Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Shirley on June 21, 2010, 08:00:32 AM
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A friend took in a stray cat recently and she gave birth to 4 kittens on 30th May :Luv2: :Luv2: Unfortunately, she has no experience of cats, never mind nursing moms, but they're all doing really well and mom is so happy! (She's keeping mom and one of the kittens and i've sorted with CP to get neutering vouchers for all of them when the time comes!)
Can anyone help with advice on weaning them-when, how? Thanks!
This was them last Monday!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XggNBICA1o
Soooo cute!
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From about 4-5 weeks they will start tasting mum's food, it is better for them to start weaning on wet food, something like Whiskas kitten supermeat mashed with water, and put in a shallow bowl as they will trample through it!!
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Lol Desley! :rofl: Thanks for that! I thought Michelle (slave!) would have to do something herself-so mom does it all then? Just a matter of getting some kitten supermeat then! ;D
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I make a meat shake, milk replacer mixed with whatever food you wish to use, i always find hi life kitten encourages weaning well and plain cooked chicken is good for chewing on, overall she wont have to do much as they wean and litter train themselves ;D
Royal canin do some nice kitten dry foods, small kibbles and easy to digest recipies.
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Thanks for that, Millys Mum, but what is 'milk replacer'? I'm so thick! :evillaugh:
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Its what you rear orphans with ;D cimicat, lactol gold and RC baby milk are the common 3 available, its also good for old cats needing a boost
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Cow & Gate for kitties :evillaugh:
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LOL Mark!
Thanks Millys Mum! Next question, where do you get them from? :evillaugh:
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Not heard of Sherley's doing replacement milk but it's the one PAH sell http://www.petsathome.com/shop/lactol-milk-supplement-for-kittens-and-puppies-500gm-by-sherley-s-15418 - maybe the name will sway you :evillaugh:
3 for the price of 2 1/2 ! ;D
Cimicat is the most well known one although some like the RC babycat. You can get them from vets (probably expensive) or from places like VetUK.
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LOL again Mark! :rofl: Never actually liked my name-too old fashioned! :evillaugh: Thanks for info!
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Lactol gold is the better one if buying sherleys, its kitten specific ;D pah sell that also
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Thanks again Millys Mum!
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Is your friend aware that mummy can be in heat again anytime now so its ultra important she keeps her in! Some people assume they cant get pregnant again whilst nursing so let them out for the loo and then before they know its happening over again :tired:
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Yes, she knows that-i've told her often enough!
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Well done, she will be fully trained then :evillaugh:
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I hope so! :scared: Tho with a house full of teenagers, i just hope SHE can train THEM to shut the door!, lol :rofl:
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Took a video of mommy and one of the kittens yesterday (the others were fast asleep under the bed, against the wall so no chance of getting to them :rofl: ) This one was asleep in the middle of the room! Sooooo cute! They're now 30 days old!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIRI15vMXTE
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Mums gorgeous, I think that one of the cutest things I've ever seen.
Nicky
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She is lovely, Nicky, so placid and doesn't mind people holding her babies! :Luv2: :Luv2:
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Latest videos of the kittens! They've grown so much in a week and are soooooooooooooo cute!!! Now 5 weeks and 3 days old!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8a1Z9J65fY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EKgYGLr5So
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Latest video of the babies taken yesterday. They have now decided to move themselves into MIchelle's bedroom (from her twins' room :rofl: ) They will be 7 weeks on Sunday! :Luv2: :Luv2:
I'm taking Tigger to vets at 8am for a health check and, if everything is ok, she'll be spayed later today!!!!!!!! She's been desperately wailing and trying to get outside this week, so fingers crossed the op will go ahead and it will be one less cat to worry about! :rofl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zsiEYEbVpY
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I would have thought it was too early to spay her, normal advice is to let the milk dry up, which is normally a week after they have finished feeding the kittens (or after they have been rehomed), which also gives them chance to put a bit of weight back on after feeding, if they are underweight, the op is more risky. If she is in heat, it is more risky to neuter, and some vets wont do it.
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The kittens don't go to her much now and she doesn't seem too worried about going to them either, Desley. Tigger is having a full health check before she's spayed so i assume the vet won't do the op unless all's well?
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She was fine and spayed this morning. Vet says to keep her away from her babies overnight (assume cos she'd be sore and tired?) but she's running up and down the stairs trying to get to them!!! Wouldn't think she'd had an op! What do you think-should Michelle let her go to them??? :-: