6 weeks old

I just got a kitten from a friend, and while she said he is 8-weeks old I think he must be younger (maybe 6?). He can use the litter box and he seems to be fine with eating, but he gets really fussy a lot and is constantly trying to suck on my fingers/nose/ears. Especially at night time, he meows and purrs a lot (it's not a distressed meow) and cuddles up against my face and really tries to suck on my nose.

I'm worried that he hasn't entirely been weaned or there's maybe something extra I should be doing (like bottle feeding? I don't know) or something. I know kittens shouldn't leave their mother's before 8 weeks so I'm just a little concerned.

Also he has been going diarrhea regularly since I got him. Is this normal for a kitten? I've been giving him dry food softened by water that my friend gave me--but maybe I need to buy a different kind?

I'm just stressed and want my kitten to be heathy! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Jamie

Feeding - get kitten food, preferably tinned as it is more nutrient and calorie dense than adult food. It may or may not clear up the diarrhea; if it persists get baby to the vet. You maybe could add kitten milk replacer to his diet for a while as well for the next few weeks but he should be able to lap it rather than you bottle feeding at even 6 weeks

Your main concern right now is his health and not his meowing or finger/nose licking - most kittens, even if normally weaned by momma, will lick and niip at things to explore; most outgrow it.

From what I have read, the special part of the weaning process is that the kitten will be consuming a mixed diet of both mother's milk and solid food at their discretion for a while.

An abrupt early transition to 100% dry food is likely the cause of the diarrhea.

I'd feed kitten wet food over dry food, putting down a bit of milk replacer. You can add the dry to the diet later. Prolonged diarrhea would be dangerous due to dehydration.

Six weeks does seem very young. The breeder that I had met with when looking for my cats said that 10 weeks was the minimum, and 12 weeks was ideal, but thats mainly just so the kitten can learn to copy its mom and siblings behavior and learn proper kitty socialization.

Sounds like the kitten was taken away from its mom too soon and is just trying to adjust. Stress and change in food will cause the diarrhea as the others have said. But there could also be worms and other factors causing it. Best to get a kitten that young to the vet, first round of vaccines soon, deworming, they might be able to get you some decent kitten food and tips on what a kitten that young should eat.

My cat Daku was taken away from his mother too long and he is a very needy, clingy, baby of a cat, even at 6ish years old. So yours may grow up seeing you as its mother

I want to add, some sucking and meowing at you is common and natural. You ARE after all, supposed to be his Ma or Dad.

And with a young kitten it pays heavily off to be his ma or dad. Not only with 6-8 weeks, but also with 12 w kittens.
Cats bounds to their kind owner. But in these situations, it comes double quick and double strong. A bond holding forever.


Good luck!