I don't know how to ween, how is it done?

Question

I just adopted a what I think is a 6 week old kitten (probably a hoarder) and it hasn't been weened from mommie before he gave it to me, I am concerned that the cat will starve. I don't want that to happen.. I bought a nursing bottle and kitten formula and she won't take it. I have read that if I stick my finger in wet food and put it to its mouth, it will eventually eat. What should I do. Also, it had gunky eyes and no runny mouth. I don't thintk it is a upper respitory infection what could that be?

Answer 1

You adopted this kitten, in this condition? Take it back to the shelter.

Answer 2

Sounds like an eye infection, get her to the vet, ASAP. While you're there, get her wormed, flea dipped and make sure she gets all of her shots (expensive, I know, but if you want to keep her...) If you have other pets in the house, get them all treated at the same time.

As far as the feeding, this is what I do. She's probably too small/young for the nursing bottle, so use a medicine dropper with the kitten formula. When her teeth come in, start her on dry kitten food softened with formula. When her teeth are strong enough, just the dry kitten food until she's a year old, then adult dry food. Have the vet advise when she's old enough to be spayed.

Answer 3

With a kitten at such a young age, lack of proper nutrition for just one day could prove deadly. If the kitten has not eaten or taken any formula, be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar.) If the kitten becomes lethargic, unconscious, etc., the likely cause is hypoglycemia. Dip your finger in Karo syrup (not honey) and put it on the roof of the kitten’s mouth. You should see improvement within ten minutes. You may want to see your vet right away to rule out any other problems. I also suggest that you get the kitten back to its mother until it eats solid food.

With the formula, warm it up just as you would for a human baby. The temperature should be just slightly warmer than the kitten’s body temperature, somewhere around 101 and 102. If he refuses the bottle, try a bowl. Also, buy a quality kitten food, both the dry and the canned. With the dry, try grinding it in a blender and mixing it with bottled water, heat it, and serve. You can read how I do this for puppies on my website. The principle is the same. With the canned food, dip some on your finger and rub it on the roof of the kitten’s mouth.

The little one needs to eat every few hours until he begins to eat on is own. Leave dry food down for him at all times, if you allow him to run around in the house. Most hungry animals, even babies, find food and eat it no matter how stubborn they want to act. :)

Good luck!

Will D
Enterprise AL
http://www.notagz.com

Answer 4

The person you adopted the kitten from is amoral. No one should allow a six week old kitten to leave its mother, especially before its weaned. But, the deed is done. Take the kitten to a vet immediately, since it sounds as if your kitten does have an infection of some kind. New kittens should always be taken to the vet anyway.

To get her to eat, try placing small drops into her mouth, and leave a bowl out. If this doesn't work, you can forcefeed her using a dropper, kind of like you were giving her medicine. But take her to a vet straightaway.

Answer 5

As far as feeding your kitten, try dripping drops of the formula on the sides of it's mouth. Make sure the formula is "luke warm". Most kittens and cats will lick it off. Go ahead and place a bowl out too. It really does not take long for them to find food if they are really hungry. At 6 weeks old, a lot of kittens will stick their nose into a bowl for curiosity anyway. The runny nose and gunky eye may need your Vet's attention. If she has not eaten for a couple of days, it wont take long for her resistance to go down and then she will really be sick. All kittens need to start there imunizations at about 6 weeks too. She will love you all her days if you take GOOD care of her!