Please or to access all these features

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

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 · 08/11/2022 15:49

I am too scared to cut his claws. I still bear the physical and emotional scars from worming him. I'll ask my husband to do it. Or my brother. Basically anyone but me

OP posts:
softplayfail · 08/11/2022 15:48

@PeloFondo looks totally thrilled I have to say

I went to the vets and because I felt bad for little Peppa having his jabs I spent a small mortgage payment on cat toys and treats and now I have to smuggle them into the house. Fingers crossed my husband is on a call with work. Hoping to sneak it into the current cat toy mountain and perfect my 'no darling we've always had that' face.
I really need mug tattooed on my head.

OP posts:
PeloFondo · 08/11/2022 15:43

@SoupDragon his faces make me laugh, he looks so angry but he's sat there purring and head bopping me Grin

SoupDragon · 08/11/2022 15:27

PeloFondo · 08/11/2022 14:28

I trimmed my cats claws today
He's fuming. Ignore the bandage, he's scratched himself

That is one seriously pissed off cat! 😂

iloveeverykindofcat · 08/11/2022 15:13

Oh I just let mine walk on me with their claws. I'm an absolute pushover.

iloveeverykindofcat · 08/11/2022 15:11

I hope the vet was suitably impressed by his adorableness and feistiness.

GiantKitten · 08/11/2022 14:48

Oh yes to the Sudocrem!
This is my poor pathetic boy 5 days on from having a hideous abscess removed next to his right ear - had to keep cone of shame on the whole time because he would not leave it alone.
(And had probably caused the abscess by scratching whatever the injury was in the first place. It made him quite ill though, and it was during first lockdown so I couldn’t go in with him for the removal, but I probably wouldn’t have helped…)
Anyway sudocrem did a great job of keeping clean & healing!

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
PeloFondo · 08/11/2022 14:41

Toddlerteaplease · 08/11/2022 14:38

I cut my girls claws regularly. They are pretty good about it. I explained to Cheddar that if she wants to make biscuits on my face than short claws are a must. She seemed to accept that.

Can she have a word with Ollie? Grin

Toddlerteaplease · 08/11/2022 14:38

I cut my girls claws regularly. They are pretty good about it. I explained to Cheddar that if she wants to make biscuits on my face than short claws are a must. She seemed to accept that.

PeloFondo · 08/11/2022 14:28

I trimmed my cats claws today
He's fuming. Ignore the bandage, he's scratched himself

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
Words · 08/11/2022 14:18

@LeMoo No, they don't touch it as it's quite oily and heavy isn't it, and probably tastes ghastly ( not always a deterrent, I know) so mine just let it be, super effective.

I was astonished when vet said this but honestly it does work and can avoid trauma and cost of vet visit plus antibiotics etc if caught early.

Minor injuries only though !

Trimming claws though ( faints dead away at the very thought)

AboutYouAndPeru · 08/11/2022 14:15

a squeak and a hiss. He is absolutely packed with character! What a darling!

LeMoo · 08/11/2022 14:14

I noticed the scratch on his face in your cute picture last night but thought it was dirt lol

@Words great tip about the sudacrem, I didn't know that. Your cat doesn't lick it off in disgust?

He made a little squeak and then hissed aww, glad he has a fighting spirit though!

His claws will dull a bit as he grows and starts going outside. Have you tried trimming them yet? Probably be a good idea to give it a go soon, he needs to get used to it.
(You don't have to do them all at once though)

Words · 08/11/2022 14:12

Which he will do, ( I e get into fights) even with no balls, in my experience.

Indoors is a different matter. Mine was a bit of an embarrassment outside in his youth but indoors he is an absolute sweetheart and adores me.

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/11/2022 14:12

Bear this in mind for when you let him out and he is, erm, establishing his manor. ;)

Fighting loudly while you struggle to get your on shoes yelling “don’t worry mummy’s coming” as I did. Dh was laughing too much to move because ours was a huge Bengal.

Words · 08/11/2022 14:04

Poor lad. I did wonder if he had done that to himself.

A spray called feliway on the blanket in his carrier might help next time.

Quick tip here: minor injuries that don't heal ( that scratch is fine) can be treated entirely safely with sudocrem. My vet gave me this very valuable info during lockdown when my boy developed a small abscess on his eyebrow and they were restricting appointments. It worked a dream. Obviously not for serious injuries though!

Bear this in mind for when you let him out and he is, erm, establishing his manor. ;)

softplayfail · 08/11/2022 13:54

@Words yep I don't know why but when he has an itch on his face or body he scratches with his claws out. No idea why. So he hurt his nose. Toddler wanted to put a plaster on it which I put a stop to. Didn't think he would be so keen.

He hated the cat carrier. And he hated the vaccines. He made a little squeak and then hissed

OP posts:
Words · 08/11/2022 13:48

Love this thread. Is that a scratch on his nose? Was he OK in the carrier?
(Overinvested)

softplayfail · 08/11/2022 13:45

@MsMiaWallace roughly about 8 and a half weeks

OP posts:
MsMiaWallace · 08/11/2022 13:31

How old is Peppa now?

CatChant · 08/11/2022 13:27

Kitten or cat, he’ll always be gorgeous.

Toddlerteaplease · 08/11/2022 13:03

He's going to be a very handsome boy.

softplayfail · 08/11/2022 12:11

Sounds stupid but he already looks more cat like.

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
OP posts:
sydsmum · 08/11/2022 11:59

I absolutely love this thread having followed it from the beginning and having been in a very similar position myself many times. Please keep the updates flowing!

Toddlerteaplease · 08/11/2022 10:55

Good luck.

Swipe left for the next trending thread