Me and my sister have just got two new abandon kittens we have had them for threee days, thier bowles are really bad but i think that is from the dehydration, but they are lacking vitamins. we can't afford kitten formula so we have been feeding them cowsmilk with egg yolks, a vet site said that was a good substitute, but they are still lacking vitamins.
Can i crush a little bit of a one a day vitamin in thier milk to give them the vitamins they need? the kittens are 2 to 3 weeks old.
2007-06-26 09:57:53 · 10 answers · asked by Julie J 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
OMG.. i would like everyone to know that the lowest costing formula i found was 30 dollars for a small packet of it. I called my vet she gave me a better recipe that is used for long term use.
which dosent matter anyway because my other cat who is still nursing adopted the kittens and is cleaniing and letting them feed of her milk.
2nd of all normal pet food caost all of 1.75 per week i can feed my cats. and i get them spayed/neutuered and vaccinanted through a program at my vets office, which doesnt provide free kitty formula, which is why my vet gave me another recipe. the shelter where i live would just kill the kittens as soon as i would bring them there. i am givng them a fighting chance, and i don't think trying to save two kittens lives should be judged since my vet said i was doing a excellent job feeding, cleaning, and taking care at all hours of the night.
thank you for all the people who gave thier polite answers,
Julie J.
2007-06-26 18:52:47 · update #1
Please do not give the kittens human vitamins. I am sure there must be an animal sanctuary or rescue group in your area who would be happy to provide you with kitten formula. Cow's milk is hard for them to digest. If they are already dehydrated and get diarrhea, they will get really, really sick. Please, call around and find a rescue group to help with formula and vet bills.
You and your sister are to be commended for helping to rescue those poor little kitties.
2007-06-26 10:04:51 · answer #1 · answered by Auntie 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Stop giving the cow's milk immediately - cats are lactose intolerance and should never have cow's milk. It will not be helping the diarrhoea - in fact it may well be causing it!
Also do NOT give the kittens human vitamins. Cats have different nutrient requirements to humans, so this is not appropriate. Furthermore, malnourished kittens not not require vitamin supplements - it's more likely to cause problems from excess vitamins. They need to get their nutrients from proper kittens diets, not supplements.
You probably won't like hearing this but if you can't afford kitten replacement formula you really shouldn't be looking after these kittens, because this is what they need. I would urge to to either borrow or find the money for KMR or give the kittens up to a shelter that can look after them properly. You really are risking the kitten's health by feeding them this way.
Kittens become a lot more expensive as they get older - neutering and vaccination costs more than KMR! Please think about what is best for the kittens - but if you do nothing else, STOP the cow's milk and don't give the vitamins.
What kind of awful website suggested cows milk and egg yolks by the way? Can you give me a link please so I can stop these people from handing out this terrible advice?
Chalice
2007-06-26 10:22:32 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Stop! There is no excuse for feeding these kittens human vitamins, and i dont understand why you adopted these kittens if you cannot afford the proper kitten formula. I realise that you and your sister are just trying to give care and love to some abandoned kittens, but you need to be a little bit more realistic. Kitten formula isnt that expensive, and would make a huge difference.
Also, while i'm at it--please get them spayed/neutered when the time comes.
I hope they get better soon! Good luck!
2007-06-26 10:16:07 · answer #3 · answered by catpouncing 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The kittens will die if you follow this regime. If you cannot afford kitten milk formula then please give these kittens to a cat rescue shelter where they can be given appropriate care. Kittens cannot digest the lactose in cow's milk and it causes diarrhoea which will lead to dehydration which will kill them quite quickly. The only thing that will meet their needs is a specially formulated kitten milk powder, or a feline foster mother with milk. Human vitamins would be toxic and an overdose of fat-soluable vitamins would kill them. If they cannot be cared for appropriately then the most humane thing would be to have them put to sleep. If you can't afford a it of cheap Cimicat powder now how will you ever affrod to feed them when weaned and vaccinate them?
2007-06-26 10:09:10 · answer #4 · answered by fordicus 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You cannot feed human vitamins for the reasons mentioned above. In addition to that, human vitamins do not have "taurine" which is essential to a cat's diet. If they don't have it, they will have several health problems including blindness. I applaud your efforts but the best things for these kittens will be to find them homes where the people can afford kitten food, etc. Sometimes loving something means being able to let it go for it's own good. I think that applies here. Good luck to you.
2007-06-26 10:21:23 · answer #5 · answered by Angie C 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cows milk mixed with egg yolk should be a short term or emergency only substitute for the queen's milk or kitten formula.
You can get kitten formula at your local pet store for around $15, and it makes enough to feed both of the kittens for several weeks. I would suggest you get that as soon as possible. Don't give the kittens your vitamins. Ever.
If you can't afford kitten formula, how are you going to be able to afford their vaccinations, food, spaying/neutering, toys, and various other costs associated with owning a pet?
2007-06-26 10:08:35 · answer #6 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you should NEVER EVER give kittens or adult cats milk... I don't know where you read that it was a good subsitute, but it isn't. You are making them more sick than they are. And to even think of giving any animal a human supplement is just out of the question. You could kill them. Honestly, don't believe everything you read, especially on the internet. If you cannot afford kitten formula, then what makes you think you can even afford to take care of the kittens properly? The best thing that you could do for them is to bring them to a no-kill shelter.
2007-06-26 11:43:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anuolf 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO you can NOT give them Human vitamins.. ALot of things are toxic to cats. Their livers can not break it down and flush it out of system. If they are dehydrated ( lift skin at shoulder blades, like a tent, let go, does it snap back in place? if so they are NOt dehydrated. If it stands up or slowly recedes then they are dehydrated) the best thing you can do wfor the cats is hydrate them with Pediolyte. They will take it more willingly if you mix it with salmon or tuna juice
2007-06-26 10:07:14 · answer #8 · answered by theb 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY!!!
YOU could KILL them!
Go to the vet, call the vet or a good pet store.
You can get special milk that has the proper kitten vitamins in it.
Oh Jesus, I can't understand where your thinking comes from.
2007-06-26 10:05:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
No vet in his right mind would say that since vets know how it upsets thneir tummies and how fast they could get salmonella from the raw egg yolk.
Please take them to an animal shelter so that they can get fed properly, and find a home that can afford to care for them - you are doing them no favours fedding them like that, when you cannot afford to care for them.
2007-06-26 11:08:50 · answer #10 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋