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Cats/Mother cat stops feeding kittens

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Expert: - 5/5/2009


Question
QUESTION: In middle April my cat gave birth to 7 kittens, unfortunatley one died. We have 6 now and she has stopped feeding them. When we try and put atleast 2 kittens onher nipples to feed, she kicks them off or she growls like is hurting her and gets up and runs. It like she has lost all interest in just feeding them everything else she is actinglike a normal momma cat. What should I do?

ANSWER: Kristen,

It sounds as if the kittens are just old enough to begin the weaning process.  Also, they should be able to nurse off a pet nurser.  

You can use one of two products for nursing: Just Born or KMR.  Pet nursers for kittens ought to be available at any pet supermarket.

A good feeding regimen is to give each kitten about 8-10 mL of formula for every 4 oz (100 g) of body weight per day.  This is usually broken down into 4 feedings (about 2-2.5 mL for every 4 oz of body weight per feeding.  A pretty good feeding regimen in midnight, 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 7:00 PM.

We like to wean our kittens with a good strained meat baby food (only ingredients should be strained meat and broth or gravy).  You usually have to put a bit in their mouths until they get the hang of it. After they are eating the baby food, you can gradually mix the baby food with wet cat food until they are eating the wet cat food on their own.  This usually takes until they are 5-6 weeks of age.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Also, i there anything I could get to put on her nipples becasueone looks ike its falling off?

Answer
Kristen,

I am not a vet, but it sure sounds like mama may have mastitis.  A trip to the vet to take a look at this is warranted!!!!!  Mastitis, if left untreated is almost always fatal.

This would also explain why she may not be feeding the kittens as it may be very, very painful. Of course, there are other things it may be, but having a vet look at mama is the correct course of action.

Best regards... Norm.

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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