Expert: Karen Craft - 8/7/2008

Question
I have 3 kittens that are 5 weeks old now. 1 out of the 3 seems to be dwarfed or not growing. The mama licks it some but not like she does the other 2. She will not lay still long enough for this kitten to nurse and get full or be satisfied. It is eating soft kitten chow and drinking from a dish and also using the litter box. It is not getting bigger or gaining any weight. The other 2 kittens are three times bigger than it is. I am concerned that something is wrong with it. The mama cat leaves it alone and it is abandoned while she and the other kittens are somewhere else. The other kittens attempt to play with it but it soon gets away from them like it is not enjoying the play or it is too rough. It still sleeps alot right infront of the fridge where the warm air comes out on a rug...alone. Can you shed any light on this for me..?? Should I be worried about this kitten..?? Also can a cat get pregnant by two different males..?? This kitten does not look like the other 2 kittens. It has longer hair and bigger eyes than the mama and the other kittens.

Answer
Hi Debbie,

Sorry this took so long. I was unable to get on the web. I would have her checked by the vet to make sure there isn't anything major wrong with her. If she is just the runt then this kitten needs extra care. I am attaching a recipe for my version of Kitty Glop. This is something that will help put some weight on the kit. Get a kitten nursing bottle and feed her 3-4 times a day with this.
If she wants heat get a heating pad and make a nesting box for her with a towel over it. Keep it on low for her. Kittens need to stay warm. Getting cold is the number one killer of them. You can keep all of them there. it won't hurt them. Just make sure they can get off the pad if it gets too hot for them.

Cats can get pregnant at the same time by different fathers. So yes it is possible that that she could carry kittens by two different fathers. I hope this helped. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

KITTY GLOP




INGREDIENTS:
1 can evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed)
2 tbsp. plain yogurt (not low or non fat)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real not light or No-Fat)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox gelatin
1 egg yolk (beaten, )
1 cup Pedialyte (unflavored)
1- 2 jars Stage One Baby food (chicken or turkey)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise, baby food, and syrup together well. Bring 1 cup pedialyte to boil and mix in Knox gelatin. Set aside. Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.

Add gelatin and pedialyte to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well. Remember to not use egg substitute and keep egg white to a minimum.

Pour into bowl (with cover) and set in refrigerator. Glop will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator. Try freezing the mixture in ice cube trays and store the cubes in the freezer, thaw as many as needed.
Always warm glop to room temperature ,(milk form), or a little warmer, before feeding.