Found Another Kitten - Unsure of Age & Need Advice

[casportpony]

Hi everyone, I found a little orange kitten in the bushes last night. It seems healthy enough, but it's not interested in eating or drinking, and it has not pooped or peed. Its current weight is 827 grams (1.8 pounds), it has canines, and the pre-molars look like they are coming in.


How old do you all think it is? And should I worry about it not eating/drinking/pooping/peeing?

 

[Sarthur2]

His weight indicates he’s about 6 weeks. He’s probably scared, so try holding him and putting some soft pate food on your finger to see if he’ll lick it. At his tender age, he might enjoy drinking dishes of kitten formula, as he may not have ever had anything but mom’s milk until now.

It may take a few days before he’s eating on his own, so be prepared to offer a syringe of kitten formula to get him going.

He’s a beauty! Thanks for rescuing him and keep us posted!

 

[StefanZ]

Agree. Want just to mention, goats milk may be an alternative to kmr, now, and also later on as a supplement if you ever need one....

Goats milk isnt better than a good kmr, but its cheaper.... Also, if you have any left overs, you can always drink it up yourself, perhaps in coffee.

So, for time being, try to make it as stress free for the kitten... So he lands. Try to sit down, so you dont tower above him.
Talk calmly but sweetly with him. Yawn and strech yourself a lot... Dont look into his eyes, look at his shoulder. When you arent there, you can put on soft relaxing music. Do NOT put on radio with human voices.... But do use your own friendly voice.... Or sing softly you you can and wish...

Its not sure cuddling with your hand is good. better to Use a wooden spoon in the beginning.... Spoon because its very smooth, and wood because it feels almost warm.

casportpony

 

[imogen]

I had the best luck with my reluctant eaters feeding them from my hand--or off of my foot, lol. If I put some wet food on me, they were quick to lick it off, even when they wouldn't eat from a dish, plate or bowl. The same was true with dry food. If I held it cupped in my hand, they would eat it when they wouldn't off of any other surface. I could then slowly lower my hand to the plate (second best feeding surface for mine) and see if I could slip my hand out.

Mine hate those pellets, lol. If you have litter rather than pellets, that may help.

Poor little guy. I wonder how he ended up in your bushes!

 

[casportpony]

Sarthur2 , StefanZ , & imogen , thanks for your kind words & advice. Luckily, the kitten has started eating & drinking. It's also pooped & peed.

Poor little guy. I wonder how he ended up in your bushes!

This is the third time we've found a kitten on our property.

 

[imogen]

That's crazy, casportpony ! Is someone dumping them? Just one at a time?

Thanks for taking such good care of this little one. If food is going in and out, you're in good shape!

 

[casportpony]

That's crazy, casportpony ! Is someone dumping them? Just one at a time?

It looks like they might be. Each one of the kittens has been pretty tame, no hissing or growling like a feral kitten would.

Thanks for taking such good care of this little one. If food is going in and out, you're in good shape!

Thanks! Weight is up today too, so I think we're gonna be okay.

 

[StefanZ]

I had the best luck with my reluctant eaters feeding them from my hand--or off of my foot, lol. If I put some wet food on me, they were quick to lick it off, even when they wouldn't eat from a dish, plate or bowl. The same was true with dry food. If I held it cupped in my hand, they would eat it when they wouldn't off of any other surface. I could then slowly lower my hand to the plate (second best feeding surface for mine) and see if I could slip my hand out.

Mine hate those pellets, lol. If you have litter rather than pellets, that may help.

Poor little guy. I wonder how he ended up in your bushes!

Tx for the tip, especially for serving on the foot instead from the more common hand.... From the foot its prob less intimidating for a shy cat....

I shall remember the tip. Tx again.

 

[imogen]

Tx for the tip, especially for serving on the foot instead from the more common hand.... From the foot its prob less intimidating for a shy cat....

I shall remember the tip. Tx again.

It came about because these kittens are always curious about people's feet!! If they were sniffing and licking my foot anyway as I was sitting there, I thought I might as well put some cat food on it. (This makes me sound like a crazy person...and I'm not sure I'd post it anywhere else! But, it worked, lol.)

 

[casportpony]

Update

Little Orange is doing well and up to 1.86 kg (4.1 pounds). We found a semi-low-cost spay and neuter clinic, so we'll be getting him neutered soon.

 

[casportpony]

We had a bit of a setback. On November 12th, Little Orange was diagnosed with panleukopenia, which has recovered from.

 

[sidneykitty]

Recovered from panleuk? that's wonderful news. Thank you for rescuing and taking care of this kitty through all of that. He is gorgeous.

 

[casportpony]

Recovered from panleuk? that's wonderful news. Thank you for rescuing and taking care of this kitty through all of that. He is gorgeous.

Yeah, that was quite the experience. You can read about it here.

 

[sidneykitty]

thank you, I'll have to read through as I am amazed and happy your kitty survived. <3