Stray Kitten care advice

Hi! New to the forum!
I found a little kitten under my shed yesterday, she was pretty dirty and skinny so I decided she was either lost or feral so I chose to keep her.
I took her to the vet today to get checked and vaccinated they said she is about 6 weeks old but they didn't give me any real advice on how to care for her. I've never cared for a kitten this young, the only cat I had i adopted and he was pretty old.
She is pretty friendly, she hisses when something spooks her and she never purrs, but she is constantly crying, she only plays a little before losing interest, she sleeps almost constantly, and she never drinks water.
I am feeding her blue buffalo wet food mixed with Kitten milk and she eats it well enough though I always feel like she could eat a lot more than she does, however she picked up the litter box really well.

Is this behavior pretty normal in a kitten so young? Is there anything I could do to encourage her to drink water?
How can I encourage her to play more or at least help her feel comfortable enough?
Any advice I can get is very welcome!!
Thank you!

First, welcome to TCS - it's wonderful that you've taken this little girl into your home and into your Heart.  She will adjust, but even very young kittens can take a little time to become acclimated to new surroundings - especially when those surroundings don't include her Mother.

It sounds to me like you have pretty darned good instincts; keep using those instincts and don't worry over much.  She'll come around, and will be purring and playing before you know it.  As long as fresh water is available to her - and especially since you're mixing kitten milk into her wet food - she'll drink if she's thirsty, never fear.

.

BeccabBode said:

Hi! New to the forum!
I found a little kitten under my shed yesterday, she was pretty dirty and skinny so I decided she was either lost or feral so I chose to keep her.
I took her to the vet today to get checked and vaccinated they said she is about 6 weeks old but they didn't give me any real advice on how to care for her. I've never cared for a kitten this young, the only cat I had i adopted and he was pretty old.
She is pretty friendly, she hisses when something spooks her and she never purrs, but she is constantly crying, she only plays a little before losing interest, she sleeps almost constantly, and she never drinks water.
I am feeding her blue buffalo wet food mixed with Kitten milk and she eats it well enough though I always feel like she could eat a lot more than she does, however she picked up the litter box really well.

Is this behavior pretty normal in a kitten so young? Is there anything I could do to encourage her to drink water?
How can I encourage her to play more or at least help her feel comfortable enough?
Any advice I can get is very welcome!!
Thank you!

Click to expand...

She is sleeping much because she is still exhausted.  Also, as everything is new, it tires her out.   It will be better and better with time.  Just to proceed.

Wet food contains much water, that is why she doesnt need much fresh water.  but good you have it nearby anyways.

This kitten milk you add, is it kmr or is it such a treat milk for cats?    If the second, its OK, but if you can find goats milk its much better.  OK with cartooned or powdered.  Take full fat if there are several to choose, no funny low fat diet variations.

Full fat plain mild youghurt is another alternative.

Cow milk is often not so good, so avoid.

Tx you helped her and adopted.   A gift to her, and a gift you yourself!

So glad you took in this tiny baby! I'm a little surprised a shelter won't offer you more help/advice -- that's a teeny one!!! Congrats on adopting her!!! Agreed that you have good instincts- that's a GREAT first step!!!!!!

At 6 weeks old she's still very young to be both away from mom & littermates, and to be eating totally on her own, so anything you can do to make sure she gets in plenty if food & liquid is FANTASTIC!!!! (Some kittens are still nursing at 6 weeks). Make sure the Blue Buffalo soft is specifically kitten food, not adult. Babies REALLY need the special nutrition and higher calories of kitten food. And mixing the kitten milk with the food is great ---but (as @StefanZ noted) definitely don't use cow's milk ---kitties (adult AND baby) can't digest cow's milk (it makes them sick). And as StefanZ also noted, cat "treat milk" (like "Cat Sip") really doesn't work as a substitute for "Momma' milk"). You'll do best with a true kitty milk "replacer" like KMR. It comes in a powder & as pre-mixed powder (much cheaper, but a bit of a pain). You can get it (or other own brand equivalents)--- at places like Walmart & Pet Supplies Plus/Petco, etc. Some grocery stores carry it too. I offer foster kittens that age who don't have Mommas all 3 things --- a shallow bowl of water, a shallow dish of KMR (I warm mine VERY slightly ---check carefully as you don't want to burn the little baby!) AND soft kitten food made into a "gruel" with KMR that she can lap rather than try to chew. I usually find babies will eat better too if I sit with them so they're not alone. You might also dip your finger into the gruel and offer it to her. It may make her feel more like she's "nursing"---she may suckle off your finger as it's possible she's just now learning to "lap"....you can also help teach her by offering it to her on your finger, then letting her follow your finger into the food, eventually encouraging her to lap on her own. You can also VERY lightly "push" (as in, very gently & VERY quickly) her little face into the gruel. Don't push too hard or hold her face into it - she can aspirate (suck food accidentally) into her lungs, which can cause serious problems. You can also tap her nose & right around her mouth with a bit of the gruel in the hopes she'll lick it off her face, getting her to realize how yummy it is!!!!! Kittens often cry when they're hungry --- remember You should offer her a chance to eat every few hours (some people think twice a day --- but cats - and ESOECIALLY kittens ---- need to eat WAY more often!!). It's best if you can sit with ER & offer her food & drink every few hours! A bowl of water & bowl of KMR should always be out for her!

She may also be cold and/or lonely. I offer little babies special kitty heating pads in their beds (DONT use a human heating pad - they get too hot!!!!). If you can't spend the $ on that (I certainly understand that!!!) make sure she has a very snugly, secure-feeling place to snuggle & sleep. Remember - just probably a few days ago she had not only Momma but warm littermates!!! One good thing to offer her to sleep in is a small box lined with super soft fabrics like fleece (you can even buy super cheal small piieces & remnants at places like Walmart---soft towels are great too---as are those super soft velour blankets).

Just make sure the box is low enough on at LEAST one side she can easily get out!!! I also ALWAYS put a small stuffed animal or 2 (take off any "extra stuff on them --like bows) in with foster babies....they love something to snuggle with!!!! And she'll also probably be most comforted by spending time being snuggled by YOU! Put a soft blanket in your lap & let her soak in your body heat AND the love Make sure she has toys to play with when you're not around ---and use little toys like wand toys to really get her attention & help her exercise AND BOND WITH YOU!!!!! Most of our foster kittens really love this toy with a ball in a track (keeps them busy for ages!!)....one place to find it is:
https://www.chewy.com/bergan-turbo-...gclid=CP3K1oO_3dICFYmPswod9I4B6g&gclsrc=aw.ds (Just a suggestion as to place - you can buy lots of places)

The best things you can do is love her lots, play gently with her, & snuggle her tons!!!! Hopefully she'll settle in soon!!! Keep us posted how she - and you - are settling in!!!!!

StefanZ said:

She is sleeping much because she is still exhausted.  Also, as everything is new, it tires her out.   It will be better and better with time.  Just to proceed.

Wet food contains much water, that is why she doesnt need much fresh water.  but good you have it nearby anyways.

This kitten milk you add, is it kmr or is it such a treat milk for cats?    If the second, its OK, but if you can find goats milk its much better.  OK with cartooned or powdered.  Take full fat if there are several to choose, no funny low fat diet variations.
Full fat plain mild youghurt is another alternative.

Cow milk is often not so good, so avoid.


Tx you helped her and adopted.   A gift to her, and a gift you yourself!

Click to expand...

Good to know! I'll avoid cows milk for sure! The milk I've been using is called PetAg milk replacer with Taurine for kittens. I just found it at Walmart and my sister who has more experience with cats suggested I get it and mix it with wet food

Wonderful what you have done. Keep in mind that she would not have come to you if you were not a good person. She trusts you. You can have her spayed between eight and twelve weeks. Don't let her outside now. She will not miss it.

Don't worry about water. Let her free feed dry kibble so she will always have something to nibble on. She will come out of her shell as time goes by. Imagine the trauma of her first six weeks of life and what she has gone through. I could not live in the street all alone with no idea how to find food!

Post some photos. What is her name?

kittychick said:

So glad you took in this tiny baby! I'm a little surprised a shelter won't offer you more help/advice -- that's a teeny one!!! Congrats on adopting her!!! Agreed that you have good instincts- that's a GREAT first step!!!!!!

At 6 weeks old she's still very young to be both away from mom & littermates, and to be eating totally on her own, so anything you can do to make sure she gets in plenty if food & liquid is FANTASTIC!!!! (Some kittens are still nursing at 6 weeks). Make sure the Blue Buffalo soft is specifically kitten food, not adult. Babies REALLY need the special nutrition and higher calories of kitten food. And mixing the kitten milk with the food is great ---but (as @StefanZ noted) definitely don't use cow's milk ---kitties (adult AND baby) can't digest cow's milk (it makes them sick). And as StefanZ also noted, cat "treat milk" (like "Cat Sip") really doesn't work as a substitute for "Momma' milk"). You'll do best with a true kitty milk "replacer" like KMR. It comes in a powder & as pre-mixed powder (much cheaper, but a bit of a pain). You can get it (or other own brand equivalents)--- at places like Walmart & Pet Supplies Plus/Petco, etc. Some grocery stores carry it too. I offer foster kittens that age who don't have Mommas all 3 things --- a shallow bowl of water, a shallow dish of KMR (I warm mine VERY slightly ---check carefully as you don't want to burn the little baby!) AND soft kitten food made into a "gruel" with KMR that she can lap rather than try to chew. I usually find babies will eat better too if I sit with them so they're not alone. You might also dip your finger into the gruel and offer it to her. It may make her feel more like she's "nursing"---she may suckle off your finger as it's possible she's just now learning to "lap"....you can also help teach her by offering it to her on your finger, then letting her follow your finger into the food, eventually encouraging her to lap on her own. You can also VERY lightly "push" (as in, very gently & VERY quickly) her little face into the gruel. Don't push too hard or hold her face into it - she can aspirate (suck food accidentally) into her lungs, which can cause serious problems. You can also tap her nose & right around her mouth with a bit of the gruel in the hopes she'll lick it off her face, getting her to realize how yummy it is!!!!! Kittens often cry when they're hungry --- remember You should offer her a chance to eat every few hours (some people think twice a day --- but cats - and ESOECIALLY kittens ---- need to eat WAY more often!!). It's best if you can sit with ER & offer her food & drink every few hours! A bowl of water & bowl of KMR should always be out for her!

She may also be cold and/or lonely. I offer little babies special kitty heating pads in their beds (DONT use a human heating pad - they get too hot!!!!). If you can't spend the $ on that (I certainly understand that!!!) make sure she has a very snugly, secure-feeling place to snuggle & sleep. Remember - just probably a few days ago she had not only Momma but warm littermates!!! One good thing to offer her to sleep in is a small box lined with super soft fabrics like fleece (you can even buy super cheal small piieces & remnants at places like Walmart---soft towels are great too---as are those super soft velour blankets).

Just make sure the box is low enough on at LEAST one side she can easily get out!!! I also ALWAYS put a small stuffed animal or 2 (take off any "extra stuff on them --like bows) in with foster babies....they love something to snuggle with!!!! And she'll also probably be most comforted by spending time being snuggled by YOU! Put a soft blanket in your lap & let her soak in your body heat AND the love Make sure she has toys to play with when you're not around ---and use little toys like wand toys to really get her attention & help her exercise AND BOND WITH YOU!!!!! Most of our foster kittens really love this toy with a ball in a track (keeps them busy for ages!!)....one place to find it is:
https://www.chewy.com/bergan-turbo-...gclid=CP3K1oO_3dICFYmPswod9I4B6g&gclsrc=aw.ds (Just a suggestion as to place - you can buy lots of places)

The best things you can do is love her lots, play gently with her, & snuggle her tons!!!! Hopefully she'll settle in soon!!! Keep us posted how she - and you - are settling in!!!!!

Click to expand...

Oh my gosh this is SO helpful! Thank you!
I've been in a real panic about her behavior because she is just so tiny! But hearing all this makes me feel so much better! My vet who vaccinated her only said to give her a blanket and feed her warm, wet food and she should be fine. [emoji]128580[/emoji]
Anyways I have the powdered replacer milk and I've started offering it about 5 times a day with a little bit of food mixed in.
She definitely eats more when I sit with her, which is a big relief! I went shopping today and got her a few things, like a cat tower and a bed and such. And thank you for the link to that website! I ordered a few more toys for her since I only have like a few jingle balls and a laser.
I also bought her a kitten heating pad on amazon today so hopefully that will help keep her warm
So far she's still behaving the same, aside from her eating habits of course.
She is having trouble cleaning herself and remembering to use the litter box too. Any tips??

I named her Binyx :3 she is seriously the smallest cat I've ever seen!

BeccabBode said:

IMG_4963.JPG

• beccabbode
• Mar 17, 2017

IMG_4984.PNG

• beccabbode
• Mar 17, 2017

I named her Binyx :3 she is seriously the smallest cat I've ever seen!

Click to expand...

Precious. She's thinking "I have died and gone to heaven!"

BeccabBode said:

Good to know! I'll avoid cows milk for sure! The milk I've been using is called PetAg milk replacer with Taurine for kittens. I just found it at Walmart and my sister who has more experience with cats suggested I get it and mix it with wet food

Click to expand...

Yes, this is excellent - a so called kmr (perhaps even the brand name of KMR!) - kitten mothermilk replacement.

Goats milk is probably cheaper, but this product you found as at least as good.

B beccabbode

"She is having trouble cleaning herself and remembering to use the litter box too. Any tips??"

I think you should put her in the litter box before and after every meal. Other people will have more tips to help her learn the litterbox. You should NOT use clumping litter with any kittens.

To clean her, use a warm, damp washcloth or paper towel. Make certain that she is completely dried off when you finish so she does not get chilled

There are a lot of members with more experience, and hopefully they will help with the details.

Firstly - she IS really dorable!!!!!!!! And your'e right - SO tiny! But she looks very healthy - and well-loved

FYI - KMR is also marketed with a label that say's "PetAg milk replacer with Taurine" - so yours might also even say KMR on the label somewhere, If note - it should be just fine.

​Yeah for you for splurging on the kitty heating pad - - I've never had a baby (or adult for that matter) that didn't absolutely love them. Kittens in particular have more trouble regulating body temp - - - so she should love it. If you can set it in a ox with low side (or sides cut off - that's perfect (and a thin cloth on top so she's not lying right ON the pad. Box sides will make her feel more comforted and snuggly - -- but you want to make sure she has enough space in the box that she can move OFF of the heating pad if she wants to! Sometimes I even just put the heating pad directly on the floor where the kitten is, put one layer of cloth on top, and then take soft towels or blankets and make a little mound all the way around it, so that, again, there's kind of an "enclosed" snuggly feeling. You just don't want her feeling exposed.

So glad she's eating better! And I'm glad my tip on sitting with her while she eats helps some. Hey - none of us like to eat alone I'm sure she truly loves and is comforted by the company. And if she truly was feral - - mom had probably started teaching her to eat with one eye open, looking for danger. Eating alone would basically be a bit nerve-wracking with no one to "keep watch." Plus she's beginning to love you and trust you -- - so your time spent with her during food time says "I love you - can't you tell because I feed you?" and "I'll watch you - you eat!" - - - all great stuff for a scared little baby.

She may be having trouble cleaning herself a bit because, again, she's SO young. It's an instinctual habit, so she'll learn, but generally Mom would still be cleaning her up. So you may have to help bit till she totally gets the habit herself. I personally use pet wipes (if you're in the states - you can pick them up at almost any pet store or even walmart - - -I use the ones with the least amount of scent - I actually like the bamboo ones. You certainly don't have to use them - since they definitely cost more than a wash loth or paper towels But what I like is that they aren't really what I'd even call damp - --  they're just "juicy" enough to clean her, without her getting damp and risk chilling. Getting chilled when that little can be very serious. I'd also say don't clean her up yourself immediately after a meal (although you'll want to - I know I always do with super little ones) - - - but since she's at the age where she'd really start doing it alot on her own, after she's eaten, give her 5-10 minutes to try and do it herself. Cats are inherently very clean creatures - so chances are she'll start to clean more and more on her own. If after 10 minutes or so she's making no effort - you can start cleaning her (in other words - hold out till it starts to almost get dry - - -you don't want to wait so long you're having to chisel it off her!). 

The liter box is kind of the same thing. Normally, she'd be following mom's (and siblings) lead on the litter box. So you may have to help a bit. First - is she contained to a small area or have the run of the house (or apartment or trailer or whatever you have!)? It's almost better if she doesn't for the moment. She'll feel more secure in a small space, and she won't get too far from her litterbox.  I always tell people adopting that kittens need litterboxes CLOSEin order to use them - - so many people adopt a teeny kitten ----- put the litterbox in one room in a basement, and then bring the kitten two stories up to eat and play. I always say to people - - -"think about how TINY her legs are? She's like a toddler who generally doesn't realize she has to "go" until she REALLY has to "go" - - - and by that time she A) may not remember how to get back to the box and B) she's gotta find it on teeny tiny leg!". Kind of like if you got to the end of a few blocks, suddenly had to REALLY "go" and suddenly realized your house was 2 blocks away - - good luck on that one! So remember how small her legs are.  The key on litterboxes is to keep them attractive AND accessible. As noted by @Cat Marcum  and @foxden, putting something that "smells like her" either a previous poop - - or even litter with some of her pee on it -- should be placed in the box on top so that it's already marked as "hers." For now - always set her in the box just a few minutes after an eating session.. When she DOES go in there - praise her! Lastly - make sure the box isn't TOO big. Lots of people make the mistake of buying large adult litter boxes for tiny kittens - again - think leg height vs the side (which is probably VERY high). They do make "kitten letterboxes, which are lower on the sides and smaller surface. Surface size ins't a big deal - but sides that are too high are. For kittens as tiny as she is -  I actually use the cardboard boxes that Pet Supplies Plus gets their Fancy Feast in - -  the boxes are about 15" x 20" - (I do put newspaper under the boxes as obviously cardboard will soak through quickly - but I also change to new boxes often. Pet Supplies Plus already cuts their boxes down for cat food display to around 2 inches high - which is perfect. Just make sure litter is deep enough for her to "dig." If she's not covering at all (although some cats never learn this) - - -watch her and once she's finished "her business" - - praise her, and place her above the "spot" and move her paws a few times like she's covering. Again - Mom's gone - you're the teacher now!

Good luck with her- and keep us posted. Pics are always welcome!!! You're doing a wonderful thing!!!!