First baths

Since the kittens are now growing up a bit, I thought it time they had a first bath, as

a) I did not want them to grow up to be as terrified of bath time as their mum is and
b) they were grubby!

I made a shallow warm bath in a washing up bowl, and beside it a deeper bath in my little ‘half-sink’ in which to give them a final rinse.

As I put them into the water they were totally unafraid, immediately putting their heads down to smell it to see if they could identify by sniffing. There followed some little sneezes as they breathed some water into their noses. Some water was tasted too.

Very quickly though they became interested in the world that is outside of the washing up bowl and just as fast I rather regretted my decision to bath all four together as each began their bids for freedom from 4 different directions. Unperturbed I took each kitten in turn and with Dove baby bath wash (other brands are available!) gave them a quick sudsing on the draining board, back into the bowl for a rinse, then a final dip into the clean water before wrapping in a warm dry towel- all done while keeping the siblings safely in place!

Back on dry land, I took each kitten in turn to prize the toenail gunk away (baby-wipes) work best for this and clip their needle-sharp claws. With the adult cats I would make ear cleaning a part of bath time but I’ve decided I will not subject them to ear cleaning quite yet.

Weaning & litter tray use....

Well, as you can imagine, while I’ve not had time to post, things have been changing daily here at Kitten Towers (😂).

I’ve had to shuffle a few things around and move them into a new territory. The crate I usually use I decided was too small to allow them room to play and grow strong so I got out my soft play pen and placed this in my lounge where it fills the floor. Inside the pen is a food station for them and for mum so they can watch what she does, a sleeping and a playing area and a place for the litter tray.

Weaning is slow slow progress, despite my efforts over the last 6 days, they show zero interest in moving on to lap milk from a dish or to eat anything resembling food. I have however seen one of the black girls using the litter tray and so they are learning to be independent of mum.

I’m not happy with the new set up with them easily scaling the netting panels when they see me coming with their milk rations, nor Pru jumping onto the netting roof so that it all collapses in on them, so I have ordered a new metal play pen which arrives tomorrow. It doesn’t however have a floor like this fabric one does, but I’m sure I can find some way to manage until they are all using the tray.

Meanwhile I will continue to make up the solid food “gruel” and offer it everyday hoping that eventually they will decide it tastes nice!

As you can see in this photo Prune has no respect of a roof at all!

Short Videos for day 19

Not the best examples of my work I know, but, in my defence I was trying to get focussed and interesting shots of them as I moved and panned around, often unable to see what I’m filming. These three short clips are cut from one longer one, removing much of the ‘junk’.

Yesterday evening after last feed and again this morning (day 20) kittens seemed more alert and eager for attention. The blue girl laced on her back for ages seeming to really enjoy being fussed over, stretching her back legs, then her front in bliss.

Each kitten is now able to sit up easily but none, as yet, appear strong enough with their rear legs to walk well. They will however, try to climb the walls of the nest eager to explore and build up their strength and stamina. I will very soon be moving from out of their original nest so that they can come and go a little bit more to increase this further. I have a large pet crate ready, and this will soon have to be their new home - this will do away with risk of falling out of their box and being unable to get back in.

I’m still feeding the blue pair and am amazed at how the little gannets gulp down the milk. Each feed now approx. 15-20mls. One of the black kittens also eagerly accepts formula milk so she gets some each feed too, about 15mls. I’ve ordered more formula as it’s being used so fast!