Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Wonderful foster cat experience

35 replies

DesolationRow · 04/02/2023 23:42

I've just had such a lovely experience with my foster cats and made me quite emotional. Three weeks ago I started fostering a cat and her two kittens (three weeks old) all very poorly with cat flu. Mum and five kittens had been dumped at the shelter who got them vet treatment immediately, but three kittens had died within a few days. Another of the kittens died after a week with me, but the sole surviving kitten is recovering well, as is mum.

Mum cat seemed to have lost her mothering instinct, she mostly ignored her kittens and her milk had dried up, no doubt due to her being so poorly. Over the past week she's started grooming her kitten, and then playing with him and tonight she fed him! It was amazing to see this little survivor suckling from her (he did it for ten minutes, I could hear him swallowing, and then they fell asleep together in a furry pile) and mum cat looked so relaxed and happy. I didn't know that her milk could come in again and I'm just so happy for them both 🥰

OP posts:
007DoubleOSeven · 04/02/2023 23:44

Oh that's wonderful 😊

But you haven't paid the cat tax

Whoknowswhatanymore · 04/02/2023 23:45

Omg that is so lovely! I’d love to foster cats but I wouldn’t be allowed as I work full time. Even though they would have the best life with us! Well done you for looking after them so well, you should be super proud! 💗

Igmum · 04/02/2023 23:50

So wonderful ❤️ well done @DesolationRow. But yes, tax tax please, can we have a picture of mum and baby?

Igmum · 04/02/2023 23:51

cat tax - curse you autocarrot

Original poster
DesolationRow · 04/02/2023 23:53

@007DoubleOSeven oops, sorry! I didn't take a pic while they were nursing because it felt a bit intrusive, but took this one when they fell asleep together straight afterwards. Kitten usually sleeps on me or on a hot water bottle, with mum cat a few feet away, so this is the first time I've seen them sleeping together. I'm so pleased for her that one of her babies has survived.

Wonderful foster cat experience
OP posts:
Original poster
DesolationRow · 04/02/2023 23:56

And here's kitten, his eyes are still cloudy but improving every day and his vision seems good.

Wonderful foster cat experience
OP posts:
Kenwoodmixitup · 04/02/2023 23:56

The best post.

007DoubleOSeven · 05/02/2023 00:20

😍😍 I can't tell where one begins and the other ends lol beautiful kitten and gorgeous photos! Thank you:)

highdrylowerwetter · 05/02/2023 00:29

Gorgeous. You're doing a wonderful job!

Franticbutterfly · 05/02/2023 08:42

Kenwoodmixitup · 04/02/2023 23:56

The best post.

Agreed! 🤗

middleager · 05/02/2023 08:46

Love this!

lljkk · 05/02/2023 08:48

Thanks. 💕

Ludo19 · 05/02/2023 18:36

Awww that wee kitten is beautiful 😍 well done OP you've obviously made mum feel so happy and safe

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 05/02/2023 18:38

That boy is going to be one humungous fluff monster in a few months.

Original poster
DesolationRow · 05/02/2023 19:20

@PlaitBilledDuckyPuss he's all fluff, just a teeny wee scrap of skin and bones underneath it all. I'm wondering if being so poorly and not having mum's milk for so long will affect his growth? Although it hasn't affected his energy levels, he now tears around like your regular mad kitten and both mum cat and I are quite relieved when he takes a nap!

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 05/02/2023 19:23

How wonderful ❤️

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 05/02/2023 19:23

DesolationRow · 05/02/2023 19:20

@PlaitBilledDuckyPuss he's all fluff, just a teeny wee scrap of skin and bones underneath it all. I'm wondering if being so poorly and not having mum's milk for so long will affect his growth? Although it hasn't affected his energy levels, he now tears around like your regular mad kitten and both mum cat and I are quite relieved when he takes a nap!

I shouldn't think there will be long term effects. I rescued a kitten that was a wee scrap riddled with fleas ... grew up to be a fine tubby boy and lived to 19.

largeprintagathachristie · 05/02/2023 19:28

Lovely - thanks for sharing

007DoubleOSeven · 05/02/2023 19:32

My cat nearly died from cat flu as a tiny wee scrap, he's fine now although prone to the virus emerging every 18m or so. His eyes and nose are also sensitive - he's quite sneezy!

AuntieJoyce · 05/02/2023 19:50

He’s one lucky floofball. Hope they both continue to do well

Doyouthinktheyknow · 05/02/2023 21:35

Oh how wonderful😍😍

Lovely post. I would love to foster but Dcat seems to hate cats so we are destined to be a single cat household🤷‍♀️

Florissant · 07/02/2023 13:58

What lovely posts from the OP!

Dozycuntlaters · 07/02/2023 14:00

That is so bloody precious. Gorgeous mum and baby 💖

SallyWD · 07/02/2023 14:14

That's so lovely to read! Thank you, it's really cheered me up.

Original poster
DesolationRow · 07/02/2023 14:40

Thanks for sharing my happiness! They're cuddling up and sleeping together all the time now and I'm gradually being relegated to my proper role as human who lives in their house. Mum cat is such a sweetie and I'm really proud of her after all she's been through.

OP posts: