New to Cats, trying to save a life

Ooohhh! He is a little darling... Cats are like that, they sleep in weird positions! it must feel like he is sleeping in a kitten pile, which kits do. Like puppies.

I'm no expert, but he seems small for his age - looks younger than 4.5 weeks.

Good to hear that he is seeing a bit better

The markings and colors show up well in the bottom picture (at least what can be seen of him ), he's a nice looking little "tiger".

My bottle babies were always a little more puny than those that had the benefit of a mum.

He's looking good, the three of you have been doing an excellent job.

He does seem a bit behind the others around 4.5 weeks. But at least he's not falling further and further behind, he's staying consistently a week or so behind.

He bit my wife today when she was trying to give him a bottle. I need to get him weaned so we can eliminate that. He's nailed me a couple times

Any disciplinary suggestions?

There are a couple more pictures in the link .

So cute! You are doing a great job!

Oh, my gosh - he is so cute! You and your wife have done such a wonderful job in saving this baby. I have seen at Petsmart a soft of stuffed animal (I think there's a heating pad or hot water bottle inside) that makes some sort of rhythmic heart noise to comfort kittens or puppies. Honestly, I'm in awe of you and your wife....

Frankly, i'm surprised he made it this far.
But now it's starting to get fun. He developing a kitten personalty. and it's cute as all get out. Walks and climbs all over the place. He even runs a couple steps at a time. He does this slow motion thing with his paws like he's swiping at something.
He isn't liking to drink from a lid.
I tried some chicken pate but he just sniffed at it.
Weaning and potty training won't be fun but the adventure continues...

He's gotten so big!! Y'all are doing a stupendous job with him!

Omy gosh, I haven't been on in so long, and he's tripled in size now! Oh, wow, what a cutie! It really was so good of you to take him in with you

He has gotten much bigger. He's adorable. It's amazing to see his progress from the first photos. Great job

Originally Posted by dan10101

Frankly, i'm surprised he made it this far.
But now it's starting to get fun. He developing a kitten personalty. and it's cute as all get out. Walks and climbs all over the place. He even runs a couple steps at a time. He does this slow motion thing with his paws like he's swiping at something.
He isn't liking to drink from a lid.
I tried some chicken pate but he just sniffed at it.
Weaning and potty training won't be fun but the adventure continues...

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It's going to take him some time to learn to lap from a plate and actually like it. If you want him to try the patte, put some on your finger and dab it on his nose, which he will lick. He might decide he likes it, and then you can guide him down to the plate with your finger. When I weaned my bottle baby, I mixed hard kitten food with the formula for a while, gradually lessening the formula until he was able to crunch the dry food. Litter training is easy too. They learn to use the litterbox pretty quickly.

He has gotten so big! And he is SOOO CUTE! You and your wife have done a great job!

Originally Posted by KiTTYL0VE4

It's going to take him some time to learn to lap from a plate and actually like it. If you want him to try the patte, put some on your finger and dab it on his nose, which he will lick. He might decide he likes it, and then you can guide him down to the plate with your finger. When I weaned my bottle baby, I mixed hard kitten food with the formula for a while, gradually lessening the formula until he was able to crunch the dry food. Litter training is easy too. They learn to use the litterbox pretty quickly.

He has gotten so big! And he is SOOO CUTE! You and your wife have done a great job!

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Thanks for the suggestions. I need all the help I can get. Especially with weaning and potty training. He had some painful stools today. But, they look correct color and consistency.

He is growing on us, but the same old problems of owning cats will be the catch. We still look for a new home, but inside hoping that no one will want a slightly blind tabby.

He's over 1 pound and 5 weeks old.
He just spent the last hour sleeping on my chest.
Now we're just trying to keep him up for another 1/2 hour or so before we feed him and put him down for the night. Yes, he sleeps thru the night.

I usually find him in his box early in the morning, looking up at me trying to figure out if I'm someone who is going to feed him. However, now he has learned how to crawl out of the box. We need to come up with another box arrangement. He likes to move around the office during the day camping out next to the trashcan while I work. He doesn't get much sleep during the day, just catnaps, so we may need to move his box so he can get his rest.

He has brought joy and excitement to our lives.
Dan

Wow I am enjoying this thread! Please keep updating! I'm very invested in your story with Tiger! (Settled on Tiger did ya? I think Logan is a great name too)

he's such a lucky little guy

Bless you for your kindness!

I too enjoy this thread. I hope you keep him, it sounds like he's picked you both for his people. treasure every day you have him because they grow up so fast. I got my babies on 6-7-08 the mommy was hit by a car and they were 3-4 weeks old, I cannot believe how time has flown by. He's a lucky little soul to have people like you that have taken care and are raising him, keep in mind too you are lucky too have him. all the best to you and your ife and the little man.
Laurie

Wow, we had a close one last night.

My dear neighbor and her daughter came over last night. She was just leaving with Tiger when I walked in from exercising. My Son and his girlfriend filed their protest from the back room, I kept silent and hoped for the best. A few minutes later there was a soft knock at the door. Try as they could, they couldn't soften the heart of her husband. He wouldn't even look at Tiger (he knew if he did...). I quickly snatched Tiger from her and sat down with him. We sat down and talked a bit, when she left, I told her to tell Bob I loved him.

It would have been a great option, having Tiger close. But, he may have been torn between the two houses depending on if he was an outdoor cat or not.

Thanks for all your thoughts, I'm sure the day will come when he will move on, but we dodged a bullet...
Dan

I've also been following this thread and have to commend you for saving this kitten, but I have to ask, how are you going to be able to give this little guy up? It sounds like he has captured your heart. Are there any particular reasons you are thinking of not keeping him? Sorry if I am getting too personal.

You're right, It would be heart wrenching for me. I couldn't hide that last night. Everyone saw thru me.

I need to come up with arguments against clawing and typical urine and litter box smells. Then Tiger may have a chance of staying.

Originally Posted by dan10101

You're right, It would be heart wrenching for me. I couldn't hide that last night. Everyone saw thru me.

I need to come up with arguments against clawing and typical urine and litter box smells. Then Tiger may have a chance of staying.

Click to expand...

I just read through this entire thread in one go, couldn't stop!
First about the clawing, most baby animals are bitey clawey (no idea if those are real words, lol) things, it's up to you and your wife to be the Mommy cats and teach him proper behavior. I am not skilled in dealing with kittens, so I will let others give you info on how to do that, but it can be done!
About the litter box, it won't stink if you keep it clean! You can keep the box in an area you frequent often, the bathroom is a good place, you go to, well, go, and scoop the poop and pee clumps from Tigers potty before exiting. I keeep my cats box in the bathroom and it becomes habit to "poop and scoop" Possibly more info than you needed about me, lol.
I say keep the kitty cat!!!! You have done so much for him, I couldn't even imagine giving him up, would be like giving away a child.

ETA: Don't go the declawing route to solve that clawing problem, very cruel and can cause bigger problems.

I agree- keep the litter box clean, clean, clean.

As for him using his claws - first - we are an anti-declaw web site.

Second - keep his nails trimmed. He is not too young for you to start. It is not hard to do. If you are uncomfortable with it - have a vet tech at the vet's office show you. Teach him where it's ok to scratch... make sure he has lots of places that are appropriate to scratch. If he starts scratching something like furniture... you take his paws, say NO and move him to a scratching post and praise him for using it ...

There are also chemical and physical/barrier deterrents that you can use...

I had a rescue cat who was trying to use ME as a scratching post- oh, we stopped that ... I redirected him to the cat tree.

Get him neutered as soon as possible. He has to weigh at least 2 lbs for that. That willl --- no pun intended - likely nip the spraying issue in the bud.

My boyfriend had a neutered male cat for 18 years... and he never sprayed.

I've been reading some of the articles on this website written by Anne Moss. Going into this next phase I still have a lot to learn. Declawing seems to be a big mistake. Training on our part seems to be the key. Keep the info coming

Suggestions on how you setup the first litter box is my next question.

Also, how did you begin solid foods? He seems to be rejecting any efforts to move to solids. He did take a couple very small pellot sized dry food, (soaked in milk), but I don't think he chewed them, just swallowed them whole.