I have a 6 week old kitten who is active and playful and has a good appetite. I feed her every 2 hours but she refuses to drink water! Should I be worried? Is this normal? What can I do? I don't want her to become dehydrated! Help!
2007-05-11 14:43:37 · 7 answers · asked by cats 7 in Pets ➔ Cats
She was found on the street by the animal shelter I adopted her from. They don't know where her mother is so I am taking care of her.
2007-05-11 21:25:08 · update #1
6 weeks is awful young. Is her mom not around to teach her? I would use kitten milk in a short saucer. Put your finger in the milk and show it to the kitten. Put it against the kittens mouth, so she can get a taste. Then do it again and get her a little closer to the saucer. Once she is right in front of the saucer and licking your finger, slowly submerge your finger in the milk and she will take to drinking right out of the saucer. Please do not shove her face in it. That will just make her afraid of the saucer and it will take longer to teach her that it is good for her. If she trusts you she will follow your finger. Of course, it may take several tries.
2007-05-11 14:50:25 · answer #1 · answered by bonnie g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use a bottle. and buy the cats milk tat specialised for kittens instead.
6 week old is so young. they usually drink the mothers milk until 8-9 week old.
i once found a cat by a road side. the mother already died. i took the cat but it died a week afta.
my vet says tat it got a virus tat usually attack the kittens tat do not drink the mothers' milk.
the mothers' milk act as a vacsin to the kittens. i think you have to get yr kitten an injection.
ask the vets advice.
2007-05-11 16:54:46 · answer #2 · answered by faera 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is eating moist food then chances are she wont get dehydrated. If all she eats is dried food then you definately need to get her fluids. Have you tried one of the little kitten bottles that are specially made to feed young cats? Also, try putting just a drop on her closed mouth, and she might lick it off. Or possibly a drop on one of her paws. If all else fails, try an eyedropper and force feed her small amounts of water. This is only for use as a last measure. Be sure to re-enforce showing her the water bowl's location and dont move it on her. Encourage her when she is near it so she associates good behavior with the object and doesnt learn to fear it. She should come around on her own when she is ready.
2007-05-11 14:55:15 · answer #3 · answered by christine p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will take a while. Try getting dry cat food and putting milk in it. It is just like trying to get a baby off a bottle. It takes time. Just keep her water where she can get to it. When she get thirsty enough she will drink it. Just make sure she knows it there gently put her nose in it. It will take a while but good job on taking on a kitten. Good Luck
2007-05-11 14:48:00 · answer #4 · answered by kahembree 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mix some of the cat's milk with her food so that it is kind of soupy. She will eat it.
2007-05-11 14:48:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
make drink in cc
2007-05-11 15:16:51 · answer #6 · answered by Ashu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe use a bottle
2007-05-11 14:51:15 · answer #7 · answered by Ginger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋