Two-week-old Kitten Becoming Food Aggressive?

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  • #849889
    Ash
    Participant

    I got Dunkey when he was two days old. Tomorrow, he will be two weeks old (I’ve never hand-reared a kitten before. I’m not even a “cat person”. I have Betta fish!). The past few days, however, while being bottle fed, if I dont squeeze it enough so that he gets what he wants (I’ve made it so that only a few drops come out when overturned), he becomes aggressive! He’ll grab at the bottle and growl when he doesn’t get what he wants.

    The vet told me that single, hand-reared kittens often have behavioral problems because the mother isn’t there to discipline them. Being his mother, and seeing as though he is almost to that pivotal point in his life where his personality is formed, I need some advice.

    Anyone else ever had this problem? He is fed and toileted every two hours. He is peeing and pooping regularly, in a healthy way.

    I’ll give him to my mom to cuddle, and he’s an angel. When I have him, it’s almost as if he thinks I’m just a food dispensary! Even when he’s had his fill, he’ll want more, no matter what. He’ll calm down and snuggle eventually. He’s a loud purrer, and loves to snuggle in my hair. But there are times I think he’s had enough food, and should be good enough to chill the hell out, but continues to cry.

    What do I do?!

    #849895
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Hi Ash, your kitten doesn’t have behavorial problems, he is just hungry. He is not getting food fast enough–I have hand reared many kittens and it has seemed to be a simple trick–open the nipple of the bottle up some. You can make an X in the top of the bottle, or I have even cut the end of the nipple off (just the very tip)! Make sure not to squeeze the bottle now, as it will come out too fast and your kitten could aspirate the milk into his lungs and it will cause pneumonia. I have even added a little rice cereal in the milk to help really aggressive kittens to satisfy their hunger a little better. Once he is 3 1/2 to 4 weeks, you can add a little pate style wet food to the milk making a very thin gruel and put it in the bottle. No chunks that he can choke on but the flavor will get him used to when it’s time to start on solid food. Below is a guideline for approximately how much he should be getting. Remember these are only guidelines and if your kitten is extremely aggressive (biting, chewing at nipple, grabbing fiercely at the bottle) then he is hungry!

    At age 1 weeks; weight should be approx. 7 ounces. Give 56 cc of milk replacer spread out over 4 feedings.

    At age 3 weeks; weight should be 10 ounces. Give 80 cc of milk replacer spread out over 3 feedings.

    http://www.safehavenforcats.com/newborn.htm
    http://messybeast.com/handrear.htm

    #849908
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Also, hold him and give him lovings when he’s not eating so he doesn’t continue to associate you only with food dispensing. You are probably doing this but the more the merrier.

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