How Best To Feed a Malnourished Cat?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

As I posted before, my neighbor got evicted and I took her cats in (for the time being until I can get them placed). Anyway, one is three years old and only weighs five pounds. What should I feed it (don't know the sex)? I've tried my cat's food, but it doesn't like it. I take it to the vet tomorrow, but is there anything I can do for it today? I feel so bad, my cats all weight between 13 and 15 pounds and they're not fat, er, one is fat, but the other ones aren't. I've never seen a grown cat this small before?

[7th_Sephiroth]

1. i found a mal-nourished kitten (abandoned)

and after setting a saucer of milk infront of him (still able to move) he scarfed down some canned food easily

[alittlelark]

2. I give one of mine the kitten milk replacer

it is available at almost all pet stores. In a pinch, get some infant formula - not soy-based.

Good Luck!!

[Guy Fawkes]

3. Baby food seems to work

[shraby]

4. Cats love eggs

crack one open on a saucer. It will probably just eat the yolk. I tried separating the white from the yolk for my cat but she like it better when the white was with the yolk.

[shraby]

5. If you give it some milk, warm it

but don't give it very much milk cause it tends to give them diarrhea I think.

[amerikat]

6. yes pureed meat......chicken or turkey is best for starters

but the vet will know best.....good luck and keep us informed.

[Reciprocity]

7. Don't know if this will help but...

What to feed a newborn kitten.

Some links.
http://cathelp-online.com/health2kittens.html
http://www.ladybear.com/Somalis/article2.html
http://www.animalclinic.com/orphnkit.htm
http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/orphans.html
Preferred diets:

1. A commercial kitten milk replacer

2. For short-term emergencies you can use the following ingredients in a uniformly blended mixture:
l cup of milk
l tablespoon corn oil
l pinch of salt
3 egg yolks (no whites)

Emergency Food for Newborn Kittens and Convalescent Cats
Popularly known as "Kitty Glop" among breeders, it is packed with nutrition for orphaned kittens, nursing mother cats and their babies, cats recuperating from illness, and older cats who need nutritional supplementing or who have difficulty eating because of dental or gum problems.
Some recipes call for canned goats milk; if you have it readily available it's fine, otherwise canned ¹evaporated cows' milk works well.
The recipe sets up to a gelatin-like consistency in the refrigerator, and can be stored there for up to two weeks. It can also be frozen in an ice tray for convenience in serving. To serve, warm to room temperature. Do not pour back unused portions into the mix.

12oz of water
1 envelope Knox Gelatin
1 12oz can of whole evaporated milk (not skim)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plain yogurt, not nonfat
Boil the water, add the gelatin - stir well. Add the following ingredients in order, mixing well after each addition:
1/2 of the canned milk
mayonnaise and yogurt
the rest of the milk

Variations include the addition of kitty vitamins, acidophalus, and/or pureed baby food meat such as lamb, chicken, or beef. I have seen variations with two egg yolks added, but I would caution against this, due to the risk of salmonella with raw eggs. For very easy mixing, you can use a blender at low speed, but I also like a bowl with a wire whisk.
¹Many older cats have difficulty digesting cows' milk. The acidophalus may help with this, but you might want to try mixing a very small amount to test on your older kitty first.

A Look at Milk Substitutes
Cow's Milk:
Erroneously, some people believe that cow's milk can be substituted for queen's mile. Analysis of cow's milk shows that the calcium to phosphorus ration and lactose levels are too high; and the energy, protein, and fat levels are too low to sustain a growing kitten. Enriched cow's milk (adding egg yolk) will increase the protein and fat levels to a more reasonable level; however, the calcium and phosphorus levels are four times higher than that of queen's milk. Enriched milk is an unsuitable substitute for the long term, but it can be used temporarily until a more appropriate milk replacer is obtained.

Human Milk Replacers:
When the formula is make up at twice the recommended concentration for babies, it can be used on a short term basis for kittens. The percentage of nutrients in baby formulas is simular to cow's milk, except that the lactose level is reduced. Also, it provides less than 50% of the protein and fat needed for a growing kitten.

Commercial Formulas:
The best substitutes are commercial products such as KMR (Bordens), Havolac (Haver Co.), Veta-lac (Vet-A-Mix, Inc.), or Climicat (Hoechst U.K. Ltd.) which have been specifically formulated to closely match the nutrients found in queen's milk. Although Climicat has a highter calcium to phosphorus ratio than queen's milk, no adverse effects have been reported. In fact, the slightly higher ratio seems to provide for better calcification of the kitten's skeleton.

[alittlelark]

8. No insult meant to any poster

But NO eggs or cow milk. The proteins are too hard to digest for a weak cat. Baby food is great, as is infant kitten or human formula (Lactose free best).

[AmandaRuth]

9. spring for some good quality cat food

that actually has some nutrition in it. there are also supplements that you can mix into the food that are high in vitamins.

[Ready4Change]

10. Try dry, try wet.

Try getting it's appetite going with small amounts of tuna or treats, then switch to something healthier when the eating motors get started up.

I've encountered several cats who wont eat unless someone is petting them, or at least petting them when the food is first presented to them.

It may also be uncomfortable in it's new turf, and not comfortable with eating, or at least eating in a crowd. Maybe set aside a room as it's safe zone and let it have some quiet solo time in there during dinner.

Hope you find a solution.

[tuckessee]

11. Try Temptations brand cat treats

They are a hard shell, soft center cat treat sold in pouches at the supermarket for just under 2 bucks.

I first used them with a scraggly, tough, stray tom-cat I was trying to rescue. He had refused other foods but scarfed these up and to this day (three years later) it's still his preferred thing to eat.