Orphaned Kitten

[lucindabooker]

Hi Everyone, I came here for some expert help and advice. I have just acquired an orphaned kitten from some friends, her mother was killed and they were left with 4babies to care for, they are now 3weeks old. I have taken the responsibility of one that we will be keeping, my only problem is....I have never owned a cat or kitten to top off the matter.

Can anyone share some expert advice and knowledge? I have been feeding her the powder form of milk replacement and she seems to be doing ok, at what age can I begin to introduce canned food? how long should I continue the milk replacement?

Thank you in advance for any help you are able to provide,

Lucinda

[Connie]

Congratulations on the new baby kitten but very sorry for the mama kitty I know for a fact that caring for a cat is much easier than caring for a dog I have owned both for years to prove this theory and loved every one of them

Your doing a great job! So, don't panic, your doing exactly what you should be doing! When the kitten is 5 to 6 weeks old I would slowly introduce her to a dry kitten food such as Natural Choice or Science diet or any other high quality food you prefer. You moisten the food with water and give her small amounts daily in between the supplement feedings for 7 days. On the 8th day take away the supplement and replace it with water (by this time she should be lapping water from a bowl.) As she gets older she will gradually accept the change in feeding habits.
If you prefer you can replace the water in the dry food with moist cat food but I wouldn't recommend it because your kitties teeth are at risk if she gets hooked on wet food

After she's weaned off the supplement diet be sure and leave a bowl of her dry food and fresh water at all times. Cats eat in spurts, a little at a time each sitting so keep the bowl full and you'll have a very happy kitty

Keep your kitty on kitten food for one full year then change her gradually to an adult variety (the same way you introduced her to dry.)
I have all my cats on "Natural Choice" Indoor Adult variety dry cat food. They are all thriving and very happy kitties

Hope this helps Any other questions, feel free to ask...

Connie

[lucindabooker]

Thank you so much Connie, see I wouldn't have thought to give her the dry first. I really appreciate the advice.

How normal (frequency & consistency) should her stools be?

Thank you again,
Lucinda

[Connie]

Your very welcome Lucinda and more than happy to help with your new baby!

As far as her stools, if she's only on the mothers milk supplement diet she will probably have very soft stools (like a human baby that's on breast milk.) I'm not sure how many times during the day a kitten that young actually has a bowel movement? I'm betting that your baby kitty has them quite a few times during the day because she's still on mothers milk. If she was with her mom, her mom would be keeping her bottom cleaned as she goes #2 so it's really hard to tell with a kitten that young.

When she's about 5 weeks old I'd introduce her to a litter box, if you haven't already. I recommend Scoop Away or Fresh Step clumping litter. It's really the best to prevent odor and it scoops out easier with the litter rake.

Also, some cat owners recommend cleaning the litter box only once a day but I prefer to clean them at least twice a day (especially when you have more than one cat.) I clean my cats boxes in the morning and in the late afternoon or evening.

Something you should also think about is a Vet visit in the near future. All kittens need to be vaccinated at 6 wks old but no later than 8 wks same as your puppies do. You might have a Vet in mind who specializes in cats as well as dogs etc.

Have you decided on a name for your baby yet? Is the kitten a boy or girl? Sorry, I just assumed she's a girl

Please, keep me posted on her progress

Connie

[tina]

Has the kitten urinated or had a bowel movement yet? Sometimes you have to stimulate them to go before feeding them by using a slightly damp paper towel or wash rag. The rougher the better to simulate the mother cats tongue.

The kittens I hand raised needed stimulation to go before feeding everytime until they where old enough to use the litterbox.

[Connie]

That's an interesting point Tina That never occurred to me

[Connie]

Lucinda, I completely forgot to mention we have links for Orphaned kittens under Cat and Kitten Care in "The Litter Box" Category... DA!

[lucindabooker]

:PThank you so much for your help. I will check out the other board. I am however sad to report that all of her sisters passed away last week, so we have the only surviving baby from the litter, she is thriving and doing well. We named her Flower.

[Connie]

I'm SO sad to hear about the other kittens but very glad to hear that Flower (I that name) is doing SO well. That's very good news to hear.

[tina]

admin said:

I'm SO sad to hear about the other kittens but very glad to hear that Flower (I that name) is doing SO well. That's very good news to hear.

I second that.

[lucindabooker]

Hi Everyone , just wanted to give you an upate on Flower, she is doing very well!

It's been a bit of struggle for me, since I've never cared for a kitten before, but we are working it out just fine. She is adorable, and the kids just love her.

Our Patterdale, of course has other ideas so we've had to make adjustments to our living situations, but no biggie.

Have a great weeked everyone, chat soon.
Lucinda

[pelly]

great to hear about Flower; our little one Memphis and her brother Arizona were only about 3/4 weeks old when we found them; their siblings were dead in the road; they both did very well , just needs plenty of love and patience:

[tina]

good to hear she is doing well

[Connie]

I'm SO happy to hear Flower is doing SO well ;D

I knew she was in good hands with you Your an Natural when it comes to animals just like the rest of us here...