Question about weaning

[tidyitup]

Hi I am new here, and found this site very informative...Thank you!
I have a seal point siamese, she had her first litter, 4 kittens all made it just fine, Now the runt, she tends to him but not like the others, he doesnt get to eat, because the others are so much bigger, I tried removing the others so he could get a chance to eat, but he still wont eat, so we talked to our vet and he said suppliment his feeding because he was way to thin, I did that, now they are 4 weeks old, Should I start him on bowl feeding and try to get him off the bottle? He is so sweet he runs to me for feeding now...But when I put the bowl in front of him, he steps in it, and just wont eat, cries ya know...wants that bottle.
Also, when do I introduce food with the kittens? Thank you! Heather

[Traci]

Heather, how long have you been feeding formula to the littlest one? Did he at least get sufficient nursing from the queen during the first 2-4 days of life? (vital colostrum in the mother's milk is critical for immunity and preventing infections, etc)

You can start weaning the kittens at any time now. One way I do this is start with canned Iams kitten food, drizzling formula over it and tempting them with it that way (be sure to use a shallow dish or plate and do expect a mess, kittens learning to eat solid food will prefer to play in it rather than eat it at first)

As for the little one, it won't hurt him to continue the formula for another week or so. Some of my kittens were not totally weaned until 6 weeks or longer, but the key is to introduce solid food every day so that they catch on and eventually they will develop a want for it.

If your little one is severely underweight, get him rechecked in another week or two to monitor his weight so that your vet can determine if there might be a need for additional supplementation. Ideally, he should be gaining weight each day. I am assuming he is active, energetic, playful and not suffering any other obvious signs of ill health?

[tidyitup]

Thank you, I didnt start feeding him till he was 2 weeks old, and the first 2 weeks he did eat from his mother, but not as much as the other ones did, He has shown a great deal of improvement, Actually mostly the last week here. He is starting to play now, and purrs more than the others, he is more lovable than the others also. I am taking them into the vet next week.
I expect the mess with trying to get them to eat out of a bowl. After I posted I put a bowl of formula down to see what they would do, 2 of the bigger kittens tried to eat to my dismay! Mom ran over and ate the whole bowl down, she doesnt really like intervention with her kittens.
They are getting out and about, and the mom is driveng herself nuts to keep them in my closet, (she took it over for her kittens) Thank you for your help!!!!! I really appreciate it!

[Auntie Debbie]

Welcome to the board! And congratulations on the kitties. I amm posting some links below on kitten care and weaning that should help you. The first link can be found right on this site that offers excellent info. Thank you for giving the little runt special attention. I hope all kitties are doing well. Keep us posted, ok?


http://www.cathelp-online.com/health2kittens.html

http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/category_su ... 1&cat=1397

http://www.hdw-inc.com/tinykitten.htm

http://www.waltham.com/index.html?conte ... ttens.html


http://www.amcny.org/owners/infosheets/carenewborns.htm

[tidyitup]

Thank you for the help...I just cannot get them to drink out of a bowl, I even took mommy out until they were hungry and stuck thier little chins in it, they lick thier chins off and walk away, I am using the KMR for weaning, and even tried a little iams in there, 3 days of trying, but they just wont, Maybe wait a week? and then try again? Thank you

[Traci]

They are probably not ready......although do check the formula, make sure it isn't heated too hot, make sure it is not expired or sour, etc.

[tidyitup]

I have 4 kids so I make sure I check it just like I did for my kids, I bottel feed the lrunt and he loves it, I make a batch every morning, it is the powder formula. and keep it refrigerated and warm it when it is time to feed.
I guess they may not be ready...I will try in a few days again! Thanks!