Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:11 PM
phylny (7,979 posts)
Happy update! Was: I need kitten advice!Last edited Tue Jul 3, 2018, 07:19 PM - Edit history (1)
Updated to add, Lady Liberty, AKA Libby, has found her forever home. She was presented by her new mom to her new brother as "his" kitten. He is over the moon happy. Libby spent the morning snuggling with her new human siblings. I purchased a case of cat food and gave her new mom some money to cover the cost of the first vet visit.
-------------------------------- Thanks to all. Oh, BTW, she not only pooped on the towel in the "shower hotel" last night, but pooped in the crate on the way to her new home today. Such a little thing made such a stink! As I was driving today, I turned a corner and the car ahead of me was stopped. The door opened, an arm came down, and then they pulled away. I saw something in the road, and thought it might be a dead opossum. Nope. It was a tiny kitten. It was 91 degrees and someone dropped it on asphalt. I have a home for it starting tomorrow, but tonight it's safe in my glass-enclosed shower. A couple of questions: I've put water in a shallow bowl, and it's eaten a bit of cat food twice. Is it okay for me to leave the cat food out for it? It hasn't had a drink that I can tell. I have a towel in the corner of the shower for it to curl up in. I have made a litter box with a shallow cardboard box and some newspaper. I've given it some cuddles as well. Is there anything else I'm missing until I deliver it tomorrow? How often to cats urinate/defecate? Drink water? What should I worry about? Will it make itself warm enough in the shower? Our air conditioning is at about 75 in the house. Thanks, from a dog owner!
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36 replies, 2955 views
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Author | Time | Post |
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phylny | Jul 2018 | OP |
mr_lebowski | Jul 2018 | #1 | |
ginnyinWI | Jul 2018 | #20 | |
mr_lebowski | Jul 2018 | #24 | |
applegrove | Jul 2018 | #2 | |
Rorey | Jul 2018 | #30 | |
Phoenix61 | Jul 2018 | #3 | |
phylny | Jul 2018 | #8 | |
Phoenix61 | Jul 2018 | #10 | |
Laffy Kat | Jul 2018 | #27 | |
safeinOhio | Jul 2018 | #4 | |
Hoyt | Jul 2018 | #5 | |
TomSlick | Jul 2018 | #6 | |
Leghorn21 | Jul 2018 | #7 | |
LSFL | Jul 2018 | #9 | |
phylny | Jul 2018 | #14 | |
democrank | Jul 2018 | #11 | |
Corvo Bianco | Jul 2018 | #12 | |
phylny | Jul 2018 | #13 | |
onecaliberal | Jul 2018 | #16 | |
radical noodle | Jul 2018 | #19 | |
ginnyinWI | Jul 2018 | #21 | |
Number9Dream | Jul 2018 | #22 | |
mr_lebowski | Jul 2018 | #23 | |
Leghorn21 | Jul 2018 | #29 | |
Duppers | Jul 2018 | #15 | |
fierywoman | Jul 2018 | #17 | |
Demovictory9 | Jul 2018 | #18 | |
catbyte | Jul 2018 | #25 | |
phylny | Jul 2018 | #34 | |
raging moderate | Jul 2018 | #26 | |
braddy | Jul 2018 | #28 | |
Guilded Lilly | Jul 2018 | #31 | |
FuzzyRabbit | Jul 2018 | #32 | |
phylny | Jul 2018 | #35 | |
TomSlick | Jul 2018 | #33 | |
irisblue | Jul 2018 | #36 |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:15 PM
mr_lebowski (31,031 posts)
1. My cat, MUCH larger, eats a bout 2/3 cup of kibble a day, and drinks about 1 cup of water
A kitten ... doesn't need much. S/He will probably pee 3-4 times and pop 1-2 times a day. It's maybe not going to use the box though, so keep an eye on that. 75 is fine if you give it a plush towel to lie on. A kitten is fine to leave food out for, yes. Only fat kitties need to be limited from eating on demand, basically.
BTW ... WHAT A DICK this person was. Fucker. |
Response to mr_lebowski (Reply #1)
Tue Jul 3, 2018, 10:26 AM
ginnyinWI (17,276 posts)
20. All kittens should be free-fed for their first months.
They are growing fast. You can start to put on the brakes when they are older, say 8 months or so.
If the kitten is only five weeks old, it will need wet food rather than dry, until all its teeth are in. You can easily look in her mouth and see. |
Response to ginnyinWI (Reply #20)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 12:38 AM
mr_lebowski (31,031 posts)
24. Concur, I should've been clearer ... fat ADULT cats is what I meant. (nt)
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:18 PM
applegrove (111,791 posts)
2. Yes leave the wet food out. It will get water that way. If it is wet food.
Poor little guy. I would take it to bed with me but I bet your dogs might not like that so better you keep it separate from them. You've done a great deed.
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Response to applegrove (Reply #2)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 04:06 PM
Rorey (8,031 posts)
30. I don't think taking a little kitten to bed is a great idea.
I still haven't told my son what happened to a kitten when he was an adolescent. He's 34 now. I'm glad I found the kitten before he woke up. It was the only time I ever lied to him.
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Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:20 PM
Phoenix61 (15,425 posts)
3. Has it pooped?
Really young kittens can't poop on their own. You have to poop them by rubbing their butt with a warm, wet cloth.
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Response to Phoenix61 (Reply #3)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:29 PM
phylny (7,979 posts)
8. I don't see poop yet, and I'm willing to stimulate it.
The cat rescue thought by the weight it was about 5-6 weeks old. It's eating, knows what to do with the wet food.
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Response to phylny (Reply #8)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:34 PM
Phoenix61 (15,425 posts)
10. At that age it should be fine
You did a wonderful thing. I can't believe someone would dump a kitten on the road like that. What a not nice person.(I'm trying to clean up my language
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Response to Phoenix61 (Reply #10)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 03:54 PM
Laffy Kat (15,498 posts)
27. You mean an asshole? (I don't care about my language.)
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Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:20 PM
safeinOhio (29,793 posts)
4. How tiny is it?
Might not be weened and need to be bottle fed. Talk to pet store about formula. Best of luck.
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Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:20 PM
Hoyt (54,770 posts)
5. I've had a number of cats, sounds to me like you are doing a great job. Thanks for saving him too.
Definitely fine to leave food out. I bet it has taken some water. Might want to put a couple of dishes in there. The towel should do the trick, although you might add another one if it's small. Unless the shower is really cold, 75 should be fine. I would hope the new owner will get him checked out.
If she looks strong when you pick her up, she's probably OK until new owner can have her checked. My cat thanks you too. |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:21 PM
TomSlick (10,269 posts)
6. Good on you!
Leaving the food out should be OK.
Depending on how long the kitten will stay, a layer of kitty litter in the box would help. Cats instinctively dig and bury. I doubt a kitten would understand paper in a box. I think the temp should be OK. Cuddles are a good idea. I suspect the poor thing is traumatized. However, cuddling a kitten will make it difficult to let go. I hated cats until Herself conned me into naming one and holding it. Now, I'm a dog and cat person. I remain fundamentally opposed to capital punishment but anyone who would dump an animal is due a sound beating. |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:29 PM
Leghorn21 (13,219 posts)
7. Oh, THANK YOU, phylny!! And sounds as if you're doing everything you need to keep this baby
comfy and, yeah, alive!
Cats by and large will poop once a day and maybe pee twice...I’m no expert, but have had cats for one billion years! If Baby is old enough to eat, that’s great, and, wet or dry, it’s fine to leave it out for the night. Puppies will, like, eat till they’re near dead, but kitties don’t tend to do that. Cats don’t drink much water, as other poster pointed out, so especially, if he/she is eating some wet food, that will keep baby hydrated. The towel should be just fine for comfort and warmth. THANK YOU for fetching that lil baby out of the road and bringing it to your perfect home/shower!!! ![]() |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:34 PM
LSFL (1,109 posts)
9. are your dogs cool with the kitten?
Pre-weened cats do need stimulation to defecate. My feral Dominoes Cat stepped up and licked. the crap out of my foundling kitty and now they are inseparable. I call them "The Family" and along with my complicity my Wally Cat and Squeak kitty are ruling the roost. If one of your canines wants to eat a bit of kitten poo...you might have some magic!
DOMINOES FOR LIFE AND FAMILY FOREVER! Thanks for saving the kitten, friend. Many would have driven on. |
Response to LSFL (Reply #9)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:47 PM
phylny (7,979 posts)
14. My dogs are interested, but the kitten
does not need that drama. Plus, we're dogsitting our daughter and son-in-law's two dogs, one of which is infirm, and I'm freaking exhausted, and did NOT need this little kitten temporarily in my life, but damn, I'm glad I was there.
And who - WHO?? - drops a kitten on steaming asphalt and calmly drives away? |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:35 PM
democrank (10,505 posts)
11. Thank you for saving this little kitten.
Good luck~
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Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:36 PM
Corvo Bianco (1,148 posts)
12. Thank you for saving herm!
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:45 PM
phylny (7,979 posts)
13. Catpartment and occupant. Rent is reasonable LOL
[link:[img]
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Response to phylny (Reply #13)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:58 PM
onecaliberal (29,280 posts)
16. Thank you for saving the kitty.
Response to phylny (Reply #13)
Tue Jul 3, 2018, 02:30 AM
radical noodle (7,750 posts)
19. What a beautiful kitten
It looks like a Siamese. I think you're doing great. The kitten looks big enough to eat, drink, pee & poop on its own. I can't imagine why anyone would dump such a beautiful kittie. Thanks for doing this.
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Response to phylny (Reply #13)
Tue Jul 3, 2018, 10:29 AM
ginnyinWI (17,276 posts)
21. oh it's a Meezer!
That's shelter lingo for a Siamese mix. he/she looks older than five-six weeks. Maybe more like 7-9 weeks. Poor little thing to get dropped out of a car! What is wrong with some people???
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Response to phylny (Reply #13)
Tue Jul 3, 2018, 01:13 PM
Number9Dream (1,522 posts)
22. Looks like a pure-bred seal point Siamese... 7 - 10 weeks, maybe
Agree with ginnyinWI, it looks a bit older. Points are fairly developed. Beautiful creature! Some shithead dumped a cat worth $600 from a breeder. You're a great person for helping this little angel.
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Response to Number9Dream (Reply #22)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 12:37 AM
mr_lebowski (31,031 posts)
23. Totally concur ... i'd guess the jackhole who dumped it was punishing the person who bought
the cat by taking it away and dumping it. Some asshole spouse, perhaps?
That is definitely a pure-bred Seal Point, my ex-stepmom and mom of my brothers raised Siamese for half of my life. Siamese and Snowshoes (very close relative) are all I've ever owned, and along with Burmese is all anyone in my immediate family has. Unless you're friends or family of a breeder (or you come across some asshole dumping it), you're not getting that kitten cheap. Thanks for taking care of the baby!!! ![]() |
Response to phylny (Reply #13)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 04:02 PM
Leghorn21 (13,219 posts)
29. Oh, pretty baby!! Sorry about the errant poopies, but hey, who among us has NOT pooped on our
towel and/or in a car at some point?!?
Agree with above DUers, why, that’s an “old” baby kitty - which is GREAT, because the older she is, the better her odds for survival, as she can eat on her own...which is a GOOD thing! Congrats and kudos and THANK YOU, phylny!! ![]() |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 09:55 PM
Duppers (26,262 posts)
15. What Tom said above, "Cuddles are a good idea."
Just like young puppies, kittens need cuddles and reassurance. And they do purr when they feel safe.
Thank you, thank you for rescuing this baby. - Dog & Kitty person here |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Mon Jul 2, 2018, 10:29 PM
fierywoman (6,852 posts)
17. Looks like a Siamese -- beautiful cat. Thank you for what you're doing.
Response to phylny (Original post)
Tue Jul 3, 2018, 12:42 AM
Demovictory9 (29,871 posts)
18. people suck
Response to phylny (Original post)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 03:45 PM
catbyte (31,963 posts)
25. How wonderful! If you'd been in Michigan, I'd have taken her in a nanosecond, but
from your screen name, I just figured you were in New York. I'm so glad she has a home. You're a hero!
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Response to catbyte (Reply #25)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 11:43 PM
phylny (7,979 posts)
34. I was in NY when I joined DU, but now
we're in Virginia. Thanks for the kind words
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Response to phylny (Original post)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 03:53 PM
raging moderate (3,702 posts)
26. Bless your heart forever!
You are wonderful!
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Response to phylny (Original post)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 03:58 PM
braddy (3,585 posts)
28. Thanks for the update, that is great news.
Response to phylny (Original post)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 04:45 PM
Guilded Lilly (5,588 posts)
31. You are a hero! Beautiful babe you saved. Thank-you.
Response to phylny (Original post)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 04:55 PM
FuzzyRabbit (1,808 posts)
32. Thank you for rescuing the little kitty.
You did all the right things. Are you sure you're not a cat person?
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Response to FuzzyRabbit (Reply #32)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 11:44 PM
phylny (7,979 posts)
35. I'm sure. As I have said, cats like me. That is all
![]() I actually DO like cats, but I'm lucky we have two dogs. That's Mr. Phylny's limit! |
Response to phylny (Original post)
Wed Jul 4, 2018, 09:34 PM
TomSlick (10,269 posts)
33. You're a good person.
What you did earned some karma chips.
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Response to phylny (Original post)
Thu Jul 5, 2018, 10:22 AM
irisblue (30,646 posts)
36. You did a good thing.
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