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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.

Found a kitten, what's next?

72 replies

gemandjule · 15/10/2017 16:31

My DH was out for a walk and found this tiny, very skinny kitten in the hedge on the side of a country road away from any houses. It's very wet here and the kitten was soaked wet so he brought it home.
Where do we go from here? How do we feed and look after it? How do we try and find the owner?

Found a kitten, what's next?
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gemandjule · 15/10/2017 16:32

He's about the size of an iPhone 6 and skinny.

Found a kitten, what's next?
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Catzpyjamas · 15/10/2017 16:36

There's advice here on the Cats Protection website on what to do when you find a kitten.

ScaryMonstersAndSuoerCreeps · 15/10/2017 16:37

Maybe take it to get it Scanned tomorrow?

HurtyTeeth · 15/10/2017 16:38

Squeeze!!

Are you intending to foster for a temporary time?

HurtyTeeth · 15/10/2017 16:39

Squee! I meant to say squee. But there's no harm in giving a few squeezes either. Wink

Veronicat · 15/10/2017 16:40

Send it to me!

CreamCrackerundertheSettee · 15/10/2017 16:40

Have you any chicken? Something plain little and often is best.

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 15/10/2017 16:42

Is that milk? Don't give it cows milk. Most cats are lactose intolerant. You can buy kitten milk in most supermarkets.
I wouid try it on some chicken or something if you don't have cat food.

It's very pretty.

gemandjule · 15/10/2017 16:42

I've no problem fostering or even homing the kitten. Doubt very much if it's chipped as looks very young but will take it to the vet when I can. Working the next few days. What's good to feed a small kitten. We're not in uk so not sure re cats protection

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Orangebird69 · 15/10/2017 16:43

No milk unless it's kitten milk or lactose free. Water and chicken. Then go to petsathome, buy lots of kitten stuff and enjoy floof and cuddles for the next 15-20 years. Neuter/vax/microchip for a trouble free experience 😁

gemandjule · 15/10/2017 16:44

Cross posted. Ok so no cows milk. Water so? Cooked chicken? What about tuna?

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WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 15/10/2017 16:44

Sorry just realised that sounded brisk. Wasn't meant to be.
Dh didn't realise and gave ours cows milk when she was little. She loved it but replayed him by shitting all over his favourite rugby shirt. Grin

Orangebird69 · 15/10/2017 16:44

Tuna is ok but chicken is better.

CreamCrackerundertheSettee · 15/10/2017 16:47

Chicken is best. Tuna? Definitely no milk. It looks about 5 weeks or so as the ears are still out of proportion.

Offer food every few hours during the day but only v small quantities until it gets used to regular meals.

dementedpixie · 15/10/2017 16:47

I wouldn't give tuna. Chicken isn't a complete food so I wouldn't give it as the only food. Do they sell kitten food where you are? Give water. You would need a litter tray/litter too

LaurieFairyCake · 15/10/2017 16:48

Please tell me he’s checked all around in case there’s others or a very sick Mum Sad

gemandjule · 15/10/2017 16:49

Think will have to send DH foraging for kitten food and litter. Never heard of kitten milk so doubt I can get that

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dementedpixie · 15/10/2017 16:52

They probably don't need any milk but cat milk would be in the cat food aisle.

gemandjule · 15/10/2017 16:55

Yes, he looked around but it's very wet and starting to get dark so limited in what he could do.
Do we handle gently or leave alone?

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thecatneuterer · 15/10/2017 17:01

There won't be an owner. Either it's been dumped or there is a feral mother somewhere.

Definitely handle as much as you can. You need to get it used to humans. Yes you need kitten food and water and it looks as though you have got yourself a kitten.

I don't think a visit to the vet is particularly urgent, but it may need flea and worm treatment which only a vet could give at such a young age. Don't get anything in a shop/online. Neuter at four months and get used to being a cat slave for the next 16 years or so.

gemandjule · 15/10/2017 17:44

Sitting on DD's knee!

Found a kitten, what's next?
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Orangebird69 · 15/10/2017 17:45

😍

Orangebird69 · 15/10/2017 17:45

If yo do keep it, make sure it's neutered before you let it out.

gemandjule · 15/10/2017 17:47

What age do you neuter at?

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Orangebird69 · 15/10/2017 17:50

In the UK it's still stupidly late - 4 to 6 months. In the ME, we will neuter (I do TNR) at 2 months or 2lbs. So from about 8-10 weeks onwards. I've had kittens as young as 3/4 months pregnant (presented itself during neutering). They need less sedative and anaesthetic when they're small and recover very quickly.