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The litter tray

Stray kitten advice please?

37 replies

tinygreendragon · 17/01/2013 00:27

For the past couple of days now I've noticed this really small kitten wandering around our garden and meowing/crying quite a bit looking rather sorry for itself and this afternoon I went out to say hello give a bit of a stroke and I noticed it was shivering to death the poor little thing. So anyway after giving it a bit of a stroke I went to leave it to it but he darted straight past me into the kitchen and pleaded for more attention. So I kept him in for 20 mins or so till he warmed up quite a bit (and seemed a little more perky) and took him back outside to find his own way home. He then cried or just sat at the back door for the next 4 hours. I then brought him back in again because it was getting dark and cold and was worried he wasn't going to find home. He/she also has no collar.

He's wonder-fly playful and very inquisitive, certainly not shy/timid and from what little I know of cats, he also seems pretty healthy and regularly fed. I've had a little look online and from what I can tell I would guess he/she is only 8-10 weeks old and from what I've read this is far too young for a kitten to be out and about certainly in this weather (-4!).

Do I send him back out there tomorrow and hope he wanders off home? or do I keep him in and start asking round the neighbours and put up posters? My only worry is its freeeezing out there at the moment and doesn't look like the temps will be much above 0c even during the day and I'm not sure a kitten of its age/size should be out there in the snow.

I'm just so hoping this little one has escaped somehow and got lost and isn't just an unwanted christmas present :(

OP posts:
vintageviolets · 17/01/2013 00:31

I would keep him in, he sounds scared & lost x

sashh · 17/01/2013 05:21

Do you want to keep him?

Take him to a vet to see if he is microchipped. If he is, then you can find the owner. If not you either keep him or sign him over to the RSPCA

cozietoesie · 17/01/2013 06:57

It's too cold outside for a little 'un at the moment. Get him a tray, give him plenty of food and water and lots of cuddles - while you're doing your investigation bit.

Sounds to me like you've got yourself a cat, though. Would you keep him?

Smile

tinygreendragon · 17/01/2013 16:04

Apart from him freezing outside in the cold he looks pretty healthy and well cared for so I'm hoping he does belong to someone and I'd like to find his owners. We're not allowed pets (rented property) although we do have a cat flap (Hmm). I don't think we could afford the vets bills/vaccinations for him full time but I'm happy to care for him in the mean time whilst we look for his owner. Having said that his very playful character is making me change my mind somewhat! Grin

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 17/01/2013 18:12

Please don't put him out overnight, he won't have a thick winter coat yet and might freeze to death. It's a myth that cats should be out overnight.

Someone might have lost him or they've put him out because they don't want him anymore. If you ring local shelters and vets they have lists of lost cats.

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/01/2013 18:13

Landlords don't tend to mind cats, it's dogs who chew through walls.

bishboschone · 17/01/2013 18:26

Ah bless him.. Please keep him inside until he is claimed . We had this a few years ago and said kitten belonged to a house in the next road who had gone away and the people looking after him had accidentally let him out . He was rehomed when they came back and the owners were so pleased with us .lovely cat too! Smile

tinygreendragon · 17/01/2013 19:46

He went outside of his own accord through the cat flap this afternoon but soon came back in about 10 mins later. Since then he's been following me about the house and sitting on my lap all evening. I'm certainly keeping him indoors now the snow is getting alot heavier.

I'll ring round the vets and shelters tomorrow and ask some more of the neighbours in the streets surrounding.

OP posts:
HazeltheMcWitch · 17/01/2013 19:53

You have a cat! Sparkling will be very jealous!

Right - first thing is to give it water (not milk) and some food. Got any tinned tuna, or chicken or owt?
Then a litter tray - or a box with some newspaper.

Then take some pictures and post them here.
Then we can name him for you. A dragon name? Puff? Smaug? Chorlton?

DeafLeopard · 17/01/2013 19:58

Awwww

Yes do keep the poor wee thing in on such a cold night

Sparklingbrook · 17/01/2013 20:03
Envy
tinygreendragon · 17/01/2013 20:26

I've refrained from naming him in case I do become too attached. I also have no idea why I'm calling it a him, he just has a 'mischievous little boy' thing about him. He is completely jet black, no markings, nothing with eyes that seem to be changing from blue to orange/greyish.

He's got plenty of water and I've given him some cooked chicken with cooked rice and broccoli, its all we had in the cupboards that I could think of that he could eat and he chomped that down like no-ones business but I'll be out down the shops of get him some proper kitten food in the morning. Put some newspaper down and given him a old warm jumper in a box to sleep on (but prefers to sit on our laps really). DH currently having loads of fun with him and the laser pen!

I've never had cats so I don't really know much about their behaviour and he's started licking my hand quite a bit. I used to keep rabbits and they would do this for the salt rather than a sign of affection, is this the same with cats also?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 17/01/2013 20:37

just the chickens enough, they don't need cereals or veg Wink

jet

cole

treacle

Smile

Mibby · 17/01/2013 20:52

Cats will groom as a sign of affection, or he could be seeing if you taste of mummy cat milk. Chicken and well cooked rice are ok, not sure about the broccoli :)
You said he looks well cared for, in which case hopefully some one is missing him, but just be aware a tummy full of worms can give a 'fat' appearance
If your in the midlands i might be able to find you a rescue space for him if you dont want to keep him. PM if you like :)

cozietoesie · 17/01/2013 20:58

With a kitten? It's affection.

Smile

catladycourtney1 · 17/01/2013 21:05

I would keep him inside until it's a bit warmer out. Get it checked for a microchip in the meantime, then by all means put up posters and ask around, or make a paper collar with your phone number on, saying "please call if this is your kitten," or something. You can order them from Cat's Protection, but it would be easy enough to make yourself. If you get a call, then obviously it is spoken for (and you can tell them off for letting it out in freezing weather, I certainly would!), and if not, after a couple of days you can either take it in yourself or try to rehome it. It's probably common sense but, like someone else said, give it water (not milk or cream), and either plain meat or fish or actual kitten food (but be prepared for a brief attack of the runs, most kittens react badly at first to new food but it's better than starving), and a litter tray, and somewhere out of the way to sleep, particularly if you have small children or other pets. Then if you end up keeping it, it would be worth taking it to the vets to be checked over and wormed, etc. Poor little thing. Good luck!

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/01/2013 21:05

midnight

blackie

noir

Smile

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/01/2013 21:15

Obama

Barney

Bertie

TaggieCampbellBlack · 17/01/2013 21:21

Rupert.

DeafLeopard · 17/01/2013 21:25

Tut Taggie Rupert is blonde.

Ranaldini Wink

Sooty

Ebony

Onyx

tinygreendragon · 17/01/2013 21:42

Fluffycloudland: Obama - Love it! Grin

Many thanks for the advice guys! I'll be keeping him in for the meantime at least until the snow clears and hopefully I'll find his owners soon :)

OP posts:
HazeltheMcWitch · 17/01/2013 22:15

Rather than Obama, what about Barry? Does he look like a Barry? I can't tell from the pic (hint hint!!).

Love that he seems so at home already! He was obviously tipped off as to which house had the old softies in it.

(see, I knew Sparkling would see this thread and would be Envy !

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sashh · 18/01/2013 05:05

Snowdrop.

Lord Pussington of the winter Jet.

Mr Kitty Fantastico, Fanta for everyday

Earl Black de Fuzzybum, hunter of red dots.

gobbin · 18/01/2013 14:00

Print off a short info slip and drop round the neighbours e.g 'Kitten approx 10 wks found.' with your phone no. Don't describe it, let them describe it to you so you know they're genuine!

Fluffycloudland77 · 18/01/2013 17:56

What's happening? Have you found his owners?

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