Hi all, I'm in need of a little assistance.
3 days ago, I came home for lunch from work and noticed something on the ground behind my neighbors truck. It looked like an animal but it wasn't moving. I got out of my car and as I got about 20 feet away I knew instantly it was a kitten, but it still wasn't moving. When I got to within 5 feet, the most precious little face looked up at me and meowed. Instantly I figured I spooked the mother off so I left the kitten where it was, not touching it.
I left for 10 agonizing minutes, waiting on my front porch out of sight. The mother never came back...if she was there to begin with. 10 minutes was long enough. I ran upstairs and got a blanket, whipped the little guy up, and headed back inside (it was low 40's at the time, strong winds).
Ok, now a little background on me. I've had cats since I was a baby and have watched 3 week old kittens be hand-raised, but I have never done this myself.
I brought the little guy to the vet that day. He is 1lb 6oz, about 4.5-5 weeks old...and in pretty good shape overall. So...I'm keeping the little guy because I haven't been able to have a cat for 8 years (renting rules).
Now, he is already eating solid food (which I add a little water to and mix) without any problems (also which the vet confirmed before I fed him anything) but I noticed he isn't drinking a lot. He will stick his nose in there, usually get it up there producing a little sneeze and he will then take 1 or 2 laps and stop. Sometimes it sounds like he is really lapping good but I can see he isn't quite comfortable getting too close to the water. He does pee though.
Other than that one thing, everything is going good. I'm rubbing his belly after he eats, keeping things moving. Wiping his bottom a little to get the poo moving. He can pee on his own but can't seem to poo yet. (His poo being a little darker...anything to do with him not drinking much?)
I clean him up nice afterward, wipe him head to toe then bring him to warm up with me while I dry him off. He's usually out like a light after that.
Behavior-wise...he is a single kitten and I have to work full time. I give every waking moment that I can spare just to him. I'm home at lunch everyday to take care of him, trying to give him some social interaction. This is my biggest fear because of his age.
What else can I do? I have a nice big teddy bear (which he loves) in his cave that I built him and he has a lot of room to roam around. I have some little fuzzy balls that I roll around when we are playing and other stuffed animals around for him to mess around with. When I'm home he is always out with me, following me around so he gets used to the apartment. He is still very cautious though.
I really want this little guy to turn out alright...any other ideas?
3 days ago, I came home for lunch from work and noticed something on the ground behind my neighbors truck. It looked like an animal but it wasn't moving. I got out of my car and as I got about 20 feet away I knew instantly it was a kitten, but it still wasn't moving. When I got to within 5 feet, the most precious little face looked up at me and meowed. Instantly I figured I spooked the mother off so I left the kitten where it was, not touching it.
I left for 10 agonizing minutes, waiting on my front porch out of sight. The mother never came back...if she was there to begin with. 10 minutes was long enough. I ran upstairs and got a blanket, whipped the little guy up, and headed back inside (it was low 40's at the time, strong winds).
Ok, now a little background on me. I've had cats since I was a baby and have watched 3 week old kittens be hand-raised, but I have never done this myself.
I brought the little guy to the vet that day. He is 1lb 6oz, about 4.5-5 weeks old...and in pretty good shape overall. So...I'm keeping the little guy because I haven't been able to have a cat for 8 years (renting rules).
Now, he is already eating solid food (which I add a little water to and mix) without any problems (also which the vet confirmed before I fed him anything) but I noticed he isn't drinking a lot. He will stick his nose in there, usually get it up there producing a little sneeze and he will then take 1 or 2 laps and stop. Sometimes it sounds like he is really lapping good but I can see he isn't quite comfortable getting too close to the water. He does pee though.
Other than that one thing, everything is going good. I'm rubbing his belly after he eats, keeping things moving. Wiping his bottom a little to get the poo moving. He can pee on his own but can't seem to poo yet. (His poo being a little darker...anything to do with him not drinking much?)
I clean him up nice afterward, wipe him head to toe then bring him to warm up with me while I dry him off. He's usually out like a light after that.
Behavior-wise...he is a single kitten and I have to work full time. I give every waking moment that I can spare just to him. I'm home at lunch everyday to take care of him, trying to give him some social interaction. This is my biggest fear because of his age.
What else can I do? I have a nice big teddy bear (which he loves) in his cave that I built him and he has a lot of room to roam around. I have some little fuzzy balls that I roll around when we are playing and other stuffed animals around for him to mess around with. When I'm home he is always out with me, following me around so he gets used to the apartment. He is still very cautious though.
I really want this little guy to turn out alright...any other ideas?