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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
72
EvilHerbivore · 22/10/2022 11:01

Just come across this thread - really odd as last weekend I found a really young kitten dumped in my garden
She's now moved in and is ruling the roost, much to the dismay of my old boy cat!

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:09

@EvilHerbivore

ahem

Cat tax

EvilHerbivore · 22/10/2022 11:13

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:09

@EvilHerbivore

ahem

Cat tax

😂
My new little terror!

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:14

Oh he's ginger!!

Beautiful! What's he called?

vodkaredbullgirl · 22/10/2022 11:14

EvilHerbivore · 22/10/2022 11:13

😂
My new little terror!

Makes me want a cat

OrangePumpkinLobelia · 22/10/2022 11:14

[WAILS] why do kittens never get dumped in MY garden??!!

All we get is dog toys and tennis balls that the fox cubs bring in to play with.

EmmaH2022 · 22/10/2022 11:17

OrangePumpkinLobelia · 22/10/2022 11:14

[WAILS] why do kittens never get dumped in MY garden??!!

All we get is dog toys and tennis balls that the fox cubs bring in to play with.

I don't even have a garden.

EvilHerbivore · 22/10/2022 11:17

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:14

Oh he's ginger!!

Beautiful! What's he called?

He's a she!
Vet confirmed on Friday but even he had an extra through check as apparently it's unusual for a ginger to be a girl
She's called Toulouse (after the ginger one in Aristocats!)

EmmaH2022 · 22/10/2022 11:19

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:14

Oh he's ginger!!

Beautiful! What's he called?

Ginger Spice. 😂

TheMadGardener · 22/10/2022 11:19

I have been loving following this thread as Peppa takes over OP's house.

I used to have a lovely mellow ginger boy who would let me do anything to him - clip claws, comb out mats, give pills, anything.

Was a bit of a shock when current DCat Queen of the House arrived (rescued as kitten dumped by horrid ex-neighbours, has lots of tortitude). She has to be pinned down by 2 people for any procedures and vets are scared of her. Next door's cat flees when he sees her. However she will sleep purring on your lap but only on her terms.

EmmaH2022 · 22/10/2022 11:22

I hope Toulouse and Peppa are having a lovely morning.

Toulouse asleep....honestly, I'd never get anything done if I had a cat.

JorisBonson · 22/10/2022 11:25

EvilHerbivore · 22/10/2022 11:17

He's a she!
Vet confirmed on Friday but even he had an extra through check as apparently it's unusual for a ginger to be a girl
She's called Toulouse (after the ginger one in Aristocats!)

Here's my boy Toulouse!

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
MidnightConstellation · 22/10/2022 11:25

TheMadGardener · 22/10/2022 11:19

I have been loving following this thread as Peppa takes over OP's house.

I used to have a lovely mellow ginger boy who would let me do anything to him - clip claws, comb out mats, give pills, anything.

Was a bit of a shock when current DCat Queen of the House arrived (rescued as kitten dumped by horrid ex-neighbours, has lots of tortitude). She has to be pinned down by 2 people for any procedures and vets are scared of her. Next door's cat flees when he sees her. However she will sleep purring on your lap but only on her terms.

Haha! I had exactly the same experience. Passive ginger cat followed by neurotic female who will not tolerate ANY interference at all. I have to take her to the vet to be wormed etc!

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:25

@EvilHerbivore wow that's so rare! Is she as chilled as ginger boys?

I too wish I woke up to a garden full of kitten this morning...

OrangePumpkinLobelia · 22/10/2022 11:38

It is rare to have a ginger female! I also this week learned from Animal Cops Houston that apparently some tortie cats CAN be male but extra super rare and they are always sterile if so.

[random cat fact to shoehorn in to thread. You are welcome].

We had a glorious tortie, sadly died at 18 from stomach cancer. She was terrifying. We adored her.

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:42

@JorisBonson his fur looks soooo soft! Handsome boy!

Whats the difference between a calico and a tortie?

Crazymadchickenlady · 22/10/2022 11:49

We have a ginger female. She’s fast asleep on my bed at the moment.

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
TheMadGardener · 22/10/2022 11:53

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 11:42

@JorisBonson his fur looks soooo soft! Handsome boy!

Whats the difference between a calico and a tortie?

Calico cats have white on them. Here's an image of a calico and a tortie.

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
Soubriquet · 22/10/2022 11:56

My calico

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
EmmaH2022 · 22/10/2022 11:57

Never met a calico in real life

only know of this one

havingabubble · 22/10/2022 12:25

Sorry if someone has already suggested, I haven't read all comments but for the pills try 'easy pill'. It is a putty that can be wrapped around the tablet. It was a nightmare trying to give our cat pills but this was a game changer!

Kenwouldmixitup · 22/10/2022 12:48

Shameless page marking. 😉 Love these threads threads of happen chance.

Toddlerteaplease · 22/10/2022 12:49

@OrangePumpkinLobelia Cheddar insists SHE is red not ginger!

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
GiantKitten · 22/10/2022 12:56

About 25% of gingers are female so it’s unusual but not as vanishingly rare as male torties (& they’re not generally infertile either, which is nice - I’ve definitely seen pics of ginger mamas with ginger daughters too! 🙂)

Crazymadchickenlady · 22/10/2022 13:05

Think to get a ginger female both mum and dad have to be ginger. Rarer than ginger males but not that rare.