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#1
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The longest night .......
Well, tonight's the night Vera & Lola begin relearning to eat on their own.
This hand-feeding stuff has gotten out of control and i really want to begin getting them on a regular feeding schedule. So far, i'm incredibly depressed .... because they're depressed. They keep looking at me with those big, beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes out. |
#2
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"Allegra640" wrote in message ... Well, tonight's the night Vera & Lola begin relearning to eat on their own. This hand-feeding stuff has gotten out of control and i really want to begin getting them on a regular feeding schedule. So far, i'm incredibly depressed ... because they're depressed. They keep looking at me with those big, beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes out. Purrs for things to get better for you soonest! They will eat, leave food down for them at all times, even if it is dried food. Lois |
#3
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Allegra640 said:
Well, tonight's the night Vera & Lola begin relearning to eat on their own. This hand-feeding stuff has gotten out of control and i really want to begin getting them on a regular feeding schedule. So far, i'm incredibly depressed ... because they're depressed. They keep looking at me with those big, beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes out. Maybe you can ease them into it? Like take them over to the bowl, and feed them a few pieces by hand. Make sure there is some food in the bowl before you start this. Slowly lower your hand towards the bowl with a piece of food in it, getting closer and closer to the bowl each time before you give it to them. Eventually when they do get to grab the food just set it in the food bowl and let them grab it out of the bowl. You could also get them to the point using the same method where they will eat it off the counter when you set the food piece down. Then slowly move closer and closer to the bowl. Once they start grabbing the food out of the bowl you probably won't have to place it in the bowl anymore they will feed themselves. The trick I guess is to get them to know where the food is. I hope they soon are free feeding themselves. |
#4
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"Allegra640" wrote in message ... Thanks Lois, for your encouragement. Feeling a bit better actually since Lola, within the last half hour, actually gave in and headed over to her bowl. Didn't eat much, but she did some nibbling anyway. Vera's going to be the hard sell. She's still holding out. I may have missed it but how old are your kitties? Lois |
#5
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3 and I years old!!!
It's my own darned fault. They were eating on their own just fine until I began feeling overly maternal one day and decided to baby them by hand feeding. It was all over after that. |
#6
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They keep looking at me with those big,
beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes out. It's squirrel baby season over here. I'm trying to get the nursing babies to eat food on their own, applesauce with formula mixed out of a bowl, some soft pieces of fruit. A few of them will have nothing of it and climb the cage BEGGING me for food, peeping their high pitched mommy call, making sucking/smacking noises with their lips at me as if they will starve to death. I put the applesauce in the syringe and feed it to them and no problem, just not out of a bowl. They will just suck the rim of the bowl. Ugh. I try not to give in and syringe feed them as they are definitely old enough but then I worry about them getting enough calories. I feel your pain. |
#7
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"Allegra640" wrote Thanks Lois, for your encouragement. Feeling a bit better actually since Lola, within the last half hour, actually gave in and headed over to her bowl. Didn't eat much, but she did some nibbling anyway. Vera's going to be the hard sell. She's still holding out. That's wonderful, that Lola has eaten. One down, one to go! Purrs that you can hold out against those eyes. I know it's hard. -- Marina, Frank and Nikki |
#8
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Thanks so much Marina....
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#9
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That's so hard, but please persevere.
Hugs, -- Polonca & Soncek "Allegra640" wrote in message ... Well, tonight's the night Vera & Lola begin relearning to eat on their own. snip |
#10
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They keep looking at me with those big,
beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes out. It's squirrel baby season over here. I'm trying to get the nursing babies to eat food on their own, applesauce with formula mixed out of a bowl, some soft pieces of fruit. A few of them will have nothing of it and climb the cage BEGGING me for food, peeping their high pitched mommy call, making sucking/smacking noises with their lips at me as if they will starve to death. I put the applesauce in the syringe and feed it to them and no problem, just not out of a bowl. They will just suck the rim of the bowl. Ugh. I try not to give in and syringe feed them as they are definitely old enough but then I worry about them getting enough calories. I feel your pain. It must be really precious to raise baby squirrels. We had one this summer that utility workers brought to us. We had him 2 days before the wildlife rehab people came and got him. We named him "Squirrely" and got quite attached to him. The most endearing thing he did was climb up on you, crawl into your shirt pocket, turn around and stick his head out. He was so little. I hope he survives. Sherry |
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