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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Really worried about our new rescue kitten, any advice?

52 replies

TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 19:55

We've had him just over 2 weeks. Background is that he was more or less dumped at a supermarket with his siblings (there were 8) the owner was there and claimed they were 8wks old but seemed pretty clueless.

Anyway, we took him to the vets a few days after he was rehomed with us (so, 9wks by owners dates) and the vet felt that he was very small for his age - maybe only 6wks old, but he could just be a small build of cat. So he's now anywhere between 7-10wks old.

He is very thin. His hips are extremely pronounced, and he barely eats anything. The recommend amount of wet kitten food for him to eat is 2 pouches. on a good day he might eat one. We've bought different/brands types of food and offered him a variety but he still doesn't eat enough - and favours complimentary cat food eg cooked chicken or dried food (but worry he doesn't drink enough water for that) but doesn't eat very much of those either.

He sleeps a lot and doesn't seem to want to play, very clingy to me and DH.

He doesn't scratch either, not anything at all, his claws get stuck in everything and he just hangs from his claws and waits for you to rescue him.

His fur on his back is starting to look a little greasy too.

Am I worrying about nothing? He's back at the vets Friday after next, and hates being in the cat box (honestly, goes insane) so reluctant to take him back sooner unless they can help.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:00

I'd get him back right away, sorry. When a young kitten (and he sounds very young indeed) goes downhill like that it can be bad news without early intervention.

cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:02

PS - if there's a delay before the appointment, try liquid feeding and all things as if he was a hand rear. You should be able to get kitten milk substitute from a vet even before an appointment.

thecatneuterer · 11/06/2013 20:03

I agree with cozie. I would get him back straight away. If it turns out to be just that he's not good with eating you might need to syringe feed. Anyway, first stop the vet as soon as you possibly can. And good luck.

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 20:07

Oh bugger.Sad

I can't get him to the vet until tomorrow afternoon (it's just me and the dc, DH is away with the car) We have a bit of cat milk in the house, but no kitten milk.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:15

OK. Have you got a local cat rescue that you can phone and explain the situation to? They've often got supplies of kitten milk/syringes which they might be able to get round to you.

Hang on and I'll get you a link.

cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:18

Here's the catchat shelter page - hovering over your area will give you the info.

\link{http://www.catchat.org/adoption/index.html\cat chat shelter page}

If he's in really bad shape, and you get no joy from the above, you always have the option of phoning the vet OOH service as well. They could be able to do the same.

Roughly what area of the country are you in ?

cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:19

PS - I'm assuming you mean the Whiskas Cat Milk?

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 20:23

Yes it's the whiskas. Just checking the link, we're quite rural.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:28

Just that I wouldn't be happy about giving Whiskas to a kitten who might be under 6 weeks and looks sick. Perhaps thecatneuterer could give a view on use in a problem situation?

Have you got a syringe or baby bottle and teat is needs be?

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 20:28

sorry, We're northants/oxfordshire border.

He was asleep on me so woke him up and decided to test him with some finely chopped chicken, before I rang around - which he is now eating! Hmm

I don't know what to think.Confused

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:29

Great! Can you offer him some water?

Has he used his tray by the way?

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 20:29

I don't think he is less than 6wks. Maybe only just but at least that I think.

He's had a mouthful or two of chicken and come back to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 20:32

Not used tray since this morning I think.

...he's gone back to chicken, so hopeful maybe?

Have baby bottles - also kids medicine syringes?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:34

Well maybe you can last it out till tomorrow then. Keep the chopped chicken fresh and have some lukewarm but fresh water nearby in a lowish bowl.

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/06/2013 20:35

I'd just feed him what he will eat right now, whiskas contains cereals which aren't ideal for cats.

Frozen chicken breast works out very cheap, nothing salty like ham though.

cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 20:35

Sorry, x posts

Yes - I think that's hopeful, indeed. If he continues to have some chicken occasionally, put a bit of fresh regular food next to it in case the chicken stimulates his appetite generally.

Well done so far.

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 20:43

Thank you - you've been really helpful Smile

I'll update if anything changes.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 11/06/2013 21:26

Yes I wouldn't start syringe feeding unless the vet recommends it - and then it would probably be with something like Hills a/d. It has to be the vet first I think

cozietoesie · 12/06/2013 09:18

How is he this morning, TeWi ?

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 09:35

About the same. His fur looks a little better though - I spoke to the vet and have an appointment with them for this afternoon, and I'm going to keep hand feeding him the chicken and a bit of pouch every hour or so if I can interest him until then.

He did a wee but no poo this morning so wondering about constipation?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/06/2013 09:42

Well done.

Yes - it's possible he might have a bit of constipation but the vet will advise. Just keep him warm and quiet (apart from TLC from you) until this afternoon and let us know how he gets on.

Best of luck with the trip etc. I hope you'll find that he does better with the box this time. His experiences of boxes so far in life probably weren't too positive before the lat trip so that may have influenced his behaviour.

Poor little stick.

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 10:41

I know poor boy. He's a really lovely cat who's had a very short stressful life so far. DH is convinced it's anxiety/loneliness from being taken away from mum too young then shuffled about, but I have no idea what we'll do to help him, except time, if that's the case.

He's now used the tray - normal poo, but still not keen to eat. So not constipation. Really hope the vet has some ideas!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/06/2013 10:53

Yep - he's probably stressed all to heck. It does sound as if he's been taken from Mom to young but it's still as well to get him checked over by the vet.

Excellent news about the poo. Now 'all' you have to do is wait until vet time.

cozietoesie · 12/06/2013 10:55

PS - I wouldn't worry too much about not wanting to eat if he's just had that poo. At least on those grounds alone. If his system was a little backed up then it will need a short while to all shoogle around and re-adjust inside.

Original poster
TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 10:57

Yes, good point!

OP posts:
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