Found kitten. What do I do?

[AwlOrganikLizz]

Hello all! Today has been eventful, when I was walking back up to the house from playing with the chickens I stumbled upon this kitten. Well a litter of kittens, but the others ran. This one walked up to me (slowly and suspiciously), let me pick her up, laid right in my arms. She was shivering, it's been very cold today. Her nose was runny, but other than that she looks very healthy. I think she's about 3 weeks old, walks but is wobbly, she has tiny tiny teeth. There's a lot of wild cats around my area. So right now she's in a box with a towel and heat lamp I used in my brooder. She's all curled up under the lamp, so cute! She's very relaxed and playful.

ANYWAYS.... What do I do for her? I got some formula and a bottle, she didn't eat right away but I wasn't expecting her to. I'm just looking for tips because I've never raised a kitten. Other animals, but not a kitten. Thanks for any advise and take a moment to admire her beauty

 

[Sienatiger]

I am sorry, I don't know much about cats. she is so cute though! are you planning to keep her?

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Beautiful baby!
What kind of formula? Cats have pretty specific dietary needs.
Can you get to a store tonight? I would guess she is about 4 weeks. She is probably old enough to eat canned cat food or moistened dry kitten food. Be sure and get kitten food not adult cat food. Don't give her milk, cows milk is not good for them.

 

[AwlOrganikLizz]

Thanks! Yes I'm planning on keeping her.... if my man will let me. He's gone hunting so I'm nervous about his reaction when he gets home hahah. But how could he say no to this face.... But if that fails I'll raise her until I can find a good home for her. There's good people around that would love to give her a home. I'll try to get to the store and get her some food, hopefully she eats! I'm not expecting her to eat right now, being in a new environment. But she is passed out now under the heat lamp, poor thing was so cold. I'm just hoping she eats before bed.

 

[torilovessmiles]

If she has teeth, she's old enough to start solid food. Feed her canned food and dry food soaked in water, but still give her some kitten formula for a couple more weeks. I've always trusted purina kitten chow for the solid food If she won't take the bottle (most kittens don't take it easily) use a dropper to squirt a little in her mouth at a time. They'll usually start sucking on it when they realize milk comes out of it. Then you can use the bottle.
Good luck with your little kitty! She's going to be a beautiful cat!

 

[dekel18042]

Hello all! Today has been eventful, when I was walking back up to the house from playing with the chickens I stumbled upon this kitten. Well a litter of kittens, but the others ran. This one walked up to me (slowly and suspiciously), let me pick her up, laid right in my arms. She was shivering, it's been very cold today. Her nose was runny, but other than that she looks very healthy. I think she's about 3 weeks old, walks but is wobbly, she has tiny tiny teeth. There's a lot of wild cats around my area. So right now she's in a box with a towel and heat lamp I used in my brooder. She's all curled up under the lamp, so cute! She's very relaxed and playful.

ANYWAYS.... What do I do for her? I got some formula and a bottle, she didn't eat right away but I wasn't expecting her to. I'm just looking for tips because I've never raised a kitten. Other animals, but not a kitten. Thanks for any advise and take a moment to admire her beauty

She's precious. Most canned cat foods are for all stages. If she isn't good at eating real solid food yet, you can add a little warmed water or you can get kitten formula either dried or canned at a pet food store and add to the canned cat food and make it more soupy.
If she's that young, you may want to feed her small meals four times day, gradually going to three then too.
In a bit you can add dry or soaked dry for her to eat.
Some people start kittens on human meat baby food but quickly switch over as that isn't nutritious enough by itself, Usually kittens still have mother's milk when this is given.
Provide a small bowl of water. You don't want her to dehydrate, which is why adding water to canned food is a good idea.
You should provide her with a small litter box, very close so she can find it. If she isn't used to going, after she eats, put her in it and scratch her feet in it. She should get the idea quickly.
If she's really young, you can take a damp warm tissue and stroke her tummy after she eats (mimicking a mother cat washing a baby) to get her to go, but she looks old enough to go on her own.
It's also a good idea to have her vet check to make sure she is healthy and the vet can advise you what shots a kitten needs.
Good luck.

 

[islandgirl82]

I've rescued and bottle fed several kittens under 8 weeks. Kitten formula is a must until they're at least 8 weeks old (I bottle fed mine until they were 10 weeks). Because she's still so young, limit the amount of canned and dry food. That needs to be introduced slowly and you can mix the kitten formula in with it to make it a little more familiar when the time comes. She will need to be fed every 2-4 hours around the clock and if you're late...rest assured she'll let you know it.

You'll also need to pay attention to whether she's going to the bathroom regularly and if she's not, wipe her bottom with a warm wet cloth. That will simulate the mother licking them to encourage them to go. Limit her space until she gets used to using a box too...if she's feral, she's used to going wherever.

Also, if you have a lot of strays in your area, you may want to consider contacting a local shelter and find out if they have a catch and release program. They will catch strays, spay/neuter them and then release them thus reducing the stray population.

 

[AwlOrganikLizz]

Thanks!! You all are a lot of help! She's very curious. She is really really tiny... I don't know if kittens are normally this tiny at this age, I've only ever had big kittens or adults. This is a new experience but I'm hoping she'll make a wonderful addition to the farmily.

 

[AwlOrganikLizz]

Can anyone tell me how often a kitten this age is supposed to poo? She hasn't gone yet. I've had her for about 4-5 hours. She was interested in the food/formula and water, but I wanted to give her some space so I'm not sure if shes eaten it on her own yet.

 

[islandgirl82]

She'll be stressed and scared because she just lost her whole family and everything she knew so it'll take her a little time to get used to you and the new surroundings. She also needs time to adjust from being fed by her mum to now trying to bottle feed and eat from a dish. Offer her a little bit at a time until she figures it out and then you can increase the amount you give her and do it less frequently. If she's not eating she won't be going to the bathroom. Cats eat and then groom before sleeping so use that time right after she eats to stimulate her digestion.