Kitten update

[nursewife]

winecat
They are still doing well. They just got a bath and fed. I'm going to love when they figure out how to drink from their milk ramekin. I'm going to miss the little guys once they go to their new homes.

[bonquiqui]

So cute!!!  (heart)

[nursewife]

I'm so happy to see them doing well. I'm going to have the vet take a look at them when he's at the inlaws to see the dairy heard. My dad is convinced they are on deaths doorstep despite growing well, eating and lots of purring.

[winecat]

They are precious! Bottle feeding is so much work! You are doing such an amazing job!!!

When my kittens started eating on their own, I mixed in some pâté style food so that it was a bit thicker and had more calories but that they could still lap up.

Thank you for tagging me. I was wondering how they are doing.

[nursewife]

Oct 27, 2013 11:10:21 GMT -5 winecat said:

They are precious! Bottle feeding is so much work! You are doing such an amazing job!!!

When my kittens started eating on their own, I mixed in some pâté style food so that it was a bit thicker and had more calories but that they could still lap up.

Thank you for tagging me. I was wondering how they are doing.

That's a great idea! I'm hoping by mid week they can start eating a bit. Bottle feeding is getting pretty exhausting. Any brand of food you would recommend?

[nursewife]

Oct 27, 2013 11:11:02 GMT -5 @licia said:

I just...I need to squish them all into one fluffy ball. And then squish that to my face.

Not going to lie, my kids quite enjoy doing this.

[winecat]

Oct 27, 2013 11:12:40 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Oct 27, 2013 11:10:21 GMT -5 winecat said:

They are precious! Bottle feeding is so much work! You are doing such an amazing job!!!

When my kittens started eating on their own, I mixed in some pâté style food so that it was a bit thicker and had more calories but that they could still lap up.

Thank you for tagging me. I was wondering how they are doing.

That's a great idea! I'm hoping by mid week they can start eating a bit. Bottle feeding is getting pretty exhausting. Any brand of food you would recommend?

I'd pick a chicken flavor.  Supposedly what you first feed them creates a life long preference.  I picked Innova because it was chicken and came in a 13.5 oz can.  Other kitten foods were only in small cans and I was feeding 5 kittens.  

Do you have smaller, specialty pet food stores where you are?  They often have knowledgeable staff.  If you get a food that is too rich, it will give them the runs.  

When they're ready to move on to some dry food, I found one that was for really young kittens.  I'll look up the name for you.  

[nursewife]

Oct 27, 2013 11:34:33 GMT -5 winecat said:

Oct 27, 2013 11:12:40 GMT -5 nursewife said:

That's a great idea! I'm hoping by mid week they can start eating a bit. Bottle feeding is getting pretty exhausting. Any brand of food you would recommend?

I'd pick a chicken flavor.  Supposedly what you first feed them creates a life long preference.  I picked Innova because it was chicken and came in a 13.5 oz can.  Other kitten foods were only in small cans and I was feeding 5 kittens.  

Do you have smaller, specialty pet food stores where you are?  They often have knowledgeable staff.  If you get a food that is too rich, it will give them the runs.  

When they're ready to move on to some dry food, I found one that was for really young kittens.  I'll look up the name for you.  

We have a pet store in town I'll have to check out.

[nursewife]

winecat I have a few questions as to how to keep them clean. Since I'm not willing to give them a tongue bath, they keep greeting covered in pee. They slept after their bath and feeding, and piled together to nap, thus covering each other with pee. Any suggestions on what else I could use for bedding and toileting?

[winecat]

Oct 27, 2013 16:04:23 GMT -5 nursewife said:

winecat I have a few questions as to how to keep them clean. Since I'm not willing to give them a tongue bath, they keep greeting covered in pee. They slept after their bath and feeding, and piled together to nap, thus covering each other with pee. Any suggestions on what else I could use for bedding and toileting?

Are they pooping?  

I'd get some cheap or used from the thrift store towels and washcloths.  Before they use the litter box, you have to switch their bedding often.  I don't know another way around it.  I did lots of little loads of laundry with their bedding.  Rough washcloths are good for cleaning them because it is like their mother's tongue.  I used a damp/wet washcloth to clean them.  

Are all their eyes open?  I think there was one that still had its eyes closed. You can give them baths, but I'm always too nervous to do it until they are older and can regulate their temperature better.  If you do give them a bath, use a blow dryer on low and gently dry them.

I know all the pee is gross and the cleaning is annoying but it does show that they are doing well!  

[nursewife]

Oct 27, 2013 16:41:17 GMT -5 winecat said:

Oct 27, 2013 16:04:23 GMT -5 nursewife said:

winecat I have a few questions as to how to keep them clean. Since I'm not willing to give them a tongue bath, they keep greeting covered in pee. They slept after their bath and feeding, and piled together to nap, thus covering each other with pee. Any suggestions on what else I could use for bedding and toileting?

Are they pooping?  

I'd get some cheap or used from the thrift store towels and washcloths.  Before they use the litter box, you have to switch their bedding often.  I don't know another way around it.  I did lots of little loads of laundry with their bedding.  Rough washcloths are good for cleaning them because it is like their mother's tongue.  I used a damp/wet washcloth to clean them.  

Are all their eyes open?  I think there was one that still had its eyes closed. You can give them baths, but I'm always too nervous to do it until they are older and can regulate their temperature better.  If you do give them a bath, use a blow dryer on low and gently dry them.

I know all the pee is gross and the cleaning is annoying but it does show that they are doing well!  

All theirs eyes are open now. I think the smallest opened its eyes on Thursday. I've been using towels, which have worked well. It's just driving me nuts that I could likely bath them twice a day, and they would still get covered!

[winecat]

Oct 27, 2013 16:46:32 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Oct 27, 2013 16:41:17 GMT -5 winecat said:

Are they pooping?  

I'd get some cheap or used from the thrift store towels and washcloths.  Before they use the litter box, you have to switch their bedding often.  I don't know another way around it.  I did lots of little loads of laundry with their bedding.  Rough washcloths are good for cleaning them because it is like their mother's tongue.  I used a damp/wet washcloth to clean them.  

Are all their eyes open?  I think there was one that still had its eyes closed. You can give them baths, but I'm always too nervous to do it until they are older and can regulate their temperature better.  If you do give them a bath, use a blow dryer on low and gently dry them.

I know all the pee is gross and the cleaning is annoying but it does show that they are doing well!  

All theirs eyes are open now. I think the smallest opened its eyes on Thursday. I've been using towels, which have worked well. It's just driving me nuts that I could likely bath them twice a day, and they would still get covered!

Yeah- that part sucks.  A quick wipe down with a washcloth helps but it's the part of kittens that isn't so cute. It gets better soon.  They'll also groom one another soon.