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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

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.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/10/2022 16:26

To solve any child complaints about kitten sleeping in your room, just get him a nice cat bed - I got my old cat a lovely sort of grey donut (next to radiator of course) which he slept in.

Papergirl1968 · 21/10/2022 16:26

Oh bless, I hope you managed to get some sleep and didn't lie there worrying about squishing him.
I will let someone else advise on worming!

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 16:24

🤣

Original poster

softplayfail · 21/10/2022 16:22

Peppa slept on our bed. Which is bad because we have our toddler in her own room so the day she finds out that peppa Is in our room is the day it all goes mad in this house

Back to help? Worming? I've got panacure stuff but he won't eat his food so the vet said I can just put it in his mouth. He said it oh so simply. This is impossible. It's like worming a snake. Well what I imagine that's like. Worming reptiles isn't part of my office duties funnily enough.

Secondly he stinks after his flea treatment. Please please tell me this goes away and he will smell better

OP posts:

Papergirl1968 · 21/10/2022 16:14

I love this thread! 😻
Where did little Peppa spend the night and is he eating ok?

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 21/10/2022 16:08

Love your kitten OP. Very pleased that you have clearly become smitten so quickly.
It's referred to a being incapussitated here too.
The only trouble is we quite often both have a cat so we just have to do without a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

TheElementsSong · 21/10/2022 15:17

PriamFarrl · 21/10/2022 14:32

It’s actually the law that you can’t get up if the cat is sat on you.

In our house we call it "being Incapussitated" and the winning sit-ee is smugly exempt from all activities and tasks.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/10/2022 15:12

softplayfail · 21/10/2022 12:33

I've had a really crappy month. With my husband getting appendicitis being the icing on the crap cake of my life. Apparently all I needed was a kitten because I don't think I've smiled so much today in a long while. Plus seeing my daughter be so gentle and caring is a great side of the usual whirlwind terrible 2s toddler who has me using every single skill I possess. So yeah I'm still not sure how this happened but maybe I am a cat person. Or maybe just a peppa person.

We will see how much he loves me in 4 months when he's getting his visit to be neutered.

This is so cute. And even more nice re your toddler DD. Not sure how near 3 she is?

The only thing I would say, is when kitten is a cat or even older, be careful as my DNephew was playing and fell back on my adopted cat (very placid animal, likes children) and of course, she was asleep and lashed out once because she didn't expect a small child to fall on her. Cue child crying 'I don't like Tilly she scratched me!' Me: 'It was an accident, you fell on Tilly!'

Cats do tend to gravitate towards the person who 'doesn't like them' - not saying that's you now of course! But your DD will have a very special bond with him.

The other thing I'd say, you know you said poor mother cat was found dead by side of road (car?) well just be really careful with Peppa, when you let him out and if it's a really busy road maybe consider getting a catio.

Toddlerteaplease · 21/10/2022 14:58

PeloFondo · 21/10/2022 13:34

When he's a bit older, try Mollys mice. They're loaded with catnip and cats usually go mad for them, great entertainment

Definitely! They are the only toys my two play with.

EmmaH2022 · 21/10/2022 14:37

PersonIrresponsible · 21/10/2022 13:46

Welcome to the better half of the human race - the cat loving half🤪. I'm loving this story.

If you have a lap-sitter make sure it's YOUR lap they attach to. That way everyone else will have to do stuff because YOU MUST NOT WAKE THE CAT. 'Tis the rules.

Unfortunately, no one explained the Rules of Kitten to this guy

PriamFarrl · 21/10/2022 14:32

It’s actually the law that you can’t get up if the cat is sat on you.

TheLongRider · 21/10/2022 14:12

My last kitten was 8 weeks old when we found him. He just loved being in my arms so eventually I turned a scarf into a sling and carried him that way.

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?

BrilliantGreenFlamingo · 21/10/2022 14:02

So cute he’s doing slow blinks at you already!

If you have a cat on your lap, you’re exempt from any chore. Including: settling the kids when they call out at bedtime, getting drinks, finding the remote, answering the doorbell. All of it.

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 13:50

@softplayfail hypothetically: yes that's entirely correct

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 13:49

@Soubriquet I'm really torn between laughing at the humour in your post and sympathy for the pain you're in! Glad you have a purr ball looking after you but hope she sticks to your side not your front

@softplayfail he'll be up for that walk in no time 😉

Original poster

softplayfail · 21/10/2022 13:49

@PersonIrresponsible so hypothetically if one was to have a cat sat on them before a visit to the in laws would said person have to go? Because if said person had known this there would have definitely been a peppa 8 years earlier. This is hypothetical of course

OP posts:

PersonIrresponsible · 21/10/2022 13:46

Welcome to the better half of the human race - the cat loving half🤪. I'm loving this story.

If you have a lap-sitter make sure it's YOUR lap they attach to. That way everyone else will have to do stuff because YOU MUST NOT WAKE THE CAT. 'Tis the rules.

Original poster

softplayfail · 21/10/2022 13:45

@LeMoo since Peppa got brought inside from the rain he hasn't stopped purring. Off to go ask my husband if he's healed yet.

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 21/10/2022 13:45

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 13:42

BTW cats purrs resonate at a sweet spot where the level of hertz promotes healing. It's thought this may be one reason why cats evolved to purr and is scientifically known to help healing in humans.

You may well find in the future that Peppa sticks close and purrs when one of you is unwell - even aloof, anti social cats are known to do this and then as soon as their human is better they bugger off again!

A purring cat is also great for insomnia and comfort when you're upset- mine always keep close when I'm upset by something :)

I’ve been having a lot of problems lately with my stomach. It’s really painful at the moment cos I have covid.

My cat literally forced herself under my duvet to lay on my belly and purred as hard and as loud as she could.

It didn’t really help, cos of the weight but I appreciated the sentiment

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 13:42

BTW cats purrs resonate at a sweet spot where the level of hertz promotes healing. It's thought this may be one reason why cats evolved to purr and is scientifically known to help healing in humans.

A purring cat is also great for insomnia and comfort when you're upset- mine always keep close when I'm upset by something :)

PeloFondo · 21/10/2022 13:34

When he's a bit older, try Mollys mice. They're loaded with catnip and cats usually go mad for them, great entertainment

LeMoo · 21/10/2022 13:33

I love everything about this thread :)

Cays find direct eye contact aggressive and hostile. They'll stare unblinking when they feel threatened. Part closed eyes, blinks and long slow blinks are a demonstration of trust, affection and a way of showing you they're not about to attack.

Reciprocate in kind and you've learned your first bit of cat language - your training has commenced and Peppa will ramp up as needed 😁

Moonlightdust · 21/10/2022 13:18

Aw I love this. Enjoy your new bundle of fluff 💗

QuestionableMouse · 21/10/2022 13:16

Slow blinks are essentially cat kisses 😍

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