Need Advice On 5-6 Week Old Kitten

I recently brought home a 5-6 week old kitten from one of my parents' wild barn cats. I wanted to get a kitten before they got too big and wild and ran away. I've had her for 5 days now and I can't tell if she is still adjusting to her new home or just being high maintenance. She always wants to be touching me and cuddling me, and she would rather play with my hands and feet than her toys. She cries when I'm not right next to her. She doesn't cry at night because I think she gets tired from evening play. I keep her in a pen made out of boxes during the night and while I'm at work and I come back during lunch to feed her and play with her. She gets to run freely in the apartment while I'm there. She is also having a hard time figuring out the litter box. I always have to quickly carry her to her litter box when I can tell she needs to go. Is this behavior normal for a little kitten? Would it help if I brought her to interact with my boyfriend's parents' cat? (Which would be a 2 hour drive). Or should I just leave her in the apartment till she gets better? I'll appreciate any advice!

The problem is that she is far too young to be away from her mother and siblings, so she needs you to be her parent. That means that you need to provide her with emotional support, litter box training, behavioral training -- anything that her mother is supposed to do.

If at all possible, it would be better for her to stay with her mom and siblings for at least 3 more weeks, but ideally 5-7 more weeks.

[repost from Behavior Forum]

Don't let her play with your hands or feet. It may be amusing now, but it will be a problem when she is full grown. When she does it, hiss at her (mama cat would do that, too) and put your hand or foot out of reach!

yes, she was probably just too young. as long as she is eating ok, and adjusting though i think she should be ok, if you cant bring her to her mother and siblings. i got a kitten years ago that was about that age, but had another cat at home already that helped it along.

Do you think it will help her to interact with another cat over the weekend? Or should I wait until she is bigger? I'm nervous if I take her to a new place so soon then bring her back that she will take even longer to adjust.

The most reasonable and effective measure would be to return the little one to her mother and siblings. Everything else it is just experimenting and hoping for the best.

i definately would not just move her for a long cat drive to meet another cat. she will then just have to readjust to your home again, and she may not even get along with the boyfriends parents cat.

As others have said, she is still very young, and so she is treating you kind of like a mother cat. I wouldn't recommend introducing her to another cat at this time; I feel like that could stress her out. As for the litter box, it can take some time for kittens to get the hang of it. This article is very helpful: How To Train Kittens To Use The Litter Box

She is a baby. You will have to be patient with whatever she needs. Little kittens will not make it to the litter box in time, and they need a companion. Try getting her a stuffed animal to snuggle with.

Can you help your parents to get their barn cats fixed? Using humane traps and then returning them to the barn might be ideal.

I have been having troubles trying to teach my kitten to use the litter box, but have been reading some tips. Last night she pooped once in the litter box and 3 times outside of it. Most nights she's only pooped one or two times. I'm only feeding her 4 times a day. Why is she pooping so much? Is this normal?

Is her stool loose? Have you recently changed her food? If her stool is a little loose, that might cause her to go outside the box, and any change in food can cause a change in stool as well.

Hi!
How old is she? Have you had a chance to talk to a vet?

war&wisdom said:

The problem is that she is far too young to be away from her mother and siblings, so she needs you to be her parent. That means that you need to provide her with emotional support, litter box training, behavioral training -- anything that her mother is supposed to do.

If at all possible, it would be better for her to stay with her mom and siblings for at least 3 more weeks, but ideally 5-7 more weeks.

[repost from Behavior Forum]

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Hi there, I am planning on returning the kitten to her mom and siblings tomorrow. She eats very well on her own but I'm mainly doing it because she is lonely. What are he chances her mother and siblings will recognize her?

the chances are pretty good, but you should wait a short distance away to be sure mom is happy with kit.

This doesn't mean you can't go and get her in another 3 or 4 weeks. When you do she will have better manners, be less frantic and might actually remember you. 12 weeks is a reasonable age to begin to 'tame'' kitty and socialize her to people.

I don’t know if it’s a good idea to return her. If mom is feral, 6 weeks is actually the right age to pull her in order to socialize her best. She is also not safer back with mom in this case, as you mentioned. If you don’t feel you can handle her, could you find another home or a foster for her?

She also sounds like she is not well and needs medical attention. Please don’t release her outside until she gets this.

Would you be able to work with a tnr group to fix your parents’ barn cats?

How is it going?

Kittens this age poop frequently. I realize you have probably returned the kitten by now, but it would be better if you bring the kitten back with one of her siblings for company. Two kittens are easier than one because they play together and grow up keeping each other company. These kittens will be feral without human interaction and face a harsh life without your help.