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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

Aquired a stray kitten - what do i do?

69 replies

lemonzest123 · 02/04/2017 19:46

Hello!

I'm heading back home after a weekend away and my housemate phoned earlier to let me know he'd rescued a stray kitten from a fox and there is now a kitten in my house. Blush

I know nothing about cats. He's going to take it to the vet tomorrow and see if it's chipped. If it's not then god knows what we do with it.

I know nothing at all about cats. What does he need? Is cat food from the corner shop okay or do kittens need special food? Can he drink milk or just water? I can't give him exercise because I've no garden and i expect he'll run away again.

Thanks Kitty lovers!

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Original poster
lemonzest123 · 02/04/2017 23:55

Why in god's name do they think it's fun to dig their claws into you over and over again??

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HemanOrSheRa · 03/04/2017 00:04

Aw. Kitten is 'making pudding' on you because it feels nice and squishy and you remind them of their Mummy. And also they do it to relieve stress.

HemanOrSheRa · 03/04/2017 00:07

Also may have had a poonami because of being given food after having nowt. Or just not the right food. Or wormsSmile.

GreenPolishToGo · 03/04/2017 00:09

Utterly gorgeous kitten. Well done you OP for looking after him.

Has he got access to a litter box? I've spent almost my entire life with cats and none of them have crapped in bed. In fact, accidents of any sort have been very, very rare.

The kneading with paws and claws is a comfort habit, a bit like thumb sucking. They do it to stimulate their mothers' milk.

Peripeteia · 03/04/2017 00:14

Aww super cute kitten. So kind of you & housemate to take care of him. Give him to your dad, happy ending (of sorts) for all.

Sorry to hear about your mum Flowers

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 03/04/2017 00:15

I'm gunshy because my boyfriend's neighbours cat runs into their house at every available opportunity and shits on their beds! Thought it was a thing cats did...

He's asleep on me and i cant be bothered to move him. I'm positive this is someone's pet, he's so friendly and in good nick. Also, although he's a bit scrunched up in that pic he's a lot bigger than i was expecting when my housemate said 'kitten'. I think we've basically cat-napped someone's pet.

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GreenPolishToGo · 03/04/2017 00:24

No, that's middening and it's a behavioural problem. I've read about it but never encountered it myself so I wouldn't worry about your little fellow unless he has a tummy upset.

You didn't cat-nap him, you rescued him from being a fox's dinner!

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 03/04/2017 08:25

Murphy kept me up all night and pooped in the bath again. Waaah, hope he's chipped.

He also wouldn't settle unless touching part of me (through duvet wasn't good enough!) So i had to leave an arm poking out the quilt for him to snuggle onto.

Cute little fella.

Bunnies apoplectic with rage.

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ThomasandFriends · 03/04/2017 09:54

The bunnies will be fine. I've had cats and rabbits together most of my life and they've all been fine with free-ranging rabbits. One was quite scared when we brought home a kitten, but she soon got used to her.

My cat gave up chasing rabbits when he first met his second one. All her attempts to get him to run so she could chase him failed to deliver so she walked off with an air of "I knew that would happen, it was all part of the plan" only to discover him bouncing after her!!!!! So even when we had babies she didn't really show much interest in them.

The bunnies will get used to him.

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 03/04/2017 11:08

I can't keep him. He's a dear but I don't want a cat. My boss at work has been looking for a rescue kitten for her family. She has a garden and cat flap and lives less centrally. If he isn't chipped I'll put some posters up but I really can't have him in the flat long... We're both out all day and he's yelling his head off/pooping everywhere and walking in it 😢

Don't know how long I should leave it before rehoming him!

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hugoagogo · 03/04/2017 11:15

You'll know more when you get him scanned, he may yet have a home.
If not it sounds like you have options to find him a new home.

The pattern on here seems to be to assume if someone finds a kitten it's inevitable that they will keep it, we are all suckers for kitties. Grin
If it's not right for you, then so long as you behave responsibly and it certainly sounds like you have, then don't feel pressured to take on a pet that's not right for you.

Kiroro · 03/04/2017 11:30

Can you put another litter tray in the bath?

Seems strange he is pooping in the bath but at least that is quite easy to clear up, better than on the floor!

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 03/04/2017 14:05

Yeah it's much better than the floor it's just he gets his paws all pooey and then walks all over the flat spread poop everywhere. I normally have a strong stomach but cat poo, especially in a small space, makes me retch as I'm cleaning it. Vets for scanning, check-up and claw trim is at 5pm.

Housemate reports some gentle nose touches through the bars to the buns - success!

I tweeted a photo of him and a 'do you know this puss' tweet and one of slebs I work with retweeted it so now loads of people are commenting saying how cute he is :)

A local rescue has said we need to put up notices and wait 7 days then rehome. My boss at work is def the front runner; i will be visiting though, he's a sweety-pie!

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YetAnotherSpartacus · 03/04/2017 14:36

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/04/2017 14:41

The pound shop do litter trays and litter. He's trying to be clean by doing it in the bath.

If anyone comes forward they must have a photo of him on their phone and proof they live nearby.

Kittens can't get far so it must be someone nearby.

All cat owners phones contain 3000 photos of their cats, a few of spouses & children (holding the cat) & a screenshot of an order for toys (for the cat).

YetAnotherSpartacus · 03/04/2017 15:02

Yes.. What Fluffycloud said. Sadly, people do scoop up free kitties for all sorts of rather nasty purposes teaching dogs how to kill. Also, they often get young women to claim they are theirs so as not to raise suspicion.

Kiroro · 03/04/2017 16:27

YetAnotherSpartacus really? That is horrible!

100% agree that a real owner will have seventyfivebillion photos of said cat on their phone .

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/04/2017 16:30

Yes, cats & kittens are used as dog bait.

Also submissive dogs with their jaws duct taped shut so they can't fight back.

Dog fighters would be the first going in the boiling oil if I was in charge.

Vinorosso74 · 03/04/2017 17:25

Was just checking in for an update. Hope all goes ok at the vets. Maybe your boss might be the best new human for him.

BagelGoesWalking · 03/04/2017 18:05

Does your boss already have a cat? Just wondering if cat will do the same (poo) in her house if she's left alone for quite a few hours - although having a cat flap would probably help?

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 03/04/2017 18:42

Hello all!

Murphy is not chipped Sad

Boss loves cats but housemate is now determined his ex boyfriend should have him, gyargh!

Going home to put up loads of posters. Thanks so much for the tips re. Dogs etc.... Shocking that people will do that!!

Murphy has 100 retweets 😎

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Fluffycloudland77 · 03/04/2017 18:55

What's the ex bf like?.

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 03/04/2017 19:05

He's fine, had cats before, ground floor flat, communal garden. He comes from Australia though so i guess its not inconceivable that he'd go back. I prefer my boss as an option as she's a home owner and settled. Renting with pets can be really hard!!

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Vinorosso74 · 03/04/2017 19:14

I think your boss is the best option for the long term so please try to convince your housemate. Cats live on average 15/16 years, sometimes 20 plus and I would hate to think he ends up homeless again in a couple of years time.

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 03/04/2017 22:12

Oh dear. We are both totally in love with Murphy.

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