Hi all,
A gal from another message board refered me to this board for some help.
We just got a kitty today, he's only 6 weeks. This is the first time we've ever gotten a kitty, we've only adopted older cats. This one came to us from our next door neighbor. I think she was worried she was going to get in trouble because her indoor cat got outside once and came home pregnant (we live in base housing and you cannot breed cats or dogs while residing in here).
Anyway, I told her we'd take a kitten, but that we would wait until the kitten was fully weaned. She tried to give him to us at 4 weeks, but I knew there was no way he was weaned that young. I think she was kind of in a panic about housing finding out. So she came over and said that they weaned last week. I know her, she isn't the type to lie, however, I'm wondering if Momma-Cat was still nursing without her knowing?
He's just crying something awful and I know he's missing his Momma. He's scared of us, and hides from us, but at the same time, tries to be as near us as possible without us noticing him. We're keeping him in our bedroom (with the litter box in our attached bathroom).
I just want to do right by the cat. We definitely want to keep him, but should I talk to my neighbor about taking him back for just a couple more weeks? I'm a dog lover and I know that now a days they are recommending that puppies stay with their mommas until 10 weeks, even later if possible. I guess I just thought that cats were different because they always seem more independent.
If she refuses to take him back for a few more weeks, should I put him on kitten formula? She told me just to feed him dry kitten kibble, but is he too small? He's eating the food we've put out for him, but he sort of "complains" as he's eating. My Dad says he's too young for hard kibble and we should feed him wet for at least another month if not two.
When he cries, should we get him and hold him even though he doesn't seem to want us to? Poor little thing.
I'm kind of beating myself up right now because I know better with dogs. I've always been a huge advocate of being a responsible, educated dog owner and now I've gone and goofed up with a cat!
He's our cat. There's just no other way to slice it. We've all already fallen head over heels in love with him, and we're willing to do whatever he needs us to.
Thanks for your help.
A gal from another message board refered me to this board for some help.
We just got a kitty today, he's only 6 weeks. This is the first time we've ever gotten a kitty, we've only adopted older cats. This one came to us from our next door neighbor. I think she was worried she was going to get in trouble because her indoor cat got outside once and came home pregnant (we live in base housing and you cannot breed cats or dogs while residing in here).
Anyway, I told her we'd take a kitten, but that we would wait until the kitten was fully weaned. She tried to give him to us at 4 weeks, but I knew there was no way he was weaned that young. I think she was kind of in a panic about housing finding out. So she came over and said that they weaned last week. I know her, she isn't the type to lie, however, I'm wondering if Momma-Cat was still nursing without her knowing?
He's just crying something awful and I know he's missing his Momma. He's scared of us, and hides from us, but at the same time, tries to be as near us as possible without us noticing him. We're keeping him in our bedroom (with the litter box in our attached bathroom).
I just want to do right by the cat. We definitely want to keep him, but should I talk to my neighbor about taking him back for just a couple more weeks? I'm a dog lover and I know that now a days they are recommending that puppies stay with their mommas until 10 weeks, even later if possible. I guess I just thought that cats were different because they always seem more independent.
If she refuses to take him back for a few more weeks, should I put him on kitten formula? She told me just to feed him dry kitten kibble, but is he too small? He's eating the food we've put out for him, but he sort of "complains" as he's eating. My Dad says he's too young for hard kibble and we should feed him wet for at least another month if not two.
When he cries, should we get him and hold him even though he doesn't seem to want us to? Poor little thing.
I'm kind of beating myself up right now because I know better with dogs. I've always been a huge advocate of being a responsible, educated dog owner and now I've gone and goofed up with a cat!
He's our cat. There's just no other way to slice it. We've all already fallen head over heels in love with him, and we're willing to do whatever he needs us to.
Thanks for your help.