Adopting an Abandoned Kitten

There is a kitten that I am considering adopting. Her foster mom thinks she is 10 weeks old. She was found in a gutter during a heavy rainstorm with another kitten. Her sister has already been adopted I think.

What are some things that are going to be an issue because the kitten is so young and doesn't have a mom? What should she be eating? She's not fixed yet because the rescue group doesn't like doing it before 6 months, is that pretty common? I didn't realize you had to wait that long to get the kitty spayed.

Here is their pic (she is the super fluffy one)

They are so cute, and really unusual looking! That isn't really that young, she should be fine.

Oh, she is GORGEOUS!!! Ten weeks is weaned, so you'll want to feed her premium-quality kitten food such as Nutro or other comparable type, for her first year. "Fixing" should be done at four months or as soon thereafter as possible, by a vet experienced in early-age spay/neuter. Her baseline innoculations and initial checkup should be done now, of course -- many vets offer a "Kitten Pak" at a good rate that is comprehensive.
GOOD LUCK and thanks for sharing the adorable pix. I hope you have been able to confirm that her sibling has been adopted into a loving home?

She is cute. In the US many vets will now do spay/neuter as young as 2 months old (and 2 lbs). Personally I'd wait till 3-4 months old. Kittens as young as 4-5 months old can breed and get pregnant.

The UK and some other countries don't like doing them before 6 months. If you are in the US, then find a vet that is willing to do it now or very soon. In the meantime, if you adopt her, then keep her inside till she's spayed.

Since she doesn't have the benefit of a cat mom and siblings, if you can, it might be better to adopt a little older kitten 4-6 months older to show her the ropes. Otherwise you could end up with some social or behavioral problems that orphans kittens face.

First I'll say, I don't know if you've ever owned a cat before, but I had not. However...

I just took in a stray kitten last week. A friend found him, but since she already has 3 cats along with many other pets, her husband said no more. So my husband and I decided to go for it.

We got him on Halloween night and Friday evening we got him to his first vet appt. They say he is about 10-11 weeks old and he is just an ounce short of 3 pounds. He had fleas and they gave him Revolution as well as another pill to quickly kill off adults. He was dewormed and had his shots. He also was prescribed a eye ointment as his right eye is infected.

He is doing really well--eating well and drinking well. It took him a few days to get the hang of the litter box but has used in consistently now for 36 hours or so.

He is just now getting to explore the house a little--has been in the bathroom due to the flea issue.

I am loving every moment and my husband and I have been spending a lot of time with him. He now nuzzle's our chins and licks them (loves my hair).

I was worried a stray would be unfriendly and hard to tame but I was wrong.

Good luck!

Leslie

My kitten was taken as evidence in a police case, was so starved he lost his downy underfur, was shuttled through three shelters, and as soon as we got him home he came down with an infection in both eyes and had stubborn baby molars the vet had to pull so he could eat properly.

That was two months ago. And you know what?

He's great.

This was a kitten so deprived we had to teach him how to play. And he's bounced right back.

An adult cat who went through that would have a much harder time. Kittens are resilient. Love her, and she'll respond.

Thank you everyone for your replies, they are very helpful

I am bringing the kitten home! I am THRILLED!

I've been e-mailing her foster mom back and forth and she sounds like she's doing very well, and probably because she's had some socialization from the foster mom's cat (and the sister that she was found with, who I did confirm was already adopted). She doesn't have fleas, which is good, and is eating hard food.

I am going to keep her in our 2nd bedroom for a little bit and will take her to the vet before I do the whole introduction thing with Matilda.

I'm so happy and excited