How much should a kitten 4-5 weeks old weigh?

1. 73

   LoisRyan13903posted 9 years ago

   How much should a kitten 4-5 weeks old weigh?
   
   My daughter rescued an orphan kitten and is feeding him a special formula,  We weighed him yesterday and he weighs almost 12 ounces.  Yes she knows what she is doing because she just graduated from college as a Vet Tech and has had a lot of hands on experience.

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2. 98

   Theophanesposted 9 years ago

   That largely depends on the parents of the kitten (were they petite or enormous?) as well as the kitten's development (you didn't mention when it was orphaned but if it went from being fed by mama to being fed formula it can be fairly markedly stunted for a while.) Formula is great stuff but it's not breast milk! Bottle raised kittens tend to grow a bit slower but as long as she's growing and not bony, and doesn't have anything else going on,  I wouldn't bother fixating on any specific numbers as far as weight. if she's stopped growing that's a problem - likely "failure to thrive," or has a medical condition. Good luck! And if she doesn't have any kittens or other cats to cuddle please make sure she at least has a plushie to cuddle!

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   1. 73

      LoisRyan13903posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The mother wasn't in good condition-a feral cat the guy who found the kittens was able to trap her and get in the shelter.  They said to had feed because of mother's condition.

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   2. 98

      Theophanesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Well, if the mother's condition was poor the kitten probably was born at a disadvantage. Careful, the poor condition may have been caused by a communicable disease as well. Best wishes, I know it's hard with the ferals at times!

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   3. 73

      LoisRyan13903posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The shelter checked out the kittens as well and were given a clean bill of health.  I guess momma was full of parasites.  She will have kitten dewormed when it is old enough

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3. 78

   tsadjatkoposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Here is a website that will answer your question and give you plenty of valuable advice, more important than just what it should weigh now.
   
   http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/c … -handbook/

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