #9 · answered by voodoochild 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ignore it, she will stop them when she wants to. just make sure they always have lots of food and water
2006-07-21 19:45:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋