3 Week Old Kitten Questions

This past week I stepped outside and found a little black fluff ball in my back yard, frantic, scared and hungry. We had oodles of cats when I was a kid but my allergies became so bad that I gave up having pets...which probably was a smart decision since this little guy gave me hives after only 15 minutes of holding him.

Anyway, after getting something into the hungry fella, checking out the options including a call to the shelter, and of course loading up on the allergy meds, it was decided that since it was doing so well here with us that we'd go ahead and care for him until it was ready to go to a family. I don't remember tons about cats and kittens but I do know a lot about babies and he's seemed to turn from a shaky scared little baby into a happy little kitten. He's eating well, sleeping well, snuggling enough to get his needs met and yesterday started in on Operation Explore the Kitchen & Foot Attack. Kitten's probably as happy as he's going to be away from it's mama, my daughter's happy because she gets to have a kitten for at least a little while, and the little girls who will get it once it's eating solid food can't wait to get it home. Oh, and I'm happy because I love having a baby in the house.

I took him to the vet yesterday as a precaution against parasites and he dewormed him and sent me with Albon just in case. I had a child with a parasite last summer and we don't want to go there again! The kitten was 11.5 oz and the vet thought 3 weeks....which explained why it wasn't showing interest in solid foods and a litter box.

My first question (I'm sure I'll have more!) is how to make this as odor free as possible? I have a child with sensory issues and a husband who never had pets so I need to keep that to a minimum if possible. This kitten has been a little like having a baby without a diaper crawling around the kitchen and in my lap, although it seems better now that I've watered down the KMR a little. My kids have proclaimed kitten urine as having great potential for biological warfare.

My next question is about a comment that the vet made about kittens learning a great deal from their mothers from 4-8 weeks of age. However, he didn't go on so it left me hanging.

Thanks for any help with this and for the forum. Some of my questions I found covered in other posts.

He's a little young to be using a litterbox, and you might try what they call stimulating, which is what the mother does. After he eats or wakes up from a nap, take some damp paper towels and gently but firmly (you want to emulate the pressure and feel of a cat's tongue) rub his bottom in a circular motion until he both urinates and poops in the paper towel. That's what the mother does until they begin to wean and use the litterbox.

This way you can dispose of the paper towels and not have as many "accidents."

Once he's about 4 weeks, I'd put a litterbox in the bathroom (or wherever you are planning to keep it) and instead of stimulating him right away, after he eats or wakes up, take him to the litterbox, put him in it, show him how to dig (you can dig a small hole or two with your finger, then take his paw and holding it, show him how to dig too. At the beginning he'll think it's a game and just dig hole after hole. Let him play in there for a short time to see if he gets the idea, then stimulate him to go. Eventually (and fairly soon) he'll get the idea. In fact, if you stimulate him and get a little poop, I'd put it in the box, which might also help him make the connection. You'll find once he does it once, he should use the litterbox from that point on.

If you put some baking soda in the bottom of the litterbox, it might help with the odor. When he gets older (once he's 2 or 3 months), you can change to clumping litter, which I think helps odors even more.

Just be careful with the clumping litter. When they're very little, they tend to play in and ingest litter, and the clumping can cause blockages. That's why they suggest regular clay or other non-clumping with very small kittens. Use your judgement when he gets older, if he's not ingesting it, and you're sure of that, that's when to change to clumping. Some people feel you should wait longer, but that's been my experience, and what I've done.

Also, you might find that having the kitten in your house after a while your allergies might lessen. It's sort of like how immunizations work. Your body builds up tolerance to that particular cat. I am allergic myself, and it usually takes me about 3 months to get used to a new cat. Once I do, however, I'm fine with some minimal precautions as long as I don't stick my face in his or her fur for hours a day. lol Also, ask the vet because there are things you can put on a cat's fur that helps minimize dander. And keep him out of your bedroom, so you have one dander-free zone, preferably where you sleep.

You might find with a little bit of precautions and a bit of time, you can keep him and still live comfortably. And if your daughter has sensory issues, it's possible that having a cat, and the sensation of petting it, the feel of the fur, especially if she loves it, and visa versa, depending on the age of your daughter, could even be used to help her in many ways.

I don't know what kind or the intensity of your daughter's sensory issues are, but if you brush her skiin, doing a double brushing (you brushing her while she brushes the kitten) might be a great way to get her to be even more responsive.

Good luck!

Just a note about sensory issues--mine are due to Asperger syndrome; and I feel quite calmed by the presence of a cat, especially if I can pet him or her, or the cat is leaning against me or sitting on my lap. There's just something about the feel of fur, and the steady sort of pressure you get when a cat sits on you or leans on you that is very comforting.

Maybe your daughter can get the same benefits (depends on where her particular sensory problems come from, naturally!).

A tip on homing a kitten: When the kitten is young and cute, find someone who will promise to adopt it (sneaky, but it works). They can visit the kitten weekly (maybe an hour on Saturdays, or whatever) until it is ready to live on its own. This way you can be sure of getting an owner for the kitten while it is still charming and young; a grown cat is harder to adopt out. And finding someone early will also allow the kitten to get used to its new owner before it goes away--important; stressed cats can have behavior problems.

Oh, and ask the new owner to pay for kitty's shots and promise to neuter him. This will assure you that s/he really does intend to properly care for the cat.

It turns out that for a little kitten found in the backyard, this one has been pretty fortunate as it's had no shortage of people willing to take it in! The first situation I wasn't totally comfortable sending it into, then a family said they could give it a permanant home when it's weaned, and after that I ran into another woman who could have taken it now.

Thank you for the odor advice. I hadn't thought the info on stimulating would be applicable to kittens this old but that paper towel did the trick and we had no accidents yesterday. I can't say it liked it a whole lot but then again it *hated* the clean up under the stream of warm water it took to get it clean when it peed all over. It got over it in about a minute--purring after being wrapped up and snuggled so I didn't worry about traumatizing it too badly.

My daughter is getting along famously with this little fella but I do have a son who leans a little in the direction of Asperger's and he's the one with the sensory issues. He's really regulated right now--handling odors better and trying new foods--so I'd like to keep it that way! He's not to the point of sitting around and doing a lot of petting but I'll keep the extra brushing, etc. as he hopefully moves in that direction. I'm just thrilled that he's handled this disruption to our household so well but he'll make better progress from here on out if this kitten smells good!

Good for you for taking this little guy in!!

One slight alteration to the above advice: Toilet paper or kleenex is softer than paper towels and easier on their behinds. I don't wet them - just wipe to stimulate. Kittens usually start using a litter box about 3-1/2 to 4 weeks, so when you stimulate him, do it over the litter box - he will relate elimination to the litter box.

Originally Posted by Pippen

It turns out that for a little kitten found in the backyard, this one has been pretty fortunate as it's had no shortage of people willing to take it in! The first situation I wasn't totally comfortable sending it into, then a family said they could give it a permanant home when it's weaned, and after that I ran into another woman who could have taken it now.

Thank you for the odor advice. I hadn't thought the info on stimulating would be applicable to kittens this old but that paper towel did the trick and we had no accidents yesterday. I can't say it liked it a whole lot but then again it *hated* the clean up under the stream of warm water it took to get it clean when it peed all over. It got over it in about a minute--purring after being wrapped up and snuggled so I didn't worry about traumatizing it too badly.

My daughter is getting along famously with this little fella but I do have a son who leans a little in the direction of Asperger's and he's the one with the sensory issues. He's really regulated right now--handling odors better and trying new foods--so I'd like to keep it that way! He's not to the point of sitting around and doing a lot of petting but I'll keep the extra brushing, etc. as he hopefully moves in that direction. I'm just thrilled that he's handled this disruption to our household so well but he'll make better progress from here on out if this kitten smells good!

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Please be careful who you are giving the kitten to. Do you know these people from elsewhere? There are some unscrupulous people out there who try to get kittens under all kinds of stories who sell them to labs, etc.

If you don't know these people, and you don't want to do it yourself, I would strongly recommend contacting a rescue group in your area. They make sure the kittens are spay/neutered, have the shots they need, and are very careful in investigationg and visitng any potential homes.

People will say and promise a lot, these people are more trained in recognizing the real atmosphere of a home.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Charmed654321

Please be careful who you are giving the kitten to. Do you know these people from elsewhere? There are some unscrupulous people out there who try to get kittens under all kinds of stories who sell them to labs, etc.

If you don't know these people, and you don't want to do it yourself, I would strongly recommend contacting a rescue group in your area. They make sure the kittens are spay/neutered, have the shots they need, and are very careful in investigationg and visitng any potential homes.

People will say and promise a lot, these people are more trained in recognizing the real atmosphere of a home.

Good luck!

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Don't worry--this little guy isn't going anywhere unless I feel right about it. I've had to make a hard choice already my first time out. I delivered it to the home of the first offer to care for it and after summing things up I quickly made up a lame lie (I couldn't believe I did it afterwards) and brought the kitten back home. I do believe the offer was kind and legitimate but it wasn't a setting I felt comfortable leaving it in. My daughter was upset about sending it to a home we didn't know and I knew I couldn't come home and look her in the eye and assure her that I felt the kitten had a good home. That afternoon a neighbor whom I trust called saying she had a home for it with a family nearby that she knows and trusts.

Another question: yesterday I ran out of the canned KMR and used the powdered instead according to package directions. It seems runnier than the canned and this baby was chowing down like crazy yesterday and this morning. Is there a difference in the thickness or could either of those medications effect appetite?

I'm really glad to hear what you did, and good for you! I had a similar situation.

When Deja Vu had her kittens, I had promised one to my neighbor (and who is also somewhat of a friend) who had never had a cat before. I explalined everything I felt she needed to know, not only how to care for it, but what the responsibilitly entailed, and what the kitten would need emotionally as well as physically. She said she understood, and promised to do all the things she needed to for the kitten.

The day came when it was time for the kitten to go to her new home. I brought her over, we set her up, and I left them to get to know each other. A half hour later I saw her leave the house. She decided to go play cards at her sister's house and left this poor kitten, who had just been taken from her mother and siblings and was terrified, all alone for the first time in her life in a strange place. As you can imagine, I was beside myself.

I kept watch until I saw the woman's lights go back on and I went over. The kitten had been hiding under her bed. As soon as she saw and heard me, she let out a howl that I've never heard the like of in my life, and will never forgot. She ran over to me and I picked her up, and held her until she stopped howling and shaking, which seemed like forever. I don't know who was crying louder, Katie or me. My neighbor thought I was nuts. She said, "It's just a cat." Sigh.

Needless to say, I took her home. This woman and I are civil, but the friendship was ruined. No big loss. She shouldn't have lied to me, she should have gone by her word, and I'm glad I found out early enough she was full of it to do something about it.

So I know somewhat how you must have felt at that moment, it's a tough, scary situation. I empathize, and also give you lots of kudos for having the strength to do what you did. It's very difficult.

I ended up giving the kitten to the rescue group that found homes for the other kittens, and Katie Scarlett got her forever home ... with the daughter of a vet, no less

If you're curious, here's a link to a picture of Katie Scarlett when she was about 5 weeks old. Katie is the one on the right. She was always the prettiest of them all, and grew to be even prettier. The one on the left who looks like trouble (he is lol) and very much like the Pink Panther is Rocky Rockette. He and his mom (who was 7 weeks pregnant when she found her way to my door) stayed.

The 1st pic is of Mom and a few babies. Scroll down to the 3rd post in the thread (my second) and you'll see a picture of 2 kittens sitting next to each other. Rocky-Rockette left, Katie Scarlett (the naughty beauty -- name fits her) on the right.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80478

Charmed, darling kittens and what a story! I could just imagine the neighbor's response when you broke the news to her. This little guy was so scared that he needed constant care when he was awake for those first two days. Granted he is littler but being taken away from the only home you've known is hard at any age. Yikes!

I will confess when I was driving home I did one of those "slap myself on the head what was I thinking of turning her down?" numbers. (Don't know what I'm doing, 3 of us have allergies/sinus issues, etc....) I came home and called the shelter to talk through the various options. My kids were sure surprised when they got home and found the kitten in the kitchen!

We had a bit of a situation this weekend. Saturday it was acting a little funny--sleeping more, less lively, not wanting to be held much, and bottomless pit at feeding time. I'd had it to the vet Friday who dewormed and gave me Albon so I was thinking that might have been the problem. Yesterday morning when it ate it was frantic and hungry again shortly afterwards and that time I knew something was wrong because it actually scratched me trying to get the food in fast enough. I'd made the changeover from canned KMR to the powdered form so I sent my husband for another can and when I came home from church he was feeding calmly again. I checked online and it said to make the change in diet gradually but it didn't say it on the packaging. Sigh...

Despite not feeling 100%, kitten did discover that kitchen exploration and blanket attack is much more fun than hanging out on our laps though. If it could talk in words I think it would be saying "Let me down. No more of this baby love stuff for me...!"