TONS OF QUESTIONS FOR THE NEW MOM

Okay, lets see if I can get all of them. Cats who are not pure breeds are either called a domestic short hair or domestic longhair. Most people will know what you are talking about if you call him a barn cat. Kittens are born with blue eyes and it sounds like he will eventually end up with green eyes.
There is a big debate on cat foods. Usually over weather to feed a homeade diet and which brand really is the best. I think everyone will agree that it is much better for them to be on a premium food like Science Diet,Eukenuba,Pro plan,Nutro or Iams. They are all more digestable and make for less smell,better coat and better health. They also eat less since they are getting what they need. Wet food is a prefrence. I would use the same wet as you do dry if you plan to keep them on it. I myself do not feed wet food. As for the water. I would not panic just yet. Cats really dont drink as much as dogs. He is probably getting just the right amount for him. If it is next to his food, he knows where it is.
As for the de wormings. Yes, all kittens should be dewormed. You would have it done with the 1st distemper and the second set. I posted the vaccine schedule in your help post which is now in the health forum. It is usually a liquid called Strongid. He has about 3 weeks before his 1st vet visit. It is good to do your homework before hand. Although we put trust in vets, sometimes they lead us into making some wrong decisions. Rene, another member on the site and the president of a rescue here, just adopted a puppy to a loving home. They took him in for a check up, which she recomends and the vet said even though he was just vaccinated 4 days prior since they were there..they should go ahead and do the second one. Because they were so close together, the puppy in now very ill with Parvo because of the amount of vaccine given. Read over the schedule I posted and if you have any ?'s just ask.

Just to add: whatever the vet tells you - do not declaw but do neuter him (there's plenty of time for that though). Some vets offer declawing as a routine procedure, I guess because it makes them extra money.

Also, could you please ask your friend to have the barn cats spayed and neutered? They will make just as good mousers and there are so many kittens in need of good homes (not to mention the millions that are euthanized every year). If she needs a low-cost spay/neuter solution, she can probably find one at http://www.spayusa.com

Thanks

LOL, "out of commission". I am so happy you decided to train him instead. With a tree and a little training, they are wondeful! I have 11 cats and I have had the same couch for 7 years without a mark. We trim thier nails every 2 to 3 weeks as well. Fred will thank you I am sure!!