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- Apr 24, 2013
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Hi everyone!
This is my first post here. I just recently took in four foster kittens from my local shelter. They're unsure how old they are, but they estimated 2 weeks last Thursday. I think they're showing signs of being around three weeks (starting to poop by themselves, developing canines, walking faster).
Anyway, I wanted to ask for tips. Right now I feel like they're totally running my life, and it's driving me nuts. I mean, I really want to help them. There are no other foster families, so if I took them to the shelter, they'd go into a cage and I don't want that at all. So I really need to find a way to make things easier. This is what's happening right now:
1. They poop in their carrier, and one of them poops on me every time I feed her. I'm not sure what the deal is. I'm doing the "butt massage" before and after their meals, but when I take them out of their carrier in the morning, they're covered in poop. Invariably one of them poops and the others roll around in it. I read I can't use soap on them, so I just do spot cleaning and "butt baths" with warm water. They stink, though. Any ideas?
2. I've introduced a litter box yesterday, but so far they're not using it. I put them in it and help them scratch around. I thought they'd catch on quickly, but they're not. Am I doing something wrong?
I'm going to ask the vet these questions tomorrow, but I thought I'd see what you guys thought. I'd like to be able to work (I work from home) instead of spending the entire day washing them and their bedding and feeding them and re-washing them and myself. Sigh. I'm feeling a little run over right now.
Thanks for any advice!
This is my first post here. I just recently took in four foster kittens from my local shelter. They're unsure how old they are, but they estimated 2 weeks last Thursday. I think they're showing signs of being around three weeks (starting to poop by themselves, developing canines, walking faster).
Anyway, I wanted to ask for tips. Right now I feel like they're totally running my life, and it's driving me nuts. I mean, I really want to help them. There are no other foster families, so if I took them to the shelter, they'd go into a cage and I don't want that at all. So I really need to find a way to make things easier. This is what's happening right now:
1. They poop in their carrier, and one of them poops on me every time I feed her. I'm not sure what the deal is. I'm doing the "butt massage" before and after their meals, but when I take them out of their carrier in the morning, they're covered in poop. Invariably one of them poops and the others roll around in it. I read I can't use soap on them, so I just do spot cleaning and "butt baths" with warm water. They stink, though. Any ideas?
2. I've introduced a litter box yesterday, but so far they're not using it. I put them in it and help them scratch around. I thought they'd catch on quickly, but they're not. Am I doing something wrong?
I'm going to ask the vet these questions tomorrow, but I thought I'd see what you guys thought. I'd like to be able to work (I work from home) instead of spending the entire day washing them and their bedding and feeding them and re-washing them and myself. Sigh. I'm feeling a little run over right now.
Thanks for any advice!