Help! With a Tiny Stray Kitten

[anneryan]

Hi All,

After 3 days of searching, I was finally able to trap a TINY kitten that has been wandering and crying in my backyard. I'm not an expert on kitten ages, but I would guess it to be about 3 or 4 weeks old.

I currently have it in a large cat carrier with a small litter box with non-clumping litter. I have fed it some Iams canned kitten food mushed up with the KMR liquid.

What should I do as far as getting it to go in the litter box? I've only had it for a few hours and it hasn't gone so far--just eaten quite a bit. And how often/much should I feed it?

I'm planning on taking it to my vet tomorrow or Wednesday for a check and to see about getting it adopted when it's old enough. My vet is wonderful and will keep stray animals until a home can be found for them.

Any suggestions will be most welcome! Thanks, Anne

[Traci]

Do you happen to have a gram scale handy? You can check this Kitten Care page for approximate weight and how much to feed. If he is eating canned food without trouble, he may be at or beyond weaning stage (weaning starts at 4 weeks of age and up to 8 weeks for some kittens, most kittens can be introduced to solid food - canned- at around 4-5 weeks of age). If he hasn't produced a stool yet, though, you might try stimulating him to go after each feeding, tips also included on that page.

If he's eating canned with formula poured over it, he will most likely indicate to you when he's full, and should be fed around three or four times a day or so, small amounts each time, or until he lets you know he is full. Stimulating him to urinate/defecate after each meal will encourage him to have regular elimination, and you can introduce him to the litterbox each time (after stimulating and it is apparent he eliminating, gently place him in his box so he eventually associates it with elimination). I would only use folded-over paper towels in the box rather than litter, especially if he is confined in a cat carrier, since he may get anxious, hungry or curious and eat the litter!

Will your vet be keeping him from tomorrow on? Or are you bringing him back home to raise/foster? Your vet can tell you how old he is approximately, and you can use the kitten care pages for a growth/development guide.

[anneryan]

Hi Traci,

He is eating mushy canned food without trouble. I don't have a gram scale, but we are going to the vet today. From what I've read, I would guess he's around 4-5 weeks old since he was walking all around my backyard for a few days before I could finally catch him.

He did go in the litter box in his carrier during the night--both urinated and deficated. I was so excited this morning to see that he went!

I may keep him for a few weeks until he is old enough to be placed in a home. I'll see what my vet says. My vet often helps place stray animals, so he may help me find a home for the baby kitten.

Thanks for your help! Anne

[mamabear]

oh that is great that you were able to catch him. Glad to hear he is older than you thought. Good luck at vets office, let us know.... Oh and a picture wouldn't hurt if ya can. lol giggle giggle giggle...did ya like that subtle hint LOL hee heee heeee

[anneryan]

I took him (it's a boy!) to the vet today. They are keeping him for me for a little while until he's old enough to test for Feline Leukemia. He also has a URI and the vet was concerned about me keeping him at my home with my healthy kitty--even though I had kept the kitten isolated. Once he settles in and we get a better picture of his health status, we'll start to look for a home for him.

Even though I was very sad (but relieved) to leave him at the vet's, my last vision was of five vet techs oohing and aahing over how cute he was!
I'm comforted to know that he is in good hands until he gets a little older and we can find a home for him.

I'll try to post a picture if my son can find the time to show me how to upload a pic that I took of the poor little baby! (I'm technologically challenged!)

Thanks for your thoughts and concern, Anne

[mamabear]

Oh that is great!!!!!

I am an old tech myself, haven't worked at a vets office in years though BUT i sure do remember all the animals that ever walked in. I do recall all the little ones most though and yes the oooing and ahhhing didn't stop after the person dropped them off and left. We would always fawn over them and someone was always there to watch the ones that needed 24 care.

[anneryan]

Thanks, mamabear, that's good to know that he will get lots of love and attention. I might stop by the vet's office today and see him. It's amazing--I only had him here for about 48 hours, but I really feel attached to the poor little baby! He was sooooo cute and loving for such a tiny little guy.

Take care,

Anne

[mamabear]

You're welcome..... They do grow on ya!!

[momPaws]

Hoping for that picture!

[anneryan]

Happy Update!!***

I went to see the little grey kitten yesterday at my vet's office. He is happy, healthy and thriving. The best news of all is one of the vet techs there is adopting him. She had been contemplating looking for a male, grey kitten and then he arrived! She has fallen in love with the little guy and can't wait to take him home. He's still not quite old enough to worm, etc., so they're keeping him at the vet's for a little while longer. Someone else brought in a tiny stray kitten that they had found so the kittens are having a wonderful time together in their playroom with lots of toys, sleeping mats, and other fun things.

I'm so happy and relieved that he will go to a good home. When my daughter is home next week, I'll have her help me post a picture!

Anne