Anyone raised a litter of bottle-baby kittens? And tips?

[Liz_M]

OK, well then no kittens for you!


My last Rottweiler was not cat-safe; he killed three strays in my back yard over the years although he was fine with the ones he grew up with.

As I've said, my Jack mix is awesome with them. My Lab is fairly horrified by kittens and cats, he's like ewww it's touching me and he walks away if one gets too close, but he is actually very gentle. Booker is extremely curious but he's at an age where he wants to put everything in his mouth; I am sure he would not knowingly harm one but he's such a big clumsy lout and anyway Fiona the Jack mix won't let him near them so it's a moot issue.



Hopefully your neighbor's cat learned to stay away; outdoor cats are pretty vulnerable to many different threats. I do not hold it against a dog who wants to kill cats, I'd prefer it not so but really no different than cats who kill mice (or songbirds for that matter), or a dog who goes after skunks and other wild critters. It can be really hard to override instinct and prey drive!

 

[rosiegoat]

I still take the kitten I found to work with me at least once a week. I work in a small office, so he can have the run. I bought a soft sided carrier, and when he gets tired, puts himself to bed, lol. He loves riding in the car!


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[Yamizuma]

The neighbours' cat has not learned to stay away. It comes and knocks on the front window...then just sits on the other side of the glass. My dogs don't understand the invisible barrier, but the cat does. Bad kitty should not taunt them.


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[Liz_M]

I'll post photos tomorrow, my phone camera takes crap pictures in low light and it's getting late. They are getting really adorable and developing distinct personalities.


They have teeth now, are starting to play in earnest (although still wobbly and tend to fall over a lot), generally fat and happy and their eyesight is improving. So I think close to or about four weeks old. Best of all I have not one but TWO well-funded rescues who will take them at six weeks if I get them combo-tested, vaccinated and wormed, as long as they are weaned by then.


Unfortunately I have to go out of town for most of next week for work. I was hoping to have them eating from a bowl by then and using a litter box so my friend who will be caring for my dogs doesn't have to do the whole bottle-feeding thing but it looks like that is not going to happen. So far they are not recognizing anything in a dish as food, plus they are becoming incontinent and filthy little beasts LOL because they are starting to eliminate on their own instead of "on demand" with stimulation. I got my lap pooped on today. >.< I'm working on weaning and litter training but they won't be ready by Tuesday when I leave.

So my friend came over this afternoon and got a tutorial on how to feed and clean them. But, since they are so scent-driven, they were reluctant to take the bottle from her I guess because she didn't smell familiar? I read that kittens are so particular, they usually have a favourite nipple when with mama cat. But it will be fine, she is awesome with animals. And I will leave her with a bale of paper towels and baby wipes and Nature's Miracle and clean bedding along with all their other supplies.


This whole last week they have been coming to work with me in the van which I worried would be stressful for them but they have been little troupers! I really would prefer not to have to deal with them during the work day but didn't really see an alternative; they are used to me feeding them and since they are mostly concerned with eating and growing at this point it's worked out.