I have 4 week old kittens. I am starting to try and give them food which they are showing no interest in. I also have a small litter box set up next to them. I have set them in the litter box so they can get use to it, but they all start eating at the litter. Which is very hard to get out of their small mouths. Is this normal or are they to young or are they confused? They won't eat food but will try and eat cat litter.
2007-03-20 04:59:54 · 6 answers · asked by artt02 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Mom is still with them, I was told to start giving them some wet cat food. Also, are they okay to start getting them out of their box. I already do for about 10 min twice a day, but should they have a little more freedom to help their legs develop?
2007-03-20 05:08:44 · update #1
Also the reason for wanting them to use the cat litter is because they are getting to the point that mom can't keep up with the urine and I am constantly changing the paper in the bottom of the box.
2007-03-20 05:11:09 · update #2
Nope, all normal. You can try warming the food a little and dip their paw into it so they have to clean it off, if that doesn't work, put your finger into it and wipe it on their mouth so they get the taste for it.
You may need to water the food down a little and make it a mush to make it easier for them to eat, you can gradually reduce the water you add when they start eating better.
For litter training, a shallow tray is best with just a little litter in it. Make sure the litter isn't clumping or crystals as this can be harmful to kittens and cause blockages or respiratory illness. Put them in the tray and take the little paw gently and help them scratch the litter. You may need to stimulate them to go by rubbing the abdomen and genitals with a warm wet cloth or cotton wool to encourage them to go. If they do, then take the paw and show them how to cover it up. It's best to put them in after they've had something to eat or drink.
It's like a human baby, it takes them time and help to work out what everything is for.
It's fine to start training at this age. If they can get out of the box alone and walk around, it's fine for you to take them out.
They shouldn't leave Mom until 10-12 weeks old though because in the 6-12 week timeframe, they learn how to be a cat from Mom. The first six weeks are tied up with her feeding and cleaning them and recovering from the birth. Kittens taken away too early usually end up with behavioural problems later as Mom teaches them how to play gently and lets them know when enough is enough so they learn to keep claws in when playing and not bite too hard, important when they're with humans.
2007-03-20 05:12:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
4 week old kittens are a little young to actually get the message of a cat litter box but keep putting them in it once in awhile.They will get it eventually.It isn't going to hurt them to try to eat the litter..Just make sure they keep it out of the nose. Put a little warm milk in the food and they should take to eating can -- soft food quickly..Try solid kitten food when they are older. In the mean time,keep changing the paper and have patience.
2007-03-20 13:12:14 · answer #2 · answered by Dixie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is normal for very young kittens. Instead of litter get pellets. They are too big for the kittens to eat. They will not eat hard cat food but sometimes they will eat soft cat food.
2007-03-20 12:04:09 · answer #3 · answered by Velvet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a kitten thing.they love to eat litter and it could be deadly if they really ate alot of it.i have been aroung cats for 40yrs 'and all kittens try to eat the litter.all you can do is to keep an eye on them 'as you want them to start useing the litter for more than just to eat,,,,they are still to young to be eating food yet as they are only 4mths old...good luck always...
2007-03-20 12:07:31 · answer #4 · answered by Cami lives 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've raised LOTS of kittens! These kittens are way to young! They are not even supposed to leave their mother's side, until they are 6-7 weeks! They still might have their "milk teeth". They should be feeding of the mommy kitty.... good luck!
p.s try a kitten bottle w/ warm milk if they really dont start eating!:)
2007-03-20 12:05:33 · answer #5 · answered by Monica S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are too young to be away from the mother... they should be six weeks at least... where is the mother?
And for now, use shredded newspaper as kitty litter...
2007-03-20 12:03:54 · answer #6 · answered by aspicco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋