New Kitten

[littlepinkgiraffe]

DP has rescued a kitten at work today. We have been to the vets and she's been checked over and seems to be fine. DP wants to keep her - what costs are we looking at assuming she has no future health problems?

We have bought some kitten food and milk on the advice of the vet. They've said to leave it a little while before having her vaccinated and neutered and let her settle for a week before worming her.

The vet advised the annual vac would be £52 but didn't say the cost of neutering. They also put some flea spray on her - how long do we need to leave it before we can let her on the sofa / let DD stroke her?

I'd like to introduce you to the MN kitten rules. You will only get the information you need if you post a picture of your new kitten.

Yep, you know the rules...,

This is Mouse who does not looking at the camera...

Are those eyes mucky? Query cat flu.
Food and vaccination. Flea treat each month. Worm three monthly. Insurance. Yy to neutering. Microchip too.
Cats can live over 20 years so not something to take on lightly.

Oh looook!!😍
Did the vet say how old she is?

...

Her eyes were gunky when DP rescued her. The vets said they think they'll be fine though, she's sneezing too so said perhaps some cat flu. Just see how she gets on and go back if needed.

No the vet couldn't be sure how old she is, we are thinking maybe 8 weeks or so.

It's mine (blatant lie)
I am coming to pick it up (wishes)

She looks exactly like my cat who is now 18 but the little cute kittie is fluffier. She is adorable but kittens are expensive so you should just drop her off to my house.....
Anyway! My cats called crumble.

Oh she's tiny. And her little paws are grubby. Poor little baby. Well done your DP for rescuing her. My two are 'work rescues' .

Another one as she is very cute...
She's pretty grubby all over but I think we need to wait to give her a wash so not to rub off the flea treatment.
DP rescued 3 kittens a year ago which we left with the vet but he's wanted one for ages so got his way this time. Just want to make sure we can afford her and look after her properly.

Ooooh 😍 she is precious! My guesstimate of her age would be about 6 weeks old. Neutering can be expensive but I think there are some charitable organisations which help with this (possibly Celia Hammond). Worth researching locally to see if there are any in your area. After that there aren't huge outlays. And so worth it. They are wonderful pets!

Thanks all, will look into charities re neutering and also some pet insurance.

She's lovely! Some vets do a package for neutering/vaccinations/microchip.

What a stunningly beautiful kitten!!! Ahhh all she wants is lots of love, cuddles and some dins!!! Can I just say not to give her kitten milk? All my vets were extremely anti kitten milk stating it is a marketing ploy and actually can upset kittens' tums. I was told to supply fresh water only as a drink. Also, am a teeny bit surprised the vet didnt look closely at her eyes and suggest ointment or something - promise you am not being critical just surprised BUT may I say if she gets more sneezes, or a bit of a blocked nose she should go straight back to the vet as kittens are very delicate when so young. Luv n hugs to her!

It looks tiny. I'm thinking under 8 weeks old. We got ours at 8 weeks and they never had kitten milk just kitten food and water. Mine were neutered at just over 4 months old. They get monthly flea treatment and wormed every 3 months. They are also microchipped.

Thanks Gerty and Demented for the advice. We will stick to water and avoid the milk from now on.

I've also been warned by a friend not to let her eat adult cat food though some googling suggests kitten food is a bit of a con - any opinions of what's best food wise for her?

I'd give kitten food to start with. Think it has higher calories and is more tailored to their needs. I've introduced some adult foods to my two but they are 8 months old. Think they had adult wet food from about 6 months but still have kitten dry food

Mine have AVA dry kitten food from pets at home. They have tried all sorts of wet kitten food but went off them all e.g. James wellbeloved, bozita (bought online), feringa (online too), hi life, wainwrights from pets at home, etc. When they started rejecting I moved to adult wet food and now they have Sheba fine flakes and gourmet perle which probably aren't great but at least they eat it

I think less than eight weeks too. She looks smaller than my little guy who came to us at eight weeks. He was still on kitten milk still is at a year old which I warmed for him in the microwave. But I'm soft and he's softer.

Yeah,Ozzy goes off wet food too, so I just give him dry. That's why he still has his milk every night - I like to know he's drinking plenty to keep his pee pipes clear.

Mine drink out the pond rather than their bowl!

She is gorgeous!! Do NOT give her milk. Is this actually what the vet told you to do? If so, I am amazed. It's really bad for cats. Just water and kitten food. Her tummy might be upset for a bit while she adjusts and settles down. I have had cats all my life. You will love having a cat. They aren't particularly expensive. Once she is neutered and had her vaccinations there is food and possibly cattery costs but aside from regular worming pills and flea treatments, they aren't expensive. Good luck. I always fed my cat on IAMS which is dry food, it doesn't smell, no horrible cat food tins and it lasts a long time. There is a kitten version.