Oh... i can add details uhm...
I have 2 orphan kittens, ive had them for about 5 days, and im assuming they're 4.5-5 weeks old, they have teeth and dont like to drink water or a kitten formula from a feeding syringe, they refuse to eat from the syringe, they gobble down the canned food and run around on it, and im cleaning their paws as they of course get dirty. Is the liquid from the canned food good enough? I have a deep plate filled with water that they refuse to drink, i put them infront of it and offer to let them lick my fingers, but they just walk away, and i'm out of formula... any other suggestions on how to show them to drink water? Is the canned food alright?
2007-08-05 08:10:34 · 12 answers · asked by Aaron D 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
When you serve the wet food, mix in about 3-4 teaspoons [if not more] of water. This should keep them from getting dehydrated. Get another bowl and fill most of it with water and put in a bit of the wet food and stir [it adds flavor]. Eventually they should show interest in drinking the flavored water. As time progresses [give it at least 3-4 days] reduce the amount of food you mix in with the bowl of water.
And unlike what others have suggested DO NOT GIVE THEM COWS MILK. It will give them horrible diarrhea and will make them even more dehydrated.
2007-08-05 08:20:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anuolf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The can food is a great idea but add water to it. This way you know they are getting water in their diet. Also try giving them a bowl of milk, they should like that very much.
Also try using a smaller dish when you feed them, this way they won't be able to get inside the dish with their paws.
When you give them water, gently put their nose to it so they can taste the water on their mouth. They will get the idea sooner or later that they should drink it. Make sure they have fresh water available throughout the day so they can get to it on their own.
No need for the syringe any more, they are to big for that.
Good luck
2007-08-05 08:22:21 · answer #2 · answered by catlady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Canned food will not provide enough water. Rather than using a syringe, which will be scary to them, just use a bowl of water near the food. Try adding a little bit of milk to the water. As for the deep plate, you should use a shallow bowl. If they are not dehydrating, which they should be by now, you need to discover the source of fluid that they are getting. Cats will drink from anywhere" They'll drink from taps, sinks, toilet bowls, puddles etc. etc.
2007-08-05 08:21:48 · answer #3 · answered by kendavi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cats eat a diet of meat only and they never drink water. Their urinations are perfectly normal and they get all the moisture they need from their food.
Use the best quality canned food you can for them - not Fancy Feast, Whiskas, Friskies and stuff which are made from low quality meat protein.
Natural Balance, Wellness, Lick Your Chops. CA Natural, etc are much better for them. Don't stick with just one brand. The CA Natural canned is expensive - they don't have to have that every day. NB and Wellness run around $1 a can.
2007-08-05 08:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know that alot of vets won't agree with me but have you tried a warmed mixture of whole milk, diluted to half and half with water. warm it like you would in a baby bottle. just enough to take the chill off.
and for extra supplement, add a teaspoon or a small portion of baby formula of you have it.
if all else fails, just use the milk warmed.
experiment a little too. add a little to the mashed can food. it may not look to appealing to you, but to a cat it could be a life saver. if this works, keep at it til they reach adoptable age, decreasing the milk gradually every 5 days. eventually they'll accept the water.
hope that helps.
2007-08-05 08:30:31 · answer #5 · answered by CRSTLDRGN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do need to get get some liquid, and the fact they are getting it from the food is good. You can also try to take a mixture of milk and water (start with 75% water and 25% milk because straight milk is hard for their system to handle) then gradually increase the milk and decrease the water. This is how we weaned our litters, and added bread to the milk to get them started on food. (You do no tneed to do the bread since they are eating.) If the no drinking thing continues, talk to your vet for more options. Good luck!
2007-08-05 08:20:53 · answer #6 · answered by nxzema_grl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey,
Theese kittens might be younger than you think.
You should try making them drink milk, cows milk or goats milk which ever works better.
You could even try giving it to them in a babys bottle!!
Or watering down the canned food? But i'm not sure.
If they wont drink that, i suggets you take them to the vet.
No, i dont think the liquid from the canned food is enough.
I hope everything works out ok
Good luck & I hope this helps
2007-08-05 08:13:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Italian 2. Pomegranate Juice 3. Chicken with Fries 4. Peaches 5. Iced Tea 6. Cherry Pie
2016-04-01 00:17:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are getting enough water from the canned food.
Don't force the issue.
Do consider a different bowl for the water. Some cats will only drink out of glass bowls, others will only drink out of ceramic bowls. They can be picky.
2007-08-05 08:15:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the vet. Maybe they can provide an alternative. You could try to water down the canned food so that they could get at least a bit more water.
2007-08-05 08:15:35 · answer #10 · answered by Echidna eats an enchilada 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋