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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
72
OrangePumpkinLobelia · 22/10/2022 18:05

OMG we seriously need a kitten Chez Orange.

EmmaH2022 · 22/10/2022 18:07

softplayfail · 22/10/2022 18:04

He is ridiculously cute sat on my husbands sandal

OMG
look at him. 😍😍😍🤗🤗🤗

excellent photo for perspective. I won't ask you to put him in a teacup (Peppa, not your DH).

I am assuming DH is making a good recovery with this kind of therapy.

Original poster
softplayfail · 22/10/2022 18:09

@EmmaH2022 my husband who originally when he got home was adamant even walking to the toilet was going to be the end of him. I mean I asked him to start our daughter a bath and well that caused some right drama.
He's made a miraculous recovery remarkably similar to when Jesus rose from the dead. He was playing with Peppa laid on the floor earlier. Can't be in that much pain. I'm sure if I ask him to make tea though he will gave excruciating pain

OP posts:
EmmaH2022 · 22/10/2022 18:11

I was actually just thinking, I have a lurgy and I'd probably be more inclined to get off the sofa if I had a kitten....

Original poster
softplayfail · 22/10/2022 18:14

Whoever posted saying to use peppa to my advantage for my daughter you are an evil genius

So far we've had

Darling put your toys away so Peppa doesn't get stuck
No problems all tidy
Can we eat all our dinner so Peppa copies you and gets big and strong like you
I mean that slightly backfired as i had to sponge spaghetti hoop stains off Peppa who almost became ginger as she was so excited to share her hoops with him
She even napped willingly as he was sleeping too

OP posts:
ZandathePanda · 22/10/2022 18:47

Don't suppose we could have a puss in boots photo?

Original poster
softplayfail · 22/10/2022 18:47

@ZandathePanda I will dig out my boots tomorrow!

OP posts:
LeMoo · 22/10/2022 18:50

🤣

Great updates, op! Where did Peppa spend the night?

Original poster
softplayfail · 22/10/2022 18:54

@LeMoo not curled up on my pillow making little snuffly purring noises..not at all.

OP posts:
LeMoo · 22/10/2022 18:57

Oh would you look at that...my heart is in a puddle on the floor 😍😍

Soubriquet · 22/10/2022 18:57

You are a total cat slave Grin

PhilistineWazzock · 22/10/2022 19:07

Whoever posted saying to use peppa to my advantage for my daughter you are an evil genius

Also will work for husbands. Peppa obviously needs him to stop being ill.

You could use Pepper rather than Peppa for his registered name. Your DD won't understand until she's out of the Pig phase.

PeloFondo · 22/10/2022 19:39

softplayfail · 22/10/2022 18:14

Whoever posted saying to use peppa to my advantage for my daughter you are an evil genius

So far we've had

Darling put your toys away so Peppa doesn't get stuck
No problems all tidy
Can we eat all our dinner so Peppa copies you and gets big and strong like you
I mean that slightly backfired as i had to sponge spaghetti hoop stains off Peppa who almost became ginger as she was so excited to share her hoops with him
She even napped willingly as he was sleeping too

That was me Blush I don't have children which is probably wise BlushGrin

Original poster
softplayfail · 22/10/2022 19:42

How do I cut his claws? I asked the vet who said it was oh so simple. Well funnily enough he said that about the worming and that was about as simple as my maths gcse which I failed three times. So he said to find something called a quick and not cut past that. What's a quick? What happens if I cut past it? His claws are teeny but oh my god so sharp. I have work on Monday and I'm so thankful for autumn weather so I can hide my slightly mauled arms

OP posts:
RoachTheHorse · 22/10/2022 19:44

If you cut past a quick they scream and cry and it bleeds like holy fuck. It's the flesh but in the nail.

I cut my cats claws by not giving him a choice. But I started when we first got him by wrapping him in a towel like a burrito. Pop a paw out. Press very gently mid bean to pop claw out, and trim end with clippers.

Took lots of patience for him to get used to it but now it's no issue.

Adhdsucks · 22/10/2022 19:45

I’ve never cut my cats claws!! Should I be?

Toddlerteaplease · 22/10/2022 19:45

I bet the shoelaces are under the sofa or the fridge. Be careful with hair bobbles 😂

Soubriquet · 22/10/2022 19:47

You don’t need to cut cats claws but if you want to, you need to make sure you do the right research.

The quick will show up as dark pink in the claw.

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 19:52

There are plenty of pictures online about trimming claws and how to identify the quick (which is like a human nail bed).

Can describe but your safest bet is Google and YouTube!

Original poster
softplayfail · 22/10/2022 19:52

I don't particularly want to. But I also don't really want to be a human pin cushion. I bought a cat scratcher. And I mean a fancy one. It has ledges and even a hammock. Will that trim his nails?

Oh and another question why does he come for a cuddle and be all cute and adorable and immediately flop onto his back, show his belly and when I go to give him a love he attacks me

You guys are better than Google. This is the official 'idiots guide to cat ownership'. The vet clearly thought I had some idea what I was doing. I mean he let me leave with the kitten

OP posts:
LeMoo · 22/10/2022 19:55

Cat scratches help to file down the claw tips so they help but not all cats use them enough. I wouldn't worry about it this week!

The tummy thing...could be play, could be trust. Tummy tickles are the ultimate expression of trust, it's a vulnerable area so if they show it you they trust you. They trust you even more if you can stroke/snuggle/kiss it.

Give it time, I'm sure you'll be allowing to eventually :)

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 19:55

P.s buying a fancy cat anything is an automatic guarantee they'll never use it! 😄

EmmaH2022 · 22/10/2022 19:56

OP as he is scratching you, just cut the tips carefully, avoiding the quick. He might like his nails filed - not joking. Also my experience is many cats like to have their fur brushed. 😍

LeMoo · 22/10/2022 19:57

Oh and the vet waited til you were gone and laughed himself silly with the nurses about what you were letting yourself in for!

Soubriquet · 22/10/2022 19:57

All cats do the tummy thing. Devious little sods.

Biggest advice I can give you, is don’t fall for it.

He flops for tummy cuddles, scratch his head.

Avoid the belly