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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
73
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

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/10/2022 16:56

Soubriquet · 23/10/2022 15:46

You was a sucker the minute you stepped into PAH and bought everything.

Ah no it was when she picked up a screaming heap of wet fur from the garden.
Signed and Sealed Wink

@softplayfail I will give you my No1 Top Tip with cats** .
Obviously at the moment you cannot make too many dietry changes as he's such a little boy but Grain Free food

Our moggies were changed over gradually and the difference in their litter tray smell is amazing . (I have heard that kitten pooh stinks anyway but I've never had a kitten)

** My cats claim though that I know bugger all about cats Halloween Grin

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 16:36

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

OP posts:
OrangePumpkinLobelia · 23/10/2022 16:36

True. We have a cat who adores watermelon juice. I caught DH mashing watermelon through a sieve so that DCat2 could have the juice just this very self same week. Halloween Hmm

Soubriquet · 23/10/2022 16:33

They do seem to enjoy human food at a young age.

It’s only when they get older they become snobs. But only snobs when it comes to cat food

OrangePumpkinLobelia · 23/10/2022 16:31

I think you are about to become very acquainted with the Kitten Botty Squitz.

Peppa sounds like an utter delight. An most defintiely like he has taken over.

As is only right.

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 16:29

Turned my back for a second and Peppa has stolen a Yorkshire pudding from my daughters plate. And he ate it.

OP posts:
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

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 23/10/2022 16:00

LeMoo · 23/10/2022 15:56

Oh I think that's my favourite photo!!

Is your husband healed yet?

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

LeMoo · 23/10/2022 15:56

Oh I think that's my favourite photo!!

Is your husband healed yet?

Soubriquet · 23/10/2022 15:46

You was a sucker the minute you stepped into PAH and bought everything.

PriamFarrl · 23/10/2022 15:45

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 15:44

No no we're not keeping him at all she said 3 days ago

Look at that baby. How could you have ever have even thought that you wouldn’t keep him.

softplayfail · 23/10/2022 15:44

No no we're not keeping him at all she said 3 days ago

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
OP posts:
usernamenotaccepted · 23/10/2022 14:00

@softplayfail
What a lovely thread and Peppa is a sweetie! Just wanted to say be careful with shoelaces or any kind of long narrow fabric in case Peppa chews and swallows it. I speak from an experience when I had to hang onto one end of DD's trainer lace whilst very distressed DCat allowed me to gently remove it from his throat. It was awful for him. Vet trip followed but all was ok.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 23/10/2022 13:47

I take mine to the vet to get his claws clipped. It's included in the monthly healthcare thing so I don't pay extra for it.

EmmaH2022 · 23/10/2022 12:00

OMD there is a grown up version of the kitten I posted upthread!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/10/2022 09:12

@Pudmyboy

Thank you , she's very photogenic in a Hallowe'eney way
But more than happy to use those claws "Well my mother sent me into this world equippped so why not"

We can tell which cat is which (they are pretty identical) because she walks with her claws tapping the floor ! Click Click Click

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/10/2022 09:09

de-fleaed , not flea fed !

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/10/2022 09:08

@LeMoo

He did settle , eventually wandered out from under the kitchen nits , accepted a few Dreamies then sat on the kitchen floor looking intently at invisible ghosts (just to gaslight me because we'd watched a programme about a haunted house on TV) Halloween Grin
He's still ver' ver' judgey that I de-fleafed him .

LeMoo · 23/10/2022 00:19

@Toddlerteaplease cheddar looks too laid back to ever get worked up about anything!

@70isaLimitNotaTarget hope he's happier now, poor thing :(

I think the op is definitely emerging as the Chosen One in Peppa's new family :)

jd88123 · 23/10/2022 00:04

Best Mumsnet story ever. Thanks for cheering my night up :) so nice you've taken this wee one in, well done 👏 I have 6 cats, love them ❤️

DramaAlpaca · 22/10/2022 23:58

What a lovely thread, and an adorable kitten.

Years ago I became the willing slave to an abandoned six week old kitten, who had been dumped in my neighbour's garden. This thread is bringing it all back.

Our kitten grew into a magnificent cat who adored me but only just tolerated everyone else in the family.

Enjoy your gorgeous new kitty.

Pudmyboy · 22/10/2022 23:43

Though love the cheeky poking out tongue!

Pudmyboy · 22/10/2022 23:42

@70isaLimitNotaTarget what a picture! Beautiful cat but scaaarrryy!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/10/2022 22:26

but they seem to think it's fun to have their nails filed, maybe it's particular to Essex cats ?

Does this Essex Cat look like she'd let you near her with a nailfile ?
She isn't holding her claws out to file , it's a Come And Play With Us offer Grin

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?