October 25, 2005

• Conjunctivitis, maybe. It's probably worth, whether you wind up keeping her or not, getting her checked out by a vet. At the very least you'll need to worm her and I'd strongly suggest getting her neutered/spayed when she's big enough. And if it is conjunctivitis, which I think is common in strays, she'll need some sort of eyedrops to clear it up before it blocks up her tearducts and nose. Cats usually can clean themselves, and your job is to keep her parasite-free. Worming, defleaing, that sort of thing. Er...what else? Let her explore your place, get a feel for it and discover all the smells. Cuddle her lots (wash your hands after until you've seen a vet!) and let her adjust to you and your smell. She'll go for the food when she gets hungry enough. Likewise she'll sleep when she gets tired and you could even try transferring her to a place you'd like her to sleep, maybe with an old shirt or blanket of yours so she has a comforting and familiar smell. If she's messing on the floor or shredding stuff, close her in one room -- the laundry or bathroom, maybe -- for a while to calm down. I guess there's a very small chance she belongs to someone, so you could put an ad in your local paper or whatever people in your town do.
• You could also do a Google search. Try "domesticate kitten." Lots of good stuff for you there.
• I've had good luck finding homes for strays on craigslist.org /chatty comments
• and post pics! good luck with kitty
• I am already in love with , Peanut, who is a girl. I will take her to the vet first thing tomorrow. How much does "worming" cost?
• here's something interesting: I gave my cat a bath today. I know they always say you're not supposed to, but I tried and it was great. he loved it, it was fun for me... the fur stuck to my tongue, but other than that it was great! /Steve Martin
• Cats always hide in new apartments. The kitten will get over it, don't worry. Clean her in the tub with shampoo. She'll scream like she's being murdered, but that's normal.
• I want to see the kitten!!
• You can get worming paste or tablets at most supermarkets or vets. Be careful to get cat stuff in the right dose for a kitten. The cost will likely be small in terms of money, and large in terms of lost skin. General advice with cats is that a change of locale takes a few weeks to adjust to; it's often considered best to have the cat restricted to a room or two so they can feel comfortable, and then gradually expand their territory to the whole house. Cow's milk isn't actually that good for cats, although they like it. Also, a major source of later-in-life problems for cats is a lack of clean water, so keep a bowl you every few days, or one of those cool bowls that takes a soft drink bottle to replenish from.
• "…have never really owned any animal let alone a cat…" And here's the first thing you'll learn: the cat owns you, not the other way around. As the joke goes, dogs have owners, cats have staff. I'm jealous; I miss being owned by a cat–damn the no pet rules where I live! Dogs worship you. Cats LIKE you. It's a big difference, and colors the relationship to no end. A dog is excited to see you when you get home, but a cat is pleased to see you. You're in for a fun ride, but remember to start kitten-proofing your home. I.E. move to safety any breakable items you may have out on shelves and tables. She WILL be all over every surface in the house in no time flat.
• Also, something to bear in mind with cat training: kittensih games can be a pain later in life. When your 500 grams of joy flings itself at your feet, gnawing and scratching, you'll probably think it's cute. When an 7 kilo cat does it, not so much. So train the wee one to attack toys (catnip mice, old boot laces, feathers...), not you. When disciplining cats remember that most punishment is even more useless for training than it is with dogs.
• It will take a while to get used to its new surroundings. Particularly when you get a kitten that was born or partially feral, they'll take a while to get used to being a house cat, but they will do so. Once the critter gets used to the comings and goings and so forth of the house, it will calm down. You will of course need a litter tray, but it is remarkably easy to train a cat to use one, they actually prefer litter tray to real dirt, I find. One hopes, however, that the crusty eye stuff isn't indicative of cat flu, which is a scourge. Vet, pronto. A checkup shouldn't cost much and it's likely to be the only real outlay. I hardly spend any vet money on my cat because of judicious health care early on. You can, if you are willing, bathe the cat's eyes with weak salt & water solution, warm water and a little salt, using a tissue or cotton wool.
• First, the obligatory disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, just a guy who took in a few stray kittens over the years and had to nurse some sick ones and so on. (And yeah, I'll join the chorus advising taking her to a professional: the Yellow Pages here list a couple vets that see new kittens and puppies free by appointment.) So... No milk: cow's milk gives cats diarrhea, so forget the cartoons and folklore. I'm not sure where you are but in most big U.S. cities most big pet food stores and large supermarket chains sell Kitten Milk Replacer; you might also pick up a kitten bottle (you know, like a baby bottle but for kittens) in case you wind up having to do that. In a pinch lactose-free milk is worth a try as lactose is usually the offender, and I've heard goat's milk might be okay, but watch her to see what happens. As far as kitten food goes I wouldn't worry about what brand or recipe to get yet: the main thing is getting her to eat enough of something. I'd give her a box to sleep in that's piled with some dirty laundry that I won't need back right away. Nothing filthy, just something soft and warm that smells like you: I use T-shirts, sheets and sweatshirts. (She's also less likely to be allergic to sweat than detergent.) As for calming her down, most likely she'll do that herself as she goes along. Let her see you're bringing her food and so on, and let her know she's welcome to come to you when she's ready. Good luck, and congratulations on being adopted!
• Awwwww, how cute! Sounds like how I got my last kitty, except mine was as starved for attention as she was for food. Here's how she looked when I found her: Kali
• I'd say be very careful if you buy grocery store medications for a kitten. It's worth the cost of a vet if you can afford it. Depending on its age, it may be too young to worm. I've fostered dozens of kittens (mostly feral), and I can say that lukewarm tea bags are great for their eyes too. Most wild or homeless kittens have some form of eye infection, but Chyren is right. It can also be a symptom of further disease, so it's worth a trip to the vet. She'll hide until she feels safe, so don't worry about that. If it's a calico, it's definitely a girl. What else? Oh, you can also do a less traumatic bath with a warm barely damp washcloth. Does a nice job and feels like a mama cat's tongue. Oh, and we need pics!
• Don't worry about it calming down. If you keep food and water available, it will eat and drink. Once it figures out that you're going to keep providing food and shelter, it'll calm down enough to let you love on it. And good for you, taking that on.
• P.S. Kittens as young as four weeks are capable of eating from a dish, according to my vet. (It's hard to bottle feed. I've done it a lot, but the sooner you get them off a bottle, the better.) First time, mix some canned food with KMR (the milk replacer mentioned above) so it's kind of a slurry. Later, you can mix kitten kibbles with KMR, then move on to dry kibbles.
• It can take a couple of weeks for a cat to feel at home in a new place, so just have patience. And, when you take her to the vet, you might want to check for leukemia. We just lost an adopted stray to it, and I would never want to put another animal through it, much less suffer with it. The vet will probably want to start her vaccinations. That does cost a few bucks, but you might be able to put it off if you want to take a chance on her not having come to you with some killer disease. It's feline distemper season where I am, and that is a Very Bad Thing, but the shots work if she's not already infected. And, he'll probably give (sell) you some antibiotic eye ointment for the conjunctivitis She may do ok on supermarket cat food, but my vet gives out a free bag of Science Diet kitten food for new adoptees. I hope yours does the same, since it's supposed to be really healthy for them, and she probably needs a jump start on nutrition. She may get over being drenched without trauma, but I think I'd pet her with wet hands to get the worst of the grime off and save the shampoo for later. We've taken in 4 strays in the last 5 years or so. Only the last 2 required any coaxing to become socialized. It takes some patience, but they really do want to get close to someone. Once she gets used to her new surroundings and finds out that she's not threatened, she will come around. She'll be a good foot warmer before too long. So, give her a chance to explore and get used to you and her new home. Kittens need to play, so a package of soft balls is good, and, when she's more confident, letting her get under the covers and playing with her with some protection from scratches will be good for both of you. (Just make sure she has no fleas, first. If she's going to be an inside cat, one dose of Advantage will take care of that problem. But, otherwise, you may be scratching for a while.) Best of luck with your new parenthood. I think you'll like it.
• douggles: There's a joke that says: Dogs think: He gives me food, water, shelter, everything I need... He must be God. Cats think: He gives me food, water, shelter, everything I need... I must be God.
• I'd check here.
• Damn. Just read that joke of Kamikaze Gopher's. We've been ripped off - that furry thing in the other room is a cat!
• I'm reading this thread with the kitty I rescued as a stray about five or six weeks back laying on my chest and purring. I didn't mean to adopt her either, but she's such a little charmer I couldn't say no. Angela Davis was very wary at first of me and my girlfriend, but after a couple days she warmed up to me. Now though she follows me around when not completely absorbed in an old Kleenex or bit of string or a coaster or a sock or any of the thousand some-odd "cat toys" we keep about the place. After those first few days she started eating and drinking and pooping in her box and playing and doing all those normal kitty things. Likely, you new kitty will be your bestest friend even in no time at all.
• grover96. that's a great lesson for not having a male and a female cat which haven't been neutered/spayed, but I'm not sure what it teaches folks with just one cat in the house.
• They say strays are the best-behaved cats. Mine has turned out to be worth the effort, though she seems to have finally figured out that my sole purpose in life is to feed her and let her out when she meows. Picked her 2 days before Christmas, the first big storm of the year, last year.
• Keep an eye out for specials at your local animal shelter on spaying/neutering. Where I live PAWS will do cheap spaying/neutering every few months. As for cleaning, use an old hair brush soaked in lukewarm water. Helps get out loose hair and dirt, and most cats loved to be brushed. Don't forget to dry her well. Beware of bathing a cat. My fiancee gave one of our cats a bath once, and has the scars to prove it. This was even the one that jumps in the shower with you. For food, we used Science Diet Kitten and now use Science Diet Hairball Control. Our previous and current vet recommended it, and our cats love it. It is a little more expensive (8 dollars for a bag) than normal cat food, but I enjoy spoiling them a bit. For what its worth, the cat I grew up with (a stray found outside of a bar by my dad) lived 19 years on Iams and other cheap catfood without issue.
• Yay for kittens! My only kitten tip - get her accustomed to trimming nails, checking ears, etc. early on. If you do it once a week it becomes routine. My kitty has only ever eaten Science Diet, and he's quite happy and healthy at 8 years old.
• Cute photos!
• As an ex-stray's mama (she turns three this week, by our best guess), I second the advice to let her be mostly and get used to the smell of you. An early vet trip is a necessity. I would spare her the bath if you're not sure what you're doing--you can probably get the vet to do it and it can be really traumatic for the cat without helping with the fleas. That was my experience with a flea-ridden kitten I brought in, anyway. One tip for approaching her that was important with my stray: approach her low. When you give her your hand to be sniffed, do it palm-up, and come in so that your hand is below her head level. Cats can be very persnickety about people reaching down from them and I've found strays to be particularly picky.
• I second (or third) the idea of letting your vet look at her ASAP and letting the vet do the worming. Generally, the stuff in the store is NOT the best thing to give a cat that might be full of worms. Your vet will give the proper dose of a wormer that is strong on worms, easy on kittens. If you're on a limited budget, be up front with your vet and tell him/her that you want to give good care without frills. Hit the library for a book or two if it helps, but basically, just let the cat be a cat, and enjoy. A cat that has food, water, shelter and affection will be a happy cat. Oh, and the litter box. You both need that to be happy. If you can, fill the box right away, then put kit in. If she does her thing, great, otherwise make little scratchy motions in the litter with your finger. Sometimes that gives them the idea. Kit will come around, just be quiet, patient, and low key for a bit. If she is to where you can find her and pet or pick her up without being weirded out, try a well wrung-out warm terrycloth rag to slowly wipe her down stroking with the hair. That should be something she doesn't mind--reminds her of mom's bathing her, and then she should help you finish by using her tongue to adjust her fur and finish the job. Also, sometimes feral cats can be pretty ignorant of the finer arts of grooming--little abandoned kittys even more so--and your encouraging her to be tidy (surrogate mom) will help her hygiene in the long run.
• Good suggestions from all regarding the vet, and advising against milk. The kitten will come around, as long as you let it have a little space and let it feel comfortable. Put down a small litter box - one it can get in and out of really easily, even a shoebox lid will work if you stay after twice daily. The kitten will figure out for itself shortly what the litter is for - it shouldn't take more than a day, even. When you are around it, don't make any sudden moves, or quick turns near the kitten. What you can do is slowly go to a knee, and put your hand out palm down. If the kitten runs off, don't pursue it. It may take some time and several tries, but eventually it will investigate if it doesn't feel threatened. Don't try petting it - just let it sniff and explore. A wild kitten needs to know that it is safe, first and foremost. With any luck, it'll be seeking you out before too long. One of the great joys of raising a kitten is waking up and finding a purring little furball sound asleep on your pillow. We've raised several kittens. No two are the same, but they're all rewarding. One was abandoned by its mother before his eyes were open. We raised him off a bottle. Another was discovered in the nearby desert late at night; the frantic mewing gave it away. He has been our feline ambassador, and we're glad we saved him from becoming a coyote snack. Christmas Eve of last year brought us another - my wife was working at a car impound yard, and a driver came in with a small black kitten. It had been clinging to the barbed wire fence for its life while the guard dogs were trying to kill it. Little Comet took to my wife right away. And a few months ago - my wife's second day at work at a cat shelter of all places - three kittens showed up in our yard. The smallest fit in the palm of my hand. They've been great to have around. (The smallest looks to be mostly Havana Brown. Exotic looking kitty, and gorgeous.) Our oldest is almost 13 now, and we can't imagine what life would have been like without him. It really is true - they adopt you, not the other way around.
• You've just taken your first step into a larger world. Congratulations.
• MEOW! I am not a well behaved stray.
• Kitten Update: Well she's ate and was very affectionate however when I put her down and try to pick her up again she hisses. Very odd. She's sneezing and wheezing so I am going to the Vet in 15 minutes and seeing what she/he says. He hinted at the flu :-( I did end up bathing her because she was SO dirty. I was affraid that if she cleaned herself that if she didn't have worms, she'd get them from all that dirt. I saw fleas when I bathed her and I *think* i got most of them out. if she's okayed by the vet I will get her a flea dip, drops and all that. She LOVED the bath. Purred all the way through. Cross your fingers for peanut!
• Peanut is fine I spent about €50 getting meds and stuff for her but it looks like she's going to be okay!
• *applauds* Don't worry about that hissing thing. She's still getting to know you. I've known cats who aren't familiar with me hiss and even scratch before it registers with them that they know me. Then they get super-affectionate to make up for it, usually (^_^) I am so envious. *looks forlornly at empty doorstep*
• Yay for Peanut! Glad she's OK, and congratulations Livewire.
• It's funny, LivewireConfusion - I'm going through a similar event in my life (a cat found in the nursery yard at work has become mine) I pick her up from the animal hospital tomorrow... I'll let you all know the progress of the kitty.
• Peanut: She's like butter...
• Don't drop her. She might be brittle.
• Stop that right now, the both of you. Hooray for peanut! She'll be fine in a Jif! eh? eh??
• *stares blankly* Uh?
• Bwaaahahahahaha! Bow down and grovel before your your new Mistress, Lady Peanut! it takes 4 of the wee devils to keep me under control, but sometimes i still slips away All hail Lady Peanut, Ruler of All She Surveys and Defender of the Realm of LivewireConfusion!
• She'll be right Skippy in no time!
• Smooth! (Eh? Eh!!)
• Put a lid on it you nutter!
• *Snicker*
• Chunky in the litter box
• heehee *ahem* Congratulations. Glad to hear it's just a case of fleas and Kitten Snots*. Of course you got a kit that likes to be bathed. It's the rest of us that suffer. Be advised, this kit will sucker you in and be the angel cat. Any other cats from here on in--and there WILL be other cats--those cats will be Fiends from the Nether Place. Most likely the hissing is just protective kitten reflexes kicking in when you go to pick her up. If something 20 times your size tried to pick YOU up, you'd probably be a bit hissy yourself. I'll be if you squat down to put her down and stay down, she'll be all over you and let you pick her up again. *Kitten Snots is a medical term taught to me by my vet
• Yeah, she won't be a tough nut to crack...
• Don't you think you're spreading it a bit thick?
• You're right, these comments might jar...
• Am I the only one who gets an uncomfortable sense of deja vu at the combination of NSFW posts and requests for kitten-care advice?
• I did think about the tradition of calming the waters with kittens. Although I enjoyed the thread, it did come to mind.
• Just got my first kitten as well. Here's the photos of Isis the cat.
• Whoosh - that's a real beauty, salmacis!
• fisk tick hits the nail on the head
• salmacis, your kitty looks like my Sammy. Black kitties are so cute!
• art vandal, how bizarre that I just thought the same thing, and my black kitty was named Sammy too! Gosh I miss her...
• fish tick has it. I'm glad to hear she's mostly healthy. Congrats on being picked up by a happy kitty.
• Livewire - you might want to learn a bit of cat language. Cats express affection by making very brief eye contact with someone with whom they want to be friendly, then doing "eye squeezes." Close and open both eyes in a measured pace, with a beat on the closed end. I've freaked out a lot of strange cats by doing that, and it's kind of fun. (the look you get back is "Do I know you?") but the family of feral kittens who grew up in my employer's garden would go from "fright or fight" to relaxation when I gave them a couple of eye squeezes.
• My sister's cat likes me because I'll meow at her. She's a very vocal cat, and we have little meow conversations. Then she'll hop in my lap and let me pet her belly.
• path: I always called the eye squeezes "You're getting veeeery sleeeepy." :)
• meridithea - I tended to get veeeery sleeeply before the cats did.
• Salmacis - Isis will grow up to look like my Sasha, hopefully without the drink problem...
• Isis is a lovely name.
• Isisn't it, though!
• LwC, congrats on your latest acquisition. There's a really fun game you can play once Peanut settles in. I don't know what it's called, but I've known several cats who love it. You crouch down on the floor and hide behind something, like a wall or doorway, stack of boxes, bathtub, etc. Poke your head out and make eye contact with the cat. Then gasp audibly for dramatic effect (the little monsters love it), and pull your head back and wait a few seconds. Then poke your head out again and repeat. If she's the right sort of cat, eventually her eyes will get huge and she'll start stalking you like you're prey. Then, usually when you're hidden, she'll jump out at you. Act surprised. Your cat will feel like Queen of the Jungle. Once she gets good at the game she actually will surprise you.
• I play that too. Saffi loves it. Sasha not so much.
• I also play that, or I used to. My sniffles played it when I still had her; my other cat doesn't ever seem interested. : /
• Yaargh!