Identity Crises :)

[notts30]

My sister and I adopted and hand reared a feral kitten from the local landfill. It is just over two months of age now and we are trying to get some help determining possible genetics. We have had many cats in the past but this one is alluding us. Features:

• stripes & spots
• chirps & meows
• very active
• long legs
• seemingly large paws
• coarser fur towards back legs
• very curious about water
• small black tufts on ears
  
  
  

  tb.JPG

  • notts30
  • Aug 13, 2013

We love this little cutie and just want to be able to research best care. Any thoughts?

 

[maewkaew]

 Well that is an adorable picture and looks like a little brown tabby;  we could tell which kind of tabby pattern better with a side view .  If you mean the kitten has vertical stripes on the side,  that's a Mackerel Tabby pattern.   It's common for many tabby kittens to have spotted bellies.  some of them have spots elsewhere too.   but if the spots really are more like broken up stripes,  that's still Mackerel Tabby.

Honestly there is no way to know the exact ancestry by the descriptions.  The most likely for a feral kitten is usually many generations of random-bred cats from the same part of the world.   but there can be quite a bit of variation  in   shapes, sizes, coat textures,  meows  and personalities.   The kitten would be classified as "Domestic Shorthair"  meaning no particular breed or unknown ancestry.   

Really cats basically need the same sort of care .... but of course they're all individuals too.  

 There are good articles on this site about caring for cats and kittens.   http://www.thecatsite.com/atype/45/Cat_Care

Another good source is    Cat Care International  ( formerly FAB cats - Feline Advisory Bureau)   http://www.icatcare.org/advice/advice-centre

 A  very good site  to help learn about feline nutrition is Lisa Pierson DVM's  http://www.catinfo.org

And of course you are very welcome on these forums to talk about your kittens and ask  questions,  share pictures and stories etc.    

Right now the main things are feeding a good diet for kittens,  getting his kitten vaccinations done,  deworming if not already done,   planning to get them altered within the next couple months,    teaching  about keeping claws sheathed,  and not biting hard in play,   reliable litterbox use,   getting  accustomed to grooming and claw clipping,    scratching on appropriate surfaces,  etc.    And of course giving lots of love !  

 

[notts30]

Thanks maewkaew!  We have vet appointment scheduled. Very helpful links!