Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

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
Soubriquet · 21/10/2022 16:52

My cat was a tiny little kitten when I got her and my dc were 1 and 3.

They pretty much ignored her and the cat ignored them too. However now at 7 and 9, she really likes them and can be found cuddling up to them at times. Usually the oldest because she feeds her.

this was mine when she was a baby

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
Original poster
softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:51

I'm slowly catching up with the questions on the thread but my daughter is almost 3. 3 in January

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 21/10/2022 16:50

Bless her!

Original poster
softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:50

Question of the day from my 2 year old.
Does his tail come off?
Erm mummy's cat knowledge is limited at best but not to my knowledge no sweetheart

OP posts:
EmmaH2022 · 21/10/2022 16:48

softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:46

@EmmaH2022 I don't have a photo to show you but I can lift him with one hand and he curls his feet under and sort of sits on my hand with his tail dangling down

😍😍😍😍

Original poster
softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:46

@EmmaH2022 I don't have a photo to show you but I can lift him with one hand and he curls his feet under and sort of sits on my hand with his tail dangling down

OP posts:
AnApparitionQuipped · 21/10/2022 16:46

Lick-e-lix is good for camouflaging medication. Or highly (mal) odorous pouches such as Purina Gourmet 'Mon Petit'.

EmmaH2022 · 21/10/2022 16:44

OP does he really fit in your palm?

Unforgettablefire · 21/10/2022 16:44

Soubriquet · 21/10/2022 16:34

Yeah they really don’t like it.

Years ago I had a cat that kept throwing up fur balls so I had to get some medicine for it

The medicine turned out to be this thick treacle like stuff. I had to wipe on the top of her paw, where she would frantically run around upset because her paw was dirty before sitting there and licking it all off

Then I would have to walk around the room and wipe the walls down from where the treacle stuff hit

I know this pain and exactly which one you mean!
I wonder how many cats actually leave it on their paw!
A cat I fostered suffered badly and she just would not touch the treatment on her paw, so was walking around with horrible dirty looking gloop on it that I couldn't get off it looked horrible.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/10/2022 16:44

Actually what a PP said, I'm sure I got a spot on wormer last time for my cat. Better than tablets.

It can take time to work out what cats like, most like, chicken/fish (the actual meat, not the cat food) but my adopted cat was bloody fussy re her stuff (Felix and Sheba). She even likes it cut up... She does like Go Cat or something similar biscuit wise - wasn't keen on Iams at all! I tried all varieties of them.

Cat treats are very handy - you can get softer sticks that you break off, and are handy for when you're doing things or trying to get them to do things they don't want to do. You can sort of train cats... she says

QuestionableMouse · 21/10/2022 16:39

Mine gets wormer granules mixed in one of those liquid tube treats! Liver seems the best!

Original poster
softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:39

Clearly my vet had it all planned when I uttered the words 'I've never had a pet before so what do I do?"
Oh it's all so simple. Yeah right.

OP posts:
PeloFondo · 21/10/2022 16:37

Mine has spot on wormer now. The vet gently suggested it after trying to worm him last time Blush

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 16:35

Another tip for getting tablets down him is to wrap him burrito like a towel or blanket with just his head sticking out. Most of my cats have loved this anyway and like it for a snuggle too.

Original poster
softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:35

It's a good thing he's cute.

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
OP posts:
Soubriquet · 21/10/2022 16:34

Yeah they really don’t like it.

Years ago I had a cat that kept throwing up fur balls so I had to get some medicine for it

The medicine turned out to be this thick treacle like stuff. I had to wipe on the top of her paw, where she would frantically run around upset because her paw was dirty before sitting there and licking it all off

Then I would have to walk around the room and wipe the walls down from where the treacle stuff hit

Original poster
softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:31

He smells like fly spray which I suppose makes sense as he had fleas 🤢 its a good thing he's cute cos that slightly eased the pain of knowing he had fleas. I'm sure I bought lick e lix. To be fair I bought everything with a cat picture on at Pets at home.
My daughter is clearing out her toy box and putting all his toys in which is great. She's helping. But now all her stuff is on the floor instead.

I'm gonna crush this tablet and put it in something. Failing that my lovely husband the appendixless one can give it a go

Giving my 8 week old calpol was easier. Less claws

OP posts:
LeMoo · 21/10/2022 16:30

Ps give him a treat after the tablet

Soubriquet · 21/10/2022 16:30

The smell with dissipate and with worming unfortunately you’re going to have to be cruel to be kind here.

One of you needs to hold the kit firmly, whilst the other squirts the panacur at the back of his throat.

He will sulk after

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/10/2022 16:30

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 16:29

Lol I had one that would store it in his cheek like a hamster, swallow so you let him go then would spit it out once free

Yep sounds about right! Grin

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/10/2022 16:29

Stink of flea treatment will die down. Kitten may or may try to lick it off.

Try to get into a good habit of brushing him sooner rather than later. My adopted cat wasn't brushed or not much so she hates it, but she gets furballs and I now have to feed her furball treats as she gets quite sick otherwise.

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 16:29

Lol I had one that would store it in his cheek like a hamster, swallow so you let him go then would spit it out once free

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/10/2022 16:28

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 16:27

Yes the smell will pass.

You can get tablet syringes which fire the into the snakes mouth. You can also try pushing it into some chicken or other tasty morsel.

At his age, given how tiny he is, I'd consider scruffing him - your dh could do this- while holding him supported with one hand, and you gently open the mouth by sliding your fingers into the corners, slipping the tablet in and stroking his throat til he swallows.

That's brave - never managed that with any of my cats - they were adept at spitting it out!

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 16:28

Oh and the vet was having a laugh at your expense with his comment 😆

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/10/2022 16:27

Cat tablets - you can crush them up and put in food. Don't do anything like wrapping them in ham, cat knows it is there.

Or put it crushed in Lick E Lix.