Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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

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
EmmaH2022 · 27/10/2022 16:44

If I ever win the lottery, I think I will help fund cat care.

Original poster
softplayfail · 27/10/2022 16:44

Peppa says hi

Help? I've acquired a very young kitten?
OP posts:
Blowyourowntrumpet · 27/10/2022 17:17

Hi Peppa 👋👋

EmmaH2022 · 27/10/2022 17:19

X posted

hiiiii! Is he okay?

Original poster
softplayfail · 27/10/2022 17:27

@EmmaH2022 he's recovered well from his tumble.

He's discovered his tail and has spent a good morning chasing it

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 27/10/2022 17:27

👋 Peppa!

EmmaH2022 · 27/10/2022 17:35

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 17:27

@EmmaH2022 he's recovered well from his tumble.

He's discovered his tail and has spent a good morning chasing it

Excellent!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/10/2022 18:29

It's interesting that he is so friendly , I wonder if him and his mum had other human interaction ( another CatSlave Wink )
Kittens have a narrow window of socialisation.
Our two (young adults when we got them) were garden born/feral and rescued by CPL . They worked n their socialisation.
We knew our boy was very shy before we even met him.
Our female cat is stroppy fiesty !

He doesn't like even the slightest change . He feels settled with his house, routine, garden but still glares at me . (Loves DD)

You're on track to have a ovely cat in your life , though he'll start hankering after going out to The Big Outdoors again . (Once he's had his little Gentlemans' Snip )

Original poster
softplayfail · 27/10/2022 18:35

@70isaLimitNotaTarget it's strange cos mama cat wouldn't come near us. She wouldn't hiss but she'd bolt if we got too close and when she had Peppa with her she'd sort of stand in front of him and arch up if she thought we got too close. She'd take the food we left once we were inside.
I honestly don't know if she was going elsewhere. She was always in our garden when I pulled up in the car and was waiting for food. When I first bought Peppa inside he wasn't aggressive. Just terrified.

OP posts:
Blowyourowntrumpet · 27/10/2022 18:48

I once found a very malnourished kitten who was about 8 weeks old and he was really affectionate immediately and followed me everywhere. I only kept him for a few days because my cat hated him. It broke my heart when I handed him over to the RSPCA.

Original poster
softplayfail · 27/10/2022 18:54

Why does he have a 30 minute spree in the morning and night when he's absolutely crackers and just runs around like a lunatic

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 27/10/2022 18:58

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 18:54

Why does he have a 30 minute spree in the morning and night when he's absolutely crackers and just runs around like a lunatic

It’s the meowing hour.

EmmaH2022 · 27/10/2022 18:58

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 18:35

@70isaLimitNotaTarget it's strange cos mama cat wouldn't come near us. She wouldn't hiss but she'd bolt if we got too close and when she had Peppa with her she'd sort of stand in front of him and arch up if she thought we got too close. She'd take the food we left once we were inside.
I honestly don't know if she was going elsewhere. She was always in our garden when I pulled up in the car and was waiting for food. When I first bought Peppa inside he wasn't aggressive. Just terrified.

I think mummy had a bad experience. Thrown out maybe?

EmmaH2022 · 27/10/2022 18:59

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 18:54

Why does he have a 30 minute spree in the morning and night when he's absolutely crackers and just runs around like a lunatic

Is it his interval training schedule?

LeMoo · 27/10/2022 19:01

Lol @softplayfail commonly known as the zoomies.

Cats are generally more active at dusk and night. He's probably just excited in the morning.

Climbing furniture and curtains yet?

Original poster
softplayfail · 27/10/2022 19:05

@LeMoo yep to both. He woke me up this morning at 3 am making sad little meow sounds because he was stuck on our curtain pole. Made husband get up. Doctor said he can resume normal activities now he's mostly healed. I argued that I've done all the running around for 2 weeks so go rescue Peppa. He did. And then Peppa did it again about 2.4 seconds later.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 27/10/2022 19:10

If he's only about 6 weeks you'll need kitten milk and a kitten bottle.

You can find both in pet supply shops.

Then kitten food.

You may need to massage around the lower abdomen to enable him to pee and poop. This is what mother cats do until kittens can manage their own bowels.

You'll need a litter box to do this indoors. A small basin with kitten litter (wood shavings /pellets) n it would work.

The vet should be able to give you advice on feeding and pottying over the phone today, or you could also call an animal shelter. Make sure the little mite has water until you find some kitten milk. Dehydration kills kittens fast.

The backwards hoodie for him to sleep in and stay warm is a great idea - DD1 fosters kittens and when she gets an orphan like yours is this is what she does. If very young, the kitten will need to be kept warm.

EmmaH2022 · 27/10/2022 19:12

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 19:05

@LeMoo yep to both. He woke me up this morning at 3 am making sad little meow sounds because he was stuck on our curtain pole. Made husband get up. Doctor said he can resume normal activities now he's mostly healed. I argued that I've done all the running around for 2 weeks so go rescue Peppa. He did. And then Peppa did it again about 2.4 seconds later.

Oh dear. When I have had kittens (that sounds funny) I put them in something like this if they are wandering off. Happy to have them sleep next to me but if they wander off and do mad things, then pop them in there.

mathanxiety · 27/10/2022 19:13

Ahhh! A week too late!

Snozzlemaid · 27/10/2022 19:23

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 18:54

Why does he have a 30 minute spree in the morning and night when he's absolutely crackers and just runs around like a lunatic

Otherwise known as Zoomies 😂

torthecatlady · 27/10/2022 19:24

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 18:54

Why does he have a 30 minute spree in the morning and night when he's absolutely crackers and just runs around like a lunatic

Ahh, the zoomies!

Original poster
softplayfail · 27/10/2022 19:29

Just runs from one corner to the next. Tail up. Eyes wide. Pouncing on everything and just mad. Zoomies? That's such a funny but apt description.

OP posts:
LeMoo · 27/10/2022 19:30

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 19:05

@LeMoo yep to both. He woke me up this morning at 3 am making sad little meow sounds because he was stuck on our curtain pole. Made husband get up. Doctor said he can resume normal activities now he's mostly healed. I argued that I've done all the running around for 2 weeks so go rescue Peppa. He did. And then Peppa did it again about 2.4 seconds later.

I love it when they're at this stage - so funny!

Glad husband is recovered - how's toddler getting on with peppa?

Original poster
softplayfail · 27/10/2022 19:33

@LeMoo she's been a lot better. We put Peppa away in his house, also known as a dog crate but it's officially Peppas house. We tell her when she's too rough it hurts Peppa and she can't play until she's gentle. She now asks to hold him and I think it was you who said cats need their back feet holding. Didn't know that so I've taught her the same but again not to pick up without mummy or daddy being in the room.
Credit where its due for an almost 3 year old she's doing very well. And I think Peppa appreciates having somewhere where she can't get him.

Husband has been told he can resume normal activities within reason. He apparently doesn't think washing up is in that but we will see.

OP posts:
EmmaH2022 · 27/10/2022 20:14

softplayfail · 27/10/2022 19:29

Just runs from one corner to the next. Tail up. Eyes wide. Pouncing on everything and just mad. Zoomies? That's such a funny but apt description.

I just called it the mad half hour. I honestly thought that term came from cat behaviour?