Aquired a stray kitten - what do i do?

[lemonzest123]

Hello!

I'm heading back home after a weekend away and my housemate phoned earlier to let me know he'd rescued a stray kitten from a fox and there is now a kitten in my house.

I know nothing about cats. He's going to take it to the vet tomorrow and see if it's chipped. If it's not then god knows what we do with it.

I know nothing at all about cats. What does he need? Is cat food from the corner shop okay or do kittens need special food? Can he drink milk or just water? I can't give him exercise because I've no garden and i expect he'll run away again.

Thanks Kitty lovers!

[StewieGMum]

Water is fine. You can buy special cat milk as they can't digest cows milk easily. You can buy dry kitten food or canned cat meat. Either will be fine until the vets tomorrow. Kitten will need somewhere to pee though!

[EmmaC78]

If it is not chipped then the vet should be able to put you in contact with your local cats protection league who could help with rehoming.

Don't give him/her cows milk - it can give them a dodgy tummy.

[lemonzest123]

Thanks.

I think my housemate got a can of the wet stuff from the shop. How often does a kitten eat?

Housemate said he's made a makeshift litter box. Luckily my bunnies' litter stuff is ok for cats too i think - it's called Carefresh and it's made of cardboard pulp.

Unfortunately i live in a two bed second floor flat and the bunnies have the living room so poor cat is confined to our bedrooms and bathroom.

He's named him Murphy for now.

Feel sorry for puss but also quite looking forward to meeting him. Will post a photo later if i can figure out how to.

[SillyMoomin]

Eeeeek can you keep the kitten op?

[lemonzest123]

Oh don't! Id love to as he sounds very sweet but two issues are:

• Flat (is first floor, not second as previously said). He could probably shimmy onto the roof and down for exercise but then I'd have to leave the window open, not advisable in central London!
  
• Bunnehs. The buns were there first. Won't the cat try and eat them??

[DoctorTwo]

You don't really need that much. A litter tray, a couple of bowls, food, somewhere to scratch and a lap. A cat doesn't need access to outside, they can be happy house cats. I'd recommend getting the vaccs even if she doesn't go outside.

Welcome to cat slavery.

[lemonzest123]

Although i do have a security device that allows you to open the window about 6 inches safely...


Oh god noooooo can't get more pets!!!

[lemonzest123]

But but but bunnies??

Can buns and kittens co-exist?

I'm not sure I'd feel safe going to work leaving them to get on

[DoctorTwo]

It's a kitten. If it's brought up with bunnies it will see them as normal companions. In any case, the bunnies will be able to look after themseles if kitteh kicks off. Which it probably won't, it's still trying to work out wtf is going on.

[lemonzest123]

Last time Littlest Bun saw a cat she almost turned herself into spaghetti through the cage bars
Having said that, she can handle herself. They're bloody vicious sometimes, but i know cats can do that windpipe grabbing, throat crushing thing with their jaws. Literally only seen that on Planet Earth.

As mentioned, have never had cats.

Won't battersea dogs home take him? I've seen loads of cats there. I:ve been googling and it seems most places only take strays if they have space.

Housemate just text "don't think I'm ready to be a father"

[TroysMammy]

IME the rabbits will terrorise a cat.

[lemonzest123]

Been googling....

So it seems if Murphy isn't chipped then we can approach Cats Protection or Blue Cross to see if they have room for him.

RSPCA apparently didn't want to know as he's uninjured.

So i guess he'll be with us for a week at least.

I'll make some posters.

Unless he does belong to the junkies next door in which case I may pretend not to be home as they terrify me with their horrible fights.

Also suspect Murphy deserves better than that despite not having met him yet.

My mother died in October and my Dad is extremely lonely and loves cats....Hmmmmm....

[Vinorosso74]

Avoid the RSPCA, there are quite a few shelters but I believe most are probably full.
Not sure where in London you are but there's a few Cats Protection branches, the Mayhew (NW London), Battersea, Celia Hammond (I believe Canning Town and Lewisham).
See if he's chipped and take it from there.

[lemonzest123]

Thanks V.much.

I'm in Hackney so will research a few options.

In the mean time will offer him the buns scorned cat bed to sleep in

[Vinorosso74]

There's Stokey Cats and Dogs near you too. Forgot about them! At least the kitten is safe.

[WeirdAndPissedOff]

As above, Cats Protection are usually pretty good.
I presume he's not really tiny? If so he may need a little extra help with milk, toileting etc. Does he seem well-cared for and friendly? (Not stray).
With food, kittens should eat little and often. An older kitten can have a few more normal sized meals per day. (Or free-fed dry food if that is easier).
If kitten will be with you a few das, you can get a couple of small toys for a couple of quid? Not strictly necessary for short term, but might stop him playing with household objects.

Re the rabbits, our cats and rabbits get on really well - if it came to it I'd actually be more worried about the cats!

If Vet check for microchip and posters, asking around vets etc dont turn anything up, then I'd say its fine to either keep him or see if a shelter or loving home can take him.
If you or a friend are keeping him, it may be worth just a quick Vet check, and possibly a Snap test in case he's been stray a while and caught anything?

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

If not chipped then you need @thecatneuterer she works for a cat rescue ?Celia Hammond. Or your father sounds as if he might be willing - as long as he can commit to a pet at this stage. We do need photos though.

[lemonzest123]

Thanks so much! Stokey Cats and Dogs would be ideal. Tbh if the buns would tolerate him I wouldn't mind keeping him as long as he really won't mind living indoors.

I'm still in a train home so haven't met him yet! Will post photos when I do!! X

[Wishiwasmoiradingle2017]

Unfortunately as your post has no pic op we are very suspicious of your quandry.
Many more solutions will surely be offered to you upon feasting on the ball of gorgeousness that is the suggested kitten.

[lemonzest123]

This is the friendliest kitten I've ever met. unfortunately housemate went out and he's shat in the bath a LOT.

And if you stop stroking him he miaows

[bignamechangeroonie]

Squeeeeeee so cute 😍😍😍

[Puffinsareblackandwhite]

I'd consider yourself lucky he shat in the bath, not somewhere else . You'll just have to keep stroking him until he falls asleep!

I really hope you can find a shelter that will take him or that your dad can take him. When I rescued a stray I called about 15 rescues before I found one that could help and CPL were pretty useless . I agree you need @thecatneuterer, she went out of her way to help me and I was miles away!

PS: black cats are harder to rehome... just sayin'...

[hardheadedwoman]

There's a Cats Protection on Junction Road in Archway if that helps

Cute!

[lemonzest123]

Blasted adorable thing has curled up in bed with me and won't move. He's fast asleep. He still hums a bit although I've tried to wipe his paws with baby wipes.

Oh Christ if i shut him in the bathroom he'll yell his head off but worried about waking up to a shitty bed