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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
73
that1970shouse · 20/10/2022 16:42

Oh bless him (or her.) If you want to know the sex, look at the back end under the tail. If it looks like an upside down exclamation mark then it's a girl. If it looks like a colon (punctuation not the body organ) then it's a boy.

Don't give milk (you haven't mentioned milk so I presume you're not doing, so that's good.) You can buy special kitten milk which doesn't have lactose or whatever it is that a lot of cats are sensitive to.

You will need a litter tray as he is too young to go outside (I realise he's been living outside up to now.) He will probably use it instinctively but, if not, put him after a meal and keep him in it until he uses it.

Pumpkin20222 · 20/10/2022 16:41

Very cute and you will have a strongly bonded cat if you do keep the kitten. Thank you for rescuing him/her!

Get some expert advice on re-hydration - is there a local vet or rescue centre you can call? It may be very de-hydrated being suddenly without the mother cat. The kitten looks good, but treat it until it is a bit younger until it is up and eating/drinking well.

Holly1293 · 20/10/2022 16:39

Oh my goodness, he's beautiful 😻

We feed our kitten wet food but leave some dry food for him too.

Littleredbrickmammy · 20/10/2022 16:39

You are doing all you can for him just now. Put out water and use the cat food for now. No milk or human food. Is there a room you could put him in out the way of your child? Keep an eye out for hazards like small toys, cables, plants. He’s going to need somewhere to toilet. What colour are his eyes - are they blue still?

Original poster
softplayfail · 20/10/2022 16:37

2 year old is adamant he's called peppa. In case it's not obvious she's massively into peppa pig. Husband wants to keep him but he's high on painkillers..
If I go to morrisons and get food do I just get kitten food? Is it biscuits or tins of wet? I used to throw out ham and chicken for mum and I assume he was nibbling It too
He's purring away so must be doing something right.
He is in a box with a peppa pig Teddy donated by toddler. Given him a blanket.

OP posts:
Sprogonthetyne · 20/10/2022 16:36

He'll be OK in a big box as long as he has food, water and some blankets, just look in on him every now and then. If he's wet he might get cold. Could you put a well wrapped up hot water bottle at one side of the box so he has the option to cuddle next to it. Don't put him on top of it though, incase he can't get off and over heats. He might not know how to use a litter tray, so check any blankets to make sure he hasn't weed on it. You could try putting out a tray with soil, as that's what he'd wee on outside? But not sure if he'll have learned that yet.

Hellocatshome · 20/10/2022 16:32

Pu a hoodie on back to front so the hoodie is hanging sown in front of you and pop the kitten in there. He will be nice and warm and be able to see you but will leave your hands free fo the toddler. Buy kitten food when you can as that is higher in protein and fat than adult cat food.

JorisBonson · 20/10/2022 16:32

Aw look ♥️

A cuddly toy is a good idea, and lots of soft things for him to burrow in to. Poor little thing.

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/10/2022 16:31

Aww bless poor thing.

Box with blankets, maybe a cuddly toy.

Original poster
softplayfail · 20/10/2022 16:30

This is him. Again I'm saying him. Could be a girl. My cat knowledge is non existent

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
OP posts:
coldfeetmama · 20/10/2022 16:29

You are very unreasonable to tell us this sorry tale without a pic

Bless him and RIP mum

Thank you for looking out for him , congrats you've got yourself a floof

Largethighsbadeyes · 20/10/2022 16:26

Yes put him in a box maybe with hot water bottle wrapped lots of blankets like you do with puppies.

Also post a pic 😉

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