MrJon

Well, I think, it goes something like, one of the boys brings a shovel, and one brings a hacksaw, and one brings a big old american car with a huge trunk, and then you go and pick up the ex husband and take him for a nice ride out in the country side.

It's possible I watch too much Sopranos, and Goodfellas.

stratosteve

iTrader: (1)

So our white devil and ******* are both super curious about the kitty behind the door. Our fatty is straight scared. He hid under our sofa most of the afternoon. Kinda surprised as he is normally laid back.

stratosteve

iTrader: (1)

Yeah. He is some kind of dick. Good news is kitty was removed before he followed through with his threat. Kitty is on her way to a new home. The new kitty parent recently lost her long term cat. We know she will make a good home for her. Our job is nearly done.

GreenNB

My 2 Tuxedo's

Sylvester


Sweat Pea

z31maniac

What do you guys know about Bengal cats?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

they are expensive and full of energy.

EO2K

iTrader: (37)

So I spent about an hour sitting with the kittens last night and I'm starting to get worried about the little one again. The two larger of the kittens are at that stage where eyes are completely open and they are starting to develop real cat mannerisms and features. The little one is definitely behind on the physical development curve.

I can usually get Momma to chill via petting and scratches about the head and neck. Once she lies down and relaxes I can snag the little one for some private feeding time. It seems to feed for a minute or so then take a break for a minute or so. Eventually the bigger ones figure out what's going on trundle over. While the little one is taking a break, the bigger ones move in and push it out of the way, latch on, and go for broke. The poor little one does not have the strength to push its way back into the fray so it climbs around and cries. It's kinda heartbreaking.

I do not have a complete data set because I didn't weight everyone every day, but you can see the trend:


Part of my brain thinks nature work things out for itself, the other part of my brain is considering supplemental feeding because I'll hate myself if I do nothing and the little one does not make it.

Thoughts? (other than 'you need a more consistent kitten datalogger')

EO2K

iTrader: (37)

I know that every Bengal or Abyssinian I've ever met has been a complete *******. It might be that the owners were not prepared for such high energy creatures and thus were not meeting the cats stimulation needs. At best they were flighty and aloof but at the worst it was more like "FEED ME BITCH! TOUCH ME AND I'LL MAKE YOU BLEED! I'M GONNA BREAK ALL YOUR ****, BUT LOOK HOW PRETTY I AM!" Every single one marked/scratched up everything/everyone in their path and seemed to revel in wanton destruction. None of them wanted anything to do with being snuggled or petted. Again, it may be a case of nurture vs nature but it pretty well turned me off from high end cats.

good2go

iTrader: (2)

I think part of your brain is probably right. Dem kitten's be dealing with this **** since way before your spreadsheet.
I'd just keep an eye out to make sure momma's not abandoning it. Then you'd have a problem.

codrus

What are the downsides to supplemental feeding other than requiring time and energy?

--Ian

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

i cant think of any...

Monk

iTrader: (3)

None, it already got the colostrum.

z31maniac

Good to know! I've read about the energy and usually having another to play with is "nearly" a requirement.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

I have nothing to contribute. I just love the fact that you've gathered and presented this data in such a professional format.

codrus

Unfortunately, one of the ways they dealt with it before the spreadsheet is that the weak kittens die. Darwinian, yes, but kittens are cute and worth saving.

--Ian

rleete

iTrader: (21)

If you're willing to make the investment as far as time, why not? I can see this as only positive. Extra handling will mean kitten is more used to being held, therefore more comfortable around people, and more likely to become a real snuggler.

And I totally agree with EO2K as far as Bengals, but I've only known 2, both owned by enslaving the same couple. The couches were all shredded.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

good2go

iTrader: (2)

Don't get me wrong! I don't want to see him lose a little one either, which was why I mentioned making sure momma didn't give up on it, but I guess I just have a natural disinclination to always think we can do better than nature. Though it could just me, I think there are quite possibly unseen aspects that may occur naturally which we don't/can't fully replicate, so to automatically intercede (unless it is outright critical) must not always be assumed the "best" approach.

On a somewhat related note, I have this ongoing debate with my son about whether or not there is any need for people to have vaginal births anymore. He thinks it's needlessly barbaric, whereas I think it is horribly arrogant, presumptuous, and shortsighted to think a C-section is automatically "better".

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Google Bengal Wheels

EO2K

iTrader: (37)

Thanks fellas. I too figured "it can't hurt" going into this but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. I need to stop by the feed store tonight anyway so I'll check to see if they have kitten formula and, I dunno, bottles or pipettes or whatever. I'll keep up with the weights from here on out. When we start getting them going on solid foods I can mix the formula up with the solids to keep them fat and happy so its not like it'll go to waste. I think KMR comes in a powder and in liquid form.

You. I like you. I'll admit I had to google that.

I figured you guys would enjoy that, seeing as how much we all like working with real data


Fuzzy picture of fuzzy creatures