Found kitten- switching formula ok?

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  • 25 September, 2016 at 7:42 pm #852450
    christine
    Participant

    The mechanic I visited last Friday afternoon found a kitten. They think he was abandoned. He was dirty, covered in fleas, and passed around from mechanic to mechanic (ugh!). I said I would take him home.

    His eyes opened a tiny bit yesterday, a little more today. He has energy and is eating, sleeping, peeing/pooping regularly. He seems quite healthy.

    On Friday, on my way home, I stopped to buy a bottle and formula. I got GNC Kitten Formula and this bottle

    My question is which nipple should I be using? I have been using the long one. Also, after just a bit of research, I see that KMR is a better formula. Should I make the switch or will that cause diarrhea? He seems fine on GNC but I love him already and I want the best, but not if the best will make him sick.

    25 September, 2016 at 10:07 pm #852457
    Richard Churchill
    Participant

    From my experience dealing with kittens, they tend to be much less picky about food (or formula) than adult cats can become. As weeble kittens, when hungry, they nurse, period. When old enough for gooshy food, when hungry, they eat, period. I avoid Science Diet gooshy food, as every kitten I’ve had that got any Science Diet gooshy food had the worst smelling scat and gas imaginable … but they produce otherwise fine products for older cats. For kittens, every kitten has had constipation problems when getting powdered formula exclusively, so you needs to be particularly careful to wipe and massage the kitten if you ever give it powdered formula. As regards nipples, different kittens seem to have different preferences. You might try both, and see which works best, as the real point is ensuring that the kitten gets as much food as it needs and wants.

    25 September, 2016 at 11:04 pm #852461
    Buttons
    Moderator

    it’s great you’ve been able to give this little kitten a fighting chance and as Richard said every kitten has a preference when it comes to the nipple.. as long as your not getting any flow back or excess milk coming from the nose while feeding I’d stick to what it is your doing.. KMR is great but other swear by goats milk .. if you do start to have any issues with the KMR be it sever diarrhoea or vomiting when Goats milk is a great substitute it’s high in good fats lactose free and high in L-lysine. also it adds good bacteria to the kitten gut promoting good guy flore which most abandoned kittens are sadly lackey as they don’t get enough of mothers milk.. hope all goes well and keep honey close to hand incase kitten has a slump in energy..

    27 September, 2016 at 9:44 am #852552
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Just to chime in here? Someone else was in an emergency situation with a youngling and PG said to feed standing up. You can ask him more. He’s the expert.

    27 September, 2016 at 2:53 pm #852557
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Hi Christine,
    Sounds like you just stepped in in time to save the kittens’ life! Richard and Buttons gave you good advice. Kittens are very individual in their preferences of nipples, and eating even from a syringe especially if they are so malnourished that they can’t suck yet. Make sure you have a warm nest box and a heating pad wrapped in a towel (set on low) as kittens can’t process food if they are cold. I personally prefer goat’s milk as I learned from raising my last kitten, it works miracles. The powdered KMR tends to cause constipation, while the liquid causes diarrhea. You can find it in the milk section of the grocery, or in the baking aisle in cans. The canned is condensed so add water 1 to 1. I will also post a couple of links for you that are valuable in hand rearing kittens. Of course, we are here for you too, and keep us posted on his progress!
    http://www.safehavenforcats.com/newborn.htm
    http://messybeast.com/handrear.htm

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