Ragdoll Cat Forums

She is adorable. Unfortunately, I think she is too young to be away from her mom. They estimate she is only between 5 and 7 weeks at the most. I introduced her to the water bowl and she was trying to drink, but just stuck her chin in the water and kept sucking, like she was trying to nurse. Seems she hasn't learned to lick the water yet. She wasn't even interested in the food, so I took some of the pellets, put them in some water and microwaved it a bit to get them to soak up the water. After it cooled, I put it in a very shallow bowl and she then started licking the water, which now had a lot of food mixed in.. .more like a broth, until she got to the food pellets. She then ate 3 and had enough. She cleaned herself and Then wanted to just sleep.
We tried to "quarantine" Madison, but it's really impractical in our condo. We tried putting Dolly in one room and closing the door, but she just howled to come out. So we put Madison in a room, but then we can't really monitor her. So, we already introduced her to Dolly. Madison just acted like Dolly wasn't even there and just let Dolly inspect her and sniff her. Not once did Dolly hiss or growl. If anything, she seems more concerned for her. I put Madison in Dollys cat bed with a towel, to sleep after eating and Dolly just sat near the bed for about 10 minutes watching her and sniffing her.
Poor Madison is really thin... Just flesh and bones and fur really. We're really going to have to fatten her up.
We're so glad Dolly is taking this so well.
I'll get some pictures up soon.

Well it sounds like introductions are going well. I know JanH will have more advice that may help especially food-wise, but what about some KMR kitten milk - do you think that will help her get the nutrition she might need right now?

Do not add any liquid to dry kibble or make it wet in any way. It causes bacteria to grow at an alarming rate.

KMR may be the best solution, but I've never had a kitten that very young. I would take her to a vet and see what they recommend.

yeah... we're going to take her to the vet tomorrow, but she was closed by the time we got home today. They only have Morning hours on Fridays.
So, how fast does it grow bacteria? I'd think it would take a little while after being boiled in the microwave. When I worked in a petshop (Long, long ago) we used to take Monkey Biscuits and heat them in the microwave with water for all the birds and reptiles. Never had any problems, but we also didn't leave it for a few hours. What ever wasn't eaten within an hour was tossed. Likewise, I'd never leave her food to sit all day and then feed it to her.
But we'll see what the Vet says tomorrow.
Thanks for the advice and concern ! it REALLY is GREATLY appreciated!

I would not worry about adding moisture to dry food, which is often a good way to get cats and kittens to eat. Just treat it like wet food.

It sounds like she is eating and you do not need to worry. Do not expect a kitten to make up for lost ground immediately. What you want is slow and steady improvement.

If she does refuse to eat, then you can consider syringe feeding, including KMR, but it does not sound like that will be needed. You may want to get a scale so that you can monitor her weight rather than guessing. A food scale works and look for something in half ounce increments or less.

Great Idea on the Scale Jan... We have a Postal Scale in our office. I'll bring that home tomorrow.
When Madison woke up, I softened up some more food and she ate all of it... about 15 puffed up pellets of food.. Quite a bit! She was even looking for more after she finished but by the time I got more ready, she was already asleep and when I woke her she wasn't interested so I let her go back to sleep.
But I was VERY glad she ate as much as she did. She even went to the litter box and FURIOUSLY dug a whole, turned, peed and then carefully covered it!!! YAAAAH!!!

It is not unusual for a kitten to refuse to eat for up to two days in a new home, so she is doing fine.

Jan I totally agree , we have often moistened dry to get kittens to eat as you say treat it like any normal food and don't leave it sitting out for long periods etc

so glad maddison is eating and doing well... sounds like she is already making huge improvement it will take time to adjust and settle dont it expect to much but I would say you are well on the way . good job

Where did you get Madison? She's really beautiful in her pictures!

Yeah!! She's eating - that sounds wonderful!!! and such a little lady going to the litterbox already -- sounds like you definitely have a winner there. It is going to be so wonderful to see her grow up.