What is wrong with my cats!!!

[Garageflower172]

Hi,

I adopted two 10 week old kittens and their mum (she’s about 5) last week. I thought they were settling in ok, but now one of the kittens won’t come out of her igloo bed and is being rejected by the mum cat. The kitten is eating ok, but only if I get her and put her in front of the food. She will only eat chicken and is not drinking. I’ve been putting ice cubes with her chicken so she is getting some water.

Her sister is thriving and putting on weight. The mum is still letting her suckle, but won’t let the other one!! Also, mum has diarrhoea - I’m giving her wet and dry food, chicken and water - just as instructed by the fister carer.

To be honest, I’m ready for giving the mum away - Is that really mean of me??

What do you mean by giving the mum away? Who to? You have only just adopted her. Yes I would think it is very mean, get in touch with the foster carer if you want to return her.
I would get in touch to ask for some advice anyway, and take the cats to a vet to be checked over.

Yeah, I know it sounds bad. To be honest, I only wanted the kittens in the first place. I was kinda talked into getting the mum by the foster carer who convinced me that 3 wouldn’t be easy. I know I was weak, but I genuinly thought it would be the best thing to adopt them as a family to keep them together. Like I said though, the mum and one of the kittens seem to be bullying the other kitten. I can’t help thinking that the mum would be better in another home.

Of course it’s mean of you. At 10 weeks the kittens don’t need milk from their mum anyway. If any of them are not eating and drinking properly they need to see a vet.

Defiygoing to take them to the vet, I’m more concerned about the bullying. The mum and sister are just really mean to the littlest one.

Could be because it’s unwell. Chicken alone isn’t a meal. And it needs water. Has it seen a vet at all? Been vaccinated?

Yes, they have all had first injections and booked in for second lot in a couple of weeks. I know chicken isn’t a proper meal - I’ve tried getting her to eat some kitten food (wet and dry) as well, and am putting an ice cube in with her chicken so I know she is getting some water. How do I get her to eat other food if she’s just not interested? I’m really at a loss!

Any eye discharge or snotty nose?

No, nothing like that. And her appetite is fine (chicken only) as long as she’s allowed to eat by herself without the others around. Most vexing!

Ime cats don't always retain a bond with their kittens.
She has had enough of bf I imagine!! Those needle teeth!! Ouch!
Looks like 3 may not work in your household sadly.

Feliway worth a try? We have two sisters who don’t get on. They’re older and spayed now so can go out during the day and get away from each other at night at either end of the house.

I’ll give the Feliway a go, thanks. Hope the vet can help too!!

Good luck.

Most mum cats would be fed up of nursing kittens at that age! Most kittens are rehomed at 8 weeks and even then mum is showing little if any interest.

I've had three kittens from 8 weeks old and when we collected them, they were more interested in us and each other than mum! They weren't feeding any longer and just weren't interested.

I find it strange that you were persuaded to adopt mum and kittens though. Most rescues will encourage kittens to go together in pairs and then mum gets spayed and adopted separately.

I don't think it's mean to say you can't cope with all three. It's a bit of an odd dynamic and clearly it's not working for the smaller kitten. Maybe she would thrive better alone or with just her sibling for company?

Agree with the advice about a 10 week old kitten not nursing anymore. My kitten was only 6 weeks when she cam to me and was already eating solids - too early but her mum rejected her.

Have you tried her on kitten milk? Thrive kitten food is also great - like stringy chick n with lots of liquid.

They are all still settling in - give them some time. But do get the little on ch died at the vet.