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Kitten success
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in General Chat
We ended up with a kitten!! Her name is Evie, she 11 weeks old and black all over with huge green eyes.
I've had cats before but never a kitten this young. We have some adult wet food which she seems to be fine with but we need to get kitten dry food because adult food is just too big. She not a fan of water, I've given her a mix of milk and water which is slightly better but she still isn't drinking much.
I'm taking her to the vets this week to get her checked out and have her first lot of injections, but I'm a bit worried about fleas! She only scratches the same place (around her neck) and I've had a good look and I couldn't find anything. I also don't want to use anything too harsh because she's so little, any ideas? I'm wondering if its ear mites instead?
Also any ideas on keeping the smell of the litter down? We're changing it every day at the moment but that's probably going to mean we're going through 2 bags of litter a week.
And any other tips to keep the little one happy and healthy! Currently she mews like crazy whenever she can't see me, she sleeps on me and she hides when ever I'm gone for more than 10-15 mins. Otherwise she seems to be very happy and healthy and she's making me happier too!
I've had cats before but never a kitten this young. We have some adult wet food which she seems to be fine with but we need to get kitten dry food because adult food is just too big. She not a fan of water, I've given her a mix of milk and water which is slightly better but she still isn't drinking much.
I'm taking her to the vets this week to get her checked out and have her first lot of injections, but I'm a bit worried about fleas! She only scratches the same place (around her neck) and I've had a good look and I couldn't find anything. I also don't want to use anything too harsh because she's so little, any ideas? I'm wondering if its ear mites instead?
Also any ideas on keeping the smell of the litter down? We're changing it every day at the moment but that's probably going to mean we're going through 2 bags of litter a week.
And any other tips to keep the little one happy and healthy! Currently she mews like crazy whenever she can't see me, she sleeps on me and she hides when ever I'm gone for more than 10-15 mins. Otherwise she seems to be very happy and healthy and she's making me happier too!
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dont worry about drinking. She will when shes thirsty. Plain water if fine. Milk can upset their tummies. She may be scratching if the food is not right for her. If it was fleas I think youd see them on her tummy and neck.
My kitten was never a fan of water, but they drink it if they get thirsty, and end up used to it!
I'm not a fan of collars, for ID or fleas. Ours are microchipped and when they were adults spot on once a month for fleas and every 3 months for worms. It can be expensive, but the bob martins stuff from the supermarket seems to work fine and is a lot cheaper than the stuff from the vet.
Think seriously about insurance, you can get some pretty good deals. We were with pet plan, about £8 month, then swapped to Sainsburys as we get double points on shopping etc. Similar cover and cost. The earlier you do it the cheaper it will be. Only used it once so far and i we weren't insured it'd of been £450 for emergency visit to vet, couple of stitches and a jab.
As for the litter, try a tray with a lid on and use the antibacterial stuff. We've found wood chips the least offensive smelling.
yep! Macavity used to go mental over quality street wrappers. Bits of yarn also good (although what feline-focussed knitter could resist these?)
Start combing asap especially if you suspect fleas. I know it can be awkward because she is probably so tiny but getting them used to being combed and checked is a good idea. We made this mistake with Battlecat and now she absolutely hates it and won't sit still.
Maybe hold off on flea treatment until you've seen the vet as a lot of products aren't safe to use on kittens.
Get her microchipped and remember to neuter when she's old enough! Oh and play with her lots
RS we were on pet plan too but I'm really concerned if BC needs emergency treatment. Will def look into Sainsbury cos I didnt realise they did pet insurance :thumb:
Macavity
Did get some kitten food and she seems to be a bit better on that - I want to get the best for her but its also about cost too.
Re- insurance : the PDSA do insurance which I think works with the PDSA services. I'm going to see if I can get her jabs and neutered with my local PDSA vet because I can't really afford it right now.
He was awesome. But a bit thick, ironically.
I'd love to train her, she's already answering to her name, so tip away please!!
I can afford £5-10 a month insurance what I can't afford is £50 for her jabs and £70 + to have her done. Plus it would break my heart to part with her now. I am a responsible pet owner, like I have had cats before just not kittens, and it was either me or the animal shelter (and our local isn't a no kill shelter, a lot of animals get put down quickly if they aren't rehomed quickly).
Accipiter does have a point. If I were you I'd start saving for the jabs and to have her fixed. Your insurance will no doubt depend on her being kept vaccinated, I know mine is, and if you can't afford jabs for one kitten, you won't be able to afford them for an entire litter.
I don't want to sound harsh, but some things have to be said.
On the bright side, cats can be trained like any other animal, with their favourite treats, and repetitiveness.
Mind you, i did have to cough up £600 when my dog ate a peach stone last year to remove it from her stomach, but the vet let us pay in installments. Ive never had a vet that didnt let me pay in installments actually.
Youll definitely want her neutered unless you actually want to breed from her. Keeping a cat inside when shes in season, is neither pleasant or easy. She will go crazy and youll have male cats calling at your window day and night and she will be calling them back.
This is what I was saying!
Would you mind posting them here?
Miss_Riot, it's the initial spaying and jabs for the kitten that is the ball-ache financially. Once that was over with I found things became a lot easier. I guess it's good to be prepared with insurance/ pet plans etc but don't let that bog you down just yet. Cats are relatively cheap to look after and you'll find your own way of doing things.
At the moment her tricks range as far as waking me up at 5 am miaowing for food and trying to breastfeed off my jumper
We have quite a few bags of those Dreamies that I can use as a reward.
Good to know, applaud PDSA as well, making it easier to have healthy happy pets for everyone.
Yeah I had a long talk on the phone with the vet nurse who said that you can easily get the dosage wrong for kittens for both worming and flea stuff so she said just to wait and get it done there - which is good because the first appointment is free (but I still have to pay for her injections, and the flea and worm treatment...argh!!)