adopting a stray??

my friend has a tiny kitten hanging around at his house. They already have two cats and a dog so they aren't interested in taking it in. I was thinking of adopting it but, having never had a cat I'm not sure what I will need to do.

I have extensive experience with dogs (we had four in the house together at one point) so I have a good vet already lined up, but I just wanted a better idea of what I'd be getting into.

Also, I was wondering if there was a way I could tell how old it is. It's really tiny, fits in the palm of my hand, but it runs around and jumps like a maniac. I read on a website that I'm supposed to take it for shots at 8 weeks, but should I just take it to the vet right away since I'm not sure how old it is?

thanks for any advice!

Originally Posted by eriknilsen

my friend has a tiny kitten hanging around at his house. They already have two cats and a dog so they aren't interested in taking it in. I was thinking of adopting it but, having never had a cat I'm not sure what I will need to do.

I have extensive experience with dogs (we had four in the house together at one point) so I have a good vet already lined up, but I just wanted a better idea of what I'd be getting into.

Also, I was wondering if there was a way I could tell how old it is. It's really tiny, fits in the palm of my hand, but it runs around and jumps like a maniac. I read on a website that I'm supposed to take it for shots at 8 weeks, but should I just take it to the vet right away since I'm not sure how old it is?

thanks for any advice!

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Welcome to TCS.....first, are you sure this little one doesn't have a mom cat close by?? The reason I ask is that if it does have it's mom around...it is actually better for it to stay with mom until it is older. From your description..it sounds like it is less than 6 weeks of age.

If you have determined this little one does not have a mom cat close by...I would first get it trapped in a carrier and I would take it to be seen by a vet. Especially if it was abandoned..you do not know if it is indeed healthy and a vet check will give you an approximate age. Depending on whether it has ever eaten solid food or not..you could wind up having to nurse it as well as teach it how to use a litterbox.

This site will be very helpful:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/

Katie

thanks! i wouldn't have to worry about trapping it, it's very social with people and the other animals, except the dog, it runs away.

they said it's been there a week or so, hanging around their patio and they've seen no other cats around.

Well I woud definately get it in from outside. It is way too dangerous for such a young kitten all alone out there. Whether you end up keeping it or not, please get him in.

I would take him right to the vet for a general checkup, deworming, check for fleas and determine age. Schedule him for his first shots and neutering and everything whenever the vet sayd he is ready.

I think cats are way easier then dogs. Don't have to worry if you spend a day away cuz you don't have to rush home to let the cat out to go to the bathroom, they usually won't destroy your house when you are gone, etc... heh I mean all dogs don't do that of course.

If you have dog experience then I think you should go for it and bring the little guy in. We can answer all your questions here to help you out if you have any. Good luck!!

Originally Posted by eriknilsen

my friend has a tiny kitten hanging around at his house. They already have two cats and a dog so they aren't interested in taking it in. I was thinking of adopting it but, having never had a cat I'm not sure what I will need to do.

I have extensive experience with dogs (we had four in the house together at one point) so I have a good vet already lined up, but I just wanted a better idea of what I'd be getting into.

Also, I was wondering if there was a way I could tell how old it is. It's really tiny, fits in the palm of my hand, but it runs around and jumps like a maniac. I read on a website that I'm supposed to take it for shots at 8 weeks, but should I just take it to the vet right away since I'm not sure how old it is?

thanks for any advice!

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Good luck making your decision - but I would second the advice of the other posters - if you're certain it's on its own you should take it in, even if you don't plan on keeping it - sadly it's a tough world out there and that kitten is really young.

Oh, and if you are wondering about what living with a kitty is like, just browse through this forum - you will see all the wonderful, sad, scary, wild, wacky, special things they do and why we love them so very much.