Posted on 11/16/2019 2:18:30 PM PST by conservativesister
I can’t add anything to the good ideas and resources here except to wish you well. I love kittens and cats (and dogs too!). Just be sure that the kitten is actually orphaned and not just waiting for momcat to come back from hunting.
Plus, there are probably extra kittens. There is probably a cat rescue group in your area. Check facebook, too. They will probably help find extra kittens.
What size is this kitten? Weight? It is very hard to save newborns, but if it’s a few weeks old there is hope.
Don’t feed it cows milk. Use goat’s milk, “Cat milk” sold at pet stores, KMR Powder, lactose free milk, etc. Feed small amounts every few hours day and night. Keep it warm (can use a heating pad on an ultra-low setting — don’t cook it). This is gross, but for very young kittens, you will need to wipe its rear end gently with a wet, warm wash rag. This helps it “go”. Wishing you all the best with your rescue attempt — will not be easy.
Western MD
You now have a cat.
Congratulations.
Yep.
There may be more kittens someplace else. About every 10 days a momcat moves her kittens to a different location as they grow bigger. She may have been in the process of moving them one by one to or from your barn. You may have to go searching around the mom's location. More kittens are more work but they keep each other warm and are quick learners.
With my feral kittens, I gave them watered down kitten food as well as goat milk. Grocery store sells it in a can. Others here have already given you great suggestions about feeding.
You say you are not a cat person?
(Insert laughter here)
Well you are now. You have fed this cat. Soon you will name this cat. And as a result you have now become a cat person.
Enjoy.
Put it back and keep an eye on it. The mother is the best for it if it is not weaned. Then contact a vet and ask for assistance. There might be people who might trap both the mom and kitten and foster after TNR... trap neuter and return.
as a last resort until you can get real cat milk—mix a little water with non-dairy coffee creamer and use it to get it drinking, but unless it get milk it’ll not make it.
Chewbarkah's post reminded me of this.
With kitten on its back, gently pet it from it's belly down to its tail. This help it to eliminate. Cat mom uses her tongue, you, use your finger.
This kitten will love you so much! Consider her a blessing!
Here is a woman who knows exactly what to do... wonder if you can contact here via YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5VvB6tmC4lu_WCx7hE0PZA
I got your reference...I had such a teen crush on Nastassja back in the 80s.
Dang it, now I feel guilty, just had a full grown Tom Cat adopt me, it is the friendliest Cat, it wants constant attention... it just showed up one day, problem is I don’t want a Cat... made a deal with the neighbor... I will buy 1/2 the Cat Food if they feed it at their house and it can “visit” me but it is “Their Cat”
So far it is Not Working ... stupid Cat really likes me and is underfoot all of the time, no matter how many times I step on it or move it out of my way and close the door...
Never delt with such an affectionate Cat... really feel guilty about not petting it... don’t have the time and yet it doesn’t seem to mind and just keeps trying.
(Reminds me of my High School days)
On behalf of all kitties I thank you!
In my life, they have been my best friends and arguably saved it when I was a kid and my interactions and relationship with them were the only evidence I was not bad and insane. When I was withdrawing from booze often years ago when fighting it, it was a kitty that would stay up all night with me liking the toxic sweat off my body wherever it happened to be exiting my skin that ugly hour.
They are the conduit of a lot of the joy in my life now ... and there is much joy.
I encourage you to keep the little feller ... it's an auspicious occasion when a little unit of pure life like this drops in our lap.
Good luck to you both!
Poor baby kitty! I went to college in Western Maryland. Last one out of Cumberland, turn off the lights!
Just so you know they can't go to the bathroom without mom's help. I loved my little kitten but not so much I was going to lick it into action so I used a tissue for that task.
I was worried it would never figure out how to lick up water but after a few cans of wet food with lots of gravy he figured it out.
The strangest thing about my cat is he started sucking on my ear lobe like it was a nipple. Six months later he still does that purring the whole time.
He has chosen you - embrace this.
At a young age, take the kitty for a car ride and walk or backpack jaunt. They will get over the exposure to changing surroundings.
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