What a week!

 Covid numbers are not just creeping upward by appear to be skyrocketing which is very concerning indeed however, we broke cover on Monday to make a first trip out. Without mum to accompany them they were gathered together & into the pet carrier pre-sprayed with pet remedy & we set off. Normally I’m worrying ola out keeping kittens/cats warm enough outside but this time with the heat of this fabulous summer I was concerned that they were not in the car too long. Fans going but out of a draft we travelled only about 2.5 miles & parked up. As always, keen eyes will spot babies & there were lots of oooh’s & aaaah’s & questions. After an extended wait we eventually were called in & saw Mark Collins the head vet at the practice. One by one the kittens were examined, weighed, had heart & lungs listened to & with everything in order received their 1st vaccinations followed by their microchip implants. These were then tested to make sure they were detected & returned to the carrier. Job done we set off back home where they were eagerly checked over by mum & soon following me to the kitchen for food!

Sometimes there’s a few hours of being subdued after having received vaccines which can last up to 48 hours which is partly why viewings & collections are always timed to allow a gap of 2 days after having been seen so that they are back to themselves before any meeting date or collection. 

I have the microchip implants done at 8 weeks only if they are large enough at the 1st vaccinations. I do it at this appointment rather than the 2nd vac appointment for two reasons - firstly because this implant pierces the skin creating a small wound I want to ensure it is healed completely before they leave which it would not be if the microchip was done at the 2nd vaccination & they left at the earliest opportunity (48hrs after their jabs). The other reason I like the microchip done prior to viewing is that when a family choose their kitten I can scan & show them the chip number so that when they collect I can re-scan & reassure them they are receiving the kitten they originally chose. This is important where two or more kittens are of the same colour &  sex or as can happen with the Sphynx & other breeds (yes even furred ones!) the colour can alter making a kitten appear to have been swapped. 

Anyway, there were no reactions following the visit to the veterinarian & they’ve been growing stronger & more agile by the day (if not hour!). 

Today we had another milestone moment - when I found kittens using the ModKat top entry litter boxes rather than the open of side entry trays. This same thing has happened with single every litter we’ve had & once they’ve reached a stage where they can get up, in & back out again afterwards they choose never to use the open or side entry trays again, which shows me that there is a clear preference for this kind of tray. I believe this is because I keep the boxes filled deeply and this means they can dig down further as they would choose to do naturally and other tray types don’t allow for this. As a delightful consequence- I also like it as I find it both easier as well as more cost effective to scoop a deeply filled box which has good quality litter inside it. With a tight clumping litter you scoop down, under & lift allowing the dry grit to drain off and you bag only the clump or poop. Shaking creates dust & is unnecessary to do. 

Although they’ve not chosen to follow the adults at night, the kittens can all now get up & down from my bed too & thunder about the place playing games of chase! It’s brilliant. I so love this time with them! 

As you’ll have seen, we also had a photoshoot session this week where I was aided by a friend whose jog it is to acquire the kittens’ attention while I snap as many images as possible while hoping to get a couple of good ones which I use for advertising them. 3 kittens were happy to model but one, having been woken up to take part was not happy with the idea at all. Can spot which ones are of the kitten who was disgruntled! 

Second baths & crazy antics

Tonight (Saturday) the kittens & the adults all had baths, the babies being much better behaved than the grown ups! They are now all neat and tidy ready for their first ever outing as they visit the vet for their first health check, 1st vaccinations & their microchip implant on Monday. Normally I’d do the bath tomorrow but it’s my birthday & I may not have the time to do all the baths, ears & claws due to seeing family. 

Their feeding is going so well, there are absolutely no issues with their eating or digestion & no issues with litter tray use either! They are drinking water from the bowls of water & enjoying lots of play & sleep. I love when they decide they are sleepy & these little warm bundles climb onto my lap or snuggle in at my side to snooze away for a while. Sometimes I end up with a puddle of kittens & stay as still as possible for as long as possibly so as not to end their slumber.  

Once they wake again it’s time for running, climbing, jumping, pouncing, stalking, attacking. Today I’ve taken some toys up & put down a Y shaped play tunnel which has been mightily popular. There is a peep hole where the Y intersection meets - they’ll learn that this is both an escape route or an ideal position for a surprise attack ! They’re so busy! 

Just lovin’ life!

This is a dynamic time for the kittens. In their 7th week, they have already undergone dramatic change from the tiny almost helpless, yet doggedly  (cattedly?) determined newborns with tiny sealed folded in ears, eyes tightly shut to the marauding little hoodlums they are today with their satellite dish ears & keen sighted eyes that don’t miss a thing… I continue to be awed at nature’s capacity to not only create in a hurry (63 days from mating to newborn) to these independent characterful creatures learning the skills of life. Despite the life of luxurious domesticity they are destined to enjoy, evolution is in its full force as they play together rough-housing, they’re learning the skills of hunting & of overcoming their prey (or surviving a predator) practicing on each other. They swiftly learn the art of deception, crying out “I’m hurt” in order that a sibling loosens their grip only to take advantage moments later cashing on on their siblings duplicity by turning the tables. It’s endlessly fascinating & amusing as it looks exactly like the archetypal mischievous kitten. I love their attempts to look bigger as they arch their back & face their “foe” sideways on, how they creep & prowl, pounce & run, climb &…. One wait, I don’t know how to get down! Meoooooow - translating to “human, come save me”.

As I was searching online for something on my phone today, beside me there was the odd squeak & some jostling going on.. I lifted my arm & got to watch this….

All change!

So what’s happened since last I wrote - well first, baths that’s what! 

I learned early on in my career not to attempt all kittens at the same time… wet kittens going in every direction was a nightmare, so I do them one by one and at this little size I use the kitchen sink - saving water - and my rickety old back. 

Warm water in the bowl and a separate jug of water for the final rinse, a warm towel and Johnson’s baby shampoo at the ready one by one each kitten had their first experience of being immersed in water and I’m delighted to say that each behaved well. The first was happy to sit a while, whereas each that came after decided to get out but did not object when being put back and bathed. I let them get used to the feeling them I get on with soaping them by pouring some shampoo into my palm then rubbing my hands together then picking kitty up and standing them on the draining board I wash from neck down to tail all down the back and under tummy, then both front legs making sure to go into the folds at the armpit. I then soap the paws before doing the same with the back legs taking care at the leg crease folds. Lastly the genitals and it’s time to get back into the bath for a rinse off removing most of the soap. The jugged clean water used last of all after lifting kitty clear of the water. Wrapped quickly into a towel and dried off, next it’s face, ear and claw cleaning. The face is done with plain water in two half’s. The eye on the first side is wiped first with dampened cotton wool to remove any dried on debris, then around the side of the face and to the mouth and chin. Then a fresh swab for the other side. This avoids any infections that could be present being passed from one eye to the other. Next ears. Ear cleaner is dripped into the ear canal and this is immediately massaged in at the base of the ear. It’s important that this is immediate otherwise they will shake their head to remove the liquid. With the cleanser distributed, fresh dry cotton wool is used to soak up the liquid then this is wiped around inside the ear shell. I then make a twist and use this to go deeper into the ear to remove any gunk. This being the first ever clean I was rather impressed there wasn’t too much! Once the ear is done you can allow the head shake before working on the other. Next the claws are cleaned of built up gunk and clipped as necessary. I find baby wipes are the best at clearing the claws of this oily build up. Job done! Don’t worry, if you are a soon to be new parent of a Naked Sphynx Cat Hampshire kitten, the full instructions for all of these processes is in the care book you’ll receive in your kitten pack. 

So, 4 clean kittens have been eating well and growing like mad. And getting stronger. Climbing is now a regular occurrence and so came the time to dismantle the pen. No one had got out of it yet but I did not want someone to make an attempt and come to harm if they got stuck. Better to remove it and allow them their freedom. And this is what we did this evening.

They were so not sure what to do with this newfound freedom. They seemed at first a bit frozen by the new scope opened up. However it never takes long to gain courage and soon they were off exploring the room , with one even going a few steps into the hallway. Soon skittish play began and both adults joined in with this to some extent especially when the first kitten climbed up onto the sofa - but had no clue how to get down - A fall from seat height soon solved that little conundrum. 8 lives left!

So here I am writing and in my lap warm as toast is a sleeping kitten sleep climbed up here and seemingly felt too tired to do more! 

Lost mittens? Not these kittens!

 There were 4 in the bed & mummy said Roll Over! 

What a wonderful few days we’ve had as the kittens appetites grow along with them. At each meal time I’m now giving at least 100g of food slot evenly between them already and they’re so excited about feeding times that I’m warmly greeted with their beautiful little eager faces turned up toward me they track my every move I make until those bowls are placed before them. At first each kitten would remain at his or her dish, but now one or two have been a little competitive. It’s a case of the grass is always greener, as one will push in, taking ownership of the next food dish along, and if pushing in with their head is not working, I’ve even seen a gentle teeth nuzzle too - not a bite, no yelp heard, just an attempt to be persuasive as they try to see what their neighbour has that they don’t. You always see the different personalities come to the fore around food, one kitten is a much slower eater than her siblings  and so I keep a close eye that her food remains hers & that she has more if she wants it. Around her, her siblings are much more gung-ho eating as if this was their last opportunity to eat! I am topping up their fast emptying dishes until they are done. And I continue to watch as sometimes they walk elsewhere, then change their minds & return for another mouthful or two. I’ve noticed one appears greedier than the others & interestingly it’s the lad who took so long to come around to the idea of solids - or this food - now there is no stopping him! 

Once food is eaten, the litter tray might be visited, a short half hearted play, then a nice long nap to digest the food. They then wake for more play & litter tray use, by which time it is feeding time once more, around every 3 ½ to 4 hours morning until night & each kitten receives as much food as they wish to eat. 

They’re living the cardboard box I have given them to play with… it’s closed but with a doorway cut in, the opening pulled up to create a barrier wall. Their first play fort. Once they are out of the pen, the box fort will grow, more boxes stacked on top of each other with various doors providing lots of opportunities for pouncing on a sibling from a hidden doorway or as they pass below. Such fun is to be had from cardboard boxes, however, a word to the wise: keep a close eye on any plastic parcel tape you may use in the creation of your mega structure  as they will eventually start to rip and can then swallow bits of it which could cause harm in their tiny digestive tracts. 

I’m going to be giving them a first bath in the next day or two as their bedding is getting very mucky very fast now that mum is not needing to do so much with them since they’ve been using the litter tray. Having snipped their pointed claws this week and seen the gunk on their claw beds, it’s most definitely time !

Continuing & marked changes

The kittens are now really excited to see my coming with their food & are all managing a decent amount at each feed time. And the good news is that as of last night Mr Stubborn decided that he liked the food the others have after all which is helpful. 

As predicted the rocket fuel of solids creates huge change with more growth & more energy so there’s now much more awake & play time happening . It’s so lovely to see, especially so when they don’t even know I’m there! 

Litter tray usage is no problem to them & each has been self grooming after eating (if mum will let them!).

I’ve also installed a water fountain which the adults have been drinking from showing them what to do. Of course they have investigated as the sight & sound of the water is too irresistible. Paws in water & shaking of wet paws is funny! However Mum & Aunty Noo have been testing the water in there so they’ll copy that when they’re ready. Once free they’ll have access to bowls of water too so will know how to drink from both running as well as still water making it easier to adapt when they go off to their new families. 

Going forward, their routine will be regular feeding with the amount of food they require increasing daily. As they grow, they’ll soon work out how & be strong enough to get themselves out of the pen enclosure - at which point I will take it down just leaving their den up at least while they continue to want to use it. What I find happening is that once they’re free they want to follow mum & Aunty Noodle  & quickly learn how to scramble up onto and down from my bed thus sleeping in a big kitten & cat puddle which leaves me to fit in around them somehow. At this point the den most likely will be abandoned. 

Bringing kittens up underfoot like this is not how every breeder chooses to go about things I know. Most have “kitten rooms” where they’re born & once weaned the mother is removed. The kittens now grow up confined in this room which is of course the room is filled with lot of fun things to do, but the door is closed & they’re not living as part of a household & that feels wrong to me, when they are going to be pets who will live as part of a household. Of course it might be the choice of their future families to keep their kitten/cat out of their bedroom & indeed their beds (the Sphynx will definitely want to sleep in with you!) and thats very much a personal choice. As long as the kitten/cat has somewhere warm enough to sleep if they’re separated from you over night. My choice has always been that my cats are my family & I especially love the closeness these cats need . I have provided them with heat mats on top of my bed which means that they don’t want to climb inside with me. Because this feeling of family with my cats extends to their kittens too, for me, bringing them up in the manner I do feels right. Mind you,  I do have to get used to being walked over regularly during the night or even becoming an early morning play area! Bless them! 

A landmark day!

 

Hoorah! And Hip Hip Hooray! Today all four kittens ate solid food unaided! Already in just 5½ days they know that when I appear food is imminent & they’re coming out of the den in order to greet me! What a change! Not only that but the litter trays also saw action today too (in fact the first was overnight!) ; I’m so impressed that these incredible creatures never need to be taught, instinct telling them that this gritty substrate is for them to poop /wee into & mostly they will instinctually bury it too (though I watched one today who was missing this action - I’m sure it will follow very soon though. 

What a result though!!! I’m thrilled as even Mr Stubbornpants ate with an appetite that was astounding especially considering his up until now point blank refusal to even look like he enjoys eating. It turns out he does, so what changed? I’ll tell you - I simply offered him a different food! Who would have thought that he would refuse his BARF food! And that’s certainly a first for a well cat (and he is most definitely not unwell!) 

Just look at him go! 

 

The food he is tucking into is a veterinary recovery food - let’s call it a “triple strength rocket fuel” packed as it is with tons of added nutrients & with an especially strong aroma which, being a recovery food is designed to entice a lacking appetite toward eating. I didn’t even dish it into a dish so sure I was that he would turn his nose up at even this! How wrong I was! Golly, I’d delighted to be wrong & so, so glad I had this sitting ready in case of illness in a cat or kitten in the supplies cupboard & that I thought to try it out! 

My aim then as we go forwards is to give him this on its own for a day or maybe 2 then begin to transition him to accept the other food by mixing a small quantity of the other food with this, then to gradually over the next few days continue to adding more of one while reducing the other. With luck he will once he has the hang of reliably eating solids he will more readily accept (& like!) the food he should be having. 

Hands more free today then, I’m so happy to have finally got some new food themed photos to share with you. This is how they look when it’s  “grub’s up” time! 

Weaning… is it only day ???

 It feeeeeeeels like more tbh. My fingers are going through it with one of the gents while we made a breakthrough today with some almost unaided dish eating. The 2 kittens who made some progress today have both required starting off & eating from the tips of  my fingers with their heads following the food into the dish, then the dish lowered to the floor. However, if their heads went up for any reason I needed to lead them again. The 4th is very reluctant to have the food in his mouth at all, let alone eat any… I’ve tried beginning with manuka honey even to see if he will get a taste for that and follow it to begin accepting the gruel but nope, he is, despite his very sharp teeth having none of it. Still, it’s early days yet. Prune is still feeding them patiently, they’re all getting loads of food, nutrition & fluid whether having meat or not. 

The litter trays have seen no action but tonight as I cleaned up after their final feed, & then renewed some of the blanket bedding in their den meaning they had to be “out in the yard” there was the first signs of interest with getting in & some of the instinctual digging I expect to see - while no wee or poop was forthcoming some noses had a cat litter frosting on them. Silly little things - they dip their heads to investigate it and is sticks to the moisture there. They then lick their noses to get it off & so it’s stuck to the tongue which means they sit comically try spit it off!  

I can’t wait to show you photos of them eating, it’s so messy getting going & both my hands are dripping with meaty soupy gloop that’s not what I want to get all over my phone! Sorry. I will aim to get some new images tomorrow so you can see the latest changes in their sizes! 

Meanwhile I’m just off now to rub Savlon cream into my latest puncture wounds! I’ve never had such a reluctant starter! Prune is doing too good a job evidently! 

Here’s a photo of the old matriarch of the household zzzzzz-ing away

Weaning day 2

Bedtime stories…

Or a lullaby? 

Dear sweet Prune. At regular intervals during the night she came to wake me, dropping on me a mouse (toy) to remind me not to forget to feed her babies! How cute! 

So, after a good start yesterday, today was another messy day, with my food giving fingers feeling the bite! That’s good though since the bite is not purposeful at all but instead is their over zealous wish to eat (& not knowing quite how).

Once again one kitten seems to have no issues at all at putting her head down to eat from the dish as soon as I start her off. Her siblings are just not cottoning on yet.. I reckon, I’ve used a just over 100grams split between the 4 of them - with of course some lost to wastage that is dropped or missed during this training stage.

Throughout the day I’ve tried different consistencies to see if any is preferred, and to be honest, I’m not sure any way it was altered made a great deal of difference. Room temperature, or room temperature with different quantities of warm water added to form a soupy were attempted every few hours. The consistency of warm gruel is usually best at this stage as first of all giving it cold after having been in the fridge would be very alien to them being as they’re used to having their meals delivered at blood temperature from mum. Plus the tongue is used to the suckling shape so gruel is sucked and they will, once they’re interested in the meat , quickly learn to follow it downwards until they’re eating from the dish on the floor level.

I won’t be giving them food that’s fridge-cold for some weeks yet as their little bodies can’t be expected to cope with the temperature drop that would occur when eating it cold.  

Meanwhile, this evening Prune has had her first bath in several weeks. She’s unfortunately is not a bath lover, & so to avoid risk to her or the babies inside her I stop bathing her toward the end of her pregnancy & only begin them again after the kittens are a few weeks old. This delay allows her kittens to use her scent while young & blind & it is their “safe place”. Considering the gap in service, she was very well behaved, and for her first sudsing she stood/crouched without wriggling at all however,  since she had had so long between her ablutions, I wanted to get 2 sudsings and a good rinse in in order to remove any soap residue from her skin. It was when she realised that a second scrub was coming her way that she thought to try to scarper. It took a couple more minutes is all, then she was snuggled in a warm towel, her ears were then cleaned (they needed it!) & her claws which she keeps very clean were wiped & then snipped. They’d got quite long.  Did you know that hair & nails grow faster in summertime than in winter? There’s the trained nail tech in me seeping out!

So now both adults are clean & they have had lovely fresh bedding to go with it. The kittens will not receive their first bath for a  couple of weeks. Besides, Prune is licking them so much every time they leave the food dish, making very sure that no scrap of food is missed or goes to waste & Noodle helps too sometimes by giving each kitten a second going over so I reckon I can safely rely on their attentions in that department for a while longer, plus I’d like them a little larger before I begin that process. Weaning & litter tray learning is enough for now. 

No news there though. No sign of a first use of a litter tray yet - but with solids going in it’s only going to be a matter of time before (a) they feel the need & (b) Mum no longer deals with them. 

And YAY 😁- it was worming day for everyone (with 4 legs) here today too. Noodle had her Termaworm pill which will see her sorted until September. Prune had a pregnancy & lactation safe syrup which was cunningly disguised by being mixed into not 1 but 2 strong smelling lickilix. That did the trick. She eagerly had the lot. The kittens received the same syrup, which was given in the mouth by syringe (they didn’t like it!)  before their 9pm feed. The worming for mum & kittens on this product is 2 weekly until 12 weeks.  

As I am writing this I’m in my bedroom, but am listening to Prune warbling away to them in the lounge. I wonder what she says… when she sits on top of the Den, I think she’s encouraging them to come out, but at bed time, is it a song, or a story? And if so, are the words to aid the in their future life preparation ? 

Weaning Get Set GO!!!

I hope you’ll watch on as these little cuties change over the coming weeks! Why? Let me explain…. 

Having moved to their new digs, the same den, for security & comfort, but now with outside space as I begin weaning them.  

Typically confining them as I have doesn’t work for long at all since once they’ve discovered the world is a bit bigger than their den they will quickly become curious & find they can quite easily lift up the padding with their noses and simply walk out through the bars! Or climb the padding & topple out. 

Of course the rocket fuel of having their first tastes of meat helps this process along since they will soon have so much energy to begin to climb & run about, plus will realise I am the source of this food and it comes from the kitchen. Why wait for me to bring it when they can demand it when I happen to be headed in that direction!!!

Prune has been ready for me to get this process underway - today she came to me with a mouse! She will appreciate her kittens being a little less reliant on her as we move forward. Oh & she is also rather keen on helping & finishing up what they don’t eat & licking every last trace from her children after they’ve fed!

As always, it’s a case of my not enough hands in the early days…meaning I can’t show you the mess we get into - my hands are busy deterring two eager adults from eating the food before the kittens ever get the chance. Plus I generally need to show them how to eat 

Thankfully Noodle tends to hold back politely waiting until either a stray piece needs her hoovering abilities  or the kittens have lost interest in the food offered. Prune is a different story since she wants the calories to produce milk & will take it where she can get Not

I began the event by putting a sprinkling of litter into the two trays and showing then to the kittens. They are usually keen to scratch & dig about, the their bodies being triggered by this noise, feel & movement. It’s remarkable how they just know this is where to go & what to do. 

Next I put some dry food (kitten complete Natures Menu) in a dish to see what they did. One of the blue lads got straight on with it while the others just walked through the dish, the adults diving in to rescue the scattered bits as they ricocheted off in all directions. One blue buy seemed keener of this dry than the others.  

Now to the main event. Meat. I begin them with Natures Menu kitten which has undergone a revamp since last year. Now rather than in pouches of 100g, it’s tins of 85g plus there’s a new second flavour been added.  I start with easily digestible chicken. It’s been prepared by being lightly steamed once sealed into its container, thus retaining all the nutrients, while killing off any pathogens that might hurt a little kitten. While raw food is prepared frozen (as a weaning paste), this approach feels better for me on several levels - given that a£ ) I don’t know the preferences of their new families once they take them home and b) I’m lacking in freezer space . This steamed food is BARF but is more similar in appearance & texture to commercial wet food important for easy of their new families if they are transitioning their kitten down the road a bit. I do always recommend if making any change that a VERY slow transition is carried out at any age, but with young kittens the new family is always advised to keep to using the Natures Menu for a few months at least before beginning any make any change to their immature digestive systems.

Meat onto shallow dish, I mashed it with a fork & given they have teeth I thought I’d see if they needed it made into a soupy gruel or not by offering it as is. The black girl was straight in there once I’d opened her mouth & given her that first taste. Her siblings were not quite as quick on the uptake, walking through it as they tried to get to different positions. As I say, this early stage is very hands on with me covered in meat bringing kittens back to stand by a dish. This means though that I can’t provide images of this comically messy introduction. 

Each kitten was keen to sniff, just not sure how or what to do. One of the blue boys had appeared to enjoy the dry grasping how that worked right away, but he was not so quick on the uptake with this. One by one I opened mouths (oh the teeth!) and popped food in, they have no idea how to eat but some does get eaten some how. They are eager for more and will bite at my finger in anticipation. They don’t eat much this first time but the synapses of their brains will be firing like mad & their bodies will enjoy the experience. Their learning will be rapid as I lower by finger down leading eager mouths into the dish. 

Noodle & Prune washed up dishes, kittens & even the foam floor I’d put in the dens “yard” as insulation from my cold laminate flooring. I popped kittens back in the litter, but slowly they headed back inside their bedroom to digest this new food! 

Water will be introduced once I know they’re safe (i.e a little more agile) for now mum continues to provide them her nutritional liquid nectar as this is both a food & a drink. 

Over the coming days as the kittens come to love their meat, they’ll continue to suckle (in fact because they’re raised in an underfoot way, they’ll want to suckle Prune until they leave us but by then, when they are allowed (by her)  access,L to it it will be more about comfort & purring than anything that’s left to actually come from the source. 

Once Prune has seen they are well weaned her instinct presses her to still return to lay with them but to save hungry, now much stronger assault of her delicate bits, it will be more often on her front rather than her side preventing their access. Nature & nurture has its way of ensuring that the next generation become independent & that the mothering female can reclaim her body & recover her lost condition. 

Speaking of this, I keep Prune on a “cat & kitten” formulation food which gives her the calories & vital nutrients needed - she will naturally begin to cut back on the quantity she eats eating only what she needs. She is a delicate eater in general, different totally to gutsy neutered Noodle who will, because she is without the regulating hormones, easily gain weight. 

Noodle is so gutsy that, once retired, spayed as she was during her unfortunate second c-section, at the end of her second ever pregnancy at when she was carrying the extra weight they put on then to sustain growing embryos & start producing milk. Because of the timing of this & a single surviving kitten again, she never lost the extra weight. I’d  continued free feeding assuming she’d naturally adjust her appetite. 

As I fought for ways for her to get slowly (always slowly with cats, never a fast diet/weight reduction!) down to a reasonable size/weight, eventually after trying different approaches I migrated her to a timed & limited portion diet which would be dispensed regularly over the course of a full day. This approach worked wonders but it took a good 2-4 years of my trying different things which included “lower calorie” formulated foods, free fed & slow fed. Her gluttony was (is) immense & she was a “wide load” - which with no fur to hide under made it blatantly obvious plus more importantly it made for an unhealthy cat.  Now that she is a healthy weight, she is back onto the same “full fat” food variety as Prune - albeit restricted.

Prune’s food continues to be free fed as an unspayed lady & is protected by being safely stored in a microchip programmed feeder which allows Prune to feed without being harassed, while denying Noodle access. It might be that when she retires I will need to change her routine too…? 

I had a cat called Floozy too. Right from her arrival here at 14 weeks, she had terrible digestive issues which needed daily steroids & which sadly meant she could never be bred from as I’d hoped to do. She was spayed & despite being at the time a kitten (under 12 months) she too was a glutton who in the end was better suited to a timed feeding approach with an appropriate portion size for her life stage. 

She was boss cat right from her arrival & she also became devious. She would climb on top of Prune bullying her as she ate from her microchip protected feeder. I ended up making a cardboard screen/guard so only Prunella’s head could be there to access her food. 

What I’ve learned is that there’s no right or wrong for any cat at any life stage. Their feeding is very much as individual just as their bodies are. The important thing is to keep watch & be prepared to try different approaches as needed . 

With Noodle & Floozy slow feeders (to slow eating of greedy cats while challenging them to wok for their food - as they would in nature) did not work. Free feeding didn’t work, even with different food types. But the dispensing timed basis turned out to be a game changer (& I’d been so against it!) 

Kittens should always be fed kitten formulation foods, but even they can be prone to weight gain if they’re gluttonous - which could highlight an under Health issue so see a vet for testing & advice.  

The meat-fed kittens are settled & quiet now . I’ll offer the food once or twice more tonight - they’ll soon get the hang of the multiple offering & demand that I feed them NOW! Rocket fuel it is - no doubt about it. 

Kitten updates

The kittens are growing stronger day by day, more attention is being paid to the world outside of their safe & cosy den . A couple of days ago to see how well their limbs are gaining strength I put them all on the carpet just outside of their quarters…. They were nervous, the unknown feel of carpet, the exposure in an unfamiliar place (30cm from their den!) . They wobbled a bit but were able to mobilise & think about moving off. Have a look in the video below: 

They’ve also been changing on the inside too as their teeth are easily felt. I was making a little video at 3:33 this morning when suddenly Prune yelped & began immediately to get up. Obviously a too eager kitten has clamped down this it’s needle sharp teeth trying to keep its place or assure the nipple remained their own. 

I’m going to be introducing solid foods into their diet from Sunday - Prune will be delighted I’m sure though they’ll continue to suckle her even when thy be longer need to. As they get the hang of solids, lots will change… she will no longer see to their toileting needs & so on Sunday as their diet begins to alter so too will their accommodation which will now be adapted once more, this time to include access to a shallow sided litter tray & a dish of water. At first they’ll walk provable through the shallow water a few times before learning it’s there for drinking, but they learn the use of the litter tray readily. Their curiosity has them getting into the tray where instinct drives them to begin scratching about in it. This seems to trigger their bodies & they will just start using it & learning to cover their “business” by themselves. It’s remarkable even if they do at first get this bit a little wrong. It’s also, at times,  made infinitely worse by a runny tummy as their bellies adapt to a meat diet. In such circumstances I do tend to need to do some quickfire rinsing & washing of feet & toes under a warm tap. This is rather unpleasant especially once so agile in their free access around my home. However, for the most part it is a quick progression… their desire for the meat at first is not huge—- what is this weird stuff you are putting in my mouth? I don’t know how to deal with it? I don’t like the taste or the texture! Stop it! Then, oh how they change their minds becoming ravenous for their meat which is fed at first in small amounts 5-6 times a day, then gradually this is reduced to 4-5 times a day as their little tummies hold more. These tiny legs only a few centimetres long, minute compared to my own, can race past me get to the kitchen long before I can, so eager are they to eat! 

The kittens will,as always, be weaned to Natures Menu kitten, this is an ideal & safe first stage of on the way to them having a raw whole prey BARF diet. However, it is also a happy medium as it has a similar texture to commercial processed wet food too making it easy for their future family to do a slow & measured transition of their kittens later on if that is what they desire (transition advice is featured as a chapter in the new owner handbook) . The kittens also have access to Natures Menu dry kibble. Again, a great starter complete food all on its own, a perfect way to get feeding a meat & grain free diet if dry feeding is preferred. A slow reduction in wet food would be all a new family would need t do if this was their preferred . Food type. My own cats are fed on a Orijen Cat & kitten - a dry BARF food. However, of note here is that  while it’s advertised as being ideal to use for kittens for weaning too my own previous experience in doing this is that young kittens have tended not to cope well with this food (as a weaning food) so if you were considering this very excellent food, I would migrate them to this by slowly transitioning them later on . I plan to do this very thing with the kitten I am keeping. So it’s all to come, meantime I hope you’ll enjoy this cute early hours video revealing what goes on in the wee hours. Prune suddenly yelps & moves in response to being nipped by the rather needle like teeth but is encouraged to stay. As she resettles rather than guarding herself instead she positions herself to give as full access as she can. What a magnificent mother she is!

 

Preparations & meetings

Time is marching on so fast. While it might appear from the “samey” photos that not a lot changes, I can see the advancement these little critters are making. With that in mind I’ve been getting my head ready for big changes because very soon there’s gonna be a need for food that is more substantial (though Prune’s milk is still tops!). 

In fact, I’m so adoring of Prune for the awesome job she is doing in milk production particularly after her start where she seemed so agitated by their early inability to acquire milk. Thankfully once I’d taken the weight off her by supplying formula milk to them from the evening of their arrival & kept that going a few days, she found her stride  & has been been keeping those round tummies well filled ever since. And I could not be more pleased - its the first time over her now three litters that I have been able to stop giving any formula to any kitten at all. 

Of course I keep a close eye on them & her, ready to help out if she needs it. For now though I’m delighted that she’s absolutely smashing it. Yay Pru!!

Beginning to explore, to be awake, craning necks - alert to my passing by at which point they yell to ask for attention, the kittens are beginning to engage in curious play. Physically they’re progressing & will  get their1st teeth through soon. Oh boy they are sharp little needle-like daggers of pain when they test them out. Poor Prune, I know they’ll be rather brutal on her mummy parts! When this happens most definitely she’ll want to begin weaning. Odd though it might sound, she and Noodle at this point begin to bring toy mice to the den meowing loudly that diner is ready. In fact one of their mice has been dropped off by Noodle a week or so ago. She too is a prepper! 

Prep is key now since the rollercoaster ride of change coming once solids are introduced is unstoppable. They may not get to eat toy mice - though every year I love the instinctual daily effort, particularly as my girls have never seen a mouse in their lives yet somehow know that a toy resembling one is the natural food that their babies require. It’s the effort that counts and it’s preferable to them bringing a tin opener into the bedroom I guess! 

The first big delivery of solid food is due to arrive here tomorrow -  ready to go when the time comes. When it does massive change occurs - for us all! Yikes! 

It’s sad to begin to leave milk behind but will be emotionally easier for me this year since I’ve not developed the usual bottle feeding this time round. Weaning is very much the first major step toward the rest of their lives as individuals! I’ll talk about this another day, for now I’m gonna get every last drop of cute from these teeny-tiny teacup sized Sphynx cats!  

Meanwhile, there was another really big event here on Saturday afternoon. This was when I met (by video call) a very lovely lady, Sarah,  the mum of a family into which one of the lucky kitten crew are destined to go. I love meeting our new families beginning to form these incredible new relationships  & their growing excitement as they prepare for a Sphynx- particularly when it’s a first one! Best of all was getting to show Sarah the kittens live in real time!  I’m pleased to say they all behaved themselves, not minding too much my interrupting their slumber for a quick “show n tell”.  Unfortunately during the call we experienced a few connection issues/freezings but all in all it was a rather wonderful first get together. I so enjoy this spreading of kitten love. We are now hoping to have another video call in a couple of weekend’s time. After which we will be on a roller coaster hurtling head first toward those 8 week in person viewings. Yep, as I said, 

Have a great week! exciting times are ahead!

Things that go Squeak in the night

Not great quality at all, I love these two short films showing the shenanigans that go on during the night when normal people (as in not me!) go to sleep. 

In one film I haven’t moved from my own bed as I film on zoom as poor patient mum Prune is assaulted by her wriggling little hungry caterpillars 🐛! 

In the other, the better of two lousy bits of film footage made when I’d been woken up by a certain skritch skritching sound of kittens claws on cardboard “door way blocker”I’d installed for safety. I have a little climber in there keen on testing out his limbs as well as a little girl rather eager to engage in early play! ❤❤

 

Quite a handful!

We are at day 16 & things are beginning to get exciting because now seeing & hearing, with strength and the ability to begin to walk the kittens are beginning to be attentive, eagerly mewing & looking at me as I sit near to attend to them. Previous litters of kittens quickly learned to recognised & associate my appearance with food; their excitement was understandably exuberant. I didn’t however expect the same level of interest from these at this stage (given they don’t want or need my food offerings just yet) . What their eager interest and craning necks does show though is how curious they are about the world outside of their snug little den. They are not yet ready to venture out but have space within it to move around & explore which I’ve seen them doing as they gain strength & coordination of their limbs. 

They’ve just been weighed & they’ve just received their first worming dose - surprise! They didn’t like it!. As I placed them back in they were eagerly licked all over by mum who was making sure they are ok & that she wasn’t missing out on something that is nice - surprise - she wasn’t! Prune hates worming time - despite manufacturers telling us they are “pleasantly” flavoured to appeal to pets for easy worming. Pah! Not true! She is like inspector Clouseau, no amount of hiding any form of treatment gets past her! 

Weights today

The girls: Black 240g - Blue 241g

The boys: 292g & 256g

Worming:

Despite being indoor cats, my girls are wormed regularly. Their tablet treatment is given every 3 months.  Being indoor only that they do not get worms via the normal routes other cats would, plus being Sphynx do not get fleas (see info below) . Additionally I have no other pets who might bring worms or fleas into the environment. All that being said, the clear veterinary advice (yes, even for indoor kept animals) is always to treat for worms & *fleas as standard.

* Sphynx cats do not require flea treatment

During pregnancy & lactation Prune cannot have her usual tablet & so I change the worming medication accordingly so as to protect the pregnancy & feeding kittens. Although the cats are treated, it is also vital to give the kittens worming treatment too, even ones as young as these.

Panacur is one brand that I use and is well tolerated (though the taste hated!) & another is offered by Beaphar who at least make efforts to make it taste “pleasant”. Both brands offer the treatment as a paste/cream or as a syrup both of which are suitable for giving to kittens at this life stage. Hoping to go with “pleasant” I have begun with the Beaphar paste/cream & this is dosed in a schedule as shown here: 

Kittens and puppies: Treat at 2 weeks of age and retreat every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old, thereafter they can be treated at three monthly intervals.

Nursing queens and bitches: Treat at the same time and as frequently as their kittens and puppies until weaning.

https://www.beaphar.com/en-gb/product/beaphar-worming-cream

To understand why worm treating such young kittens is so important & how they can be infected while being in the den & maternally fed, the PDSA website provides the following information about worms in cats & kittens:

Worms live in the intestines, steal food and cause damage to the gut lining. Although worms rarely cause serious problems in adult cats, they can cause very serious illness (such as dehydration, anaemia, gut blockages and even death) in kittens.

Kittens catch worms from their mother’s milk and adult cats catch them from fleas and hunting (rats, mice and birds etc). 

There are two main types of worm that affect cats and kittens in the UK:  

1. Roundworm - look like spaghetti and grow up to 15cm long.
2. Tapeworm - grow up to 50cm long and look like flat ribbons made up of lots of little segments. If your cat has tapeworms, you might see little worm segments (the size of a grain of rice) crawling around their bottom

(https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/worms-in-cats) 

Because the microscopic worm larvae/eggs can even live outside of the gut it is possible for them to be carried in to the home/cattery on footwear & though I do change my shoes as I come inside you can appreciate how simple it would be to accidentally bring worms into the environment which could then infect an indoor cat. Another route in for work larvae/eggs might be via contaminated food. 

Work treating my cats, & treating these beautiful kittens will ensure that they are protected from the harm that worms can cause & will ensure that all of the nourishment provided by the food they eat will feed them & not a clew of unwelcome worms who happen to be residing in their intestines. 

Day 14 Update

 

I note as I watch this video back how much there is to see in this short video. You see a mother cat who is intent upon gaining every calorie she can - she is cleaning them up ferociously because I’ve just been offering them formula - which they didn’t require because they are so full. You also see in the video that despite refusing my milk offering & being full that the kittens still continue to harass her teats - and as they do there are different stories going on. At one stage as she is still cleaning, at the same time in reaction to inquest from another kitten she is awkwardly positioned with her leg opened to give that access. Multitasking, she is aware and rearing to their needs. But having finished cleaning as the onslaught continues she lies down again but now she uses her back leg to push them clear and try to guard her tummy - though not for long as she realises it’s futile. 

I’m sure now that this onslaught is why she was so unsettled during last night. At one point bringing a single kitten up onto my bed (I put it back!). I assumed that she might be struggling to produce enough milk and her mewing (so rare) was her asking me to step in. And I think this is true she does want my help but not because she is lacking milk but more that she is overwhelmed by their continuous desire for it. She might be a little sore. Their claws are sharp and their constant suckling and kneading of her soft abdomen will be having an effect for sure. They’ll be using her as a teether too with their first teeth getting ready to emerge fairly soon. Even do, their gum line is hard and the pressure and friction will be affecting her comfort. Certainly she is taking more breaks away from them now - to get peace often choosing to take a little “me time” to snooze for longer but still not far away. She might have a drink, visit the loo, a quick burst on the running wheel to stretch and use her muscles and limbs having been on her sides for such long periods. 

The kittens are superb. Strong and healthy with increasing weights. Tonight’s weights are;

Black F 217g, Blue F 220g. Blue M’s 226g & 245g 

I watch them sleep, dream & stretch their limbs testing them regularly. They are at this stage still very much babies. They can move around but it’s more dragging/crawling and their motivation for moving anywhere is in getting to mum or finding somewhere in her absence that they might want to snuggle up. I sometimes lift a blanket to do a head count and find a pile of kittens laying at all angles absolutely zonked to the world. Bliss. 

I also watch them when everything is still and quiet. In the video below, taken in the dead of night June 4th into 5th shows Prune soundly sleeping and yet this kitten onslaught goes on still. The quality is not great. I zoomed in rather than move so as not to disturb them at all.. but as you watch the kittens have mounted themselves high up on their quest for a tear to be plugged into…thankfully though badly aimed there is some eventual success…..

Worth the Weight!

Happy Jubilee Friday! 

After 3 full days of feeding her babies without any kind of supplemental support assistance from me each time I’ve checked upon the kittens (frequently) they have had very full tummies.  I’ve just taken their latest weights & am thrilled that every single kitten is now over the 200g mark: 

Black Female: 208g   Blue F 201g

Blue M’s   218g   &   208g 

They are stronger by the day & exercising their bodies as they begin to explore more. I’ve noticed Prune is more inclined to have a little “me time” though she is never far away and returns swiftly with a soft reassuring new to let them know she is there. However, each time she settles with them the kittens want to latch on & I think she is needing a little break, perhaps feeling some discomfort from the almost constant assault on her tears since there are always favoured positions. 

I watched a fabulous short video on Instagram this week where a back a Sphynx mother was laying flat on her back, legs akimbo with kittens latched on from both sides at once . I thought this a super solution and wondered why this is not a position that is used more often. Maybe because m the usual side laying crescent shape into which kittens gather is residual instinct since in the wild this poison shields & protects mum snd her exposed abdomen… maybe too this position is a way to attempt to shield a couple of the teats hiding them more beneath this giving them a welcome break! Only joking, when you see how they insistently butt and burrow in order to seek out the teats you’ll appreciate that unless she lays like the Egyptian Sphinx tummy to the floor (which she will do in the weeks to come after they have weaned to meat), her underside is getting no such rest! 

This video taken today (June 3rd 2022) does actually demonstrate a bit that head butting and digging as well as the many needle like claws that rhythmically knead pricking at her soft underbelly skin. Note to self that I may need to perform another miniature manicure again!

Chirruping

Whether I’m watching TV, knitting (another baby dress for my granddaughter) or anything else all the while I’m more & more aware these last couple of days of Prune’s almost constant communication with her offspring. It’s such a beautiful chatter of chirruping and warbles. They are in short bursts, like a murder & are reasonably high in pitch.  I wish I knew what she was saying but I think they are reassurances or encouragement since historically she makes this same wittering warbling chit chat sound a bit later when she wants her kittens to begin leaving the nest to explore & start gaining muscle strength & building stamina. 

When she leaves the den, and if the kittens then begin to squeak (where’s the milk? Where’s the milk ? They cry!) as she approaches she warbles the same voice to (I’m here children, don’t fret!) . It’s just so so lovely hearing it all. 

I’ve included here one of 2 delicious snaps I took of Noodle at about 4am today while she was in a very deep sleep. I wanted to honour her because when Pru took some time out yesterday evening to partake of a child-free & peaceful snooze on the heat mat on my bed under a blanket, Noodle who is usually there too had quietly vanished…bless her heart she had taken over childminding, keeping the kittens warm & in company (though there was no chatting!) . I love my ladies so so much & am frequently in awe of their communal kindness (they can squabble too btw!) .

Must do a new weigh in tomorrow as Prune is handling all feeding herself since Tuesday evening so 48 hours. Tummies are very well filled each time I check & there is no crying for food. As you see in the photo of them all there’s no problem with being plugged in. I so love the hands up pose there and the almost human looking fingers, Happy Jubilee Bank Holiday everyone! 

 

Day 10 update

 What better way to describe how well these kittens are doing than to show you? 

Do excuse some of the filming as I was looking at the kittens and mum with my eyes rather than through the camera. However, regardless of questionable shots it’s clear to see the wonderful way these kittens are growing and developing, their limbs are now getting stronger and it won’t be too long before they start to become more mobile! That is a stage that is a game changer as they gain courage and confidence so quickly, fearlessly climbing and then - yikes - jumping or scrabbling down before scampering off in a new direction. to get up to the next bit of mischief! I love them and hope they bring you joy too. 

Weighing in there!

I was back in the saddle today providing a bit of childcare because last week my daughter in law’s maternity leave ended.I’ve not done any proper child care since before lock down #1 began, though did do a couple of afternoons during subsequent lockdowns when childminders/nursery was closed,  after my ankle break had healed enough & while she was pregnant and trying her best to work from home all with a demanding toddler vying for attention. Being immune suppressed, the only way I could provide the care was if they close the usually welcoming door on all other family members. Anyhoo, lots of time has passed and I’m hoping my 4 (soon to be 5) jabs and careful life will be enough to protect me going forward. They’re my greatest joy (other than the cats!!) but my biggest kryptonite. So, it being half term as I took the reigns this morning I had both children to entertain/care for - nothing like being in at the deep end! Actually they were wonderful as always! ❤️

I began by waking extra early to make sure the kittens were “full of tummy” before I left & since I forgot to weigh them last night I also did this this morning too. They weigh in results are: 

Black Girl 178g

Blue Girl  174g 

Blue boys : 188g & 177g.

All kittens have fully open eyes now, and as I pick them up I can definitely feel how solid they are becoming as they “flesh out”. At 9 days today they still sleep most of the time between each feeding & will cuddle up with mum searching out a teat then dozing off. Either then or if mum decides she will take a little “me time” they’ll bundle up in a heap all together or else in pairs. It’s rare to see a kitten sleeping on its own. If they wake and are alone they yell out, and seek their litter mates or mum will respond and go to them. I love watching my beautiful Prune as she mothers them. And I love that Noodle is happy to assist. She’s even I see taken in her favourite toy to lend them. You’ll see it in the photo back right corner. 

As each day goes by these kittens so fragile just a week ago just skin , vital organs & bone, are gaining weight and building up muscle. Once they leave their crawling behind and find their feet though their energy levels will start to increase & they’ll be awake for longer periods. Eventually Prune will begin to entice them to step out of the nest, a sign she is ready to begin to litter train & wean them. Once they lose the early natural cautiousness they’ll be hard to contain, all part of kitten rearing fun. I love it 🥰! 

Feeding is going so well that each time I make up the supplement feeds I find all four kittens with filled tummies. Rather than over feed them I’m going to dial my efforts back for 12-24 hours to see how they all cope (mum & babies). It might well be that even if now she can keep them fed & happy, as their demand continues to grow, her milk supplies may not be able to keep pace, in which case if I do stop having formula right now I’ll be able to restart them at any time. I’d just like to give her the opportunity. Their weights and their appearance will soon let me know if I need to start feeding again tomorrow. 

Have I mentioned that  I’m keeping the blue female from this litter for myself? Keeping a kitten from one of my litters is something I have always planned to do & now that there is a blue girl seems the perfect opportunity. I’ve been thinking about possible names. Momentarily I considered “Jubilee” this being the Platinum Jubilee year & the event itself so almost upon us. However, I dismissed it quickly - I’d imagine though that there will be a fair number of new cats and dogs this year bearing that name though! I do have a name idea list … on it is Cossette/Chossette (little thing)  as well as Rayzin, Elodie (one I really like though it’s meaning , foreign riches is a bit obscure), there’s also Thema (meaning Queen). But as I thought more & more I think I may have thought of one that sits really well for us.

Look, I’m not food nuts I promise despite the seemingly food oriented names of all of my cats contradicting this! I have Noodle - but she gained her name not from food but just from being, well,  Nood. A sweet tongue in cheek play on the characteristic nakedness of the breed. Then I have Prune - or to be precise her full name is Prunella Prudence ( The Prudence was giving echo to my pinky past & the punk song “Dear Prudence” by Siouxie & The Banshees. Prunella was put in preceding it because I thought they sounded so good together. So what is the name I think I may have for the new girl? What food is she likely to be? Well, I’ve grown fond of calling her Plum. Not because I’ve a great love of fruit. I very much don’t.  In fact dislike Prunes too (or indeed any dried fruit) but I think Plum because she is Prune’s daughter. And whereas a Prune comes from a Plum being dried and so would mean Plum then Prune for us it would be in reverse, the Prune creating the Plum. I like it because it connects them mother & daughter even if it’s topsey-turvy! I’ve a while to decide so I’ll not decide 100% yet

I still very much love the name Floozy. And I was desperate to name my 3rd cat this. Indeed when I purchased a blue female kitten in 2020 (the year Prune was not mated) I gave her this name. Unfortunately though she had to go back to her breeder toward the end of last year due to her permanent digestive health issues & the need for her to have daily steroids. This medication made it impossible for her to become the breeding queen I had hoped she would have become for the first time this year (aged 2). I still very much love the name & I very much love & miss the cat. The association of the name to the cat I love & lost feels to recent and too raw & I just don’t feel ready for reusing it. Yet. 

Here before I go is the proudly purring mumma - image taken this evening with her kittens suckling away…(with Aunty Noodle’s toy in the corner!)