New kitten - she hasnt eaten / had a drink yet

[kittenery]

Ive name changed for this because everyone within 15 miles knows about my new kitten and so the details here would out me in seconds .

I picked up new kitten last night - she is 13 weeks old. Its almost 10 years since I last had a kitten to look after - feels like im starting again with new baby!!

(She is a persian pedigree.)

As expected she was very nervous last night. Just sat quietly with her for a few hours and she eventually settled in her carrier - put a blanket in there and took the door off. She seemed to feel safe in there and slept through the night - bless her.

But she still hasnt had any food or drink (about 20 hours now) or used litter tray.

I was expecting this as she is settling in but just not sure how long before I start to worry.

I fed my last cat Hills Science from being a little kitten but the breeder not keen on dry food at all - so she suggested carrying on with whiskas kitten food (which she was feedind them) but she hasnt touched this either.

Ive also tried her with a bit of cooked chicken breast but still didnt eat it (from my hand.)

So just popped to the shop and bought a tin of tuna, tin of sardines, bottle of cat milk to water down.

Also going to warm the food gently in microwave to try that.

And I think I might put her in our small spare room for a while with her bed, food/water and cat litter to see if she feels more secure.

Any other advice.

Also at which point do I need to start really worrying about dehydration etc.

Thanks !

(ps she is gorgeous :-))

Put her in a room and give her time to see if she will eat on her own. Lots of cats won't eat in front of others though its never been my experience.

Put the food water and litter in obvious places but not too near each other. Shut the door then check later if theres any signs of exploration.

Keep calm. This is the biggest disorientation she's had in her entire life so a little bit of upset is to be expected.

20 hours is quite long but they really can hold out for absolutely ages. She might just be a sensitive soul and need lots of quiet time to think about her new life and get used to things. (Put food and water etc as delia said.)

PS - I'd also either go in and sit quietly with her or you might consider giving her a radio on quietly in her room to act as white noise. Some cats find it soothing.

thanks both.

DS has just come in from school and she is currently sat on his lap purring :-)

Ive decided to take her to the vets round the corner just for a quick check up to weigh her etc so will ask them about dehydration.

ps will definitely put her in small room later - radio a good idea - thanks

Good news. She's had a really good drink and a little bit of food :-)
Vet said she's in good general health and she wasn't too scared in there.
She hadn't used the cat litter (or had any accidents !) which was my next concern but I set her up in quiet little room and an hour later the litter was a bit wet so hurrah.
Just need to encourage the 'other' now !!

I hate the litter the breeder suggested. Clay clogging stuff. Horrible. Think I'll go back to using Catsan that I used with my other cat unless someone knows why the clay stuff is better for them (?)

Oh and DS has decided he wants to be a vet :-)

Excellent. She'll poo eventually - just needs something to process through the system! If she's already used her tray for peeing, it should be straightforward and hopefully, she'll remember to cover up once she relaxes.

I've always used clumping Fuller's Earth which is I suspect what you have because my cats have preferred it. I'm sure you'll get plenty views on litter so my only comment is - probably best not to change things wholesale this early on. You're better to do a half and half as an interim stage.

Well done kittenerykitten.

PS - tell DS he's on litter changing duties because it will be good practice for him.

Thats good news, sounds like she's making the room her territory and has a good bond with your son.

I think litter is down to preference. If you switch you might need one tray of each or gradually mix the two together.

Good point about mixing the two litters together at first - wont change anything for now until she's properly settled in.
She's asleep on DS at the moment - purring away :-)

A good kitten thread!! Happy new kitty to you. She will settle in time and soon be terrorising the household.

Sounds as if she's bonded with DS which is half the battle because she'll be happy now.

(Your next big problem - if it is one - is going to be keeping her out of DS's bed/room tonight.)

Slight backward step in kitten settling in.
Put her in the little room with her food / carrier / blanket and litter tray last night. She had seemed settled in there earlier and that's where she actually had some food.

But she cried all night :-(. I moved her to the kitchen at about 5am and she seemed a bit more settled there tonight.

Wasn't sure how much attention to pay her last night as don't want her to think crying will be rewarded with attention - but know she will be feeling lonely :-(

We're quite tired today and DH threatening to auction her but he knows he'll have to go first :-)!

I think I might spray a soft toy with feliway tonight and put that in her carrier box .

Any advice appreciated about whether I should respond to the cries or not - thanks. I just can't remember what I did with my last cat at this stage.

That's what I meant with the post above re keeping her out of DS's bed. She's lonely.

I can't comment on this in any reasonable way because my boys always sleep with me but did you put a (moderately warm) hottie in her bed to comfort her?

No i didnt - will definately try that tonight.

Shes had quite a lot to eat today which is good :-)
Thanks for your help