My 5 month old kittens eat 7 times a day. Each time I feed them a can (5.5oz) of 9Lives, Whiskas, and other brands, which they share. They let me know when they're hungry, by following me around and meowing nonstop.
About two months ago, I found a tapeworm in one of their stools so I bought a $30 tapeworm medication at Petsmart. It seemed to work because they immediately grew twice as big as before. And their "beer gut" dissapeared.
So what could be the problem? Worms again or is 7 times normal?
2006-08-26 04:02:28 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I think you are over feeding them, try feeding them dry cat food, Just keep there bowl full and they will snack on it all day. Can food is not really good for them.
2006-08-26 04:06:59 · answer #1 · answered by Backwoods Barbie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tape worm medication I believe is Droncit and the last time I priced it it was $9 from a vet. That should have cost you $18 for both the kittens.
Would you take blood pressure medication without having a doctor check your blood pressure (I know you couldn't get it without a prescription, just using that to make a point)?
A veterinarian needs to make a diagnosis about what kind of worms are in your kittens. Surely you have had them at a vets for their "baby" shots. It is time they were both fixed or the plans laid for that at the least. A female could go into heat right now and it is best to do a male at five months too.
Yes, that seems like a lot of food and the kittens probably need to have some worming meds.
I strongly support feeding kittens canned meat. The brands you have chosen are in my mind pretty much the bottom of the barrel. Get a higher quality of meat by using a better brand. Iams maybe, Wellness, Innova, Natural Balance, etc.
Don't go the do-it-yourself route. You are dealing with poisons here.
2006-08-26 11:42:42 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you need to get their stool checked by a vet...you don't always see worms when they have them, and they can make sure you're treating the worms they have. PS...you could have gotten tapeworm medication much cheaper at the vet! Secondly, they typically need more than one round of dewormer to get rid of the worms. What did the worm look like? If it looked like rice, you gave it the right treatment. Kittens do not need to eat 7 times a day if they are fed the right kind of food. 2-3 times a day is all they need. What you need to do is get them on good quality kitten food (hills, iams, eukanuba, purina one or pro plan, or science diet). Canned food is fine as long as it's for kittens. In fact, vets have found that canned food reduces the chances of your kitty becoming overweight. Look at the container for the amount to feed based on weight...that will tell you the total per day per cat. You then divide that amount by 2 or 3 and give that final total per cat, per meal. You should make sure they've each got separate bowls and you may want to separate them when they're fed so you know they're getting the right amount. This is always recommended for cats, especially when you have more than one...so they're not getting too much, and you know if they're eating or not. If you feed a good quality food, they won't be as hungry and they'll have smaller stools. Don't feed them just because you think they're hungry...if you're feeding them right, they don't need more. Maybe give them a treat or two when they complain. If you teach them correct eating habits now, they will be healthier and happier when they get older.
2006-08-26 12:00:40 · answer #3 · answered by talented mrs v 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Up until about 3 months, kittens should eat at least every two hours, at 5 months, they should be eating every four hours. If they are sharing 1 can of food they may not be getting enough at each feeding. ( you didn't say how many kittens there are. ) Try feeding them more at each feeding and see if they don't go a little longer between meals. Good Luck!
2006-08-26 11:12:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kittens at age 5 months should to eat 3-4 times a day,,and the reason was those worms do not let them to grow normally,,the 7 times is not normal,,the best food for them is Purina kitten chow,,mixed with meat from can ,,Friskes,,
2006-08-26 11:52:08 · answer #5 · answered by wieslaw r 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
first of all, try adding in dry food with the wet food. a good kitten food would be best. it takes longer to digest and it has many other benefits for your kittens' health (i.e. cleaning of the teeth, helping your kittens cut teeth etc). It is also a good idea to be consistent with brands and types of food it will aid in digestion and you will keep your babies healthier. I do believe you need to re-treat your kittens for worms. A kitten should only eat two to three times a day. excessive eating is associated typically with tape worms. the key is to make sure you don't start a negative and ultimately unhealthy habit in your kittens of eating all the time.
2006-08-26 11:49:54 · answer #6 · answered by pain_made_me_beautiful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After you initally treat an animal for worms, you have to retreat in two weeks to kill the worms that hatched from the eggs layed by the tapeworms you killed in the first worming.
If you treated your kitten more than two weeks ago, treat now and again in two weeks.
2006-08-26 11:08:57 · answer #7 · answered by Bingo's Mommy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like worms. My kitten only eats twice a day, maybe a snack. Fell their stomachs if they are hard, then its almost most certain they have worms. You can get rid of them pretty easily though, just call your vet and get some meds.
2006-08-26 11:10:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
7 times a day is WAY too often, unless there are 7 cats.
The "veterinarian" recommended feeding cycle for domestic pets (dogs & cats) is ONCE a day.
Maybe they aren't meowing for food, maybe they are meowing because they want attention, are gassy, are in pain, etc..
7 times is definately not normal.
2006-08-26 11:10:07 · answer #9 · answered by A N 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Call a vet on this one. It doesn't sound right. 3-4 a day maybe, but not 7.
2006-08-26 11:10:37 · answer #10 · answered by MYNDI M 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋