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Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?

962 replies

softplayfail · 20/10/2022 16:21

We've had a female cat visiting in the garden for about 7 months. We actually thought she belonged to someone but we discovered she had no home and was a stray. We were planning on catching her a couple of months ago but she disappeared. Anyway she reappeared and had a litter in my garden. Well I say litter. One kitten. Numerous attempts to catch her have all failed. She was happy to take food from anyone but would never let us touch her

Mum cat was found dead on the side of the road this morning. I feel so guilty as it is.

Anyway I've got the kitten inside. It's pissing it down. He's soaked. At a guess I'd say he's at most 6 weeks. He's been eating the food we've left for mum. He fits in the palm of my hand. I know nothing about cats really. Especially one this small

So I've booked him into the vets tomorrow. Earliest appointment

I have a 2 year old and a husband in bed from an appendicitis emergency.
So I'm on my own really

So questions
What do I do?
What do I feed him?
I've dried him with a towel and he's now all fuzzy but he's screaming murder

My 2 year old won't leave him alone but I can't split them cos she can't be left alone and he's like a tiny little thing. Any suggestions? Could I put him in a box for now? Just so he can sleep without being poked

Ok I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Toddlerteaplease · 24/10/2022 17:08

It sounds like they will have a lovely relationship, when Peppa is bigger and less fragile. And when the a toddler is old enough to understand about leaving g him alone.

LeMoo · 24/10/2022 17:08

Brilliant - it's almost like destiny, the way this story plays out!

softplayfail · 24/10/2022 16:59

Dog crate ordered. Found one on Facebook for a fiver

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 24/10/2022 16:56

Dog crate is perfect to keep kitten safe from toddler
Cover with blanket and have bed and litter tray in there.

LeMoo · 24/10/2022 16:50

(I used one to give my kitten (and me) a break when he was tiny as my dog wanted to play with him constantly. It also kept him safe and self sufficient while I slept, made dinner etc)

LeMoo · 24/10/2022 16:48

Agreed, constant supervision is the answer. They're both too small for much else. It's where you might fight a large dog crate handy for a while - for Peppa not your daughter 😉you might be able to borrow one from a vets or else have a look on fb marketplace.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 24/10/2022 16:48

Difficult though it is, you must supervise your daughter at all times when she's with Peppa. Toddlers really don't understand how fragile kittens are. You also need to be absolutely clear that tail pulling or picking up is not allowed at all.

oakleaffy · 24/10/2022 16:48

Toddlers can be unknowingly rough with animals-
I would try and keep then separated while Peppa is so tiny
Hands around a tiny neck could be fatal for a young kitten-
I saw a toddler squeeze a dog’s face very painfully the other day in the park- with both hands-
The parents said nothing to this girl- only “ The dog is so good with children “
A dog can retaliate, but a tiny kitten can’t.
Toddlers don’t have impulse control , so Peppa needs a peaceful escape zone .

JorisBonson · 24/10/2022 16:42

Yeah this is a good age to start teaching kids to respect and be kind to animals :)

MidnightConstellation · 24/10/2022 16:41

You really must keep your toddler away from Peppa if she's going to pull her tail and manhandle her. It isn't fair. You need to teach her to be very gentle and keep her under supervision. Also, not good news to feed her food she shouldn't be eating when she's just weaned.

softplayfail · 24/10/2022 16:38

He has got a few high places. Husbands just stuck some shelves up for him to climb on but he's still so tiny I don't know if he can reach.

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 24/10/2022 16:38

He needs somewhere to escape a mauling toddler.
Somewhere high where he can be in peace.
A shelf? Top of freezer?
Your daughter will learn by being clawed, but toddlers can be very rough with animals, sadly.

softplayfail · 24/10/2022 16:34

Ok serious note guys. My daughter keeps pulling his tail and she's been scratched three times today. I am not mad at Peppa cos quite frankly If I had a tail and someone tugged on it I'd be pissed too. I separate them and tell her gentle hands. He has a scratcher she can't reach and he has plenty of hidey holes. But he follows her everywhere and vice versa

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 24/10/2022 11:34

I was going to ask about the state of the litter tray this morning. 😂😂😂😂😂 I love this thread!

LeMoo · 24/10/2022 10:01

🤭

EmmaH2022 · 24/10/2022 09:57

softplayfail · 24/10/2022 09:14

I have never been more reluctant to go to work and I am never ever giving Peppa Yorkshire pudding again. Very stinky kitten this morning

Oh dear.
I forgot how much there is to think about with cats. Not that I habitually fed them Yorkshire pud!

softplayfail · 24/10/2022 09:14

I have never been more reluctant to go to work and I am never ever giving Peppa Yorkshire pudding again. Very stinky kitten this morning

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 23/10/2022 22:14

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 16:36

Sorry after further clarification my daughter proudly told me she gave Peppa it 'because he looked hungry'

I bet that's what he told her to say. He's obviously got her trained!

torthecatlady · 23/10/2022 20:27

We have two cats who spend as much time inside as they do outside. We have never had to trim their claws.

They regularly use scratching spots around our house and presumably scratch outside as well.

When dc2 was a kitten I recall him having little "razor blade" claws and had holes in most of my clothes from him climbing me. He's 7 now and they are definitely less sharp.

unvillage · 23/10/2022 18:51

Much easier to do his claws when he's sleepy! You can get away with leaving the back ones as they're not so dangerous (except when they bunny kick, ouch). Just take the very tip off at first, it'll be easier to see how far down you can cut when he's a bit bigger.

Your kid sounds adorable but best to teach her now that he can't have human food, unless you want diarrhoea explosions all over your bed.

If you're at Pets at Home, their own brand Seriously Good Bistro has a fantastic kitten range, I never see my boy clean his plate unless it's their fish pouches. And I mean clean, it looks like it's just come out of the dishwasher.

Peppa is so cute, congrats on your new baby! Raising kittens is hard work but so satisfying.

MidnightConstellation · 23/10/2022 17:52

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 17:01

@70isaLimitNotaTarget he's on wainrights at moment. Pets at home suggested it. I'll have a look see at the ingredients

Wainwrights is a good quality food.

Fuckallthetories · 23/10/2022 17:41

Peppa!!!!!!!!
so cute all snuggled up like that! Give him a lots of cuddles from his mn aunties….. just don’t tell him I’m technically called Aunty fuck, he’s too young

AmoozzBoosh · 23/10/2022 17:16

NeverDropYourMooncup · 23/10/2022 16:00

OP - who? Oh, him. Here's another photo of my kitten...

We do need another photo I think...

Op - a lot of cats love food made with fats so I'm not surprised Yorkshire pudding disappeared down his teeny throat.

Cake is often enjoyed too (although they mustn't eat chocolate). Anything made with diary..custard, buttered toast, pancakes, etc.

(The odd lick or bite here and there shouldn't do must adult cats any harm but as they're lactose intolerant they shouldn't have their own portions. And wait til he's bigger!)

LeMoo · 23/10/2022 17:08

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 16:04

My husbands recovery is strange. When it comes to the kitten, playing, cuddling etc he is suddenly better and is healthy. When it comes to household chores he is feeble, possibly dying. He's got another week off work to recover and I have to go to work tomorrow and leave peppa behind. Wondering if my work bag is suitable to smuggle him into the office. Who would have thought I wasn't a cat fan

Maybe you should try your Toddler Management Technique with him...?

EmmaH2022 · 23/10/2022 17:01

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 16:04

My husbands recovery is strange. When it comes to the kitten, playing, cuddling etc he is suddenly better and is healthy. When it comes to household chores he is feeble, possibly dying. He's got another week off work to recover and I have to go to work tomorrow and leave peppa behind. Wondering if my work bag is suitable to smuggle him into the office. Who would have thought I wasn't a cat fan

You must take Peppa to work! It will be such an adventure.