Xylie55

Well, 2 days ago,my mama disapeared.Coyote probably.Has 3 tiny babies.Eyes open,barley walking,but now scampering off my lap to sofa, and trying to run.1st fed them canned cat food and water warmed up.Was all I had.They were hungry.Today,one got sick,pooped,and it was hard and he laid there kinda listless.I thought sure he was a goner.But prayed hard.and 2 hrs later,the crate began to have noises of crying babies.I thought he was probably already one,but opened it up,and he leaped out and ran around like a little monkey and was hungry.So I got some kitten milk last night and began feeding them.So,now seems ok.But another one tonight puked and has pooped a lot.Well,just once tonight,but it was a mess.I know it's because of their diet change.Do they still need stimulated to potty?Their pottying on their own looks like,but maybe I need to help them.I wished one of you were here,and I'd give them to you to care for,as my hands are full now the way it is.But they have to be took care of,They eat every 4 hrs around the clock.No rest for me.So I fed the 2,and the other just left alone.I'm keeping them on kitten formula for at least another 2 weeks.I've bathed them so many times with a warm washrag,I now just fill a ice cream bucket 1/2 way full and take it over to them.The minute one does something,they start screaming,as I change everything and put in a new puppy pad.Think their already potty trained,as I take them out as soon as they wake up.Anyhow,my neighbor has babies too,about the same size,maybe a little bigger.We tried to get them to take the babies yesterday,but they hissed at them.How can we get them to raise them?2 of her mama's are raising 5 babies together.Surely they can do 3 more?What now?It's obvious I'm not doing a good job.I did raise a bunch of orphands 5 yrs ago and was successful.The were about this size too.Out of practice I guess.Any ideas?And I couldn't find my homemade kitten formula the vet gave me several years ago.It had 1 TBS Karo syrup,1 egg yolk,and I think 1 or 1/2 can of evaporative {sp} creamer.But forgot.Do any of you know the receipe?Thanks in advance.

Diana Lynne

Goats Milk!! You can buy that in a can at a store and it really is good for them..I have raised orphaned animal babies on it a few times..They may still need to be stimulated not sure though..guess it wouldn't hurt? Good luck on your little ones...I had a neighbor that had about 6 beautiful black cats..well they moved and I guess either the female (pregnant) cat couldn't be found or they left her..She came to me last night starving..

Diana Lynne

Thank you so much.I bet goats milk would be good for them.They won't take a bottle,I tried.They can suck out of a dish tho.And that's how I got my cat's.Our neighbor's trailer burned downs,and they left the cats.I think that's terrible.I do take care of my animals well.And I feed stray dogs at times.Just would like to get them on something that works,and stay with it.It's been so long since we had babies,I forgot how demanding they are.Their spoilt already,the minute their out of the crate,their trying to get to me.And I have to pick them up.All 3 fit in one hand.Their tails are about maybe 3 inches long.Cute little devils tho.Well,that's too bad they left the cat to fend for it's self.Poor thing.And pregnant to boot.I couldn't do that.I'd have to put food out and then she can bring the babies over.Then call the rescue mission for cats.I'm thinking of doing that too.Cause I know they would know more how to care for them being so young.Besides,I'm already getting attached.It's hard.Wished her cats would of took them.I wonder what they'd do,if we just slipped them in with hers?I wouldn't want her to hurt or kill them.Well,I'll get some goats milk tomorrow.Thanks for the help.And I wish you luck with your new friend.[/quote]


They sound so adorable..Yeah we get alot of strays here as well and I can not turn down helping one..There is one more thing that I forgot..I know WalMart carries it and so do the pet chain stores like Petsmart ..They have canned baby animal formula..I fed the Pregnant cat some food yesterday..We have canned Pedigree but I am going out to the store and pick up some cat food today..She ate almost a whole can (small) of the Pedigree last night..She is so friendly..Good luck on your babies and please let me know if you can on how they are doing..It really is wonderful that you are helping them..

feline fanatic

You can try reintroducing the kittens to your neighbors momma cat again. Take a towel and rub it all over mamma and her babies, then rub the same towel all over your orphans to transfer the scent. Scent more than sight leads to rejection.

If they are not taking a bottle but eating out of a dish at that age I am amazed. It is hard to get a kitten to take a bottle. I raised an orphan of that age once and I wrapped him in a towel and laid him on his back to get him to take the bottle. Once he got the idea he readily took it but my hands were covered with teeny tiny scratches from his little claws hanging on while nursing. And at that age I did still stimulate him to go to the bathroom by rubbing a soft slightly damp washcloth on his rear. You are not kidding that it is hard work. But if you don't have to bottle feed them you are doing good, would be best though if you could get the neighbor momma cat to adopt though. And yes your are correct that the bathroom issues were from the sudden change in diet but now that you have them on kitten formula it should be ok in about a day or so. They should not be making a firm stool at this age anyway. Good luck.

Ramona Byrd

[quote=feline fanatic]You can try reintroducing the kittens to your neighbors momma cat again. Take a towel and rub it all over mamma and her babies, then rub the same towel all over your orphans to transfer the scent. Scent more than sight leads to rejection.
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Yes, scent is important to animals. What I used to do was take 2 of Mamma cat's babies and rub them all over the kitty I was trying to get her to accept, put that kitty with her and removed 2 more. Do that with all you want her to feed and she might think they are hers. Also, with calves, my Grandma would rub Vick's Salve on the mother cow's nose and then rub some of it on the calf she wanted the cow to take care of. Most times it worked.

Xylie55

Well,the babies finely got straightened out.That one day was the worst when I posted.They have been doing great ever since.Nita,my neighbor gave me a huge chicken cage that I have outside with a blanket in it.Yesterday she brought it over,and I put the babies in it,then put their crate/bed in it as it fit.Took up 1/2 the room,but went inside.And they played and had a ball.They went into their bed tho to sleep.I had to vacum yesterday,and just didn't want them in there scaring them.So,looks like we'll be alright now.They are awfully tiny still,I am always amazed at these baby kittens just how reziliant they are,and how smart they are.The one little black and white one,now bats my face with it's feet,it's sooooo cute.But I am sooooo bushed from no sleep.

Quilter7x

There are a couple of recipes for kitten food on this thread: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-120912-2.htm

Good luck! :thumbup:

MommaDorian

I tried nursing kittens when the mother wouldn't care for them. It's really hard work. Good for you, helping them now!! Keep us updated.

eastermarie

You have a kind heart. I think baby kittens are one of the cutest little animals.