found kitten
found kitten
I saw a cat wandering to the hay mow upstairs in the barn this winter. I finally found some kittens. I was going to get a friend to help collect them, but downstairs one day I saw two of them between two bales of hay. I went to get a crate, but when I came back, there was only one. Searched a long time. This is a big old barn. I can`t find the others right now. For the past week, this kitten has been eating, drinking, sleeping in this 3 foot plastic dog crate. My two cats stay indoors. I am afraid to let this kitten loose in the house, because it may hide and get lost. I have dogs in the house, so the cats stay at the lower level most of the time. Any suggestions as to how to tame this kitten would be appreciated.
Re: found kitten
Do you plan on keeping him/her or keeping indoors only? Can you determine kitten's gender and age?
Are you checking the barn more than once a day for signs of the other kittens? Is the mother tame, and if so, if you check on her, call out to her, etc, she will lead you to her kittens. If the mother is not tame, she may have seen or sensed you took one of the kittens, and moved them. It's also possible the other kitten(s) you saw, burrowed deeper into the hay stack. If you rustle softly and call out in a whisper, listen intently, you might hear mews, especially if they are very young, and hungry.
As for the kitten you caught, ideally he/she should be seen by your vet and depending on the age, tested for FELV/FIV and vaccinated before allowing the kitten to share rooms/shared environment, dishes, etc with the other cats.
If you have a safe room on the lower level, closed door, then keep kitten in that room, providing the dog crate or a large cat carrier as a safe haven/bed/hiding spot, but leave the carrier door open. Provide kitten food and water nearby and a small litterbox opposite the room, but close enough kitten knows it's there. Again, depending on age will determine if kitten should be litter-trained.
Make sure the room is hazard-free. No large appliances or storage he/she could get stuck behind or under etc.
Visit kitten several times a day for about an hour at a time if possible - sit nearby and make eye contact, but remain as quiet as possible. Let kitten observe you and determine you are not a threat. Each day, hold out your hand near him/her to earn trust. Use toys to encourage trust and play. When kitten is comfortable with your presence, attempt to pet, and eventually, pick up and hold etc. I find it easiest at all stages of introduction between young kittens and humans to be on floor level with them as much as possible, as calm and quiet as possible and let kitten determine when he/she is comfortable enough to approach you for attention and bonding. Patience is the key.
First things first - try to determine age and gender. Decide if you're going to adopt kitten into your home. Vet check/exam promptly.
Are you checking the barn more than once a day for signs of the other kittens? Is the mother tame, and if so, if you check on her, call out to her, etc, she will lead you to her kittens. If the mother is not tame, she may have seen or sensed you took one of the kittens, and moved them. It's also possible the other kitten(s) you saw, burrowed deeper into the hay stack. If you rustle softly and call out in a whisper, listen intently, you might hear mews, especially if they are very young, and hungry.
As for the kitten you caught, ideally he/she should be seen by your vet and depending on the age, tested for FELV/FIV and vaccinated before allowing the kitten to share rooms/shared environment, dishes, etc with the other cats.
If you have a safe room on the lower level, closed door, then keep kitten in that room, providing the dog crate or a large cat carrier as a safe haven/bed/hiding spot, but leave the carrier door open. Provide kitten food and water nearby and a small litterbox opposite the room, but close enough kitten knows it's there. Again, depending on age will determine if kitten should be litter-trained.
Make sure the room is hazard-free. No large appliances or storage he/she could get stuck behind or under etc.
Visit kitten several times a day for about an hour at a time if possible - sit nearby and make eye contact, but remain as quiet as possible. Let kitten observe you and determine you are not a threat. Each day, hold out your hand near him/her to earn trust. Use toys to encourage trust and play. When kitten is comfortable with your presence, attempt to pet, and eventually, pick up and hold etc. I find it easiest at all stages of introduction between young kittens and humans to be on floor level with them as much as possible, as calm and quiet as possible and let kitten determine when he/she is comfortable enough to approach you for attention and bonding. Patience is the key.
First things first - try to determine age and gender. Decide if you're going to adopt kitten into your home. Vet check/exam promptly.
..........Traci
Re: found kitten
All is well with this kitten. She is letting me pet her, pick her up also. She lives and plays with the other 2 indoor cats. No chance of breeding with a neutered male. She is eating well, and knows the system here. Now for a name.
Re: found kitten
Thanks so much for the update. Has she had a vet exam, tested, and vaccinated yet?
..........Traci
Re: found kitten
Lucky cat!