New kitten query

LuG123

Hi All
I'm sorry I know this question has probably been asked a lot but I guess I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.
I found a kitten Friday evening, (around 6 weeks old the vet estimates). She was running across a road. When I went over to her she was clearly frightened and just clung to me. I brought her home as I didn't know what else to do and couldn't leave her there at the risk of her getting hit. Two guys that were there before me said she kept running out.
When I brought her home I gave her food and sat with her for the evening with the intention of bringing her to a rescue centre the next day. I was given a rescue centres number from a friend who works a lot with them. The lady there said she would take the kitten and rehome. The next day when speaking with her she asked would I consider keeping her. I told her I'd love to but that I lived in an apartment and some days during the week I'd work long hours and be out most of the day and back late evening.
She said as long as I had toys etc for her and spent some time with her when I was there that would be fine and it would be perfectly fine to keep her as an indoor cat. She suggested I foster her for now and see how we get on.
I brought her to the vet and they seemed to be of the same opinion. She is in good health and I was given her worming dose and need to go back in a few weeks for her vaccinations.
She is an absolute delight, extremely affectionate and playful. We hang out in the mornings and she follows me around as I get ready and then the same in the evenings. I've bought her a climbing thing that has a hanging ball and scraping poles and some toys etc.
I know it's only been a few days but I hate leaving her and I'm worried its cruel. I guess I just don't want to be selfish and I want to make sure ts the best for her.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

DBB

*innocent whistling*... Get another kitten...*innocent whistling*

Good for you op, what a kind thing you've done... It'd have been all too easy to conveniently not see what was going on. Lots of cat experts on this forum, I'm sure they'll be along soon with good advice for you!

kathleen37

DBB wrote: »

*innocent whistling*... Get another kitten...*innocent whistling*

Good for you op, what a kind thing you've done... It'd have been all too easy to conveniently not see what was going on. Lots of cat experts on this forum, I'm sure they'll be along soon with good advice for you!

Haha - ALL of this.

Excellent job - thanks for saving little kitty's life!!!

Cats sleep a lot, especially kittens, so you shouldn't be too concerned.

We;ve had a feral turn up - older than yours, she's about 6 months and was pregnant already. Got her neutered and she's currently sleeping in my room while she recovered from her op. She has a large cuddly bear which she hugs in her bed while she sleeps, so that might be an idea? Unti,l you know, you get another kitten for her to hug...

Walter H Price

You did a great thing OP , allot of people would have just kept walking. I've always had indor cats , and had cats in aprtment's , a good cat tree or two , plenty of toys and comfy places to sleep and watch the world go by outside and your kitten should be happy out , blankets and bed on widowcills are a great idea.

Cats are not like dogs they can deal with you being gone long hours relatively well , though a companion is always a good idea but not an absolute requirement (We've had pairs , and individual kittens) , timed feeding bowls and flowing water fountains are a good idea if your going to be out for a while stops their food going stale and their water getting stagnant warm or dirty. Timer plugs for rads and lights so they aren't left in the cold or dark also a handy addition particularly if your getting home late in the evenings during winter.

I've had 7 cats total , 5 from kittens , though i absolutely love them all and they all have their own great little individual personalities, i still feel i have a special bond with the one i rescued myself .

Ms Doubtfire1

Well done!!! Kitty will be fine..but ehm..>get another kitten< :angel:

Shivi111

Hurray! New kitten - prepare for life to change.

We got our first kitten in similar circumstances and while living in an apartment, she'll be fine but I would definitely think about a companion for her (hence all the 'get another kitten' posts) - it'll be great company and also fun for you to engage with the two of them.

Cats are fine without human contact during the day, in fact they sleep for huge amounts of the day anyway. Please don't worry about leaving her while at work - great that you have a cat tree for her, these are also brilliant for stopping furniture scratching as they grow. Give her lots of attention when you are there, and good active play sessions.

Lots of toys is a good idea, and you can rotate what you leave out so she doesn't get bored with them. Have a look on the Zooplus website, some great toy options there which are really affordable.

Kittens also love paper bags (cut the handles so she doesn't get caught in them), balls of paper rolled up, bubbles, ping pong balls in the bath (so much fun).

Enjoy her!

LuG123

Wow, Thank you all so much for the advice. I'm not so sure about another kitten as this one wasn't planned to begin with but I'll see how we go. You have definitely put my mind at ease a bit so thank you.
Shivi111 funny you should say that as I was on the zooplus site during my lunch break and the basket is filling up.
I've no doubt I'll be back looking for more advice as she has started to take a liking to attacking my hands and feet, playfully of course but those nails are sharp.
Thanks again.

Shivi111

LuG123 wrote: »

Wow, Thank you all so much for the advice. I'm not so sure about another kitten as this one wasn't planned to begin with but I'll see how we go. You have definitely put my mind at ease a bit so thank you.
Shivi111 funny you should say that as I was on the zooplus site during my lunch break and the basket is filling up.
I've no doubt I'll be back looking for more advice as she has started to take a liking to attacking my hands and feet, playfully of course but those nails are sharp.
Thanks again.

We always say get a kitten and a tube of savlon at the same time! You will get little scratches as she learns, but you want to put a stop to it now - because those claws get big!!

Mammy cat teaches her kittens to play nice, but if she is six weeks she might need a bit of help from you! A couple of tips:

Don't use hands or feet in play, it's cute now when they scramble at wriggling fingers and toes but you'll regret it later on
Use those toys on a fishing rod type pole - it keeps hands out of playtime.
Some kittens like to wrestle, teddy-bears are good for this but don't have her wrestle with you or your arms or legs.
Undesirable behaviour can be met with a sharp 'No!' and withdrawing your attention (you'll feel mean, but it's for her own good!)

I'm pretty sure you won't - but worth noting that there is absolutely no point in 'tapping' or 'smacking' a cat, even gently. They don't learn from it and it will only make them afraid of you!

You've got me started on my favourite subject If anything comes up with her post it up here, loads of people will be happy to help!

Zapperzy

First of all congrats on the new kitten, cats have an uncanny knack of choosing their owners!

I'm sure the vet has you covered on the worming, vaccines, microchipping and neutering side of things?

I keep my cats indoors, while its harder and requires more effort on our part it's generally safer for everyone. One thing il say from experience about rearing kittens strictly indoors is they miss out on socialisation if you've a quiet household. Iv found they grow up to be more nervous and less confident than kittens reared with outdoor access. If you've any cat loving friends nows the time to invite them over (after they've washed their hands if they've handled other cats). Don't be shy about things like hoovering, the washing machine or introductions with the car, without completely terrifying her of course. Invest in a good big sturdy cat tree early rather than wasting money on small ones she'll outgrow, they'll use it for years.

You'll need lots of kitten food. I use smilla tinned food from zooplus. She's still very young so feed her small amounts and often as you can. Avoid cows milk or any of those whiskas cat milk cartons, cats are lactose intolerant and the cat milk has always given mine a dodgy stomach. Leave fresh water out but you'll probably find it upside down or toys floating in it more often than not, they prefer the kitchen sink or your glass of water.

You'll need at least one litter tray depending on how your house is laid out. Little kittens are like kids, when they have to go they gotta go now and a litter tray all the way upstairs is no good then. Best to confine her to one room for a few weeks unless your at home, it'l prevent accidents.

Enjoy and take loads of photos!

aonb

well done for rescuing this little kitten. You wont regret it, in fact Ive no doubt that in a years time you will wonder how you lived without a kitten!
I was in this situation a couple of years ago. My first cat - LOVE her to bits and I'll never be without a cat I think!

Just a few things - as a fellow new-to-cats person!
Think about neutering - but if shes going to be an indoor cat, not such an issue.

If she is an indoor cat you wont have to worry about regular flea solutions - but does an indoor only cat still need worm meds???

Is she using her litter box now?

Think about sourcing a cattery for emergencies or for holidays - so that you have someplace in mind rather than waiting til the last minute. Or maybe you will be lucky to find a cat lover friend who will take care of her if you are away.

Cats love boxes - you could get her a couple of cardboard boxes to hide and sleep in.
I had string that I tied knots in, and tied to a stick to swish about for great fun.
Scrunch up little bits of paper, and throw them along the floor.
There are lots of videos on youtube for your cat to watch

Post a picture when you can

Shivi111

Just on neutering, even if she's indoor only get her done when the time comes, a cat in heat is very unpleasant, and she could get out, then kittens! My Willow went into heat at 4 months and it's not an experience I want to repeat!
Also, neutering reduces the risk of mammery cancer later on, and totally removes the chance of ovarian cancer and pyometra, so it's very important for her health.

Ditto the request for pictures!

LuG123

You are all so good, thank you so much. I picked up some more toys yesterday evening and one of the fishing poles so she seemed happy. I also took your advice Shiv111 about not letting her play with my hands and feet. Difficult saying no to a little kitten but don't worry no tapping I just said no and moved her away she seemed to be understanding after a while. Clever little girl. (Not biased at all).

I'm very lucky I have a friend who lives in an apartment below me who has a key and sometimes comes home during the day so is gonna check up on her. I was restricting her to the hall and one
room but I've given her full rein of the apartment today as she will be checked on so here's hoping she behaves. Shes fond of the TV wines which I'm trying to get her to stop playing with

Shes already met loads of people and been in the car. The hover and hair dryer aren't her favourite but I'm sure she'll get used to them over time.
Shes been fantastic with the litter tray and I've only had one or two accidents with her. Again shes super clever.

Thanks for all the advice regarding meds and neutering. I've another vet appointment in a few weeks for vaccinations so will discuss with them then.

This really has been so helpful so thanks everyone. I'll try post up a pic or two now. My phone storage is nearly full with all the pics and videos. She is so entertaining.

So good to have a place to get all this advice. Thanks everyone.
--

aonb

Is there anything cuter than a baby animal

The fact that you've rescued her means that your brownie points are now sky high (forever!) , but I think it also means that you are totally invested emotionally with her now - rescuing really brings out the 'feels' and because you have done such a good, kind thing, it really does make you feel so good about the whole thing....