Stray kitten rescued advice

Hi,

I picked up (well more like chased and caught) a stray kitten last night, I think it never has had contact with humans. When I caught it, it obviously bit me, but calmed down nicely when I wrapped it in my T-shirt.

Went to the grocery store got all the stuff you need to care for it, from all the kitten food and blankets etc. etc. etc.

I know if I wanted it easy I should have gotten a domesticated one, but he/she is absolutely stunningly beautiful. The problem is, he/she doesn't want to get out of the box at all if I am present. I need to leave the room or it doesn't even eat or drink, I sat in the room about 6 hours.

He ate last night and drank, and meowed me awake, but what worries me is that neither his tummy or bladder has worked yet... So I can't tell if he has a runny tummy and needs special care. He looks quite alert and healthy and I would prefer if i can only take him to the vet next week wednesday (payday). (our vets here in ZA are a bit insane at times...)

I am trying to give him just space, but he won't even approach if I am lying down, he stalks around the house and shoots to hiding places when he sees you. Any advice on how to make him more comfy please?

Thanks in advance

PS: I think he is about 8 weeks or so.

That behavior is quite common in shy cats, new in the house. Also bought cats can behave like this. Not pooping etc a couple of two - three days...
Let him have approved hideouts. Like a cat igloo, or a turned cardboard box with something soft to lay on.

It appears you allow him to run in the whole house? It will be easier if you confine him to ONE room. This room will be his safey room pretty soon. And feeling safe there - he will dare more, even approach you.

Are you sure he is homeless? So small kittens dont have much sense of their territory. Thus, if let out, or sneaking out, they have very easy to go too far - and thus does get astray...

Of course, dont let him back out "so he can find home". Better to write him up on message boards around as Found.


Tx for caring!

Good luck!

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, and yup I am 100% sure he is stray. We decided to "force" him to get used to us by not ignoring him, I did confine him to the living room, but caught him last night, and he would usually fight, but picked him up by the scruff of his neck and immediately started purring.

Put him on the bed with us and he finally relaxed more than ever when we lay down. He purred the whole night and kept us awake. When we got up this morning he was frightened something lank when wee got up. Don't think he likes it that we are that tall, a bit intimidating.

We could feel last night and below his thick fur there are a few clumps, but he is completely skin and bones... We went to our vets shop and they gave us the best they had to boost his system a bit.

He still only eats and drinks when I pick him up by his neck, and put him by the bowls, he then devours all he can (not feeding him too much at a time). He now jumps back up on the bed, but we have adopted the habit to go drop him in the litter box and without fail he goes and does his thing, doesn't quite go eat and do the litter box without encouragement. Very slowly he is exploring, mainly just to our room.

All in all I was completely shocked at his progress after I guess a "firm" hand. He is starting to clean himself and even he doesn't smell as "aggressive" as he did just two nights ago. Don't know how else to describe it.

(Also stopped by our local pet shops, but no one asked, we left our contact details etc.) He still gets intimidated, so its all about the slow movements.)

Do you think he will start eating, drinking and doing his litter box without the encouragement soon?

Cats are pretty much "self starting," but you can do some things to help.

First, you might want to keep him in a small room, like the bathroom, with his food, water, and litter. Let him get used to it, know where to find it. Small kittens are like very young children; it takes them a while to be completely acclimatized to their territory.

If he's VERY young, you shouldn't use clumping litter, and a low-sided litter box (like a cake pan) will help him get used to getting in it.

Ask all the questions you can, because we certainly want you to have a great experience with this little fellow.

Oh, and take very good care of the bite he gave you. Cat bites are very much prone to infection.

So nice that you have rescued this poor little kitten . I would also recommend the small room confinement, at least when you are not home, with all of the kitten's necessities. Since he slept with you and kept you up purring, you are already on your way to a great, trusting relationship with this little guy. Scruffing him gently is reminding him of how mom would care for him and move him around. If he is already using the litterbox when you place him in it, then he will go back to it religiously as long as it is kept clean, scooped. There is a great litter by Dr. Elsey called "Kitten Attract". I would recommend this litter for your new kitten. I just started using this brand of litter (there is a few different types that Dr. Elsey offers) and just love it and so do my cats. . Definitely a vet check is in order and I would bring in a stool sample when you go. The kitten will need to be dewormed by the vet too and start receiving vaccinations. Sounds like a little sweetie and will come out of his shell with lots of love and attention that you are giving already. I think you will be surprised day by day how quickly he will change and become more comfortable with you and his new home.

Hi All,

Thank you all for your advice and help it really did help a lot.

My apologies for the late reply, been a bit beyond hectic and this baby was tiring me a out a bit with all his newfound energy.

Just some silly feedback:

So we took him to the Vet, he is gaining weight quickly and healthily... bloody expensive cat food but he needs it. Oh and its a he, called Riley.

It turns out he was about 4 weeks old when we caught him, and definitely feral according to the Vet. Something about his compact build.

He was beyond skinny when we got him, nothing but skin and bones, could feel his ribs distinctly, his shoulder blades and hips. It was quite sad, but now he is gaining some much needed weight and not becoming a lazy cat at all....

It turns out what we thought was a few tiny scars on his ears from fights was ringword infection, so we have to use an ointment and bath him twice a week with a special shampoo... now that is a mission I tell you.

He has adjusted amazingly, he is very talkative makes little sounds when he pounces, jumps meows for anything and everything but in a good meow way, its different from when he wants food.

He is still learning that he should smack us in the face in the middle of the night to play... with his claws out mind you. He is learning a lot and making amazing progress and been hyperactive the past few days.

All in all, a great personality and we are blessed to have him

Best Regards and Thanks to you all.

Originally Posted by Zullie

smack us in the face in the middle of the night to play... with his claws out mind you.

Click to expand...

I hope you mark clearly it does hurts. Otherwise he dont know... If necessary you can also Hiss somewhat afterwards,
It is such things they do learns from siblings and mom. So when they plays they always smacks without claws. Even in the most warlike games.


Tx for reporting!

Good luck!

There are lots of topical treatments you can use on ringworm, but there is an oral treatment that works for both cats and humans; if you get infected, ask the doctor for it.

Taming a feral can truly be a labor of love...more labor, not much love, at first.

Keep in mind you are effectively dealing with an infant, not an adult cat, and he will be much like a human infant, with all the failings and foibles.

(I used to tell high school students they should care for a kitten or puppy before they ever considered having a baby.)

Riley sounds just like a ball of energy . Sorry to hear about the ringworm, but it can be taken care of. I had two kittens many years ago from a shelter that came home with ringworm. I gave them an oral medication along with the bathes. Got rid of it easily in about a month or so. You said he is on special, expensive food? What did the vet put him on and why? Just curious, as you mentioned about the expensive food. Much luck with everything and it sounds like you are totally in love . Riley is lucky to have found you

Hi There,

Well we got him on the food before we went to the Vet. It was at a large well stocked in knowledge and product Pet shop.

We are feeding him a lot of Royal Canin soft baby kitten food:

Here its about R20 (ZAR- South African Rand) for one pop, which last anything from 1-2 days. We started mixing in the the Babycat 34 dry food range for his teeth, and also give him an extra bowl just for the dry food.

At this stage we are letting him eat as much as he wants to, in order to get his weight and health up and he is extremely energetic from it so getting a lot of exercise.

In comparison to our other actual brand names and good cat foods, its about 3 times the price but its all good he is doing very well on it.

Hope it goes well and enjoy your weekend.

Kind Regards,
Zullie

The little guy is in great hands with you caring for him . He will do well on that food and good choice. Hope all keeps going well for Riley

Hi Feralvr,

Sooo, we have been training Riley to not climb us, and so obviously in the meantime we have had a few puncture wounds from his nails.

I thought the little sores I got was from these. In actual fact it was Impetigo (veldsores) as confirmed on Saturday by the doc. I am suspecting the the ringworm diagnosis by the Vet may have been wrong and it must have been Impetigo, or maybe he has both. His shampoo is supposed to help for it, so we are going to be washing him 3 times a week instead of two. This is his shampoo I hope it helps. F10 Shampoo

I got the major outbreak, and my girl seems to only have gotten the light side of it, we are both currently on penicillin and some fungal ointment thing the doc gave...

The little monster is completely unaware of how he is making us itch...

Good luck to all who would like to rescue a feral baby.

Kind Regards,
Zullie

Oh my gosh, that is just lousy... . That little Riley does not know all of the issues he has brought on to you, BUT he says I AM WORTH IT . It is quite an unexpected challenge at the moment, but certainly you and Riley will recover from this fungus. Just sorry you are dealing with it.