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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Bitten by my new kitten, help please?

26 replies

MacNcheese87 · 12/08/2018 14:27

Hi,
Last night we picked up a beautiful 9 week old kitten. We've been looking to add a furry friend to our family and it's been long awaited!

However, it's very very scared. I've had kittens before, although never just a single one and I know they hide and need space to explore, but in nearly a day, the kitten has just hidden in one spot, not eaten, drank anything or (by the look of it) done any sort of poo/wee. How can I help encourage her out of her hiding place?

Also, when I moved her into the room she's currently hiding in, she was really scared and bit my finger, really really hard. I had to move her somewhere safe so she could hide for as long as she needs.

The bite was incredibly painful, bled a lot and was deep but it only looks like a pin prick. She's not been vaccinated yet, and we only got her last night. Reading online, it seems people recommend medical advice but with the almost non wound on my finger, I think I'd be over reacting?

If I can upload a photo I will. It's deep but literally just like a needle would puncture, you'll have to squint to see it! Shall I get seen to?

OP posts:

Report

MacNcheese87 · 12/08/2018 14:30

I feel incredibly silly posting this photo of a tiny pin prick! But it's what the staff at the walk in centre will be met with if I do get it seen to.

It bled quite a lot, couple of drops on the floor, so was quite deep, but there's nothing of it!

Bitten by my new kitten, help please?

OP posts:

user1494670108 · 12/08/2018 14:35

Just clean and leave the finger unless it becomes inflamed or swollen and also let the kitten be, go into the room speaking gently to it periodically and ensure it has food and water, it will come out eventually

Lynne1Cat · 12/08/2018 14:38

At 9 weeks of age, your kitten should still be with its mother and siblings - they should not be taken away until 12 weeks of age.

The bite is tiny. I wouldn't go anywhere with that (unless you develop any feelings of being unwell or the finger becomes swollen).

Your little kitten sounds terrified. Is your household noisy? Children?

Let her rest in a quiet place, where her basket/bed will not be disturbed. The litter tray should be easily accessible but not near her food. Do NOT try to encourage her out of her hiding place, but leave her to come out when she's ready. Ensure that there are water and suitable food for her (no milk)

I've had many cats, all over the course of 38 years

ASpringerEspanya · 12/08/2018 14:41

I've always gotten kittens at 8 weeks

Wash it out and just keeping putting food and water near her

TeddyIsaHe · 12/08/2018 14:42

Please don’t go to the walk-in with that! Unless it start showing signs of actual infection/inflammation.

Agree with pp 9 weeks is way too young to be away from mama. Put everything she needs in the room and leave her to it, she’s tiny and everything is terrifying, no wonder she bit you! Give her a few days, check on her etc but don’t bother her. Once she’s more secure she’ll start to get a bit more interested in what’s happening around her.

MacNcheese87 · 12/08/2018 14:46

Thank you for the replies. I will just keep an eye on it. I've been bitten by other cats I've owned but none hurt quite so much, or bled so much! Was very much like a needle stab.

She's in a room now where she is safe to stay in as long as she likes. She had been hidden by the front door which is opened regularly and noisy, but now she is in a room with more freedom to explore in her own time.

We do have children in the house, but they're old enough to leave her alone and they completely understand the kitten is scared.

OP posts:

MacNcheese87 · 12/08/2018 14:48

I never realised 12 weeks was when is recommended to leave their mothers, I've always had them from around 9 weeks.

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 12/08/2018 14:48

Keep the finger clean and keep an eye on it. Seek a doctor for antibiotics if it starts to be become inflamed.

As for the kitten give her time.

Maybe go in the room she's in with a book and sit and read. Completely ignore the kitten even if it comes near you

flumpybear · 12/08/2018 14:52

Soak in hot salty water a few times a day it should be fine

The kitten will settle down, perhaps play with it using a feather and give it some space so it can have food and milk (buy kitten milk if you've not got some already)

Our two kittens when we were small found their way behind my wardrobe - they were quite high up lol! They settled down. The only kitten I've not had this with was my little lady we got about 3 years ago, she was taken under the wing of our older tom cat and they're best buddies

flumpybear · 12/08/2018 14:53

We got ours at around -10 weeks - as long as they're weaned

PingusPaws · 12/08/2018 15:29

The Feliway plugin is excellent at helping clam down nervous or stressed cats/kittens, I can't recommend it highly enough. Sorry about your finger, but cats will sometimes attack when they are frightened or ill, I'm sure once your new furry friend settles in there won't be anymore biting. Hope yourself and your family have many happy years together with the new puss

bionicnemonic · 12/08/2018 15:37

Just to be cautious please let another adult know about the bite in case you suddenly become unwell and no one can work out what is wrong...I know bites are not uncommon but if you suddenly became delirious they may not be able to work out what was wrong...you’d probably get sore at the wound first but just in case...

viccat · 12/08/2018 16:06

Where did you get her from? I'm assuming not from a reputable charity or breeder... Sounds like she has been taken away from mum too early and potentially is not well-socialised. But you can work with that - just let her have a room to herself for now and be very careful about doors and windows to prevent escapes. I would also recommend taking her to vet's ASAP for vaccinations and also to make sure she is actually 9 weeks old and healthy, especially if you bought from a private seller.

catlady34 · 12/08/2018 16:09

Leave her alone in a room with some food, water and a litter box. Don't go in there for a day, hard as that may be. She needs to feel safe to explore without you around.

Harken53rig · 12/08/2018 16:15

Oh come on viccat. Even my 14 week old pedigree kittens, who had been born and raised in a school boarding house being handled by pupils every day, hid under the sofa for a few hours when we brought them home!

Soubriquet · 12/08/2018 17:33

And viccat lots of rescues rehome around 8 weeks too.

Just like puppies, they can be rehomed at 8 weeks, though some breeders prefer to do it at 12 weeks.

It all depends on the mother as some are not so tolerant once they are weaned and can get quite snappy

SirHubzALot · 12/08/2018 17:39

Poor little thing. She needs to be left alone until she's acclimatised enough to feel hungry. Give her food, water and a litter tray in that room and shut the door. Perhaps go and sit quietly in the room for a bit each day so she realises you're not a threat.

When she's eating etc start to leave the door open so she can explore as she feels more confident. She'll get there but she needs patience from you.

SirHubzALot · 12/08/2018 17:40

P.s and yes, you would be completely over reacting to seek medical advice for that bite. Just wash it and keep an eye on it.

Misericord · 12/08/2018 17:48

Feliway is good - not sure whether it works for kittens but one to do some research on.

Agree with PP - go and sit in the room and just read or something, and she will eventually come out to explore. Speak softly, perhaps reading aloud, so she can get used to your voice.

Misericord · 12/08/2018 17:49

Oh and yes cat bites are really, really sore - but I wouldn’t worry about going to doctor unless she’s like a feral kitten you picked up for the street...

Pepsioften100 · 12/08/2018 17:55

Cats protection don’t keep kittens until 12 weeks so it can’t be that damaging to them can it
Any animal can be scared and bite, especially when it’s the first time in a new place with new people/noises/smells

Namethecat · 12/08/2018 17:59

Best to leave it alone to come out when ready. Keep an eye out about your finger. My cat bits me instead of the vet (!) and overnight the finger swelled and I needed some antibiotics. You will know if you need to go to the drs.

MacNcheese87 · 12/08/2018 19:02

Thank you for the replies.

She was from a breeder, if that means anything. But I guess it's just new kitten nerves. She's currently holed out under my bed with her food and water near by and her litter tray a little further away.

She has stayed there all day, not come out at all. Occasionally she meows and I try and go near by and talk gently, then I leave again.

I hope she isn't frightened. I will look into buying some Feliway.

OP posts:

Harken53rig · 12/08/2018 19:21

Maybe phone the breeder and discuss with them?

Would it be too late to get a littermate?

NC4Now · 12/08/2018 19:25

When I brought my little boy home he hid and cried, but when I picked him up and cuddled him he stopped crying.
I know it’s recommended to leave them be, but I couldn’t leave him crying when he seemed to find comfort in being held.
How is she if you pick her up? Apart from being bitey of course - I think all kittens bite and scratch at first.

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