Hi, I'm not really sure what's normal after they have kittens. She didn't eat much, hardly at all Saturday and Sunday, so last night I gave her wet food...she normally eats dry.

But now she has the runs. And her nipples don't seem like they have any milk, kind of dry and crusty. Although she was nursing this morning and the kittens weren't acting like they weren't getting anything.

I'm just a little concerned, maybe just a nervous grammy

Please let me know if any of you have experienced similar things when your cat had kittens.

I got kitten milk replacer, just in case the kittens needed it...but they seem to be fine. It says I can give it to the mamma to help supplement her but I'm not sure that's a good idea considering she has diarrhea.

I am not that much an expert,
but I believe she needs Milk Supplement.

As for Diarrhea, that may be from internal parasites.

Remember..She was like a Stray cat before giving birth.

Take care ((( Hugs )))

Thanks, I think the milk supplement is a good idea too. She's doing a little better and I did some research, some of it is normal. I may have just fed her too much wet food all at once and that and the other nasty stuff she ingested after giving birth most likely didn't agree with her.

I do need to have her checked for parasites though.

I appreciate your input, thanks again.

Hugs!

It's been ages since I had a cat with kittens but you can use warm water to bathe her nipples, just helps with removing any dried milk also she may be a bit dehydrated so be good to have some fresh water near by so she doesn't have to go to far. good luck.

Thanks Mikey, I'll do that with the warm water. She's actually doing a lot better.

That's great, takes a while for them to recover after giving birth, the kittens will be getting on her nerves before you know it, not sure if you know but sometimes she may move them, picking them up by the scruff of the neck, don't be alarmed, it's normal.

Yeah, she's already acting like she wants to go outside to play. I have her in my bedroom with the door shut so there's not many places for her to move them.

Although, she was checking out my dresser drawer when I had it opened

bless her, another thought is with dogs they use something we English call a yelping box, basically it's a box with enough room for them but she can jump out for a bit of piece or a pooh but the kittens can't

Good idea...I will put a box in the closet. It won't be long before they start moving around more.

Thanks

Your welcome

I don't know much about cats but ive found the local pet stores snd feed stores can usually offer pretty good advice

Thanks dreamerana, that's a great idea.

Anytime you change their diet that drastic it can cause the diarrhea this is for all animals..It totally puts their system in shock and messes with their stomachs..

Anytime you want to change and give her wet food do it with a small portion only for a while..

I don't have a cat but have always had dogs and horses.. With horses a change like that could cause them to Colic which could kill them.. With dogs big change in diet will give the same results you had..

You did not harm her just better in moderation since she is not use to cat food.. That is the same in giving her anything she is not use to even the milk supplement... Give their bodies time to adapt to it then they will not have that problem..

But yea as dreamerana said if you have a PetSmart or other Pet Store ask them they are full of knowledge actually some of those stores even have vet clinic within them. They will help out as well...

Thanks TxsGal, I cut back on how much wet food I am giving her and yes, I'm pretty sure that was the problem.

I should have known better, but she was looking half starved so I gave her more.

But she's doing much better, her stools aren't as runny and her nipples look like they are producing milk.

Thanks so much for all your support

You do not say how old the kittens are..BUT I have
had many many litters and the mommy cat gets plenty
to eat as she eats all the kitten's detritus.

You can keep plenty of water nearby however.

Thanks Sophie

They were born on the 24th, so they are only a few days old.

I would put food and water near the mommy after a litter,
she really only drank the water..they are made to
withstand the early times after birth without food and
water by tidying up after the kittens.

If you have to feed them by bottle, the vet will tell you
that is the easiest time for newborns to die because
they do not suck the bottle correctly, but it can be done,
I have done it successfully, though my vet lost a few.

Okay thanks Sophie, I have food and water available for her at all times and the kittens are nursing good from her. I was just getting concerned because mamma wasn't eating. It makes sense now with what you shared. Thanks again.

How's mumma and the little ones?

Animals, of course, do it all by instinct, she sounds fine..I
always like to get kittens at 3 weeks to really bond though
many will suggest much longer as the mommy transfers life-saving
immunities to them through their food, so the longer they nurse
the better off they are, in theory.

Feral cats tend to nurse for shorter times.