Found a kitten, what's next?

[gemandjule]

My DH was out for a walk and found this tiny, very skinny kitten in the hedge on the side of a country road away from any houses. It's very wet here and the kitten was soaked wet so he brought it home.
Where do we go from here? How do we feed and look after it? How do we try and find the owner?

[gemandjule]

He's about the size of an iPhone 6 and skinny.

[Catzpyjamas]

There's advice here on the Cats Protection website on what to do when you find a kitten.

[ScaryMonstersAndSuoerCreeps]

Maybe take it to get it Scanned tomorrow?

[HurtyTeeth]

Squeeze!!

Are you intending to foster for a temporary time?

[HurtyTeeth]

Squee! I meant to say squee. But there's no harm in giving a few squeezes either.

[Veronicat]

Send it to me!

[CreamCrackerundertheSettee]

Have you any chicken? Something plain little and often is best.

[WinkyisbackontheButterBeer]

Is that milk? Don't give it cows milk. Most cats are lactose intolerant. You can buy kitten milk in most supermarkets.
I wouid try it on some chicken or something if you don't have cat food.

It's very pretty.

[gemandjule]

I've no problem fostering or even homing the kitten. Doubt very much if it's chipped as looks very young but will take it to the vet when I can. Working the next few days. What's good to feed a small kitten. We're not in uk so not sure re cats protection

[Orangebird69]

No milk unless it's kitten milk or lactose free. Water and chicken. Then go to petsathome, buy lots of kitten stuff and enjoy floof and cuddles for the next 15-20 years. Neuter/vax/microchip for a trouble free experience 😁

[gemandjule]

Cross posted. Ok so no cows milk. Water so? Cooked chicken? What about tuna?

[WinkyisbackontheButterBeer]

Sorry just realised that sounded brisk. Wasn't meant to be.
Dh didn't realise and gave ours cows milk when she was little. She loved it but replayed him by shitting all over his favourite rugby shirt.

[Orangebird69]

Tuna is ok but chicken is better.

[CreamCrackerundertheSettee]

Chicken is best. Tuna? Definitely no milk. It looks about 5 weeks or so as the ears are still out of proportion.

Offer food every few hours during the day but only v small quantities until it gets used to regular meals.

[dementedpixie]

I wouldn't give tuna. Chicken isn't a complete food so I wouldn't give it as the only food. Do they sell kitten food where you are? Give water. You would need a litter tray/litter too

[LaurieFairyCake]

Please tell me he’s checked all around in case there’s others or a very sick Mum

[gemandjule]

Think will have to send DH foraging for kitten food and litter. Never heard of kitten milk so doubt I can get that

[dementedpixie]

They probably don't need any milk but cat milk would be in the cat food aisle.

[gemandjule]

Yes, he looked around but it's very wet and starting to get dark so limited in what he could do.
Do we handle gently or leave alone?

[thecatneuterer]

There won't be an owner. Either it's been dumped or there is a feral mother somewhere.

Definitely handle as much as you can. You need to get it used to humans. Yes you need kitten food and water and it looks as though you have got yourself a kitten.

I don't think a visit to the vet is particularly urgent, but it may need flea and worm treatment which only a vet could give at such a young age. Don't get anything in a shop/online. Neuter at four months and get used to being a cat slave for the next 16 years or so.

[gemandjule]

Sitting on DD's knee!

[Orangebird69]

😍

[Orangebird69]

If yo do keep it, make sure it's neutered before you let it out.

[gemandjule]

What age do you neuter at?

[Orangebird69]

In the UK it's still stupidly late - 4 to 6 months. In the ME, we will neuter (I do TNR) at 2 months or 2lbs. So from about 8-10 weeks onwards. I've had kittens as young as 3/4 months pregnant (presented itself during neutering). They need less sedative and anaesthetic when they're small and recover very quickly.