Hi! I'm new.
A few days ago, i found a very tiny kitten running around in, of all places, my chicken pen.
I immediately brought the kitten inside. I think it's a little boy, and i'm guessing he's 3-5 weeks old. He's very small, and though his long fluffy fur camouflages him well, he's very skinny.
I'm not exactly a kitten rescue expert, and i would love to glean any advice you all could offer me to take care of my new little friend.
He has been very defensive, always always hissing and spitting at anyone who comes near him, but immediately purring once held and petted. He's also a bad hider. We did finally see a limited amount of relaxation in our presence, early this morning. He actually played in our presence, though he kept a close eye on us.
He needs to eat more, and he happily consumes dry food and canned food (he doesn't seem to care for the kmr), but i think he's so nervous that he's not eating like he should.
I provided him a little litter box that i think he has used once, but only when confined. I had him in a rubbermaid tub to try to keep him from hiding (under the dishwasher, inside the dresser drawers, behind the freezer), but he found his way out. Now he is pooping in secret corners, and he seems to be peeing on himself, since we find him with a wet behind from time to time.
I'm thinking of confining him to a large crate (like you would use to transport a large dog), with food, litter box, and sleeping area, but i don't want to traumatize him further.
Also, he has fleas in his long fur. I'm sure he's too young to use a flea powder on, and i'm sure he'll hate me indefinitely if i put him in water.
I truly welcome any advice or ideas for how best to help my new little friend to acclimate, socialize, and get healthy.
I am on vacation right now, but i go back to work on Monday, and i am usually gone from the house for 11-12 or more hours at a time, Monday through Friday.
We live out in the country in southeast Texas, and we have also considered making him a warm, dark shelter on the porch so that he could eat in peace but still run around when he felt safe and get plenty of exercise while we're away.
Thanks for any advice, words of wisdom, you can offer.
Beth
A few days ago, i found a very tiny kitten running around in, of all places, my chicken pen.
I immediately brought the kitten inside. I think it's a little boy, and i'm guessing he's 3-5 weeks old. He's very small, and though his long fluffy fur camouflages him well, he's very skinny.
I'm not exactly a kitten rescue expert, and i would love to glean any advice you all could offer me to take care of my new little friend.
He has been very defensive, always always hissing and spitting at anyone who comes near him, but immediately purring once held and petted. He's also a bad hider. We did finally see a limited amount of relaxation in our presence, early this morning. He actually played in our presence, though he kept a close eye on us.
He needs to eat more, and he happily consumes dry food and canned food (he doesn't seem to care for the kmr), but i think he's so nervous that he's not eating like he should.
I provided him a little litter box that i think he has used once, but only when confined. I had him in a rubbermaid tub to try to keep him from hiding (under the dishwasher, inside the dresser drawers, behind the freezer), but he found his way out. Now he is pooping in secret corners, and he seems to be peeing on himself, since we find him with a wet behind from time to time.
I'm thinking of confining him to a large crate (like you would use to transport a large dog), with food, litter box, and sleeping area, but i don't want to traumatize him further.
Also, he has fleas in his long fur. I'm sure he's too young to use a flea powder on, and i'm sure he'll hate me indefinitely if i put him in water.
I truly welcome any advice or ideas for how best to help my new little friend to acclimate, socialize, and get healthy.
I am on vacation right now, but i go back to work on Monday, and i am usually gone from the house for 11-12 or more hours at a time, Monday through Friday.
We live out in the country in southeast Texas, and we have also considered making him a warm, dark shelter on the porch so that he could eat in peace but still run around when he felt safe and get plenty of exercise while we're away.
Thanks for any advice, words of wisdom, you can offer.
Beth