Hello! I’ve posted before about a little kitten I’m adopting. She was supposed to come home at the end of the month at 9 weeks old, but instead I’ll be receiving her in a few days which will make her only 6.5~weeks old.
I have never cared for a kitten this young so I want to be prepared and have some questions:
Disclaimer: I have been educated in my previous post about the age kittens should be separated from their mothers (12~ weeks rather than 8 as I thought) and I am fully aware 6.5 weeks is way too early. I’m saddened about it, but I cannot change these circumstances (though I’ve tried). I’m already attached to the kitten and not taking her in just means she’ll be adopted by someone else, she and her siblings need new homes regardless, so please don’t suggest I don’t adopt her. I would appreciate if the focus of the replies were to be about the questions so I can care for her as best as I can, rather than dwell on things that cannot be changed or passing judgement. I will try to forward the advice to the other adopters as well.
Sorry for the lengthy post and thank you in advance!
I have never cared for a kitten this young so I want to be prepared and have some questions:
- Feeding: her and her littermates have already been eating solid food for over a week. When she comes home, I’m wondering if I should mix solid food with kitten milk replacement (as she’s still very young and probably needs the extra nutrients?) I’ve read in a thread that some make a kitten “slurry” with half kitten milk half solid food, is this a good option and if so until what age should I add the milk? How many times should I feed her a day and how much? Also, where I live there isn’t high quality wet food, would softened or normal kitten kibble be ok?
- Litterbox: I’ve been told the kittens “sometimes use the litter box, sometimes not”. Are there any tips to enforce the litterbox use for kittens as young or is it something she’ll just eventually grasp on her own?
- Socializing: since she’s so young I understand I have to put effort into her socialization and I plan to spend a lot of time with her, handle her, play with her, etc. Do you have any tips regarding this? I have two cats at home and I’m planning to introduce them slowly (separated at first, scent swapping, rewarding when close, etc.) and if that goes well maybe they’ll help show her the ropes too?
Disclaimer: I have been educated in my previous post about the age kittens should be separated from their mothers (12~ weeks rather than 8 as I thought) and I am fully aware 6.5 weeks is way too early. I’m saddened about it, but I cannot change these circumstances (though I’ve tried). I’m already attached to the kitten and not taking her in just means she’ll be adopted by someone else, she and her siblings need new homes regardless, so please don’t suggest I don’t adopt her. I would appreciate if the focus of the replies were to be about the questions so I can care for her as best as I can, rather than dwell on things that cannot be changed or passing judgement. I will try to forward the advice to the other adopters as well.
Sorry for the lengthy post and thank you in advance!