r/fosterkittens

Hello everyone,
I’m an experienced cat mom and have raised lil ones but never this small, at least without its mother,
We found this lil one all by itself exposed to the elements, we’ve gotten the little one checked out and they said it would be okay to take home and nurture, therefore,
I’d like to ask a couple questions for anyone experienced and I have been doing research with videos on YouTube from others with this situation.

I was wondering, when is a good time to stimulate them to use the bathroom,
Before or after feedings?

As well as, how long to keep the heating pad on, is it all day or for small sessions.

Our vet didn’t really provide the best info and didn’t seem to be having a great day so this is my second option which is reaching out to those of you here,
Also I’m planning to get more blankets for the little one at the pet shop as well so don’t mind the box setup in the photo, it’s super temporary till I can get the needed essentials today!

Here’s a cleaned-up Reddit version that keeps the emotional tone but organises the timeline and clinical details clearly so experienced fosters can respond effectively:

First-time kitten fosterer here, please be gentle with me — this has been quite intense and I’d really appreciate advice from anyone experienced with neonatal kittens or milk transfer issues.

Our young (8 month) nursing queen had four healthy kittens on Thursday 7th May. They were all good birth weights (around 100g+) and are thriving, now around 300g (!).

On Friday 15th May, we introduced two orphan/surrogate kittens born on Sunday 10th May, so they are a few days younger than the resident litter. Mum accepted both immediately, groomed them, and allowed them to nurse straight away.

Both kittens had strong rooting/suckling instincts from the start. The female, Clover, has done really well. She arrived at about 87g and after just over 3 days with mum is now around 112–115g. She gets a nice rounded milk belly after nursing and I can visibly see good milk transfer.

The male, Cricket, is the one I’m worried about.
He arrived at around 79–80g and initially I did not supplement him because he appeared to be nursing frequently and strongly. He is extremely active, warm, mobile, fights hard for nipples, kneads to stimulate letdown, and has never seemed weak or floppy. Because the original 4 are much bigger, there is competition.

When he first arrived he vocalised almost constantly, but that has now settled and he behaves much more like the other kittens.

The issue is that he does not seem to transfer milk effectively.
He spends long uninterrupted periods nursing (sometimes 10+ mins on fuller nipples) but never develops the rounded “milk belly” the others get. He remains lean while the others feel full and heavy after feeds.

He did briefly go from about 80g to 90g without supplementation, but then dropped back down and stayed hovering around 80g.

Yesterday (Monday) I started supplementing him and gave about 13ml total over 4 sessions using 1ml syringes. I cannot get him to take a bottle at all.

My strong suspicion is poor latch/suction. Very occasionally he achieves a proper seal and suction on the syringe, but only briefly and rarely. Most of the time I am transferring milk by depressing the syringe very slowly while he swallows. Interestingly, when supplemented, he DOES get a nice rounded belly and settles well afterward.

He also immediately goes back to comfort nurse/suckle from mum after supplementation.
No consistent milk bubbling from nose/mouth, no coughing, no respiratory signs.

Current plan is:
Continue nursing with mum full-time
Supplement 6–7 times/day
Focus on getting calories and weight gain into him before worrying about anything else

Has anyone experienced a kitten who clearly wanted to nurse but just couldn’t transfer milk efficiently? Did things improve with maturity/strength? Has anyone encountered tongue tie, poor latch mechanics, weak suction, etc. in kittens this young?

Thank you — I’m trying very hard to do right by him.

These are our new foster kittens. Edgar and Edwina (we are working thru the alphabet)

Owner gave them up (they did keep momma cat). Based on their recollection, these kittens are 5 weeks old. Ears are up, teeth are there. They are eating kibble and soft food properly (unlike our former 4 week old gruel babies) They are well socialized.

But they are so tiny! They each weigh about 340g.

Marco is a tiny fighter with a huge will to live. He arrived moderately dehydrated with severe eye infection and a painful ulcer on his tongue. Despite this, he has continued to eat baby food and is now eating wet kitten food on his own.
On 5/11, Marco tested positive for Panleukopenia.
The encouraging sign: he is still eating. This gives him a real chance — but he cannot survive in the shelter and urgently needs isolation and supportive medical care.
Marco A1286402
• 5-week-old male kitten
• 0.75 lbs
• Positive for Panleukopenia (feline parvo)
• Available now for rescue or medical foster
Medical Summary
05/05
* BCS 2/9, moderately dehydrated
* Purulent discharge both eyes, large lingual ulcer
* Ofloxacin applied
* Gaba + SQLRS fluids started
05/08
* Eyes improving
* Absorbing fluids well
* Continue SQ fluids through 5/10

Alert, pink mucous membranes
* Eating wet kitten food well for staff
* 8% dehydrated
* Panleukopenia Positive (fecal negative)
* Given:
* 40 mL SQ LRS fluids
* Convenia injection
* Cerenia injection
Recheck scheduled 05/12 — but he must be out
before 11am.
! What Marco Needs
* Strict isolation from other cats (virus is highly contagious)
* Continued subcutaneous fluids
* Supportive care, nutrition, warmth
* Eye and oral lesion monitoring
* A rescue or experienced medical foster willing to fight for him
Because he is still eating and responsive, Marco is at a stage where intervention can save his life.
To Help Marco
Rescue tag: dasrescue@dallas.gov

Medical foster: dasfoster@dallas.gov
Subject line: Rescue/Foster Interest - Marco
A1286402 - Panleuk
Marco is tiny, sick, and scared — but he is trying so hard. He just needs someone to try with him.

Hi again, I’m posting about my foster kittens again and my first time foster experience. I have a group of three kittens and when I first brought them home ~2 weeks ago a kitten my son named “LoveHeart” was pretty active and playful. Quick to jump on his siblings and chase toys.
Last week I found a pile of vomit and suspected LoveHeart because he stayed sleeping when I came in that morning to check on them while he usually runs up to me. Vet checked him out and says they all should be okay as long as jt was a one-time case of vomit and may be from overeating
LoveHeart is now the snuggliest and prefers being held and cuddled, often falling asleep on me and my children but shows zero interest in toys at all. I have not seen him go after a toy or play at all since last week. They went in again today for more vaccinations and he’s now the smallest kitten at 1.1lbs, his biggest brother being 1.7.
The vet continues to say they look good but I am just worried about the little guy! Any advice?
The photo was clicked as I’m writing this post as he seems sad