A few cat questions (weaning mainly)

[samlf]

I have just acquired two rescue cats - the mum who is around 18months old, and one of her kittens who is 9 weeks tomorrow. The rest of the litter were rehomed last week so up until Wednesday when we got them she was feeding 5 kittens.

I am getting a little concerned about the kitten weaning, she barely eats solid food and I am seeing her nursing very regularly. She is a good weight and seems satiated, so I assume she is just full up from milk.

Is there anything I can do to get her to wean? I cant really separate them. Mum doesn't seem bothered that she is still asking for milk and shows no signs of stopping her. I have read stories online of some kittens nursing up to a year old!

Other question is regarding litter tray. Obviously they are not allowed out yet, but they only use the litter tray once a day each - is this normal? It doesn't seem very often. They seem quite happy when using it and don't go anywhere else.

Token photos attached!

Bonnie (mum)

Bambi (kitten)

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

may I be the first to say what beautiful cats you have.

• babies will try nurse for as long as they can. Put some baby food in, the puree type and use a tea spoon and wipe some on bambies nose, is one way.
• Feed mum with this too so bambi see's mum eating it and might get the taste.
• or put some on the tip of your finger and offer it/ wipe some on the nose
• or dab some on the inside of the kittens mouth
• try this about 3 times a day.

They will soon get the hang of it

once a day in litter box?? is that number 2 or one. Mum prob will do one a day kitten should do more. If she drinks milk mainly she wont do a lot of number two.


Next time she goes to the milk bar, pick her up and wipe some food in her mouth , if she eats it try again then put her back on the milk bar, repeat every time you can and gradually she will learn the hard food is good.

 

[TrasaM]

Mum will let him know when she's had enough. Meanwhile he will probably start nibbling at mums food so as Leviathan says, make sure it's suitable or kitty too. Beautiful cats. Congratulations you are now owned by a cat(s) lol.

Oh, if mum is still washing Bambi's bum then he is still relying on her to change his nappy so to speak. Possibly this is why he's not peeing much in the litter tray.

 

[samlf]

Thanks for your replies.

She does eat solid food (it is kitten food) but just a mouthful and obviously decides that she would rather have some milk. It's good quality food and she does seem to enjoy it when she eats it, but would rather suckle!

They both go once a day, number one and two at the same time.

 

[Suelin]

Make sure that there is a plentiful supply of good quality dry kitten food and water (no additional milk) and let them get on with it. Mum will kick the baby away when she's had enough of her. Keep litter tray clean and mum will make sure she uses it if she doesn't already. If she isn't eating much solid food there won't much from the nether end so don't worry.

They both look in beautiful condition so the regime thus far is obviously suiting them.