New kitten in the house and im not a cat person

thysylvannah

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Heyyy! first time posting a thread since I'm so new at cats and I'm scared of them. I'm a more of a dog-person really :3

So i live with my uncle and one day he came home with a box that contained a kitten. He said some friend gave it to him( lol more of he asked for it ) and im not sure how old it is. So when our helper started taking the kitten out, it started scratching him and I was realllyyyy scared to touch it.

I honestly want to take care of a cat since I never had the chance to but anyway, he already named it 'mikay' although i dont know what to feel about that name but he owns the cat so yeah, I have no say.

I dont think he'll feed it cat food too because he only got it for the purpose of catching mices which his dog is having a hard time to do.

I really wanna try touching it and taking care of it but i'm scared. Any tips? Advices? Thank you in advance :3
 

miagi's_mommy

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A kitten is not a mighty hunter he needs to eat real kitten food or he will end up very ill and possibly die. Give him as much wet kitten food as he wants. The kitten isn't going to hurt you he's just a baby. :) Try to form a bond with him and enjoy him.
 
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catapault

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Hi, and welcome to TCS. Good for you to want to overcome your hesitation about the kitten and wanting to try and help it.

Let's begin with - any idea how old it is?

Kittens and young cats are  - like young humans - always hungry. Great way to make friends is to feed it. Canned cat food is better than dry, and canned food with meat as the first ingredient on the label is best. At this age it can eat as much as it wants.

Fresh water is important. Cow milk is not good for kittens as it may give them diarrhea. Goats milk is fine, as is KMR (kitten milk replacer.) 

It needs somewhere to pee and poop. Cats are cleanly animals and if the kitten is old enough to leave its mother it will already know how to use a litter pan. But like small children it needs to have the pan convenient to where the kitten is. Don't expect the kitten to travel from one room, down a hallway, up the stairs, whatever.

The kitten is probably more scared than you are. Its mother and siblings have vanished, there are dogs, unknown people. Get a smallish cardboard box, cut a door in one side and put a soft towel inside. This will give the kitten a comfortable place to hide and feel safe.

Talk softly to the kitten. Read a book out loud, sing it a song, just to get it used to your voice.

Move slowly, quick motions will startle and scare it.

Try to sit or crouch down so you do not look large and threatening. Toss a piece of crumpled up paper for it to chase. Drag a piece of twine in a slow, wiggly way for it to pounce on (but only let the kitten play with the string when you are with it.)

Remember that this is a young baby animal and treat it gently.

Good luck. I think you'll find kittens are nothing to be afraid of, and make wonderful friends.
 
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thysylvannah

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Hi, and welcome to TCS. Good for you to want to overcome your hesitation about the kitten and wanting to try and help it.

Let's begin with - any idea how old it is?

Kittens and young cats are  - like young humans - always hungry. Great way to make friends is to feed it. Canned cat food is better than dry, and canned food with meat as the first ingredient on the label is best. At this age it can eat as much as it wants.

Fresh water is important. Cow milk is not good for kittens as it may give them diarrhea. Goats milk is fine, as is KMR (kitten milk replacer.) 

It needs somewhere to pee and poop. Cats are cleanly animals and if the kitten is old enough to leave its mother it will already know how to use a litter pan. But like small children it needs to have the pan convenient to where the kitten is. Don't expect the kitten to travel from one room, down a hallway, up the stairs, whatever.

The kitten is probably more scared than you are. Its mother and siblings have vanished, there are dogs, unknown people. Get a smallish cardboard box, cut a door in one side and put a soft towel inside. This will give the kitten a comfortable place to hide and feel safe.

Talk softly to the kitten. Read a book out loud, sing it a song, just to get it used to your voice.

Move slowly, quick motions will startle and scare it.

Try to sit or crouch down so you do not look large and threatening. Toss a piece of crumpled up paper for it to chase. Drag a piece of twine in a slow, wiggly way for it to pounce on (but only let the kitten play with the string when you are with it.)

Remember that this is a young baby animal and treat it gently.

Good luck. I think you'll find kittens are nothing to be afraid of, and make wonderful friends.
Thank you! But the kitten is just inside a box, I'm not sure how it is right now since I haven't gone downstairs for a day now, just sleeping lots for my upcoming exam.

I think he's (or she? I don't really know) is just inside a box so i'm thinking of going down to check. But i really dont know what to do after that. :3 i'm scared that if i take it out it might run away and my uncle would get mad. ;___;
 
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renflox

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Hello there!

I've owned a cat for 10 years now and it's been great, the good, the bad, it's all been part of the lovely experience of owning a cat.

From what I've experienced people who dislike or fear cats do so simply because they don't know them, but once they give themselves the chance they found out how amazing they are. 

I'm guessing your new cat is still a little guy? The reason he may be acting rather aggressive could be because he has been mistreated before you got him, this will get better if you start showing him love and affection, not all cats are sweet and cuddly but they won't be aggressive if they grow up being well treated. You can try approaching him/her slowly, try to pet her, you could also offer him a treat, he'll like that. Kittens are always cute and playful, try to enjoy his younger days :)
Once you're confident around the cat I'd suggest not to play with him using your hands cause he'll think of your hands as toys and that can get painful for you, play with him using a toy.

When it comes to food you should definitely get him cat food, I don't think a domestic cat can live on mice only, especially a kitten. Cats have a natural tendency to hunt (and kill) certain animals (like mice) but they don't do it because they want to eat so do get him proper kitty food. And don't forget to give him fresh water (no dairy products since they are lactose intolerant).

You should take your new kitty to the vet as soon as you can, he will give you nice advice on how to take care of him and let you know if he needs to get vaccinated and when.

It all can seem like a lot for you now but soon you'll find out it's not that hard. Cats are great companions, not to mention beautiful and funny too!
Feel free to message me if you feel like doing so and enjoy your new cat!
 

catapault

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@thysylvannah, am I understanding you correctly - that the kitten was brought home in a box a day or so ago and has been left in the box since then? It cannot be a very big box if your uncle carried it home in the box it is still closed up in.  What about food, water, somewhere to pee and poop?
 

Sarthur2

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If you really want to take care of the kitten you need to discuss this with your uncle and go check on the kitten. It is probably starving if no one is feeding or caring for it.

If you post a picture of the kitten we can try to get an idea how old it is.
 
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thysylvannah

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Update: I went down and couldn't find the cat anywhere! Turns out, my uncle had given the cat back to where he got it from! :( I was really disappointed since I was getting really excited on taking care of it.

Our helper said that he brought it back because it might die since it might have been too young. I just don't know if my uncle would take it back home if the kitten reached the right age. Atm, i feel really crushed argh :/

I'll ask my uncle later and tell you guys about it. Sigh, all my excitement for nothing. I even took a bath so hurriedly just so i could check the cat downstairs. ://///
 

renflox

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Update: I went down and couldn't find the cat anywhere! Turns out, my uncle had given the cat back to where he got it from!
I was really disappointed since I was getting really excited on taking care of it.

Our helper said that he brought it back because it might die since it might have been too young. I just don't know if my uncle would take it back home if the kitten reached the right age. Atm, i feel really crushed argh :/

I'll ask my uncle later and tell you guys about it. Sigh, all my excitement for nothing. I even took a bath so hurriedly just so i could check the cat downstairs. ://///
I understand you may feel disappointed right now but this might be happening for the better. You can take this time to talk with your uncle and let him know that a cat (an adult one) as independent as he may be he does need care an attention. I suggest you do lots of research so that if you ever get a kitty you know how to take proper care of it once you get it. You gotta keep in mind that that kitty is a living animal baby that shouldn't be kept in a box and that needs constant attention (since it is a baby).

It seems both you and your uncle do want a cat, you can always adopt one from a local shelter or find a kitty online that needs adoption, but don't forget to do more research first ;)
 

StefanZ

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Update: I went down and couldn't find the cat anywhere! Turns out, my uncle had given the cat back to where he got it from!
I was really disappointed since I was getting really excited on taking care of it.

Our helper said that he brought it back because it might die since it might have been too young. I just don't know if my uncle would take it back home if the kitten reached the right age. Atm, i feel really crushed argh :/

I'll ask my uncle later and tell you guys about it. Sigh, all my excitement for nothing. I even took a bath so hurriedly just so i could check the cat downstairs. ://///
If your uncle wants a good mouser, the best is to take a cat whom IS a good mouser.  So perhaps a kitten from a mom who is a good mouser and the kitten was long enough with her to learn the trade, perhaps 12 weeks old, not younger.

Or even an adult cat, whom you know is a good mouser.  Perhaps a so called barn cat.  Such a cat may be not very used to humans and shy in the beginning, but dont worry, if you are kind and OK to him, he will bond to you.  He may remain shy to visitors, but he will accept and love you in the family, his friends.

Bought kittens to have as company animals and friends, may become decent mousers, but you dont have any ironclad quarantee for it.   If you buy or ask for a cat for company, let it be at least 8 weeks - they need the mom and siblings for AT LEAST these first 8 weeks - preferably  12 weeks, but minimum 8.

Yonger than this, is only in emergency: the kitten was abandoned or totally astray.

Speaking the truth, I think it was best this here kitten was returned.  You werent ready for it yet.  If both you and uncle (and helper!) let it be the whole night in this little box - nay, you werent ready as yet.

Read on, prepare yourself.  Prepare a suitable place for it to be in.  Then you will be perhaps ready.     Kittens and cats are wonderful to play with, they are wonderful companions, but they arent toys.  You cant let them be packed throught the nigt and half morning in the box, just because you want to sleep, and need a bath...

YOu FIRST take care of your animal, make sure it has it good, or at very least OK, first after it you may go and take your sleep and your bath.  Exam or not.

Unless in sheer emergency.

But a cat, to whom you are a friend, will also be a friend with you.  They know whom is a nice person.   A dog is obeying his master (and loving you if you are a good master).

A cat is loving you, because he choose to have you as his friend.  If you deserve it.
 
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