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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

Kitten's age

29 replies

greekstray · 05/07/2021 19:18

Hi

I am on holiday in Greece and have agreed to foster an abandoned kitten for a few days

Her (so I'm told) eyes are not open but she is waddling around. No teeth that I can see.

I am struggling to get milk in her but she is weeing which I take is a good sign.

Any tips very welcome.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 05/07/2021 19:20

Are you using milk specifically for kittens?
Sounds very young so probably around 1 week or so (if eyes are still shut)

Original poster
greekstray · 05/07/2021 19:23

I have been given some kitten milk and bottles.

I will try and add a photo - struggling for some reason.

OP posts:
Original poster
greekstray · 05/07/2021 19:24

Photos

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 05/07/2021 19:25

Is that where it was found?
Poor wee soul. Won't be much of a holiday for you now!

Kerberos · 05/07/2021 19:27

Make sure it's actual kitten formula not just kitten milk. There's a huge difference. Looking after tiny kittens is a HUGE undertaking and fraught with pitfalls. Do you have anyone there who can advise?

Original poster
greekstray · 05/07/2021 19:28

In a friend's garden.

We waited for about five hours for the mum to appear but nothing.

I'm on three hourly feeds but she is only drinking about 3-5ml each time.

Plus, she sleeps unless she is feeding, is this normal?

You can probably tell I've never done this before!

I've only got to do it for another two days.

OP posts:
Sunnyday321 · 05/07/2021 19:29

What will happen with the kitten when you leave ?

Original poster
greekstray · 05/07/2021 19:30

I believe it's formula, it's in a tub with a scoop and I mix it with water.

I have been googling! Just can't work out how old she is.

She's going to a rescue on Thursday

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 05/07/2021 19:36

From what I've read eyes start to open around 7-10 days and are fully open around 2 weeks

Original poster
greekstray · 05/07/2021 19:37

That's what I read but she's walking which is supposed to be about three weeks apparently?

OP posts:
Original poster
greekstray · 05/07/2021 19:39

Is 3-5 ml per feed enough? I don't have scales to weigh her unfortunately.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 05/07/2021 19:42

www.kittenlady.org/age This might be helpful

Original poster
greekstray · 05/07/2021 20:47

Thanks, I'll take a look.

OP posts:
GuppytheCat · 06/07/2021 10:59

Is she really walking (balancing on four paws) or just mobile by squirming forwards?

She looks very, very young to me, under two weeks.

GuppytheCat · 06/07/2021 13:09

Weeing is good, but is she pooing? (You probably need to use a damp cloth to 'lick' her bum like her mother would. On no account actually lick it.)

Original poster
greekstray · 06/07/2021 14:52

She's walking but with very spayed legs, I think her tummy is off the ground.

I can get her to pee by wiping her with a damp cloth but she hasn't had a poo. I've been wiping/massaging her with cotton wall soaked in olive oil but nothing. I'm worried I'm going to make her sore.

She is purring now when I've fed her - I read that this doesn't happen until about three weeks. I'm concerned she has something wrong with her eyes but they don't look gungy.

I'm struggling with this but it was either I take her until Thursday or leave her to be most likely eaten by a polecat.

Has anybody got any tips on getting her to poo? Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
greekstray · 06/07/2021 14:55

I'm desperate to get her to poo but not that desperate!

OP posts:
GuppytheCat · 06/07/2021 15:32

It's a very tiny amount of poo in a kitten that small, more of an orange smear on the damp cloth than a proper poo.

Original poster
greekstray · 06/07/2021 15:52

Ah thanks, the damp paper is showing a sort of very pale greeny colour. I'll keep an eye out for an orange colour.

I have a new found admiration for anyone that does this regularly.

OP posts:
GuppytheCat · 06/07/2021 16:29

Here's one of our foster kittens at three weeks -- I think yours is a lot younger. It's not just the closed eyes but the rounded, folded-flat ears.

Kitten's age
GuppytheCat · 06/07/2021 16:38

Sorry, just checked the birthdate more carefully and that's at 25 days, not 21. It makes a difference!

These are at 9 days old.

Kitten's age
Original poster
greekstray · 06/07/2021 18:16

Oh my, judging by your photos she is much younger than I thought.

Tbh, if there were any other option I would have walked away.

However, the rescue can take her tomorrow now and I'm relieved - not because I want her gone but because I'm worried I'm not doing the best for her.

OP posts:
GuppytheCat · 07/07/2021 12:13

How is the little one today?

Original poster
greekstray · 07/07/2021 12:58

She was in fine form, very feisty!

Drank loads, had a pee and has gone off to her proper foster mum who seemed pleased with her condition.

She reckons she is less than a fortnight old - as you suggested.

Instead of bleating when I picked her up and settling straight to sleep when I put her back in the cat carrier, she was bleating to come out of the carrier, settling down for a cuddle on me and purring. She cried when I put her in the carrier to go to the foster mum.

I really admire those who can foster - how do you manage to give them up?

OP posts:
GuppytheCat · 07/07/2021 13:22

Oh well done!

(And, erm, we don't always manage to return quite all the kittens. This is the little tortie from the picture, six months later.)

Kitten's age
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