About to foster six week old kittens! Any tips or tricks?

Look at these cuties


They're six weeks old and I'm going to be fostering them for about a month so they can have their shots before going back to the shelter - kitten season is in full swing and they don't have the space.

They'll be confined to a spare bedroom and the lady from the shelter said all I needed to provide was a litter tray, so I think they're providing food. She also said she needed to explain in person about their care so I'm presuming that's mixing up their food so they can eat it properly.

So any advice for me?

Should I make one big bed or three separate ones? Are there any types of toys I should avoid? How am I going to get things done when surrounded by kitten bellies?

Make sure the room is kitten-proof! Lay on the floor and check out all the little nooks and crannies they could get in/under. I always suggest blocking off under a bed if there is one in the room or, better yet, take away the bed frame and lay the box springs directly on the floor.
If there is any other furniture that they can get under/in where you cannot easily reach them either remove or block access.

As far as beds...good to give them more than one if possible; but, kittens almost always sleep together in a kitten pile.

Toys to avoid:
Don't leave out any toys that have strings or ribbons on them as you don't want the kittens to eat them. (These are often ok for supervised play.)

Ultimately...ENJOY!!!

And, thank you for fostering! I help run a rescue and we NEVER have enough fosters, so are extremely grateful for the ones we do have!! You are giving these sweet babies a safe, clean, loving home and are a crucial stepping stone to them finding a forever home!

I look forward to updates. BTW, do they come with names or do you get to do the honors?

The furniture is all of a style that goes down to the floor so that's not a problem.

I don't know about names, fosters tend to not get solid names here so the adopters can give them something solid. My adopted pair didn't respond to their previous names.

So balls and bags for the night time, then.

They're really, really desperate. They've got kittens in toilets, not even bathrooms, because of lack of space. I've already agreed to take one lovely, abandoned girl later this week so I wasn't sure but as this is short term I can manage. Good job I'm lucky enough to have two spare rooms.

Pegleg said:

So balls and bags for the night time, then.

Click to expand...

What type of bags?

Small boxes are always a good option for kittens, as well as toy mice.

Here are some of my favorite kitten toys:
https://www.chewy.com/petstages-twice-mice-cat-toy/dp/49621

https://www.chewy.com/booda-cat-crazies-playrings-cat-toy/dp/53473

https://www.chewy.com/kong-cat-cozie-kickeroo-cat-toy/dp/38654

https://www.chewy.com/ethical-pet-wide-durable-heavy-gauge/dp/56210

https://www.chewy.com/petstages-tower-tracks-cat-toy-10/dp/126531

https://www.chewy.com/petstages-tower-tracks-cat-toy-10/dp/126531

Also, you'll want to make sure they have both a horizontal and vertical scratching surface. Want to make sure these babies know what is and is not ok to scratch before they go to their new homes!

Just pouches with a bell or something rustly.

CatPack said:

Also, you'll want to make sure they have both a horizontal and vertical scratching surface. Want to make sure these babies know what is and is not ok to scratch before they go to their new homes!

Click to expand...

They've even got a curved one!

I've got a prestatges kitty cuddle pal, the brand is excellent. I haven't been able to move the mice into the room because if my little boy cat sees me giving his favourite type of toy to other cats he'll never forgive me.

Be sure the litter is non-clumping.  Kittens taste everything.  The litter box also needs to have short sides.  You can use cardboard boxes lined w/puppy pads to prevent leaks or the disposable aluminum cake pans.  Depending on the size of the room you may want more than one.

Cubes, cardboard boxes and tunnels are also fun for kittens.

I'm jealous! 

That beautiful grey kitten with the ball/bell looks EXACTLY like my boy Atticus did at that age!

How LUCKY you are to have these beautiful little souls in your life for a while.

They're here and so little! There's a chair next to a set of wheely shelves that they can sit under. The boy (grey) seems less adventurous than the two girls, one of whom is enjoying the fluffy ball fishing rod.

Luckily I've already got a low litter tray and some non-clumping litter. It's already been used and they've had something to eat and drink. The shelter even provided food.

No-one's felt the need to hide in the carrier and one's let me pet them and tried to drink my tea. The others will come in their own time.

Now I have to make more of a fuss of my boy cat as he's been shouting outside the door whenever I'm in the room.

They are so cute! Thanks for fostering! I look forward to more pictures!

This is the slightly larger girl, she's the boldest and friendliest and we've had a purry cuddle.

The boy's gorgeous and doesn't like being picked up yet. He's the largest.

This is the little girl and she's very timid. I got hissed at when I loomed over the edge of the bed which was the most adorable f.off I've ever seen.

It's so exciting as I've never cared for such young ones.

The females have beautiful markings, and the male looks very sweet! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

cutie cats .. I wanted to pinch them ...

Fostering kittens is extremely rewarding. Me and my mum used to take them from about 3/4 weeks old and tame them and boy was it hard. I got hissed at and spat at more than I care to remember in the early days. But all of them became purry cuddle buddies before they went on to new homes.

They're lovely wee things. The two who aren't as friendly will come around the more they see you. Curiosity gets the better of them eventually.

We're getting on well, larger girl is really friendly and I get a purr whenever I enter the door. The other two are coming round, I can pick them up for a cuddle but they're mostly interested in toys.

Although the boy has his priorities straight


The girls aren't so food driven


But there is one thing they can all agree on



The only problem I have is if my little boy cat realises I'm in the room he cries at the door at my infidelity.

Are the new cats vaccinated yet? Perhaps at some point when they are your little guy can meet them. I'm sure he is very curious as to what is going on! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Sarthur2 No they're not so they can't play together. My two are only 8 months old probably so still like to play a lot.

He just has to put up with it unfortunately.

They're beautiful  Lots of Fun!

 Kittens/cats love this tunnel lasts forever 

https://www.jysk.ca/tony-cat-tunnel-assorted.html

They're adorable, and have had their first nail trim without any fuss.



@HelloMissKitty I'm trusting you to put out the kitty tail signal.

I'm not in the US but that tunnel looks spectacular.

Update: They've gone off to their new homes! 

The two girls are going to a lovely couple who have been fostering their mum, and the boy is off to another couple (one of their friends) who, one has always had cats and loves them and his girlfriend has never had a cat and is really excited. 

I thought I'd be sad but I'm really happy. They've got good homes and now I have more time for my two and my other foster. Six down to three, it's been a busy month. 

It's always nice to hear that kittens have gone to good homes! Thank you for fostering! [emoji]128522[/emoji]