Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   hey everyone. i just found a kitten in my backyard. it was really cold out and she was shivering and crying, so i took her in - apparently she got separated from her mom somehow. i took her to the vet already, but got told that shes too young still for most of her vaccinations. thankfully, the vet said she was in good health, so thats a plus.

   basically, i have a few questions about things the kitten is doing that im concerned about. any help would really be appreciated. thanks!

   (1) the kitten has been waking up at night and wanting to sleep with me. i really dont want this, since im afraid of rolling over in the middle of the night and hurting her. i keep trying to put her off the bed, but she climbs up all over again, and then thinks i want to play. what tips do you guys have to help her sleep through the night / stay in the bed that i've created for her?

   (2) im concerned about when to wean the kitten. she has started eating solid food (canned cat food) and seems to love it, but she is not interested in drinking milk or water from a bowl, and usually just knocks the bowl over. do you have any tips for getting the kitten to drink from a bowl? also, at what point should i stop feeding her substitute cat milk and switch her over to plain water?

   (3) a little on the gross side, but the kitten seems to be constipated. i haven't seen her go #2 in about 4-5 days, which means either she is (and its strategically hidden somewhere in my room) or she has been constipated. peeing has been no problem, and she readily goes in the litter box. i try to place here there about a half hour after feeding her. any tips on this?

   thanks in advance for all the help!

   Posted 7 months ago by mikewt #

2. 

   also, shes very vocal. constantly mewing and squeaking. im not really sure why or what this means. shes always fed and i play with her alot but she just wanders around mewing all the time. im concerned that shes crying. is this normal? ive been told shes a maine coon kitten, so maybe its normal for that breed?

   Posted 7 months ago by mikewt #

3. 

   Welcome Mikewt..... I can offer a few suggestions, but there are other much more knowledgeable people who really know what they're talking about....

   .... I think it's normal for all kittens to meow (cry).... she's probably missing her mama.....

   .... if she isn't pooping, you probably need to gently stimulate her anal area with a damp warm cloth after she eats, then place her in her litter box..... a mama kitten would lick that area for stimulation, so that is what you want to immitate....

   .....make sure her "bed" is comfy and maybe put one of your old tshirts in it (wear it first so it smells like you).... and make a little nest for her... if it's real cold, maybe wrap it around a hot water bottle.....then, if you have a place you can contain her at night (like a bathroom or laundry room) you could put her in there for the night....

   ..... I think kitten milk is good to give through maybe 8 weeks, ask you vet.... to make it easy for her, instead of a bowl, use a small saucer, it's easier to lap up that way.....

   ... best of luck, thank you for rescuing this baby... have you named her?

   Posted 7 months ago by AbbigaleViolet #

4. 

   She wants to get into bed with you because she's lonely and maybe a little cold. At this age she would be snuggled up with her mama and siblings.

   You can help the chilly problem with something in her bed to keep her warm. Some people use a sockful of uncooked rice that's been heated in the microwave. Or you can use a hot water bottle that's wrapped in a towel. If you use a regular heating pad make sure (1) it's on the lowest setting, (2) the cord isn't where she can chew it and (3) it's only on one side of her box so she can move off it if she gets too warm.

   If you sleep alone (or have a big bed) you can try putting her box at the head of the bed between the pillows. That way you can put her back into it easily and put your hand in to pet her. If you are close by, she might be happy to stay put.

   So far as pooping goes, this group gets very excited about that. At three to four weeks old, she still needs a little stimulation like Abbigaleviolet says. You might want to add a little plain Pedilyte to her formula just in case she's a little dehydrated. That will help her poop. If she goes too much longer without, call the vet about it.

   We need pictures!!!!

   Posted 7 months ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

5. 

   Hiya. I ended up with 2 6 week old kittens. They also cry alot, think it was looking for their mum. The vet suggested to me to put a teddy in for them. It makes they feel like they in a bigger litter. Maybe you could try this too, maybe carry it close to your skin for a while so it can get your smell. I also fill an empty bottle of water with hot tap water and put it under their blanket to keep them warm. Just on one side of their bed so they cld move off it if they wanted. Good luck and keep us updated plse.

   Posted 7 months ago by lyns #

6. 

   One other thing. No clumping litter for kittens. It sticks to their paws, they lick it to clean them and can develop stomach problems from the part that creates clumps.

   Posted 7 months ago by GizzysAuntie #

7. 

   I got a 3 week old kitten Wednesday, and have a couple of pieces of advice to share. First off, I've found that the best type of dish to use, so that they can't turn it over, is the classic solid dish with two sides. They sit low to the ground, and there really is no way for a kitten to turn them over. They're about 1.97 at Walmart. I, too, had concerns for the ol' number two, but read adding 2 drops of vege/mineral oil to the formula can help her go or some warm water after her formula. I tried both and had success, but do not know which to give credit to. I've just started weaning Ally, but I've been using solid Meow Mix kitten mixed with formula. It has been way less messy. Ally also really likes a warm bed. She will sleep all alone, far from me if her bed is warm. I use a freezer bag, filled with hot water, covered with a towel. This lasts her all night long. Also make sure if you have the AC on that the vent is covered. Hope that helps and good luck!

   Posted 7 months ago by linksboomerang #

8. 

   The KMR formula is available both wet and dry; if dry, mix it up according to the instructions, testking HP0-Y20 and no more than 1 bottle's worth at a time.

   Posted 3 days ago by chpil88 #

9. 

   so the kitten can crawl off it testking 1z0-042 if he gets too warm. I've always put a stuffed animal in with orphan kittens so they can snuggle.

   Posted 3 days ago by ch.pil888 #

10. 

    but do not know which to give credit to. I've just started weaning Ally, but I've been using solid Meow Mix kitten mixed with formula. It has been way less messy. Ally also really likes testking 642-524 a warm bed. She will sleep all alone, far from me if her bed is warm. I use a freezer bag, filled with hot water, covered with a towel.

    Posted 3 days ago by ch.pil8888 #

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