Hello! Need some help.

I've never been a 'cat person' but always a lover of animals. 

Recently I got two new housemates (brothers) - They come from not the best backgrounds, which is fine. Anyway - I arrived home one day in November last year to find a very young kitten hiding under my bed. They had apparently rescued it. 

They told me 'don't worry, you won't have to do anything...we'll feed it, take it to the vet, clean up etc. etc.' 

I knew nothing about kittens and still don't know heaps. Very quickly I fell in love with this bundle of fur, and she took a liking to me too. My first concern was how young she seemed...with puppies you want them at least 8 weeks with Mum and siblings. Is it similar for cats? 

First objective is to find out her age. When they got her she seemed to eat wet kitten food OK, and she got the hang of drinking water. This would narrow down her possible age at this time? She was fluffy, and small, and she stumbled around a bit- her eye sight also seemed to be not great...she couldn't see things past a certain distance. I'll try to find a picture and maybe you guys could help me narrow it down? 

Second objective is to figure out any potential health issues. I'm not sure if they're feeding her enough (she seems thin and I've seen her cry for food). She may have flees...worms, etc. 

Thirdly, I want to figure out if some of her behaviors are normal. The last few months I've been away from home often, sometimes a few days, sometimes a week. I've noticed some weird behaviors when returning several times. It may just be regular feline craziness but want to be sure. The housemate brothers I've noticed have a distinct inability to nurture - and have witnessed two occasions where they've been what I'd consider abusive to the kitten. (keeping in mind as a child, I'd get upset when people stamped on ants )

Hows that for a first post? Thanking you guys in advance for any info or advice. I'll elaborate more on the 'objectives' in further posts.

Chrisso, welcome to TCS   It looks like you actually are 'a cat person'

How long has the kitten been with you?  Where did they find her? You are quite right about kittens needing their mum and siblings.. 12 weeks is usually the age to rehome, but your girl sounds a lot younger.

You say you have been away for days and weeks, so they must have had the kitten for some time now.

Has she been to the vet?  This is essential.

And most importantly, if you feel the kitten is being abused in any way, something really must be done.   What has happened to make you feel that way?

Kittens who are taken very young and miss out on learning socialising skills can have all sorts of problems, especially if they are homed by people who don't know how to provide those things.

It's great that you've posted here.. I do hope something can be done for this little girl

Thanks for the warm welcome Mani. I'm most definitely a cat person now, I had just never spent any time with them before this kitten. 

They've had her since November, found her at someones house next to a water heater keeping warm. Trying to nail down exact dates so I can work out age. No she has not been to the vet. I've told them many times to take her...they were brought up in a family where cats didn't go to the vet...so they seem to think it's normal, and keep saying they'll ring to make an appointment soon. 

I've had major 'family issues' to deal with lately which is why I haven't been on top of this. The abuse was what some would consider slight...yelling at the cat, taunting, picking up and giving bear hugs - but obviously the cat hates it and struggles for its life to escape. But the lack of nurturing and what I haven't seen is what worries me. They've had cats all their lives, someone who didn't  know anything about cats telling them what to do hasn't gone down well so far. 

I've got a 18 month lease agreement I've signed so have to live with these people for some time. While I'm at home the cat is safe, and I'll be here for the next two weeks. Will make sure everything is worked out by then. 

The best thing would be to get her to the vet like you say. Her health is most critical thing for now. 

Here's a video of some behavior - 

This was when I got back from 3 days away. She was like this for 2 hours, I tried to comfort her but she would just attack. I took the video quickly incase I had to show the vet for any possible nuerological issues. 



[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

Hi, welcome to TCS!  I agree with Mani's advice.  My mil's cat was very young when DH found her.  The folks at the vet's office couldn't get over how tiny she was.  We were quite surprised that she didn't have to be bottle fed.  She has grown into a normal, healthy cat.  It wasn't the ideal situation...she was either set out by someone or her mother abandoned her, but all is well now.  Bless you for your concern for this kitten.  I think with you in her corner, everything is going to work out fine.   

Thanks so much guys. Not sure if I'm still being moderated since I'm new. 

Here's an example of the kits behavior, I made another thread  - http://www.thecatsite.com/t/253541/is-this-the-normal-kitten-crazies

Did a big long post but it hadn't showed up. That's ok I'll write it up again later on. 

and YES I am now a cat person. Never had spent quality time with one...only my aunties when I was young who would maul your face if you stroked it 7 times. 6 times and it was fine. So I grew up thinking cats were mean and I guess some of it must have rubbed off on me as an adult until i met this kitten!

Examples of abusive would be yelling at kitten, giving bear hugs and confining her when its obvious she doesn't want it, scaring her sometimes etc. It's not like they're beating her up. 

I just checked out your video... What a cutie!  And that is absolute kitten.. that's what they do.

When she head-butts you she's 'claiming' you.

I think she's adorable.  It doesn't sound like they are being too hard on her, but it depends on how extreme the behaviour is.

It's sounds like she's very taken with you

She is adorable! Her behavior in the video looks like very normal happy kitten play, not to worry .

[COLOR=#"Blue"]Hola y bienvenido a TCS, ...Catulina & Milky te saludan!!!........[/COLOR]
(Translate: Hi and Welcome to TCS, Catulina & Milky say hello to you!!!...)

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