Kitten and a semi busy life

hey everyone!

 About a week ago (Friday) I picked up a 5-6 week old kitten from the streets. I took him to the vet first thing, he seems to be in good shape considering (apart from dehydration and being under weight etc.)  and is now putting weight.

 first few days he was very defensive, now we sleep together, he has started to play, and is "rehabilitated" to doing all those kitten things kits do.

 Now, I picked this kitten up because I just couldn`t bear seeing it the way it was, but I work a 9-5, I am home at 5:10 mostly, and then leave again around 6:30 for the gym, this is more or less a daily schedule.

 For this past week (his first week!) i have been going home for lunch, giving me an hour to spend time with him, and split his lonely hours to no more than four at a time. I know this is NOT an ideal situation for such a young kitten, but he as dry food, water, litter, a whole bedroom which is cat proofed and the radio on. and all my love and care when I get home!

  He has toys: a ball with a bell inside, a fake mouse, and a scratch post i got him, as well as empty boxes to shred to pieces..

 my question is: how lonely and depressed is he getting whilst I am not there? i feel so bad for the poor mite but I do have to go to work- that being said I am making an effort to give him a routine.

  but I also know cats do like to do their own thing so.... when can I start being able to leave him the whole 7 hours am at work?

note: I love in a studio so getting another cat is not really possible (esp since I am forbidden from having pets in the first place!)

 cheers for all the in put!

 Amedeo

It's a shame another kitten isn't possible, as a playmate would be the best possible thing for him.  If he is happy and outgoing then he is coping, but you need to do lots of play with him when you are there.  BTW did the vet worm him?

Hi and welcome to TCS!

What an amazing thing you did for this little guy! It sounds like you did everything right by getting him into the vet first thing and hooking him up with all the goodies he needs to have an enriching and loving home! 

I was about to ask if you had kitten proofed your space but it sounds like you have. Of course it's not ideal for such a young baby to be left alone but I think so long as he is eating and drinking fine on his own and otherwise healthy you are okay to leave him, especially since he is getting so much attention the rest of the time. These first few months are critical for his socialization, so just make sure you introduce him to as many sounds and situations in the home as you can. Give him lots of reinforcement and lots of praise. Certainly as you said he is a little young but as long as he can take care of those basic needs on his own I think he will be okay while you are at work. Of course if you can keep coming home for lunch for the next few weeks I think he would appreciate it just for reassurance, but I don't think he's in any danger being left unsupervised. 

The vet examined his faeces for forms ( i live in japan and whilst i do speak japanese well I had to look up extra vocab!)

 he had lice, but that has been taken care off. no worms as far as the test could tell, but the vet said he was too underweight for worming (600 grams)@ around 5 weeks. he seems to be gaining weight though and I think the fact that he is an outgoing kitten and playful (he follows me around, and if i run he runs with me! melts my heart) must mean he is not ill right?

 I have a colleague who said she would be willing to take him in (she has more space and a garden)

 It will break my heart but should I re home him (but we are so attached to eachother I`d rather move house XD)

when should I do so?

 I love cats and animals but i don t want him to be cooped up all alone you know? esp when he could be enjoying the great outdoors!

here`s a pic!

 this is when he was still in his depressed phase though!

This is just my 2 cents but people often get rid of animals because they are "too busy"... Whereas I can see that with a dog, they are much more co-dependent, kittens and cats are not so.  This little guy should be fine even with your busy schedule and life and relish in any attention and time you are able to spend with him freely without feeling guilty.  So please don't feel guilty about having a busy life.  I have cats and a 9-10 week old kitten I rescued off the highway a couple of weeks ago myself and I am very busy with school and homework and my normal life.  But, my kitties never feel resentment because I am not there for lunch or whatever. 

Cats are much safer and happier indoors.  You do not need to find an outdoor home.  So many terrible things can and do happen to them outdoors.  Plus, it cuts down their life expectancy significantly. 

If you love him and want to keep him there is no reason you should feel guilty about doing so, even with a busy lifestyle... He will be purrfectly happy! 

P3 and The King said:

If you love him and want to keep him there is no reason you should feel guilty about doing so, even with a busy lifestyle... He will be purrfectly happy! 

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I agree... He's so lucky to have found you, and you to have found him. 

He honestly doesn't need to go outside, and you can have wonderful quality time together when you're home.  And you understand his needs. 

Good luck and, if you decided to keep him, have a wonderful life together!

I think I agree with the two latest posts. What is optimal (two - three cats who are friends) and what is good enough (an alone cat) doesnt exclude each other.

This kitten was saved by you, and given a life by you. Living with you will be more then good enough.

If you can talk the house owner into letting you have two cats, swell. If not, you can surely manage anyway. There are tricks. Like having tv on.... there are wideos with birds or fishes on...

Other people have a innetted balcony. Or a bird feeder just outside the windows. 

Besides, most cats do sleep when their humans are out.

The only problem is, if the cat is used to sleep in days, it will have difficulty to be used to sleep through most of the night...

And you friend who do have a place for an extra cat?  There are surely more homeless cats who do need a home...  So her good heart and free place dont need to be unoccupied for much longer.  

Although an idea.  Theoretically, a swich would perhaps be best: you take in an adult cat, and she takes in this kitten...

But nay, your heart is with this kitten. And it will be easier for you to talk over the manager/owner. If you the foreign barbarian , did saved a japanese kitty, and now even have it at your own home...

Even the hardest heart of a samurai-descendant should melt...

Good luck!

Actually, it is said that cats prefer it quiet during the day.  They do most of their sleeping at that time.  Just have toys for him to play with and of course his water and some food left out for him.  Kittens need to "free feed" throughout the day.  If you want to leave the tv on for him, it won't bother him but it is not neccessary for his happiness.

As for your sleeping time, mine are pretty good about letting me sleep.  They like to sleep then, too, a lot.  Just play with him good for about 30 minutes or so before you go to bed.... Wear him out good.  But cats are pretty easy to "train" to let you sleep during your schedule.  Maybe once in awhile mine will keep me awake but I would say about 95% of the time, they let me sleep and don't disturb me.  You shouldn't need to "switch him out for another cat".  It can work out just fine with him.  You've bonded.  And you can make it work and he can be quite content with you alone. 

thanks guys! he does seem to have adapted pretty well.

Thanks for all in the put!

 last night he slept on my cushion... bless him.

 A week has passed since "gotcha! day" and he has adapated really well from semi feral lifestyle to house cat... i guess he gets it that he gets food, a nice place to sleep and toys

 aww

at least I know I am going right buy him!

 thanks everyone!

asdrubalex said:

The vet examined his faeces for forms ( i live in japan and whilst i do speak japanese well I had to look up extra vocab!)

 he had lice, but that has been taken care off. no worms as far as the test could tell, but the vet said he was too underweight for worming (600 grams)@ around 5 weeks. he seems to be gaining weight though and I think the fact that he is an outgoing kitten and playful (he follows me around, and if i run he runs with me! melts my heart) must mean he is not ill right?

 I have a colleague who said she would be willing to take him in (she has more space and a garden)

 It will break my heart but should I re home him (but we are so attached to eachother I`d rather move house XD)

when should I do so?

 I love cats and animals but i don t want him to be cooped up all alone you know? esp when he could be enjoying the great outdoors!

Click to expand...

Just keep an eye on him to make sure he's gaining weight. If you can get a small kitchen scale and weigh him daily that would help. It sounds like it's all under control so I wouldn't worry but just because of his young age it's a good idea to watch his weight closely. If he does lose weight or stops eating call the vet right away. 

I am not sure of Japanese cultural norms regarding indoor cats but you will find that on this site many people are pro keeping cats indoors only. Cats that roam outside are more likely to pick up illnesses, get hit buy cars, or eaten by predators. Especially if you live in a metropolitan area your kitty is much safer inside with you! Regardless if indoor or outdoor, make sure you talk to your vet about neutering him when he is big enough. 

I know it may seem like your co-worker can provide a better environment because she has more space but do not underestimate that bond! Cats do not need much to be happy. It's clear you two are close and I would hate to see you separated just because you think he could do better. He has a warm and happy home with food, toys, and a human to love on. He doesn't want or need much more than that! I too live in a very small apartment and my cat brings me such joy as my companion. We enrich each other's lives and I can't imagine not having her there when I come home everyday. She is warm and safe and loved, as is your boy, and that's really all they need! The bond is more important that any amount of space.