Expert: Karen Craft - 12/2/2007

Question
I found a kitten that was left alone in a box,he is about a week and half.Barely walking, eyes just opened.
Iv had cats who have had kittens before but never had the responsibility of trying to feed a new born. He is a lovely little thing, and each time i feed it with the formula through a cat bottle, he ends up wanting to bring it up an hour later. Is he eating wrong?milk coming too quick for him?
what advise can you give to ensure he grows healthy and i do not loose him? he is constantly crying and wanting to suckle on things.

Answer
Hi Lauren,

He could be eating too fast. Or he could be getting the wrong food. Or it could be that it doesn't agree with him. I'm attaching a recipe for something called Kitty Glop. This stuff is fantastic for raising kittens. You need to feed him every 3-4 hours around the clock right now. When you feed him don't hold him on his back. Hold him like he would be against his mom. Also if he is a week you will have to help him eliminate after eating. Take a cotton ball wet with warm water and rub in a circular motion his genitals and anus. This mimics what the mom would do. It will stimulate him to go. Do this after he eats.

The biggest thing with newborns is make sure he stays warm. This is the number one killer of kittens. Make a nest with a blanket or a towel on top of a heating pad set to low. Leave an area that he can crawl off that doesn't have the pad if he gets hot.

Raising a new born is very rewarding. But it does have its perils. Keep a watch on him. Watch if he gets diarrhea or if his urine is dark yellow. Both of these are signs that all is not well. Right now all he should be doing is sleeping and eating. Write back and let me know how's he doing. 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.