Hi All - A member over on my.arfie.com found an abandoned 4 week old kitten and is looking for advice on kitten care. I've never had a kitten so young so I thought maybe someone on here could help....
http://my.arfie.com/group/catzrule/f...andoned-kitten
Thanks!
Here is the post from the other website:
I found a calico kitten outside in the rain under some ivy in our neighbors yard. It was soaked and crying, so I put it in a box, put it by the fire, and gave it some food. After it warmed up, I tried to drop it at the SPCA (my wife and I are allergic), but they'll only take animals that are 2 months and older in my area - they said the kitty was only 3-4 weeks.
Well, we couldn't drop it off if they couldn't guarantee it a good home, so now we're kitty owners, at least until we find her a good home. She's eating kitten food, so we don't need to bottle feed her. Uses the litter box fine. (We built a whole home for her in our bathtub - box with towels for sleeping, litter box, food, water, and toys.
My neighbor across the street is a vet, so she's getting worming medicine. Shots come in another 5 weeks, I think.
We're having two issues where we could use some help:
1. Fleas. She had a bunch. We've bathed her several times in warm water and dish soap (with a nice blow dry afterwards) and we wash her bedding each time. But she keeps getting more. How do we get rid of them? We have a labradoodle also, and we can't let the kitty spread her fleas around, so her range is limited until we get rid of them.
2. Water. She doesn't seem to understand how to drink the water out of the dish. She dunks her whole face in, then snorts. She's showing no signs of dehydration, but we're not sure she's actually drinking anything. Do we need to train her somehow?
Thanks for the help
http://my.arfie.com/group/catzrule/forum/topics/caring-for-an-abandoned-kitten
Posted 6 months ago by Kitten Whisperer #
I responded to the person who has these questions and invited him to check out this thread. Thank you, CocoL, for contacting us. We love to help cats and kittens!
John, what does your neighbor/vet recommend for flea treatment? One of our very experienced members recommends sprinkling food grade diatomaceous earth on the floor in the problem area. It is not harmful to humans or animals but it kills fleas. It is not particularly expensive and can be readily purchased online. It will make the floor look dusty and needs to be left down for a couple of weeks.
Here is one source: http://www.planetnatural.com/site/diatomaceous-earth.html
I'm not sure what to tell you about the water drinking issue. You could try putting a small amount of water in a saucer so there is less for her to dunk her face into. You can also add water or KMR (kitten milk replacement) to her food so she will stay hydrated. Some here recommend Pedialyte (non-flavored) which can be found in the baby food aisle at the grocery store.
Good luck with this little one. She is lucky to have found you! :)
Posted 6 months ago by Kitten Whisperer #
Hi, John, I would comb kitty with a flea comb every day and just keep combing until you don't find them any more (I drop the fleas in a bowl of hot water... urgh...) But I think the diatomaceous earth is a great idea to treat her surroundings. One of our TDK members also used to recommend adding a few drops of food colouring to kittens' water so that they could see it but she should soon get the idea. Good luck and bump for more knowledgeable members!
Hi! I can fix your water problem! Whenever you have the time put a little bit of water onto your finger. As soon as she starts then slowly tease her to the water bowl. She's obviously way too young for a flea collar or the liquid flea medication. Keep her away from your dog. Fleas are a horrid problem. You could also maybe put up signs around your neighborhood or wherever you live and see if anybody wants her. But make sure you add all the info about her ((as much as you know)) hopefully ((guessing that you don't plan on keeping her)) somebody will be willing to take her and help her. Thank you so much on taking care of her in her time of need. Good luck :)
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