Hi, I was hoping you kind people would be able to give me some tips and hints on raising 3 week old kittens.
Their Mum was hit by a car last night, and after a worrying night, we rang the vet this morning to be told she died over night. Her babies turn 3 weeks old today.
Im gutted at losing my lovely cat, and just as gutted for her poor babies.
I have kitten formula and bottles, but they don't want any of it, can anyone help please?

I've never had to look after kittens so I don't know if this would work, but could you try letting them lick it off your fingers so they learn that it's ok for them to eat it?

Sorry about your female cat

__________________
Cara,
Owned by Fern, Heidi, Asteroid, Bubbles & Fizz
Missing Snippet, Frost, Willow & Nix


Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, and some stink.

Hi, thanks, I tried this, they didnt seem impressed, I think they are just looking for mummy...

Hi Dawn, I am really sorry to hear about your cat. This is tragic.

I went through this when I was a child (12 years old) and I raised kitties myself. They were only 2 weeks old. I hope you don’t work as they will need to be fed at least every 3 hours. I can not remember much on how I was doing it, but I do remember you need to feed one at the time and force them a bit. The best is to put a little bit of milk around their mouth first and when they lick it, start pressing slowly in their mouth. I was using syringe. They do need time to get familiar with it though. Use a plastic cover, cut it into a circle and use that as depth adjustor on syringe. I know I couldn’t get them suck from a kitten bottle. Do the kittens wee yet, as I had to massage their tummies to wee? I hope this helps and I hope it goes well.

Dawn I think you need to get some experts on board here straight away. The reason I say this is that tiny kittens like this can go downhill very quickly in situations like this. I would get back to the vets now and ask for advice.

Otherwise I'm sure a local rescue centre would be able to point you in the right direction. But please get some professional help now!

First, I am very sorry for your loss.

Second, the kittens are in no immediate danger so don't panic. I find a syringe (2ml) much easier to use than bottles. They are going to need feeding every four hours and yes, until they are hungry, they probably won't be interested. However they ought to be hungry by now. You need to have them the right way up, on a towel on your lap, then you just insert the syring and wait for them to suck. You can push a small amount out of the syringe for them to get the idea, it won't take long.

At this age it isn't such a difficult job, you don't need to toilet them. The biggest problem is that they will get very dirty indeed, but that isn't too much of a problem, they can be safely bathed as long as you dry them, obviously.

Get them taking milk from a syringe first (just pick some up from your vet), worry about everything else later.

Honestly it won't be difficult.

Liz

From what I understand, it is quite a tricky business, so you really need to contact a rescue centre for advice, at least. They may have experienced bottle feeders on their books or may even have a nursing mother cat who can take them on. My own rescued cat nursed her own plus an orphaned litter whislt in the shleter. It is a much safer option. It is a tricky, full-time job otherwise, and if you do not have the time or resources, it is best not to risk it on your own. good luck.

Thanks for all the advice, I have a friend who is a vetinary nurse calling round to show me how to look after them in a while.
My most immediate problem is that every time they wake they are frantically calling for mummy.... its like they dont want milk untill she arrives...
she was a very attentive mum, and all they had to do was squeak and she came running, they must be so confused....

I think they are more likely to call for food and clean up when awaking. They will soon understand you are their mother. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and your new babies and keep us posted. Good luck!

Thanks for that, I just got off the phone and we may have found a possible wet nurse for them! Fingers crossed she will have them!