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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

Stray (?) kitten in garden

35 replies

ZenGardener · 12/07/2013 08:42

This morning I heard some loud cat noises in our garden. When I looked out there was a kitten out there.

I tried to get near himbut he ran away and I think he ended up in the shed but I couldn't see him and I was out most of the day. I just heard some more crying and it seemed to come from the shed so I had a good look and sure enough he was in there but my cat chased him out.

I couldn't see a collar. If course it might be a girl kitten. I have no idea how old or if he belongs to someone.

I left some adult cat food which is all we have and some was eaten but it might have been my cat that ate it.

I'm not really sure what to do. He must be pretty hungry. Should I pop to the shop and get some kitten food? Or just leave him be?

OP posts:
purplewithred · 12/07/2013 08:56

Is it still there? In your shed? Get a good look at it then check out the national pet register to see if it fits a missing pet. Take a photo if you can. Give it some more time and try a but more food, see if you can coax it out. Phone two or three local vets and see if they've been contacted. See what the RSPCA advise.

Original poster
ZenGardener · 12/07/2013 09:18

Thanks, it ran under my neighbours shed. I'm abroad so I will do some phoning in the morning and ask at the nearby vets. The kitten is bloody fast and makes a run for it whenever he sees me.

I put some food out back but actually someone else had put a handful of cat food on the ground behind my house.

I will ask around the neighbours too. One neighbour got a kitten recently but I don't think he is the same one.

I hope we can find his owners.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/07/2013 10:41

Best of luck - let us know how you get on.

Fluffycloudland77 · 12/07/2013 14:05

If you sit down with a plate of food by you you can try and earn his trust that way.

It could be a kitten let out too young and he hasn't known how to get back home.

Original poster
ZenGardener · 12/07/2013 21:00

Thanks, I asked one neighbour but she said she had no idea and it was probably a stray. Hopefully more people will be around at the weekend.

I haven't heard him yet this morning. I left the shed slightly open and some food there but it hasn't been touched.

Actually I can hear the kitten now. He is definitely in our shed. My cat is staring at the door in amazement. My cat is a bit dopy and very boistrous. He won't harm the kitten but he will want to play.

I looked in but I can't actually see the kitten as he is probably hiding in one of the boxes. I will try sitting with some food.

I will let you know if anything changes! Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
ZenGardener · 14/07/2013 04:56

I bought some kitten food and kitten milk yesterday. I left it in the shed and waited but no sign. A bit later I heard mewing and stood at the corner of the house with my cat and watched the little fellow come to the food. He watched us for a few moments and disappeared in again.

I've been popping out every so often and chatting to him in the hope he gets used to my voice or smell or something.

This morning the milk was gone and most of the food. I replaced it but he really won't come out if I'm still there.

I left it and watched from the window. He was under the shed. He was quite happy sitting out for a bit and watched me watching him. I went out to the corner of the house but he started backing up under the shed a bit. We watched each other for a bit, then I came back in.

I did manage to get a photo so I will try and work out how to make it public later. He's very cute!

I wonder if I'm doing the right thing in feeding him though. I might be keeping him from looking for his mum. On the other hand it would be awful if he died. I did see a stray cat that looks like him. I will have a look this afternoon.

OP posts:
isitsnowingyet · 14/07/2013 06:01

Adopt!

How could you possibly resist.

cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 09:15

If he was too young to be eating - he likely wouldn't be eating, just messing around so I think you're doing the right thing. How old would you judge him to be?

Original poster
ZenGardener · 14/07/2013 09:20

I think the photo should be viewable.

If anyone is good at aging kittens, I'd appreciate the help!

I took him some more food out and he ran past me and under the shed but didn't seem as scared and fast as before. I probably could have grabbed him but I'm trying to work on building his trust.

My cat and another stray, who the lady across the road feeds, are sniffing around so I don't think he'll come out for a while.

I'd love to adopt him but he's so very shy.

I was going to put a blanket in the shed for him but it's such a mess. I don't think I should clear out all the cardboard boxes yet though as I think he likes them.

Tomorrow is a national holiday so I will call around on Tuesday and see if anyone has lost him. It's hard to do much while the kids are home.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 14/07/2013 09:23

3-4 months? Little enough to be predated by foxes, dogs, birds of prey, snakes etc.

Keep going, you'll win his trust.

cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 09:29

Difficult to say from the picture because my computer is playing up and I can't expand it. (That's code for - it's Sunday morning and I need a heck of a lot more caffeine before I would be successful.)

But - without real perspective, he doesn't look that young to me. If I had to guess, I would say 10 to 12 weeks. Maybe other posters can have more luck.

Just keep on talking and putting food out. In my experience, if he was really frightened of you, you wouldn't see him at all. You've likely just got to get over the 'First Human' barrier because the odds are that not only has Mum kicked him out but that he's from a feral litter.

You're doing well though.

cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 09:29

I wouldn't say he was nearly that old, Fluffy. (But then I am half asleep.)

cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 09:32

Actually - 12 weeks is 3 months. Aaaarrrghh. I need more caffeine, it's clear.

Original poster
ZenGardener · 14/07/2013 11:22

Thanks for the encouragement. I will keep trying. I also guessed about 12 weeks from a picture on the Internet.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 11:44

Back now - with extra caffeine on board and the few chores I'm going to do today now done.

It should be OK, Zen but as Fluffy said he's a prime candidate for predation at that age. I don't think you should try to rush the process of getting him used to you but the sooner you can get him inside at night the better, frankly.

Well done so far.

Original poster
ZenGardener · 14/07/2013 13:59

Thanks. Do you think I would be better to try and trap him and put him in a cage in the spare room?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 14:15

I'd say - see how it goes for a few days anyway rather than do that right away. I think you're more likely to succeed with some initial lovely yummy nosh (think roast chicken and dreamies which you put out close to the house) rather than possibly traumatising him with a trap. He's likely to be feral after all and while he should come round, it may not be a good idea to push it too hard if you want a balanced boy at the end of it.

That's just my personal view, though - other posters may disagree.

See if you can sit out in the garden with a book or something so that he becomes intrigued by (and used to) your quiet presence.

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/07/2013 08:02

How's it going? Maddeningly slowly I imagine.

We took in a semi feral tortie but I cornered her and grabbed her by the scruff. Of course I was younger then and the scratches healed quicker. Wink

cozietoesie · 15/07/2013 09:30

Oh my. Smile

Yes - it must be agonizing Zen. If there comes a point shortly where you feel he ought to come in, just do it - but make it fast and have everything ready.

Original poster
ZenGardener · 15/07/2013 10:02

I haven't seen him today but its been raining on and off all day. The food and milk have been disappearing so I guess he is still there. We are off on holiday in two weeks so I'm really unsure what to do. I have arranged for someone to come and feed my cat so they can put food down for the kitten too or to try and catch him and ask someone to take him in for the time we are away.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 15/07/2013 11:17

Oops. I think the situation should have resolved itself one way or the other within that two weeks. If not, I'd catch him and get him in several days beforehand.

TheSilveryPussycat · 15/07/2013 14:59

Sorry if this is teaching g'ma to suck eggs, but crouch down when you see him, and extend your hand. I also make pish pish pish noises which seems to help. Wait for ages and ages...

You can also do a cat smile by narrowing your eyes and blinking faster than normal.

Original poster
ZenGardener · 16/07/2013 06:52

Thanks I will try!

He seems to come out to feed in the early evening so I will give it a try then.

He must be bored to death inside the shed. It smells a bit in there too. I am planning on clearing out the spare room this week so I will see then whether we are making any progress or not.

OP posts:
Ducklings45 · 16/07/2013 06:56

Hope he turns up again soon... I'd try and catch him and keep him inside so he can eat and drink and rest properly :)

Original poster
ZenGardener · 16/07/2013 07:03

Ps Definitely not my neighbours kitten. Hopefully I can drop by the vet's tomorrow.

It's really weird but as soon as I post on here he appears. I went out to the corner of the house but he ran under the shed and hasn't reappeared. I will wait for a bit but my kids are home.

OP posts: