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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

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?
OP posts:
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6
Original poster
gemandjule · 15/10/2017 17:52

Ok. Will talk to vet if we don't find and owner and do ASAP. in all the time until then so?

OP posts:
Orangebird69 · 15/10/2017 17:57

To be on the safe side, yes. She's so tiny.

thecatneuterer · 15/10/2017 17:59

Yes in the UK guideline age for neutering is 4 to 5 months. But we do our neuter/returns at as little as 10 weeks - they just have to weigh 1kg. Definitely don't let out at all until neutered and until much, much bigger.

Hoppinggreen · 15/10/2017 18:01

Why do I never find kittens???
Congrats Op

Ollivander84 · 15/10/2017 18:04

Kitten needs a name Grin

Twoweekcruise · 15/10/2017 18:07

I once found a teeny kitten whilst out and about. My nan took him and he lived until he was 21, he was a great companion for my nan.

DancesWithOtters · 15/10/2017 18:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Findingdotty · 15/10/2017 18:20

I woud also say, not disimilar to a human baby, you need to keep it warm. Keep the heating on if it's chilly and maybe make a safe place for the kitten near but not on top of a heat source like a radiator. For our kittens we just put a pillow on a chair and one under a chair and covered the chair with a sheet or towel then lifted up a corner for them to investigate.

Your little kitten seems quite friendly so perhaps take a makeshift bed (pillow in a box) to your room for her. If not just make sure you don't have any holes in cupboards or anywhere she can climb in to overnight. Cats are bloomin good at getting in to tiny spaces they shouldn't.

Well done for taking her in. She does sound like a feral or dumped kitten so she's probably yours now. Smile However I would get a vet to see her soonish just to get some worm medicine in her as she could have been outside a while.

MrsGrindah · 15/10/2017 18:25

Watch out for weeing!!!

MrsGrindah · 15/10/2017 18:26

It is completely gorgeous though!

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/10/2017 19:10
Envy

Free pet, what's not to like?

ElizaDontlittle · 15/10/2017 19:32

Kitten looks rather at home already!!

Kitten says his/her name is Bobby/ie Grin

TheQueenOfWands · 15/10/2017 19:35

This kitten has entered your life for a reason.

And now you have a black cat in time for Halloween.

Funny how things work out.

TheQueenOfWands · 15/10/2017 19:36

And I think you should name him Thackeray Binx, after the cat/boy in Hocus Pocus.

Allergictoironing · 15/10/2017 20:18

Neuter at about 4 months for girls. Not sure but I think boys can be done a little younger?

Lactose free milk should be fine, and that's a "person" thing so might be more readily available than kitten milk. If you can't get kitten food right away then adult cat food should do until you manage to get hold of some - there are some requirements cats have that aren't supplied by standard meat alone. Zooplus supply to near enough all of Europe - go to the home page & scroll right to the bottom & it shows all the countries they supply Smile

And welcome to the world of cat slavery Grin

MGKROCKS · 15/10/2017 20:23

Ohhhh why does that never happen to me

MGKROCKS · 15/10/2017 20:24

The kittens name is lucky...because he's lucky he found you x

NameChange30 · 15/10/2017 20:28

😍
I'm repeating some of the excellent advice you've already been given, but:
Water and kitten food (cooked chicken if you can't get kitten food yet)
Cardboard box with an opening cut into it and a cuddly blanket inside, this will keep her cosy and warm. Plus cats love cardboard boxes Grin
Litter tray - she might not be litter trained but if that's the case you'll need to start teaching her!
Vets tomorrow to check for a microchip and give her flea/worm treatment

If you want to be sure she doesn't have an owner, you could try putting up a poster and/or registering her on one of those "pet found" websites.

If you're keeping her, obviously get her neutered. Ask the vet how soon they will neuter, hopefully at 4 months. Don't let her outside until she's been neutered at the earliest, and preferably until 6 months old.

She will also need vaccinations, I can't remember when exactly - 12 weeks maybe?

EachandEveryone · 16/10/2017 01:03

Your going to need that litter tray sooner rather than later

ToffleMoomin · 16/10/2017 18:24

How is the kitten doing? And why do I never find a kitten?

Original poster
gemandjule · 17/10/2017 13:44

Sorry, was in the middle of Ophelia yesterday!
Kitten doing very well. Loves cuddles, hates being left alone. I wonder if this means she/he was with the rest of the kittens/ mother until very recently. Loves climbing and playing. Is there anyway to discourage climbing onto table etc! Also any tips for litter training?

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 17/10/2017 13:49

If she poos then put it in the litter tray so that she becomes familiar with where her smell should be

dementedpixie · 17/10/2017 13:54

Pop her in the litter regularly and especially after meals

Cailleach1 · 17/10/2017 14:07

Oh, you lucky things. Poor mite.

I have been told that quite a few people do it at four months. We did our two at five months, having held off as the vet had said around six months. We have two, a boy and a girl. He was definitely maturing and and we didn't want kittens having kittens. Or even adult cats having kittens.

Orangebird69 · 17/10/2017 14:58

Usually, litter training a kitten takes about 5 mins. Once you've shown them where to go, they get it immediately.

I feel I need to remind you of your obligation to provide kitten pics. 😁