Expert: Karen Craft - 10/3/2010

Question
thank you for this great site. My question is this. My mother cat had 5 babies 5 days ago. 1 died on the 4 day. She did really good with the feedings. Now she is not wanting to allow the cats to suck on her. I have to literally put her in the box and I try to rub her while she tries to feed. She manages mayb a minute. Last night we took over feeding the kittens. What should I do. She sits at the door and meows and claws the carpet to get out.

Answer
Hi Lori,

Congrats on the new additions to the family. Is this her first litter? Sometimes mama cats with their first are not great mothers. And this sounds like the case here. Does she take of the kittens otherwise? Does she clean them? If not you are going to step up the care you are giving the kits. Here are a couple of links that will give you some good info. I will also give you my recipe for Kitty Glop. You can also use this for feeding the kits.

http://www.feralcat.com/raising.html

http://www.kittenrescue.org/pages.php?pageid=15

After feeding them try and put them back with mom. She might take care of the other things with them. If she doesn't you can't force her. You are going to take her place and raise these kits. It's a very rewarding task. Take shifts in taking care of them. It helps to divide the chores. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

KITTY GLOP

INGREDIENTS:
1 can goat milk
Walmart carries it. Or use evaporated milk, (not condensed), if you can't find the other.

2 tbsp. plain yogurt Greek is best. (not low or non fat)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real not light or No-Fat)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox unflavored 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.