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.

The cutest Peppa photo ever.

I feel so bad now..we thought the 2 because they were similar in age to Peppa. Now I'm thinking do we ring them and go for the other one

Who are you insured with please?

Peppa 😍

Do it @softplayfail . One more can't hurt.

@MidnightConstellation PetPlan. Not the cheapest but they do pay out without a fight.

I love peppa 😍

Re the new cats. Such a hard choice!

The single boy isn't much older, and peppa would learn a lot from copying him.

We just don't like the idea about him being on his own!

Peppa got 4 weeks free with pet plan thru the vets and we've continued the policy. Rather have it than not.

I really can't see how I've gone from no cats to considering making it to an even 4. Me and husband spent hours talking and decided the 2 closer in age were better for him and now my heart is going 'you could have 4, you have the space and the time.'

Lol I love this thread so much.

Honestly, 4 cats is a lot. I've had more in a large house and I generally think 3 is a better maximum.

As much as I want ALL the kittens (by proxy through you), I think I'd hold off taking a 4th just now.

You can always keep an eye on cats protection website and if he's still not been adopted in a few months you can reconsider. For now, though, I'd stick with 3.

We had 4 briefly and found it complicated. (Mind you we also had dogs). In the end one of ours packed her suitcase and went to live with our neighbour as she preferred being the only. (And also the neighbour fed her smoked salmon..... ).

That cat has since returned to us as our neighbour sadly died. But we only have 2 now. For myself I found 4 too many.

Vets bills, insurance, food is a lot for one car, never mind multiple cats! There there are cattery fees ..

I'm going to urge caution. Four cats is a lot, kittens are cute but they grow up into large cats. Also, your toddler may feel overwhelmed with lots of cats in the house. If the pair of kittens are bonded they may go racing around chasing each other and ignoring Peppa. It's also quite difficult to keep an eye on four cats and a toddler.

If you were going to adopt another cat, I'd go for the single kitten.

You seem to be providing plenty of stimulation and play for Peppa anyway. He may be just fine as an only cat.

If the pair of kittens are bonded they may go racing around chasing each other and ignoring Peppa.

That is what I was thinking too. And rescues can be a bit funny about rehoming single kittens, so you'd be giving a home to one they would have more difficulty rehoming - plus the older they get, the harder it is to find them a home.

I'd go for the single one too. The pair may not be interested in poor Peppa, and the single one will be harder to rehome. 4 months isn't that different in age from Peppa.

Whilst insurance might feel quite cheap now, give it 5/7/10 years and the premiums will be huge - we pay about £300 pa for our cat I think - I wouldn't want to may 4x that. And the excess goes up too. We just came back from a week's holiday - £56 at the cattery (which is a very cheap one) - £200 would be a big expense to add to a week away.

Hmm OK after speaking with husband and him I'm sure pretending to listen we are going to call the rescue centre and ask if we can swap for the single boy. I've decided 3 was maybe a little adventurous

I have to agree I think your best just going for one .

I think going for one is best too. I love pictures of cats cuddling up together or dogs and cats. Never managed to achieve it in all the years I have had animals. All tolerate each other but that takes time.

@ReviewingTheSituation my premiums are £118 a month for my two! And that's an improvement on last years premium of £137!

I agree that one cat might be better than two. As Peppa might be out numbered.

The idea of Peppa being singled out sealed my decision. I will post photos of him if we are approved pending home visit. He's all black with a white leg.

Yaaaay !!!

I know it's your decision obviously but FWIW I think it's the right one.

Aaah! Cutie new boy (hopefully!)

My extremely large cat who can barely squeeze through the cat flap does that chirrup when I open the door to let him out!

My extremely large lad was neutered at 4 months and he’s 7kg 🤷🏼‍♀️
(I think it partly depends on breeding. He is half Bengal)

Cats protection have the most boring hold music. Don't know what I was expecting. A chorus of meows maybe

The score from Cats would be fitting. Or that Tom Jones song.

You did say that he'd melted your heart though. Are you not allowed to go and just meet the cats and see who picks you?

You’re not hearing me right OP. You need all 3 kittens from the CP bringing you up to 4