Little Madoc got kind of overly enthusiastic with his breakfast, this morning. What a mess!

[Siwsan]

I had to give him a good wipe down because he was caked in food. As I was drying him off, he fell asleep in my lap. Hopefully he will grow up to be a world class cuddle cat.

No doubt the siblings will take care of anything I missed.

[Walleye]

1. His fur coat is beautiful

[MLAA]

2. Ahhhhh! He will soon learn better to get his food in him than on him

[zuul]

3. I put the food for my cat colony in little salsa bowls.

They each get an individual bowl and the bowls are separated several feet apart. The bowls are too small for them to step in, so less mess.

And since everyone gets their own bowl, I don't worry that one piggy is eating everything while the smaller one goes hungry. After a few days, they stopped fighting each other for food because they learned that everyone gets a bowl.

The small salsa bowls are pretty inexpensive and you can find them on the internet.

[Siwsan]

4. I've got some bowls that might just work for that!

They all get their own bowls, now. Smokey and Sootie don't end up the same way. They just need a little paw and face cleaning. Both Madoc and Squeaky seem to dive head first into the bowls. In fact, I've seen Squeaky with his front feet in one bowl, and back feet in the other, with poor Madoc looking confused. Well, it's another learning curve. No doubt things will get better. I'm still working on the best feeding schedule for them. I've decided to give them kitten milk both separate and used in a pate slurry, for another week, or so. They are 5 weeks old, this week so I'm trying to start the transition from milk to food. My vet said they seem really ready for something more solid and filling than just milk.

And, to be fair, this morning was the most extreme I've seen Madoc. I suspect a food fight broke out when I left the room.

[zuul]

6. You're a good kitty momma! They're lucky to have you!

[2naSalit]

8. That always worked for me.

I have attended many kitten litters and at this point, giving them small bowls will help keep them from laying or walking in the food.

I once had a rather wild kitten and she would lay on top of the food, clinging to the dish with all fours, and spent so much energy eating that she had to take a nap before she was done! That only lasted about a week, when she realized she didn't have to compete with anyone and that she got at least as much as she could eat, she mellowed out a bit. I found that smaller, kind of deep, dishes, like small side dish cups used in restaurants or custard dishes work well in the early months.

[Siwsan]

9. I'm going to start experimenting with some smaller bowls, today

Smokey and Sootie do ok but the brothers need some table manners. Maybe they had to fight extra hard when nursing.

Right now I put them in big boxes to eat, so I can contain the mess and make clean up easier. The girls go in one, the boys in another. They each have their own bowl so that they don't have to compete. I try placing the bowls in corners so that they aren't skidding all over the place. That's a somewhat successful idea. And I keep an eye on them to makes sure they are getting more in their mouths than anywhere else. I'm still giving them a slurry made with pate kitten food and kitten milk, and I give them bowls of kitten milk to make sure they stay hydrated. They are finally figuring out what the water bowl is actually for.

Since they are all thriving and growing, I figure I'm doing more right than wrong. And I am spoiling them rotten. I'm even thinking of how I can turn the small office room into a kitten room. This could be just the inspiration I need to start tossing out most of my old business life.

[2naSalit]

10. I saw the tub confinement the other day...

Yesterday? That's a great idea. I think you're doing well with them. It's funny how having an animal around helps us think outside the box.

Enjoy your kitties! I'm living this with you through your posts, it's fun.

[niyad]

5. awwwwww. Pretty sure that he will be a world class cuddly baby.

[LisaL]

7. So cute.