I have not seen the kitten. I did not want to try to get momma to take the kittens back (our neighborhood is very dog heavy and close to traffic) but my boyfriend insisted we try as he thought it would be best. The black and white took the kitten but it was recently hit and killed. The other cat looks like the kittens. I am sure that I have had the kittens too long for her to recognize them but I want to try to keep the mom safe and have her fixed. I have an extra room she can stay in till I can get an appointment for her with no regular foot traffic. I'm just concerned about her and the other baby if it is still around.
I should also add that although I did try to wait as long as possible before scooping them up, she left them in a very dangerous spot. They were left in a tight corner of three yards. Mine with 3 dogs all over 70 lbs, one with 3 dogs over 90 lbs, and one with 8 dogs all over 50 lbs
I'm very confused here. The dad was killed? You see the mom around and can get her, but you're worried about the kitten you let the now-dead dad take, but haven't seen the kitten to know for sure? Is this right?
Yes, I see the one I think might be the mom and can try to get her. Just worried about the possibility of the kitten being out there. The one I suspected of being the dad (originally thought it was the mom) I saw on the side of the road. Should I just leave it be? Put out food for her? Try to trap her?
If she has the kitten, she will need to bring it around soon for weaning to wet food and kitten chow. You could start putting food out for mom twice a day to see if it will lure her, but I have to wonder where she's been eating the last few weeks? And how would you know if she's the one eating the food? And what if she's pregnant again?
Catching her soon is a good idea no matter what, or she'll continue adding to the stray/orphaned kitten population in your neighborhood. I'd give it a week to see if she comes to eat and brings the kitten.
Thank you! That's a great idea! Sorry for the confusion. My boyfriend and I are on opposite shifts so there would always be someone there to watch it. Any advice on the actual trapping of her or the kitten?
In general, feeding her in a crate will allow her to be comfortable in it, so that eventually you could close the door. A drop-trap works the same way. You only set the door to drop when ready to close it.
Just make a determination if there is a kitten or not first.
So all is going well with the babies. They are almost completely potty trained and are all weaning onto canned food. I also keep dry down at all times but as far as I can tell there has been no interest yet. I am feeding Nutro kitten chow and Nutro canned kitten pate in chicken (as well as continuing kmr). This may be a stupid question but, although consistency and color are on point, all of a sudden their poop really stinks. Like two rooms away stinks. Is this just their tummys getting used to the canned food? That's what I am assuming but you know what they say about that.... Lol. Just thought I would stay on safety's side and check!
Haven't seen either yet but I have food out and am continually looking. I was just concerned because I've had the little ones for a while and the smell is quite the new development. I did not experience a very strong odor until I started implementing canned food into their diet. I do realize that the amount or type of protein might be causing it although I had not considered worms. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't an early problem sign in regards to their diet change.As for the worming, isn't that done at 8 weeks? I believe that's what the vet told me at least. They are 5 weeks now and all are between a pound and one and a half. There are no worms visible at this point although I know they could have them just internally.
Kittens can be safely wormed at any time before 8 weeks. And the smell is from the food, but worms play a big part. Almost all stray kittens have worms.
I'm guessing the mom is pregnant again by now, and the kitten didn't make it unless someone took it in.
Guys, how can I help introduce water to the kitties during the weaning process? They love the canned food (alternating nutro's kitten chicken pate, and Fancy Feasts kitten turkey and fish flavors) mixed with the kmr. I have recently started adding in Nutro's kitten dry kibble. They love that too. I alternate these and bottle feedings every 3-4 hours through the day. I have just recently started actually sleeping 8 hours at night. They do have dry food and water during this time. I'm just concerned with their water intake as I gradually reduce the kmr as I have never seen them actually drink the water. Iv tried to introduce them in every way short of spoon, bottle, and syringe. Is this something that their body will gradually crave or should I start forcing it? Thanks as always for any information and for helping me raise these little buggers! You guys are beyond awesome!
Cats naturally get most of their water from their food, which is why there are so many threads about wet vs dry foods. The occasional cat won't touch wet foods and can get into trouble on occasion, but that is rare. My own cat won't even look at wet food, but she is one of the rare ones who suck back water like a camel after a race!