Hello,

On Oct. 19 I traveled to a bird breeder and ended up leaving with a kitten. Since then I've found out it's only 3 weeks old. I'm currently feeding it only KMR milk replacer. Should I be adding anything else in? Once I start weening it should I move to 'kitten foods' or go straight to adult formulas? If you have any particular brands you favor for particular reasons I'd be interesting in that as well. Since he doesn't have mum to feed off of I'm worrying his diet isn't nutritious enough to keep him as healthy as needed. I was told he's part Siamese if that changes anything.

I know he's not sick, this is all preventative at this stage. He seems to be adapting to all this rather well.

Why on earth did they give away a kitten at just under 3 weeks old? It should still have been with it's mother - unless the mother died? However that aside you can start trying to wean the kitten around the 4 week mark - everyone has different ways so you will need to try them to see which ones the kitten prefers.

You could buy a box of (human!) baby rice and make a very small saucer up of this - use the kitten milk/water for a couple of days and then try to introduce kitten food.

You can try to wean the kit off with the Whiskas/Feliex kitten food, well mushed up. If the kit doesn't seem interested you could mix some of the KMR milk in with this for the first day or two.

You could try a little cooked white fish/chicken (again finely chopped/mushed) again try a little of the milk over it for the first couple of days.

You may need to encourage the kit by putting your finger in the food and letting him lick it off type of thing or just smear a little around his mouth so he gets a taste.

You can also try Royal Canin Babycat dry - but would suggest when introducing the kit to this you perhaps add a little cooled (boiled) water over the biscuits to soften them.

Good luck. Do post a photo of the kit

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

Thought this needed a bump!

I have no experience with weaning kittens but I wouldn't suggest whiskas or felix for any cat.

Hopefully someone with more experience will be along shortly

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Proud mum to Tiffany, Bellinda and Jessica

lol - Chinablue does have loads of experience! Anyway . . . .

try scrambled egg made with water, try gently dipping their noses in it and smear it on their paws to wash off.

3 weeks is incredibly young - was that how old it was when you got it? or how old you think it is now? If now it was only 2 weeks when you got it! Were it's eyes fully open, was it standing at all did it look like this?

2 weeks old - IMG_0859.jpg
or this - 3 weeks old - IMG_0874a.jpg
or this - 4 weeks old - IMG_1003a.jpg

Good luck!

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http://finesthourbirmans.webs.com

It wasn't a dig at chinablue it was generally to try and get more help for the OP

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Proud mum to Tiffany, Bellinda and Jessica

Why are people recommending this baby be given people food? Human food does not contain the proper nutrients a tiny kitten needs.

First, get her in for a check up with the vet right away. Continue with the KMR as you begin offering canned kitten foods. Expect messes! You can mix the KMR with canned kitten foods, or use it to soften kitten kibble also. I rescued my now ten year old boy at about 5 weeks and he had no trouble eating kitten food.

congratulations on your new baby!

Just to start the weaning process - to get the kitten to lick! That's all - once they can do that (especially as this kitten has no role model in the form of a mother) then cat food is good. I found my kittens won't start off with cat food even when it has added kiten milk (cimicat), but scrambled egg got their taste buds 'going' and then they easily moved onto Nature's Menu and raw.

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http://finesthourbirmans.webs.com

I know that - it was just funny.

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http://finesthourbirmans.webs.com

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thank you for explaining.

I have read this many times and in many places. I have also read many times and in many places the suggestion to add KMR to kitten kibble, or water/gravy to adult kibble.

I add water to kibble sometimes, and/or make a gravy with water and a bit of canned, to mix with kibble, in order to assure the cat is getting enough water. I've done this for many years, and have occasionally made the suggestion to others. I usually add to my advice: any food prepared this way should not be left to sit, to pick it up immediately and throw away any uneaten portions.

I didn't think to mention not leaving it, in regards to the kitten, though I should have.

I think free feeding kibble allows more bacteria to form on the kibble, (and left sitting), than adding water and having the food eaten right away.

On the other hand, I do agree with you for the most part that a good quality canned kitten food is better than kibble.