Hi everyone! I could really use some advice…
I rescued 2 orphaned kittens a few weeks ago. They’re doing really well, they’re now 6 weeks old, been to the vets a few times and all ok. I’m just a bit worried about the weaning process. I start the weaning process slowly at 4 weeks. They love eating solid food now, I give them kitten-friendly meat watered down with a bit of diluted KMR milk, and I’ve just started giving them hydrated kibbles. They love both! However they are not drinking independently and still love the bottle. The girl Leia will lap milk easily and will occasionally go over to the dish independently for a drink. However the boy Luke will not, for love nor money, drink liquid out of the dish. I leave them fresh water and slightly diluted KMR milk accessible to them always. Luke will lap milk down when there is food in it – so when I give him meat watered down with KMR I can see him lapping the liquid. But when there is no food in there, and it’s just plain KMR or water, he won’t touch it!! I’ve tried dabbing my finger in the milk and trying to lead him to it, I’ve tried using the bottle to tempt him towards the dish… but he just won’t. So in order to make sure he doesn’t get dehydrated I still feed him with the bottle. I’m diluting the KMR to get them more used to water. Now I don’t think either of them are starving or dehydrated, as their wee and poo are normal, and they’re VERY playful and active, they seem happy. But I’m worried that Luke will never drink independently and I’m worried what I’m doing wrong 🙁 Maybe he is just fussy? Or maybe the bottle is just comfort? Should I try tough-love and just not use the bottle at all? Any advice would be MUCH appreciated! Thank you!
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