Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   I got my kitten Thaddeus last Friday he's only 7 weeks old a bit young to take from his mother but I got him from the shelter since I'd rather help a cat out then buy one from a pet shop.

   There's a few things bothering me and a few worrying me.

   But anyway he's really clingy if I leave him alone he mews at the door wont stop. I feel so bad leaving him alone but I cant stay with him 24/7 I need to sleep and I have classes does anyone know of a way to get him to stop mewing at the door I know he's young and I think it's just separation anxiety from being away from his mother.

   Now for whats worrying me.

   I've been feeding him formula and wet cat food he's got the runs I think that's due to over feeding, He also cries non stop if I get up to leave he cries for me to come back I think he's teething would that cause a kitten to cry like he is?

   Sorry if that isnt clear I've been up for 20 hour's.

   Is there anything I can do to help his teething be less painful he's so pitiful and I feel awful.

   Posted 3 years ago by ColinZeal #

2. 

   Bless you for giving Thaddeus a forever home and welcome to the Daily Kitten! You will find lots of very experienced people here who love cats and will be very generous with advice.

   I think this is very typical behavior for a young kitten. If you can imagine what you would feel like being taken from your mom and siblings at an early age to go to a noisy shelter, then moved again to a home, you can understand why Thaddeus might be upset. He misses his mom and siblings. He believes you are the only one who can meet his needs for food and comforting which is why he keeps crying for you and trying to get to you. It's actually a very good survival skill in the wild. :)

   As far as I know, having diarrhea is not an indication of overfeeding. He may have an upset tummy or a bug of some sort. Have you had him checked out by a vet? It is very important that you take him in to be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline HIV which are communicable to other cats (not humans). A vet will test him for worms and treat him. Do you know what vet care, if any, he received at the shelter?

   The danger with diarrhea is dehydration. Kittens can go down hill very quickly if they get dehydrated. Make sure he is getting enough fluid. You say you have been feeding him formula. Is it KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement)? Cow's milk can give kittens diarrhea because they don't digest it well.

   You might want to consider letting Thaddeus sleep with you. It would be a great comfort to him and you can get some sleep too. (Our two cats sleep with us.) It's actually quite nice to have a little foot warmer on top of the covers. Some folks' cats sleep on their pillow or cuddled into their necks. If that's not your cup of tea, then make him a soft nest with towels or a little blanket. You might want to get him a small stuffed animal to cuddle up against.

   Other more experienced folks will post here so please keep checking back!

   I look forward to hearing more about Thaddeus. When you have time, you can upload a photo of him and use it as your avatar here.

   Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

3. 

   Colin, he is used to cuddling up with his mum and littermates. KW's advice is wonderful above and she's right, best way to stop a kitten crying when you want to go to sleep is to put him on the pillow right next to you. (Your head is nice and warm for him, too.) The rest of the time, when you're at home studying or whatever, curl him up on your chest; he should soon go to sleep.

   A smallish soft toy he can cuddle up to in a soft warm bed of some kind (maybe an unwashed sweater of yours with your smell on it) might help, as might an alarm clock wrapped in a towel, for the tick (make sure the alarm's off). If he seems cold, a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel can help, as long as he has room to move off the bottle when he gets too hot.

   I assume you've been feeding him KMR (kitten milk replacement) formula? Diarrhea can lead to dehydration quickly in a kitten. Hopefully some of our more knowledgeable members will be on to help you soon but in the meantime, Ann Cetera's advice about weaning and loose stools on this thread: http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/10716 might help. Keep checking back as I'm sure others will help as they come on. Good luck with your little one, he is only a baby and wee babies do cry a lot but bless you for wanting to be a good dad!

   Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

4. 

   Here is another discussion of kitten's crying: http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/9093

   Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

5. 

   Another possible solution is to bring him a little brother or sister home from the shelter! They will be comforted sleeping together and will help keep each other occupied while you are out. However, this is not always practical or possible, we know!

   Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

6. 

   I've been giving him KMR although my girlfriend did give him some milk yesterday.

   I've got an old blanket I sleep with in the room for him to sleep on but he refuses to sleep on anything all he wants to do is lay on the bed. I cant let him sleep with me I toss alot at night dont wanna squish him.

   I haven't taken him to the vet yet he's had his rabies shots and I need to get him checked for Feline Leukemia my friend had a cat with it and it was just awful what it did to that poor cat.

   His litter mates arent up for adoption yet they had just gotten back from the vets office when I got Thaddeus.

   [IMG]http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd334/CoolerThenDrugs/Image009.jpg[/IMG] Theres a picture of him his litter mates look just like him. I couldn't get the sig site to work for some reason.

   Posted 3 years ago by ColinZeal #

7. 

   Hi, again Colin, if your girlfriend gave him cows' milk, then that's probably what's causing the diarrhoea. Not a good idea!

   If you settle him on a pillow next to your head, you won't squish him! Or let him go to sleep on your chest and then move him to the pillow when he's asleep. Hopefully, he'll just wake up long enough to yawn then snuggle back down. Or put him on a pillow next to your pillow and cup your hands around him till he goes to sleep. Is his blanket in a draught-free box? Try the snuggly toy and the hot water bottle, it might just work.

   Good luck and keep us posted!

   Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

8. 

   All the above is excellent advice. I would however suggest that you get him a box or basket to put the blanket into. A little kitten does not like huge open spaces. They don't feel safe or secure because they don't understand it yet. Maybe you could put the box next to your bed. If he is only about 7 weeks old a box the size of a shoe box is probably a little too small but you don't want a great big one either. The diarrhea is most surely brought on by the milk. Please make sure your room-mate doesn't give him anymore. A kitten can become dehydrated from diarrhea and die from it within a matter of hours so it is very important this doesn't happen. Good luck.

   Posted 3 years ago by petpntr #

9. 

   Awww, Thaddeus is a sweet lil' tabby! He is truly adorable.

   Posted 3 years ago by miu #

10. 

    He's a very sweet cat.

    A bit of an update I think he's eating too much which would explain his diarrhea. He's also been using the potty under the bed my outdoor cat Akira used to do the same thing when he was a baby so I'm hoping Thaddeus will grow out of that.

    Posted 3 years ago by ColinZeal #

11. 

    Cute little baby Thaddeus.. thanks for saving him.

    Posted 3 years ago by SammyandOliversmama #

12. 

    CZ,
    My Abby, was rescued by the Siamese rescue society during the Charley, Francais hurricane seasons in Fla. in 2004. She was so tiny when she came to me, and cried all the time. I think I held her the entire first month I had her, she really needed that bonding - so I totally understand what you're going through. I got her one of those small round sheepskin beds for cats, and a small white stuffed animal (which is now grey with age & dirt). Everytime I held her, I had the little stuffed animal in my arms too. So everytime I picked her up I had the toy too. That way, both her and my scent got on it, and when I had to leave her for a while, I made sure I put her in her bed with the toy. At night I would put her little bed on the floor right next to mine. She would start out sleeping with me, then when I got ready to turn out the light, I would put her in her bed with the toy. After a while of consistent routine, she "got it". She knew that was her bed (her spot), and the little stuffed kitty was her comfort thing. She would curl up around "white kitty" and go to sleep. The nice thing about those little sheepskin beds is that they can travel - I move it down to my office downstairs during the day when I work; it fits in her travel carrier when we go on a plane. Abby is very attached to me, and she will still cry when I leave the room, but it's more a cry of "I want to come with you" than it is of desperation! Hubby says she quits in just a few minutes, and is fine until I get back. So good luck, it always makes me feel good to be so "needed"; you just need patience and training with your little one - she will probably turn out to be the best kitty you ever have!!

    Posted 3 years ago by AV #

13. 

    AbbigaleViolet I'll try that but untill I can get back to the store he's taken to sitting on the Modem to my internet I guess it makes a sound he enjoys.

    I took him to the vet today the vet took a stool sample and his temperature he wasnt happy about that. He said he was fine for that and if he still has diarrhea to bring him back in two days. I've got him eating solid food now.

    He's even sleeping without me in the room thanks to the modem. <3 old hot modems.

    Posted 3 years ago by ColinZeal #

14. 

    That is great news, CZ! You are taking wonderful care of little Thaddeus! Please keep posting to let us know how he is and how all are adjusting to this new litte guy. :)

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

15. 

    The modem probably emits heat, and that as well as a comforting "hummm.." is probaby comforting to him. Let us know how he's doing

    Posted 3 years ago by AV #

16. 

    Welcome to TDK CZ!!

    Posted 3 years ago by 2bpurring #

17. 

    Hi
    I have also got a kitten aged 7 weeks from a rescue centre -mum was killed in a farm accident when Kizzi was 5 weeks old. I have had her 5 weeks now, so she is 12 weeks old, still a very small kitten .
    I took her to the Vet a few days after she came to me for a 'well kitten free check-up', I was told NEVER to give her cows milk as kittens are lactose intolerant, so never give her milk that is what probably caused the runs!Water only or as a treat special cat-milk which you buy from your pet store/supermarket.
    Kizzi has lots of stimulation and toys so that helps, she does come to me in the late evening and nibble my tshirt almost in ecstasy, she stretched her claws out and in and lies across me nibbling and getting tshirt wet LOL - is this because she is bonding with me and missing her mum?

    Posted 3 years ago by Kizzi'sMum #

18. 

    Welcome to TDK Libra...she is suckeling..and because she misses her mum!! but many kitties suckel and continue to do this through their entire lives..My kitty Blackbeard just turned 1 yr old and he loves to suckel on a big fuzzy robe.

    Posted 3 years ago by 2bpurring #

19. 

    There is a product for just about anything out there.

    http://www.catsifier.com/

    http://www.kittenpacifier.com/

    Posted 3 years ago by ailuromaniac #

20. 

    Bit of an update.

    Thaddeus is doing fine now.

    He stopped crying all the time and his diarrhea has gone away I've got him eating solid cat food and I'm letting him wander around the house at night he's sleeping more too.

    Posted 3 years ago by ColinZeal #

21. 

    Great news, CZ!

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

22. 

    So far I am quite strict with my kitten. She is not allowed in the lounge unless we are with her -usually in the evenings as I have new wallpaper and sofas there,or upstairs I shut the doors when we go to bed and hope to do this even when she is a roaming cat in the house, but no doubt she may sneek upstairs now and again!!
    she stays in the kitchen with her toys soft fleecy blanket , igloo type basket and scratch pole when I go out and is quite happy for a few hours. Luckly I only work 2 days a week and even come home for lunch.

    My legs are covered in scratches though as she jumps up my leg to get onto my lap, the vet even cut them when she had her first injection 2 weeks ago but her claws seem to have grown again. Is this something I just have to put up with -help! My legs -above knees look horrible at the moment!

    Posted 3 years ago by Kizzi'sMum #

23. 

    KM I once fostered 4 kittens. My legs looked like I had some strange disease with all the little pinholes in them from their claws. They will grow out of it because they will get bigger and be able to spring onto your lap instead of climbing up them. Once I was standing at the kitchen sink getting dinner and 2 of them decided they wanted to see what I was doing. They jumped on my track pants and pulled them down. I kid you not. It's just a good thing I was alone because that must have been some sight.

    Posted 3 years ago by petpntr #

24. 

    There is a product you can put on the claws that prevents scratches. It is called Soft Paws. http://www.softpaws.com/

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

25. 

    When Kizzi's able to jump into your lap, rather than climb, she will. In the meantime, if she looks like she's going to climb into your lap, pre-empt her actions by picking her up and putting her into your lap, then petting her. If she tries to climb you, when it hurts, you can very loudly say, "Ow! That hurts!" Chances are she'll be so startled that she'll let go.

    (Find other, easier ways for her to get into your lap, and chances are she'll prefer them to the loud noises you'll make when she climbs you.)

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

26. 

    Kitten update!

    Thaddeus is doing just fine he really looks healthy now he's gained a few pounds he's playing bright eyed and bushy tailed. HE sleeps by himself uses his litter box although he does still have accidents i scared him the other day and he peed on me but I kinda had it coming.

    He plays from the time he gets up at 7 to the time he goes to bed.

    He really likes dry cat food too and he's just fine being left alone while I go to school or while I'm on the phone.

    Posted 3 years ago by ColinZeal #

27. 

    That is wonderful news, Colin. I'm so happy for you and Thaddeus!! Do you think you could upload a photo of him to put in your avatar? :)

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

28. 

    Somehow Thaddeus has managed to cut his whiskers on one side.

    Do cats do that for any reason?

    Posted 3 years ago by ColinZeal #

29. 

    Do you have any other cats, Colin? When my cats were kittens one of them chewed off about 3/4 of the length of the other on both sides! I've not heard of a cat cutting off its own whiskers.

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

30. 

    A friend of mine had a lovely Persian (but he wasn't too bright, bless him, the Persian, not the friend) and he went to sleep with his whiskers against the heater and frizzled them; they became very short and curly on one side...

    Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

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