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
ShinyGreenGrass · 20/10/2022 18:29

No need to bottle feed a 6 week old kitten, and if worried about toilet training, just pop it on the litter every now and again, no need to wipe anything. They can use litter when tiny, quite successfully

Original poster
softplayfail · 20/10/2022 18:29

I've bought
A litter box, just a flat one
Litter
Every single toy known to mankind
Food, they suggested wainwright's so got some pouches and dry
Dishes
A scratching post
A blanket

Didn't bother with a bed. Husband said he's snuggled next to him and it's better than the codeine

OP posts:
AnApparitionQuipped · 20/10/2022 18:27

DWMoosmum · 20/10/2022 18:12

I was a mum to a two week old abandoned kitten. His eyes weren't even open. I kept him in my bedroom with warm blankets and a ticking clock to mimic mums heartbeat and the following day I took him to the vet ready for them to say he was to weak and poorly and they would have to euthanise him. Instead they gave me a carton of powdered kitten milk, a syringe and told me to feed him at three hourly intervals during the day. I used to come home form work to do so. I also had to clean his eyes but sadly he was already blind as they hadn't been cleaned at birth by his mum. He was blind in one eye and had lesions o the other so couldn't see a thing. I had to wipe his tiny genital area and his bum with damp cotton wool to get his anal glans and bladder to start working properly. The vet told me he may not last but I had that tiny boy for 9 glorious years. If youre willing to put in the effort I'm sure the kitten will be absolutely fine.

Oh, how lovely!

ShinyGreenGrass · 20/10/2022 18:26

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/10/2022 16:52

He looks old enough to be just fine with some tlc.

Yes to keeping him in a hoodie. Kitten food is best for him in tiny amounts, not the entire tin at once - the vet will be able to help with nutrition. Dry food won't work at this age.

Something you will need to do is start teaching him where he can go to the toilet. Each time he eats, take him to the place (small litter tray or box lined with newspaper in the immediate time), place him on it and gently stroke his sides and, if you have baby wipes/damp toilet roll, a gentle wipe around his bum to encourage him to go.

He'll be happier and safer with a little box and a jumper/towel kept near your head overnight - as it'll reduce his chances of getting lost or your DP squishing him whilst he's stoned on painkillers.

As you'll be getting quite well acquainted with his backside, you should be able to get a good idea if he's actually a George, rather than a Peppa, from a photo.

The kitten doesn’t look that small, in a box with blankets in your kitchen or similar, with a small litter tray, with wet kitten food and water, will be fine. Cute kitten

EmmaH2022 · 20/10/2022 18:25

OP this is BRILLIANT and I luffs him.

easier to feed kitten milk from a bottle. He will probably try to cling to the feeding person like it's his mum.

Bless you for taking in this wonderful kitten and thank you for the pics.

unvillage · 20/10/2022 18:24

Wouldn't worry about kitten milk to be honest, it can give them diarrhoea. Wet food and a saucer of water will do him. Good luck! He's gorgeous.

overthinkersanonnymus · 20/10/2022 18:23

You might need to wipe his bum with some damp cotton wool to help him go to the toilet if he's really young. The mums usually lick them to stimulate the reflexes

Dreamingof3 · 20/10/2022 18:21

Welcome to the life of a cat mum 😅 from a fellow 'I don't even want a cat' who ended up with a kitten and now she's first to get anything over my 2 actual children 🤣

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/10/2022 18:20

softplayfail · 20/10/2022 18:09

Husband sent this

He's Peppa's mum now.

Essential recovery tool for appendicitis, a tiny kitten that needs the warmth and stillness - the purring and absolute cuteness heals all known wounds.

Honest. You're helping your husband recover from surgery.

ShutYerYapAndGetOnWithIt · 20/10/2022 18:18

Sad about the mum cat, but I'm glad you're keeping Peppa, OP. He's gorgeous. You're doing the right thing. I assume you've bought the essentials - cat litter and tray (he'll need prompting), kitten WET food. NO milk unless it's something like Whiskas cat milk. Toys, a bed and/or blanket.

Had cats for over 40 years, I love them.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/10/2022 18:16

Georgeskitchen · 20/10/2022 17:43

Hes beautiful and looks big enough to be OK without mum. Lots of good advice from the PPs but please be aware you may end up sleeping on the couch with him sleeping on your chest.......for a couple of weeks!!

Collarbone and twelve years here.

The twat still hasn't worked out he's about 500 times the size he was when he came in through the door in my handbag.

LeMoo · 20/10/2022 18:16

@MidnightConstellation he was very unwell and weak too which complicated matters but is a fighter and recovered with lots of love :)

ooohlittlesebastian · 20/10/2022 18:13

softplayfail · 20/10/2022 16:51

I'm off to pets at home for peppa the cat I didn't know I was getting but who is apparently staying.

🤣🤣🤣
What a beautiful kitten. Congratulations on becoming a cat slave 😻

DWMoosmum · 20/10/2022 18:12

I was a mum to a two week old abandoned kitten. His eyes weren't even open. I kept him in my bedroom with warm blankets and a ticking clock to mimic mums heartbeat and the following day I took him to the vet ready for them to say he was to weak and poorly and they would have to euthanise him. Instead they gave me a carton of powdered kitten milk, a syringe and told me to feed him at three hourly intervals during the day. I used to come home form work to do so. I also had to clean his eyes but sadly he was already blind as they hadn't been cleaned at birth by his mum. He was blind in one eye and had lesions o the other so couldn't see a thing. I had to wipe his tiny genital area and his bum with damp cotton wool to get his anal glans and bladder to start working properly. The vet told me he may not last but I had that tiny boy for 9 glorious years. If youre willing to put in the effort I'm sure the kitten will be absolutely fine.

Sunshineandrainbow · 20/10/2022 18:10

softplayfail · 20/10/2022 16:45

His eyes are bright blue. I mean let's be honest I'm going to end up keeping him. I'm already calling him Peppa and he's only been inside 45 minutes. I'm off to morrisons at some point. Ill get some tins and biscuits. So milk is a no? Just stick water down?
The vet said they can see him tomorrow but if I seem overly concerned I can go as an emergency. He seems OK. I mean he's clearly terrified and tired and probably confused. Probably doesn't help when the 2 year old wants to be where he is.
I'm sure bringing home a baby wasn't as confusing as this

Can have kitten milk just not cows milk.
Tesco and PAH do kitten milk.
Kitten is gorgeous and will probably be quite playful.

Original poster
softplayfail · 20/10/2022 18:09

Husband sent this

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
OP posts:
MidnightConstellation · 20/10/2022 18:09

LeMoo · 20/10/2022 18:01

Please double check op!

@MidnightConstellation I acquired a kitten younger than this because no charity/rescue/vets could take him - he was going to be put down.

Show quote history

I’m really shocked.

PuppyMonkey · 20/10/2022 18:03

This is so heartwarming. Smile

Not that it matters but you could always call him Pepper.

Wen we had a kitten, he used to love sleeping inside a giant Guinness hat we happened to have for St Patrick’s - cosy and comfy and safe.

LeMoo · 20/10/2022 18:01

MidnightConstellation · 20/10/2022 17:58

My thoughts too.

Show quote history

Please double check op!

@MidnightConstellation I acquired a kitten younger than this because no charity/rescue/vets could take him - he was going to be put down.

MidnightConstellation · 20/10/2022 18:00

IceCreem · 20/10/2022 17:41

We had similar a few weeks ago. 4 kittens just 4 weeks old in our garden and NOBODY would come and collect them and i couldn’t take them inside as terribly allergic and they were flea ridden and had tics - I phoned so many places and then I was worried every night they were getting cold and wet or foxes would get them 😞 after a week I managed to get someone to take them to a vet for me

What about cat rescues? None of them would take the kittens? That’s awful.

MidnightConstellation · 20/10/2022 17:58

MarshmallowMadness · 20/10/2022 17:13

Poor Mummy cat, so sad.

Just to say though - are you definitely sure there are no more kittens hiding away wherever mum had her hideout?

My thoughts too.

AnApparitionQuipped · 20/10/2022 17:53

Here to cheer on your new tiny kitty!

Original poster
softplayfail · 20/10/2022 17:50

@Fuckallthetories first of all love the username. Second I will of course update. We've decided to keep him. Husband has always wanted a cat and he's slowly worming his way into my never wanting a cat heart. Appendicitis and a kitten in the same week.
Regardless of sex his name is peppa.
In pets at home now.
I will of course update twice a week on little peppa

OP posts:
spiderlight · 20/10/2022 17:48

Awww, he's gorgeous! Thank you for being his new mum.

Fuckallthetories · 20/10/2022 17:47

Also op, another thing, you do know that you’ll have to provide us with kitten updates at least twice a week? It’s part of the contract when you join the litter tray.