Just saved a dumped kitten

We've had her inside for a week now, she's not been scratching and I've been brushing her every day. I don't think she has any luckily. There aren't any other cats in my area that she could have socialized with so I think she is ok, I do however have a vet appoint for her this afternoon so will get some info from them about the best flea treatment for her. Thanks for all your advice. She's doing so awesomwly so far.

great to hear

IndyJones said:

If you mean the dish soap I wouldn't want you to make the same mistake I did with my first cat. I was naive and uneducated about cats when I gave my first cat a bath with dish soap. She was so itchy after she made herself bleed. She was scratching for a week.

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I've used it numerous times because my neighbors cause a constant flea infestation with their mangy free roaming uncared for dogs. I have never had a reaction. Dawn is usually considered safe for all animals.

Kittens Mom said:

I've used it numerous times because my neighbors cause a constant flea infestation with their mangy free roaming uncared for dogs. I have never had a reaction. Dawn is usually considered safe for all animals.

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Dawn is what they use to clean up animals after oil spills, so I'd assume it's safe. You might want to dilute it a little though. And be sure to wash it all out afterwards.

Abyeb said:

Dawn is what they use to clean up animals after oil spills, so I'd assume it's safe. You might want to dilute it a little though. And be sure to wash it all out afterwards.

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Yes rinsing is important as is using it sparingly on the animal. I don't believe there is a generic substitute. A cat with a flea infestation would have skin irritation even after the fleas were removed.

Kittens Mom said:

I've used it numerous times because my neighbors cause a constant flea infestation with their mangy free roaming uncared for dogs. I have never had a reaction. Dawn is usually considered safe for all animals.

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Really? Maybe they changed the formula in the past 15 years. But I know I won't use dish soap on my cats again. I'm kinda paranoid after things happen.

Was it the blue kind (or at least something without lemon or orange oil)? I really hate the smell of blue Dawn but citrus oil is bad for cats. Probably one of the new scents without any citrus oil (like apple) would be OK too.

ShadowsMum, sounds like you have, officially, become a cat person! You have great instincts, you've been spot on.

Scratching post was mentioned earlier and I would like to bring it back up. Getting her use to a scratching post early, she may never even look at your furniture in that way. Invest in a strong one, well balanced and tall enough that a grown cat (so it will last!) would be able to stretch out when scratching high up. Once she starts using the post, there will be times that she will reach up high, get a good hold and just stretch out. Scratching is mostly to keep the claws sharp and strong, but cats use it for stretching and some light exercise. If you have any problems with claws, on the furniture or you, this would be the perfect time to teach her to let you trim her claws. Start out just rubbing her feet, massaging them; who doesn't love that!

I look forward to hearing about you and Shadow. All my kitties are all grown up. I haven't had a kitten in about 8 years, I have to live, vicariously, through others!

As soon as I save some more money I will definitely invest in a scratching post, thanks for the advice. All my money went on the vet today, Shadow was wormed, immunized and microchiped. She's just sleeping now, which is unusual for this time of night, I think she is feeling a bit unwell after today, poor little thing.
I have been rubbing her feet and brushing her heaps too to get her used to it, she loves it

Shadow is very sleepy after her needles, is this normal?

Yes, completely normal. My kittens zonked out for hours after their shots.

You'd be tired after a visit to the doctor for shots too.

With my guys the car stresses them more than the actual visit. Probably tired after the car ride.

How is she doing today @ShadowsMum  ?

Norachan Much better today thank you! Has had some food and drink and a play so almost back to herself. One thing I have discovered is that she was full of worms, the poor dear, all through her litter box today, can't believe how many she had in her, it's just awful, I'm just so glad we caught her and she has a home now. Have washed everything down and wormed my family too, lol.

ShadowsMum said:

As soon as I save some more money I will definitely invest in a scratching post, thanks for the advice. All my money went on the vet today, Shadow was wormed, immunized and microchiped. She's just sleeping now, which is unusual for this time of night, I think she is feeling a bit unwell after today, poor little thing.
I have been rubbing her feet and brushing her heaps too to get her used to it, she loves it

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The vet trips can tax the budget! Brushing and rubbing feet instinctively. You were a cat person in a previous life.

ShadowsMum said:

@NorachanMuch better today thank you! Has had some food and drink and a play so almost back to herself. One thing I have discovered is that she was full of worms, the poor dear, all through her litter box today, can't believe how many she had in her, it's just awful, I'm just so glad we caught her and she has a home now. Have washed everything down and wormed my family too, lol.

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That's good, I'm glad she's doing better today.

Yep, worms seem to be a thing with most feral/stray kittens. I've taken in feral litters before and had the most horrible litter boxes after first worming them. It's like spaghetti from hell.

      

When I first got Hector (RIP) she had worms too. Think this is fairly common in animals who hunt rodents in particular.

Shadow has been with us for about a month now and is well and truly part of the family. She will be going to be spayed in another few weeks and apart from being riddled with worms when we got her, there has been no hitches at all. View media item 411711View media item 411712View media item 411714I have still had no allergic reaction to her, which is amzing cause I am usually really allergic to cats.
She is just amazing and we love her xx

I'm so glad you were able to rescue this precious girl, and that you have had no allergic reaction to her! It was meant to be

She looks so much more healthy, alert and happy than she did 3 weeks ago when you first got her.  You are doing a great job by her!!  Well done.