Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?

[softplayfail]

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.

He needs somewhere to escape a mauling toddler.
Somewhere high where he can be in peace.
A shelf? Top of freezer?
Your daughter will learn by being clawed, but toddlers can be very rough with animals, sadly.

He has got a few high places. Husbands just stuck some shelves up for him to climb on but he's still so tiny I don't know if he can reach.

You really must keep your toddler away from Peppa if she's going to pull her tail and manhandle her. It isn't fair. You need to teach her to be very gentle and keep her under supervision. Also, not good news to feed her food she shouldn't be eating when she's just weaned.

Yeah this is a good age to start teaching kids to respect and be kind to animals :)

Toddlers can be unknowingly rough with animals-
I would try and keep then separated while Peppa is so tiny
Hands around a tiny neck could be fatal for a young kitten-
I saw a toddler squeeze a dog’s face very painfully the other day in the park- with both hands-
The parents said nothing to this girl- only “ The dog is so good with children “
A dog can retaliate, but a tiny kitten can’t.
Toddlers don’t have impulse control , so Peppa needs a peaceful escape zone .

Difficult though it is, you must supervise your daughter at all times when she's with Peppa. Toddlers really don't understand how fragile kittens are. You also need to be absolutely clear that tail pulling or picking up is not allowed at all.

Agreed, constant supervision is the answer. They're both too small for much else. It's where you might fight a large dog crate handy for a while - for Peppa not your daughter 😉you might be able to borrow one from a vets or else have a look on fb marketplace.

(I used one to give my kitten (and me) a break when he was tiny as my dog wanted to play with him constantly. It also kept him safe and self sufficient while I slept, made dinner etc)

Dog crate is perfect to keep kitten safe from toddler
Cover with blanket and have bed and litter tray in there.

Dog crate ordered. Found one on Facebook for a fiver

Brilliant - it's almost like destiny, the way this story plays out!

It sounds like they will have a lovely relationship, when Peppa is bigger and less fragile. And when the a toddler is old enough to understand about leaving g him alone.

Importantly - did Peppa miss you and did your dh manage a level of self sufficiency today?

Plus your daily cay tax is due.

@LeMoo honestly it really is. I'm not too sure who replied to what but I am not leaving them together alone. Husbands been at home today and if he's turned his back for a second she's on to him. I definitely am teaching her respect to other animals and would never want her to harm Peppa be it intentional or otherwise. Its a learning curve for us both having a kitten in the house. 95 percent of the time she's so gentle and we've made a house rule that she is to not pick up Peppa which we are strictly watching for. Gentle cuddles and loves are fine. No picking up. Husband has stuck some shelves up he can climb onto just about and she can't reach.

Dog crate Is being delivered by a lovely member of Market Place and I'm.gonna make it all Cosy for him..maybe practice my art skills and make a 'no toddlers welcome' sign.

The last thing I want is either of them getting hurt.

And as for my day I've missed him so so so much. Slight confession I've checked my phone messages. Asked how our daughter is 3 times. Asked how Peppa Is 6 times. As for my husband he got a quick you ok at lunch.
How did I cope without a kitten in my life? Does he have to become a cat

Cat tax

Oh my heart 😍 he is blossoming!

I mean really, now you have a crate, I see no reason why you can't take him to work with you...

@LeMoo he feels heavier. And his appetites picked up.
Hmm very good idea. Maybe measure the space under my desk tomorrow.

A bad tail pull injury can cause spinal cord damage and they lose continence, it’s a put to sleep situation so you are right to be vigilant.

Your phone will soon be 95% Peppa photos, 3% fripperies you’ve screen shot to buy him on payday and 2% daughter. It is the way of the world.

Lol

Do all your colleagues know every single thing about him now, op?

@LeMoo I've done about 2 hours of work and 6 hours of kitten chatting. Luckily my manager is a major cat lover!

😆taking him with tomorrow then definitely won't be a problem!

OP do you drive to work?

he looks so marvellous.

@EmmaH2022 I do drive to work. Well my husband used to drop me off before his appendix removal. He works from home usually

Oh, I definitely think you can take Peppa then. It will help workplace wellbeing!

He will definitely improve staff morale. As for the productivity of the team I couldn't possibly say.