Found two tiny kittens...

We found two little kitties, 2-3 wks old, the other night, in the long grass in front of our farm. There's a good chance their mom is one of many barn cats around here. We werent sure what to do and in the end opted to bring them in our house.

They are doing well, they are visibly bigger, drinking milk replacement formula. One has figured out how to purr and has a couple of teeth. Their ears are starting to stand up, as are they, tho they walk rather wobbly.

The only concern I have is one seems to have the runs. Could be from the cow's milk we gave them when we brought them in as that's all I had. I got proper replacement formula the next morning.

At what point does the runs become a problem? This kitty eats and is friendly and does not appear ill at all. Maybe it just needs to get used to formula?

Thanks for any words of wisdom!
Funkynassau :pawprint: :ca:

I'm sure others will chime in with more useful info, but little ones that age can't pee/poop on their own, you have to help them. Before and after feeding you should take a soft towel/cloth, moisten it with warm water and use it to gently stroke their genital area until they eliminate. Dry them off afterwards to keep the skin healthy. This could be why they're showing signs on poop problems.

This looks like a helpful link, and there's tips about loose/strange stools http://www.hdw-inc.com/tinykitten.htm

I take it both are pooing and peeing on their own or are you stimulating them? It is quite possible that it is from the cow's milk or the other thing may be parasites.

My foster kittens did have runny poops until they were eating more kitty food. Their momma was stimulating them until they were about 3 weeks old. At 3.5 weeks they started on watered down canned kitten Wellness and their poops were solid at that time.

I bet they are super cute. Can you post pictures of them?

Have you consulted a vet yet? They need to be seen by a vet asap.

Have you gone back to see if momma is looking for them? She probably was out hunting mice so she could feed herself and them. Maybe you could set a live trap for her and bring her in to look after her kittens?
Do you have other animals in the house? Is there someplace away from your other pets that they can be looked after? I ask because of the risk of diseases being passed on from the kittens. They are susceptible to diseases too.
Sorry for all the questions. I use a large dog crate when I have a litter of kittens to keep them and momma safe and to keep other pets away from them. It works like a charm.
Good Luck!

At what point does the runs become a problem?

Right now. Expecially in kittens. Kittens become very dehydated very quickly. The kittens probably have fleas and worms. I would be calling a vet and getting advice from them.

Are you thinking about capturing the adults cats and getting them altered?

ACO22