Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have had this female over a month now. Kittens are just about weaned. Eating solid foods 3x daily. Haven't seen them nursing for 5 days now, but the mother cat's appetite is still ravenous.
Feeding her is like feeding 10 cats 2x a day. In one end, out the other. If I leave unopened bread out and turn away for a few minutes, she's ripping open the pkg. trying to get the bread, rolls, or whatever. Onions and garlic are the only things she leaves alone. Caught her today trying to eat her own stools.

Any ideas on what's going on? Stool tests came back neg. twice for worms and parasites, unless there's another test I'm missing out on. My patience is out the window right now.

Thanks.

Mike

I suspect she is trying to recover from the weight loss due to the kittens. How much does she weigh and how is her condition. Feed her as much fatty meat as she wants, along with bone. Once she has gotten back in condition, her appetite will decrease.

She weighed in at 5.5 lbs. 2 weeks ago. Still looks skinny, but feels heavy in the midsection when you pick her up.
Feeding her org.raw chicken neck (cut up), org.chicken steaks and newmans' turkey/veg. plus other newman flavors, all organic. Also nutri-cal supplement several times a week.

Mike

Stop the nutrical but give her more fat, including drippings, chicken fat, bacon fat, or even butter.

Been 45 days and no weight gain. Kittens are almost as big as momma. Some nursing attempts by brood but real quickies. Mother shows less maternal instincts towards them. She eats like a horses, and will grab empty plastic bags, bread bags, etc, looking for food. Have to store this inside oven where she can't get to them. Is there some underlying cause for this eating disorder and how much longer is this going to go on?

Will an x-ray or ultra-sound of abdomen show anything?

Mike

What is she eating, and how much?
What is her stool like?

Newman's own organic (5oz.cans), raw chicken neck pcs., and raw organic chicken steaks. She eats the entire can and is still hungry. She feels heavy when lifted, but looks skinny from afar. Stools are normal, but large. Not drinking a lot of water.
Gave vaccine 2 days ago (3x1; non injectable)

She gets about 2 1/2(5.5oz) cans per day, with some raw necks and chicken steaks.