kitten licking and nibbling?

Question

I recently found a kitten.he had been abandoned and im just looking after him until i can find him a new home. But why does he lick and nibble my fingers and hands? He drinks milk from a dish but i don't think he has been weened onto solid food because he wont eat it. I think he is around 5 weeks old. Please help because i dont want him to go without something.

Answer 1

Get him formula, and start the weaning process.

To start weaning, try feeding some formula or milk from a spoon or in a small bowl or flat dish.

The next step is to begin adding some high quality canned kitten food with the milk (or water) and making a soft paste out of it.

Don't use a dry food yet unless it is thoroughly moistened as a kitten can't chew dry food until they are 8 weeks old. It is a good idea though to make some dry food available as some kittens like to crunch on the smaller pieces.

Use a bowl that is easy to access and putting a little of the food on the kitten's mouth might help stimulate their appetite as they will have a natural tendency to look it off. Avoid blocking the nose with food or formula so your kitten can breathe easily and not panic.

You should continue to bottle feed during this process to make sure the kitten is getting enough to eat and slowly reduce the feedings as the kitten eats more solid food.

Around the eight week mark you can start to make the transition to dry food if you wish by slowly introducing dry food with the canned and reducing the amount of canned food you use until you only use dry.

Weight gain can be slow and some diarrhea is common but if it is excessive it can be a serious life-threatening problem and you should take the kitten to your vet immediately.

Continual weight gain is the goal and a good rule of thumb is around four ounces a week.

Answer 2

If you can get some canned cat food, one with a gravy not loaf, then put it on your finger and let him lick it off. This will start to move him onto solids. Going straight to dry food will be too much for him. Keep doing this and he'll be eating solids soon enough.

Otherwise some raw mince might entice him. Keep the milk up to him, just be aware it might upset his tummy. You can get kitten milk at the supermarket and it will fix that.

5 weeks old is very young so he mightent quite be ready yet. Know that it's recommended that kittens be taken from their mums at 8 weeks, so he's 3 weeks early.

If you continue to have probs see your local vet or cat shelter and they can help you out with ideas. You can ring your local vet for advise and they'll be happy to give it to you and it won't cost a cent.

Answer 3

Aww, poor baby!

Yes, if he's that little, he probably hasn't been fully weaned and now thinks you're his momma.

Are you feeding him milk replacement formula rather than cow's milk? I hope so: Cow's milk will give a cat diarrhea.

Try moistening his kitten chow, or mixing his milk with some canned food. He has to be weaned quickly, since he has to go to a human home.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Definitely take him to the vet to be sure he's getting the right nutrients. He's licking and nibbling because he loves you. It's his way of showing affection.

Answer 5

You can purchase 'kitty milk' at the pet store. Do not give human milk.
The kitten is trying to nurse, that is why he is nipping at your fingers.
You can feed him some moistened dry food or mashed soft food.

Answer 6

he's licking and nibbling because he's looking for his mother's teats. Please consult a vet for advice on what to do - this baby should be on mother cat's milk or he could get malnutrition.