| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 3830.1 | | WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JO | set home/cat_max=infinity | Wed Jul 25 1990 23:17 | 25 |
| Betsy,
Start now by either mixing some canned food with water, making a
mush, or maybe some KMR, dry kitten food, or some other type mush.
Then, keep dipping your fingers into it and putting it in their
mouths. I also sometimes dip their noses in it so that they have
to lick it off their faces.
The main thing is to catch them when they start to nurse, and then
offer them mush instead. That way, at least they are hungry. If
they aren't hungry, they won't have any incentive to learn. As
they get better about eating, you can gradually reduce the amount
of liquid you put in the mush until they are eating the food alone.
Once they are eating well, you can force wean them if mom doesn't
do it. Do that by separating her from them physically (put her
in another room) until her milk dries up. Or you can just let them
do both. If you plan to place them at 8 weeks, it would be best
to get them completely weaned now. Otherwise go ahead and let them
nurse if they want.
I also leave a bowl of water and a bowl of dry food out all the
time. The kittens tend to get curious and start trying to eat and
drink from those shortly after learning to eat mush.
Jo
|
| 3830.2 | | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313 | Thu Jul 26 1990 12:20 | 8 |
| I've been feeding my kittens since a bit over 3 wks old. Only one
kitten isn't interested in the food. I'm giving them a mixture of
canned cat food, KMR & dry food that's been softened in water.
They LOVE it! They still nurse from mom too, but I'm sure Halie
will wean them when the time is right.
Of course, I don't intend to place any of them until at least 12
weeks old.
Nancy DC
|
| 3830.3 | Feeding Update | FRICK::COSTIGAN | | Fri Jul 27 1990 15:01 | 18 |
| Thanks for your suggestions, cat-noters.
The kittens, however, have decided to wean themselves! We were amazed
this morning to see Little Lou diving into Sam's food ("wet" canned
food) and making short work of a sizeable amount of it. Of course, I
may be cleaning it up later on today! The other two copy cats had a
taste--one liked it and the other did not.
Also, much to our delight, Little Lou demonstrated the proper use of
the kitty box we had put out for them. Up until that time, the others
had thought the litter was to eat.
Thank you, Little Lou!
Of course, I will supplement this experiemental eating with feedings of
my own, as this may have been just an adventure.
Betsy
|
| 3830.4 | Gerbers Baby Food | USWRSL::MCROBERTS_MI | | Fri Jul 27 1990 22:20 | 7 |
| I got my kitten when she was about 4 weeks old
and I fed her baby food. I bought Gerbers baby
rice and the chicken, beef, veal, etc. and mixed
it all together and she loved it.
She is now 1 yr. 9mon. She is a very healthy cat
and very rambunctious!! I hope this helps.
|
| 3830.5 | | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313 | Mon Jul 30 1990 11:55 | 4 |
| A steady diet of baby food is not nutritious for a cat. Although
it may have worked fine in this situation I would not recommend
it as a general practice. It would have to be supplimented.
Nancy DC
|
| 3830.6 | wean again... | TYGON::WILDE | Ask yourself..am I a happy cow? | Mon Jul 30 1990 15:57 | 8 |
| I second the previous reply.
Cats nutritional needs are very specific. Any diet must contain very
high levels of taurine in a specific balance of other nutrients.
As a step from mother's milk to their regular cat food, baby food can be
an excellent option, but it should be recognized as a short-term solution...
and THEN you have to wean the kittens from the baby food....8^}
|