Taken in a kitty in a sorry state - advice welcomed

[RaisinRainbow]

I've just taken in a kitty whose human mum is chronically unwell. She is now moving into social housing.
He is in a bit of a sorry state; seems underweight, has flea bite scabs near tail, flea dirt in ears and generally not looking his best. He seems in good spirits although obv taking time to adapt to a new environment.
I am planning to slowly refeed him (small regular meals), flea & worm. Groom and possibly bathe? in due course. Any advice esp on refeeding would be welcome.
I will of course be able to consult my local vetinary practice after the Bank Hol, but knowing there are many v experienced cat parents here, wanted to ask this wonderful community.
Thankyou

It's sounds as though you have a good plan. Thank god you were there for him. Yes, small regular meals are what is needed. I wouldn't bathe him - just flea treat (with the proper stuff of course) and maybe use a flea comb.

I don't think it matter too much what food you give him - just small, regular meals of any decent cat food.

Do you know what he was eating before? Normally recommended to keep feeding original food and introduce the new food gradually. Do you know what age he might be? Is he neutered? Pets at home sell advantage which is a flea treatment if you didn't want to have to wait until Tuesday. Don't use any of the other OTC stuff.

catneuterer Thank you for the encouragement, I know you draw on tremendous experience in such matters. I would prefer not to bathe him, hopefully his coat will improve with diet and grooming. He is predominantly white so is looking a bit grubby at the mo.

demented He is 5 1/2 and neutered (mercifully) He's a lovely boy, supposedly Ragdoll. He has the markings of a blue van but is woefully thin and his tail is particularly pitiful looking.
His mum was feeding him cheapy cheap biscuits. I have him on Butchers tins and Harrington dry, which are my stock SOS emergency items for kitties in need. Resident cat eats mostly a raw diet, but I dont imagine that he would take to that straight away. Thanks for the petsathome tip as I dont have a spare pippet at home, and he is constantly scratching his ears.

I'd second the advice not to bathe him until you've discussed with a vet.

Feed him what he is used to, and don't give him milk - it's not good for most kitties

Dont bathe unless he likes water one of my cats loves water and showers with me the other two not so much

Do worm him as well, and check his claws aren't too long if he's elderly? They can grow into the pads. The black dirts in the ears are likely to be ear mites, but the vets will check that. Ahh, he must feel so happy to be with you!

If he’s scratching his ears, it sounds like ear mites rather than fleas. The vet can treat that for you.
There’s no great urgency to do anything over the bank holiday apart from feed him, let him settle in, and give him peace and time to get used to his new home. Make sure he has a safe place to hide away if he’s stressed, preferably up off ground level.
Cats hate change of routine, so it’s quite good he’ll have a few days before the scary trip to the vet for examination and treatment.

You can get some drops for his ears but a word of warning you put them in tub them them they shake and it all pours out again up the walls my cat hit the light fitting "#proud"

Feliway is good if he struggles they do some treats on Amazon which calms them down dont bother with a cat bed cardboard boxes are better

Don't put anything down the ears before you have an appointment with the vet. It's really likely to be ear mites and you need the right treatment.

Thanks all

This advice makes a lot of sense. Plenty of helpful strategies & suggestions. I feel a lot calmer and confident about the situation.

He has a safe hidey place and is sitting peacefully, cosy with his paws tucked under (like a loaf of bread).

I'm pleased that he is eating and has good appetite. Would love it if he used the litter tray overnight (I placed it near his hidey place)

Your advice is much appreciated!

The ears sound like ear mites - he'll need a vet check for that, Advocate parents ear mites but Advantage (the one you can get without seeing a vet) doesn't.
In the meantime, a gentle clean with a cotton pad and cooled boiled water might help soothe the ears (it won't remove the mites but might make him slightly more comfortable).
With food, I'd feed whatever he was on previously and gradually transition over a week or so onto the new food, to avoid upsetting his stomach. It would be good to monitor his weight in case there is another reason he isn't keeping weight on.
When you see the vet get him checked for a chip as you'll need to update owners details.
Good on you for taking him in! I hope you have lots of happy years with him

*treats, not parents!

Thanks awkward
All very helpful suggestions, I believe he is chipped and it would be a good idea to re-register him asap, although hopefully there will not be a houdini moment!!
If he fits into the household and seems happy, he would be welcome to stay. I hope it works out too!

Thanks awkward
All very helpful suggestions, I believe he is chipped and it would be a good idea to re-register him asap, although hopefully there will not be a houdini moment!!
If he fits into the household and seems happy, he would be welcome to stay. I hope it works out too!

It sounds like you're on top of everything. Unfortunate it's a bank holiday so vet visit has to wait. I'm sure once he's been ridded of his passengers and fed regularly he'll soon improve.
Pet Remedy is also good; it really seems to relax them. We will need photos!

Just wanted to say I am so glad he has you. So sad how cats are neglected. He is a lucky boy.

If you happen to have a nit comb they're good for getting fleas out of fur. Comb while sat next to a bowl of soapy water to drown any fleas you catch.

Don't bathe him, it would be stressful and is not necessary. Also do not buy over the counter flea treatments as they are not much use and have caused illness and death, especially some of the collars.

I agree with combing him and putting the fleas in soapy water, or if you can get some diatomaceous earth sprinkle/puff it over him or rub it in with your hands and then comb through. If he is sore avoid those places. Try to use as few chemicals as possible until he is stronger.

He may well like some chicken, they usually like either chicken or fish but not the pre-cooked stuff with added salt if you can avoid it, you can build him up by giving him bits as treats, not too much as he will need his catty nutrients.

I hope it all goes well.

Diatomaceous earth needs to be food grade.

@slipperywhensparticus that is so true. Snorg apparently has ear mites. She's really good with the drops. But looks like a scarecrow as the hair round her ears is soaked from shaking her head!

Boiling up some chicken and plain rice may help as it’s easy to digest and tolerate. You can mix it in with a bit of his usual food. It can help with sloppy poop too if that’s an issue. I usually give it for a day or so to see if there’s an improvement. I’d go for a grain free complete kibble as well. I’m no cat expert but this is what’s worked for me.

What a lucky kitty to have you.

Thank you dear cat parents, it's all very helpful. Appreciated!

Nothing to add but wanted to say when my mum got our first cat he was in a sorry state, fleas, ear mites the works and he grew to be the most handsome loving boy.

Smartcar Thank you that’s heartwarming
We are on Day three of the journey – little one is making progress towards his destiny of becoming a full blown gorgeous fluff ball rag doll
He is clearly very at home here, eating well his fur has improved and I’m about to have an appointment with our local cat whisperer and homoeopath herbalist