I was getting ready and my dad came home (which is unusual) and he brought me 3 kittens and told me to see if they would drink but they wont. They are VERY small. I dont no how old they are. What should I do? I am only 14. Should I give them some milk until my parents can get the special kitten milk?
2007-08-20 02:37:25 · 11 answers · asked by נєѕѕι¢α (ανα'ѕ мσмму) 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
do you have canned, evaporated milk in the house? you can use that temporarily until you get kitten formula. there are home made kitten formulas, and you can find recipes on line, but i'd recommend kitten formulas instead.
the evaporated milk won't hurt them for a day or two, but they really DO need more nutrients as a steady diet, so the good milk replacement product is what you need for daily use... you can read the label on the product to find out how to mix, and how long to feed, etc.
use 1 cup of the milk, and 1 cup of water. you can also add a teaspoon of karo syrup if you have it.... if you dont have an eyedropper or baby bottle, or if they wont drink from these, try a spoon. put a little of the milk on the spoon so they can use it like a little bowl... sometimes the larger, soup spoons work best...
put the spoon up to the kitty's mouth and get some on her lip and mouth area avoiding her nose, of course (not a lot, just enough so she knows there is something around her mouth so she will lick it off.)
cats are survivors, and they learn quickly. i had to do this with a couple of kittens at one time.. they were about three weeks old, and they learned very readily how to drink this way...
it takes some patience. you didn't say how old they are?
i sure hope they are ok... the kitten formula is the best thing for them when you can get that. they also sell baby animal bottles...
as for them going to the bathroom-- if they are not old enough to walk yet or use a litter pan (but i hope they are!?) you might have to stimulate them by gently rubbing their backsides with paper towel or a baby wipe (which is ideal because it's moist and easy clean up).
I have listed a few websites on raising orphaned kittens. you can also do a search for more. there were a lot of hits when i did the search.
all the best!
2007-08-20 02:50:37 · answer #1 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
NO! Do NOT give them milk--the kind that we drink, cows milk--it will make them sick and give them diarrhea. If you have an eye dropper (or any kind of small dropper), clean it well, and only give them water until your dad gets back with the kitten formula. They're not going to starve to death in an hour or so. If you don't have any kind of dropper, try soaking a small washcloth in water and see if they will suck on it--they probably will--little kittens will suck on almost anything. Good luck with these little ones. I'm sure your Mom & Dad will know what to do when they get home. In the meantime, you might use a couple of old, clean towels and line a laundry basket with them to put the kittens in. They will all huddle together for warmth and companionship. But--NO MILK, only water for right now.
2007-08-20 10:00:32 · answer #2 · answered by sharon w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO - do not give them MILK - Kitten milk replacement is the ONLY thing they should have if they are really young...KMR is very expensive though..
ask your dad where he got them from and how old they are - if he doesnt know I suggest you find somebody who does..becuase feeding correctly is important...(where is the mom?)
if they are over 4 weeks they can have rice pablum (baby food) and mixs some canned kitten chicken and rice to make a nice mushy soup for them - you might have to force them to eat it - by putting some on your finger and putting your finger in their mouth rubbing some off on the top of their mouth - after you do this a few times they will start eating if they are hungry..
keep them in a small room or kennel so they cannot wander all over..
DO NOT give them MILK - or even the fake milk cat treat - which is crap and of no nutritional value at all.. KMR is the ONLY milk replacement safe for them - if they are over 5 weeks they wont need it....
normally kittens should not be weaned until 6 or ideally 8 weeks of age...
make sure they see a vet to check for earmites and worms...
2007-08-20 09:49:14 · answer #3 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cows milk can cause diarrhea which can go to dehydration. dehydration can be deadly. since you don't have supplement cat milk just put a few drops in their mouths every 15 minutes. they should be fed every 2 to 4 hours so see if dad can bring home some milk asap. it is a round the clock job taking care of tiny kittens. they need to be fed every 2 to 4 hours all day and night so if your up to it get ready for some restless nights. if you decide you cant handle to needs of the kittens take them to the humane society or aspca close to you. they may find a surrogate mom that will take over caring for the kittens. here is a pretty informative site for caring for orphaned kittens.
http://www.caspca.org/Caring%20for%20Kittens%20Print.asp
2007-08-20 09:47:08 · answer #4 · answered by g g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your just fine with the kittens. You can give them water. If you give them milk it may make them sick. The best thing is to wait for your parents to get the kitten milk from their vet.
2007-08-20 09:56:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kittens can not digest regular milk. Try and give them some warm water with alittle bit of sugar in it until your dad comes home with the kitten formula. If you have a medicine dropper, use that. Make sure that they are nice and warm. Young kittens can not regulate their own temperature and mom is the one that keeps them nice and warm.
2007-08-20 09:45:25 · answer #6 · answered by bluemysti 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no do not give them cows milk at a young age it will make them sick you need to wait till your mom and dad get the kittenn milk and give it to them threw a small bottal you can get all this a a pet store. after you have feed them remeber to rub down there sides so they can use the batheroom if you dont the will become consatpated and it might kill them. so becareful if you ahve someone that can take you too the petstore sooner go and if you have non money tell them (the person who takes you ) that you will get your mom and dad to pay them back make sure that you call your mom and dad to tell them that you are going ahead of time to pick up the things you need and tyell them that they need to send so and so some money but you need to hurry they will die from getting nothing to eat
2007-08-20 09:47:02 · answer #7 · answered by Lady_Marie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No in the milk we have has fats and other stuff that the kittens shouldn't eat! (sorry no mean to shout)Try giving them water not to cold but not to warm. Do you have any cat books? they may be able to help.
2007-08-20 09:45:33 · answer #8 · answered by HUGS and KISSES 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
regular milk is bad for them, so get them to a vet ASAP
2007-08-20 09:53:52 · answer #9 · answered by Ayllu :D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take them to a vet NOW!
2007-08-20 09:46:01 · answer #10 · answered by K9info 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋