I got a cat (Dinah) that my friend took in as a stray, the vet thinks she's around 8-9 months old. I had no idea she was pregnant. The vet has suspicions, but even 2 weeks before she gave birth the vet said she couldn't feel any kittens. So what a surprise when I came home from work (exhausted because Dinah kept me up almost the whole night meowing at me) and there was a newborn kitten crying under my bed! It turns out she only had the one kitten, which works out much better for me and that means I can keep her.
Soo the kitten will be 4 weeks old on Friday. She seems to be reaching milestones early. She opened her eyes early, she's been running around for about a week and she started getting her teeth over a week ago.
I've never had a kitten before and was afraid to even look under my bed when I first heard her crying so I have some questions/concerns.
Dinah frequently pins the kitten down and bites at her, which at this point is understandable since the kitten's teeth hurt! It worries me because Dinah will hold her down, bite at her neck and kick with her back feet. The kitten doesn't cry unless Dinah does it for too long. I've seen her do this before, but it was with a tennis ball - not a kitten. Should I be worried? I'll break it up sometimes but I don't know if Dinah is teaching her kitten or if she forgets it's her baby and not a toy.
I just bought a can of the powdered KMR but last night I noticed the kitten was trying to eat Dinah's dry food. Should I continue with the KMR? The kitten is able to lap it up and Dinah enjoys it. I have a couple cans of Royal Canin Babycat (1-4 months) food, should I try this with the kitten? I'm worried she could choke on the dry kitten food since her teeth aren't fully in yet.
As far a litter box training what should I be doing? I have a box set up with Swheat litter. From what I've read the mom should teach this, but Dinah doesn't seem interested in the box and my adult cat (Kitty) sniffed it once and hasn't touched it since. The kitten is also uninterested. For Dinah and Kitty I use crystal litter, which I can't use for the kitten. Since both cats use litter boxes away from the kitten how will she learn?
Any advice/suggestions/help is appreciated.
Thanks!
Soo the kitten will be 4 weeks old on Friday. She seems to be reaching milestones early. She opened her eyes early, she's been running around for about a week and she started getting her teeth over a week ago.
I've never had a kitten before and was afraid to even look under my bed when I first heard her crying so I have some questions/concerns.
Dinah frequently pins the kitten down and bites at her, which at this point is understandable since the kitten's teeth hurt! It worries me because Dinah will hold her down, bite at her neck and kick with her back feet. The kitten doesn't cry unless Dinah does it for too long. I've seen her do this before, but it was with a tennis ball - not a kitten. Should I be worried? I'll break it up sometimes but I don't know if Dinah is teaching her kitten or if she forgets it's her baby and not a toy.
I just bought a can of the powdered KMR but last night I noticed the kitten was trying to eat Dinah's dry food. Should I continue with the KMR? The kitten is able to lap it up and Dinah enjoys it. I have a couple cans of Royal Canin Babycat (1-4 months) food, should I try this with the kitten? I'm worried she could choke on the dry kitten food since her teeth aren't fully in yet.
As far a litter box training what should I be doing? I have a box set up with Swheat litter. From what I've read the mom should teach this, but Dinah doesn't seem interested in the box and my adult cat (Kitty) sniffed it once and hasn't touched it since. The kitten is also uninterested. For Dinah and Kitty I use crystal litter, which I can't use for the kitten. Since both cats use litter boxes away from the kitten how will she learn?
Any advice/suggestions/help is appreciated.
Thanks!