Fostering Kittens

[typhons]

Hi,
I want to volunteer to foster Kittens with my local shelter. I have already applied and have been approved. But would like some additional information. I have a 1 year and 1/2 cat at home who is not used to having other cats around. I will of course keep her separate from the kittens and do expect her hissing and growling at the closed door. My question is how much time should I have to do a good job with them? I am a phd student and hence have a lot of work; but I always put my cat first. I know i will sacrifice my work to do good by them, so i want to be sure I have enough time before committing. I am considering fostering older kittens( 6 weeks + ) and 2/3 at a time so they would have some one to play with.
I expect to need: 30 min of cleaning and feeding per day, 3*15 min of play with them , 30 min of additional like cuddling, calming my cat ect...
Is that realistic?

 

[StefanZ]

Yes if they are healthy.

One idea is you go in for the shy 8+ weeks whom are healty but need fostering by someone patient and addicted.

Having resident may help - esp if she wants to cooperate.

 

[Sarthur2]

Definitely only take kittens that are already weaned and eating on their own.

Otherwise, hand-rearing tiny ones takes literally ALL your time!

 

[typhons]

Thank you all for your answers. I received a phone call yesterday about a 5 weeks kitten that is eating by himself but that desperately need a foster home so I took him in. He is doing fine, weights 471 grams and eat food well ( I mean a lot but put it everwhere).
I am feeling overwelmed but I could not say no to him and I will work harder later I guess. My resident cat is PISSED, growling and hissing every time I step out of the foster room. I was expecting it but still hurts a bit to see it happenning.

I hope I am doing good, want to do good to everyone involved.

 

[typhons]

One stupid question: the kitten right now is in the bathroom but the bathroom is small and it;s hard anytime I want ot interact with him. I also have a big playpen, iwanted to put him in the playpen but afraid of the reaction of my resident cat. should i put him in there and let my resident cat approach the playpen or should I wait more?

 

[StefanZ]

The playpen is a good idea.
Compare with a net door which is a standard try while trying to get newcomer used to resident...

Try.

 

[typhons]

Thanks. I dont know however when it will be a good time to bring the playpen out in the living room. my resident cat is still upset.

By the way: how much weight should the kitten take per day at his age?

 

[typhons]

My resident cat is very very upset still she hisses at me and growl at anything that has the kitten smell on. I was expecting it but it still breaks my heart to see . Hope I did not damage our relationship too much.

 

[typhons]

Hi,
I would have an additional question I am sorry. The little guy is by himself and I am trying to go in his room as much as i can but he is probably lonely. If it was just me I could cuddle while working. The problem is my resident cat. Do you have advices? How can I be close enought while spendin enought time with my resident cat?

 

[talkingpeanut]

Can you switch them sometimes? Is there a bedroom you could lock your resident in for an hour or so to give the kitten some lap time?

 

[typhons]

Thank you for your answer. I know you have a lot of things to do and that my questions are not critical by anymeans. I just love them so much and want to do the best I can.

I did exactly this and now I am working and my boyfriend is spending time with him. It's just hard balancing a resident cat that is used to be spoiled (with a LOT of daily play) and tiny kitten that needs me badly. But he had at lest 3 hours of human interaction today (counting feeding) so that should be good. I am trying to slowly letting the playpen in common areas without my resident cat being too stressed about it. Eventually I want him to be able to see us moving ect.. so he can get used to what a household looks like.

Thank you again.

He cleaned himself for the first time today! And he started playing with balls also for the first time today !!! )