Mum cat not weaning her kittens

[kirstyjf]

They are now 6 weeks old and show no interest in food at all! She should have started weaning them a couple of weeks ago and I'm unsure of why she hasn't. It's like she's still treating them like newborns, and hasn't taught them to use the litter tray either (although I've solved that problem and they are all very good now).
It's looking like I'm going to have to wean them myself but have not done this before so any advice greatly appreciated. Thankyou in advance

They will wean when they are ready. Six weeks is very young. By eight weeks things will gave shifted, just wait and see. Put downs done tempting morsels and trust them.

Do u think so? I'm just a little concerned because this is her 2nd litter (long story) and with the first she was ever so good at teaching them everything but this time round she just seems content feeding them round the clock and other than that doesn't really interact with them much . One of the kittens has a neurological condition which makes her seem slightly younger so I was worried that maybe mum is treating them all the same based on the poorly kittens needs? That's obviously just a wild guess and I'm probably being paranoid though

Have you tried putting out some real sloppy kitten food in a big shallow dish? (And I do mean sloppy - virtually soup is what you're aiming for initially with the additional liquid.) If Mum has an eat at it and the kittens see her doing that, it may provide the nudge they all need.

I'm afraid it might get messy - just be warned. Lots of kitchen towel around is a good idea.

I do think so, yes. She's done it before, and the kittens are maturing at their own rates.

Personally I'd put down something quite smelly for the kittens...liquidised tuna, for example. Their noses will activate toward food other than milk, which will help them to wean.

Not really sloppy no, but have been feeding mum kitten food for some meals with the babies around, they sniff at it then walk away and wait til she's finished before feeding from her! They're very patient
I will try that, thanks. Should I mix it with kitten replacement milk?

Mum had a dish of tuna yesterday and they even turned their nose up at that! But as u suggested liquidised tuna, it could be that it was too dry for them maybe. Thankyou

Maybe she's doing kitten led weaning?

Mix up some kitten food with hot water from the kettle in a saucer. Wait until it's cooled down to body temp, then blob some on their mouths. Move to getting them to lick your fingers, gradually moving your cat-soup fingers closer to the saucer. They should then learn to lap it up themselves.

Best done on your lap, so an old towel will come in useful. Making it very soup-ey is key.

Thankyou, that is exactly what I've just done
Went to pet shop to buy kitten milk to mix in food as others suggested and the lady that works there advised to try kitten food soaked and mashed. Tried putting some in their mouths and they were not impressed!! But I will persevere , the only one that enjoyed it and then ate some from the bowl was the poorly kitten, I was so proud, lol!
Mums net gets a bad rep but u have all been so helpful, thankyou x

Mayne the poorly kitten isn't doing so well in the competition at the milk bar and is a bit hungrier than the rest? That's a minor success at ay rate.

I'd say it's best to let mama cat judge the right time to wean. She will know when the kittens are ready.

I think that poorlykitten may lead the way on this one once the others see them tucking in.

Kirsty, are you using a wet kitten food (pouches or canned) mixed with water as opposed to dry? Weaning kittens won't accept dry food at first, even if soaked. Animonda carny is a good food for kittens. But giving it a good old mash with hot water is most important.

Boiled egg yolks mixed with goats' milk are another good weaning food.

Good luck!

I don't think mine had solid food until they were 8 weeks. In fact I'm sure they didn't because that was when they started pooing everywhere and I became slightly less enchanted with them! still loved them, of course!

They still had milk from mama cat until they were 12 weeks.

By the way ... mama cat adopted me and was already rotund in belly. Do get your puss cat spayed, won't you?

my queen has been attacking me for 6 wks! That's how old the kittens are. She's been overly protective in aggression that it has traumatized me so much that I cannot sleep in my home much less enter my own bedroom.. my legs are full of scratches and holes. I do love my cat she was my emotional support after being physically abused so this is set me back Beyond! I'm alone in fear and heartbreak. I've watched every episode of My Cat From Hell and followed everything I've read and watched! I've taken her to the vet she said it's just hormones and then at this point yes I have to get her fixed problem is she just a few days ago brought out the cats because she is so exhausted I'm able to feed one that is a little piglet insatiable in appetite, the other two are not socialized hiss and spit at me as darling as they are. I've caught them drinking a little bit of the replacement milk, I have set up little boxes,kittens eat the litter. Mother is not teaching them ,she moves them away from food I put down ,she will move the little pee pads that I've laid around and cover the boxes and the food with them. I do love and recommended the cat therapy music which is awesome the kids do fall asleep immediately and then couple hours their immune ,lord forbid I have to cough or sneeze ,any noise I make she turns ,growls and yells at me. I have a holster of water bottles and noisemakers. I have feliway spray , Rescue Remedy, catnip ,valerian. But nothing seems to last enough for me to pass my bedroom to go take a shower much less sleep on my sofa. I'm exhausted I have not slept well since their birth. I don't know how to get her in a carrier to separate her from the kids so I could feed them and get her spayed. I am devastated at the thought of the advice to call Animal Control to get her out. one bit of luck I had is she did have the kittens in a suitcase so within the first 2 weeks a friend of mine went into the bedroom and just shut the suitcase zip it up and took them to the vet that way. I've tried playing and catafying, the few people I do know think I'm Bonkers, which I am ,by not getting rid of her sooner. I've been patient waiting for her hormones to rebalance. I am a wreck! my energy is confusing her, but no matter how hard I try to move or act casual ,it's impossible. it is a hot summer and I wear thigh-high boots and a long leather coat in the house. she knows now to jump above the boots, I couldn't stand wearing the coat . just today projectile up and bit and scratched my right breast. I've been to the ER been on antibiotics which made me very ill so I've just been thoroughly washing my scratches . After all this y'all might think I'm crazy for even asking what more I could do..... I'm open for anything and everything you all have to offer me and I'll take all the prayers as well✌️😖🤕😼👹