We are new parents of an orphaned kitten- 3-4 weeks old...help

[carlyhippy]

2 cats at home already, one is not too happy, hisses at the kitten and has ignored her otherwise, the other is ok, but a little scared of her. Socialization at this age is very important, any advice on how to positively introduce the kitten into the home so this will be a positive experience for the little one? Persian kitten, cute but very very tiny. I fed her some science diet wet kitten food and drank some kitten fomula, it has little tiny sharp teeth, how often am I supposed to be feeding her? I have never had a kitten this tiny. Her mother was killed about 2 weeks ago, so she has been bottle fed. She seems to love people so far.

[dana_b]

1. bump

I don't know but I am hoping someone else will see this and perhaps help you.

[Flaxbee]

2. have you posted this in the pets forum? I suggest you cross-post there, too

Right now, so long as there is no violence toward the little one, I think you're OK. The others are just showing her who is first in the pecking order.

As to how much to feed her, I don't know. Can you call your vet? Some of the more experienced cat-rescue people in the Pets forum can probably be much more help...

Good luck! Thank you for taking in this little one.

[carlyhippy]

3. thank you, I will post in the pets forum, was not aware there was one ha

Thanks again

[nolabear]

4. Carly, you're doing fine. I've raised kittens and she'll tell you when she's hungry.

Every three hours or so and that includes, yes, a night feeding. Cuddle her a lot, let the cats work it out as long as nobody gets hurt. And rub her belly a little after her feedings with a warm damp cloth, down toward her tush, then put her in the catbox. It'll help stimulate her to poo and in the right place.

What's her name?

[carlyhippy]

5. the name is still jane doe, we got her a few hours ago

she just had her fill of more warm formula for the evening. we are doing the warm damp cloth manuever right now, thank you! I haven't seen her poo yet, she does other stuff just fine in the litter box.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Start by checking in with your vet. Older cats have been known to kill kittens, so keep an eye on

that potential situation.

She needs to be kept warm and in a box or cage where she can't possibly get out and get into trouble.

A lot of people swear by the old rub a cat with a towel, then rub the kitten, then use the same towel to rub the cat to get the scents intermingled. I believe you get the happy scents from under the cats jaw and on the cheeks. (Which is why they rub things they love/claim with their faces, I think.) Be careful, though, as the older cats may take a swipe or nip at you when you come back with baby's scent on it.

Do some googling and see if you can pick up some other suggestions, but more than anything talk to your vet.

Good luck, and happy fostering! :hi:

[LoveMyCali]

7. The first cat I ever had was about 4 weeks old

her mother had also died. I fed her about a Tablespoon of wet food every few hours and I let her sleep on my neck. She was such at tiny thing. I was rethinking the wisdom of letting her sleep on my neck though when she got to be around 13 pounds and she was still trying to sleep on my neck.

She was my only cat at the time so I don't know about introducing her to the other cats, good luck with your new family member.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. The first thing to do, and I mean right ******* now ...

pictures.

[carlyhippy]

10. I will post some this afternoon, I gotta get ready for work..

I have to get a photobucket account first I guess, I am not real sure how to post pics from computer on DU

[sammytko]

9. I found a kitten with its umbilical cord still attached

Its now sitting on my desk lounging under the lamp. Why she likes it, don't know. she's big. Totally bottle fed every few hours. I kept her in a small pet carrier on a heating pad set to low.

I would let my 4 dogs and 1 cat look at her through the crate. I didn't let them fully interact til she was about 6 weeks. They didn't bother her. They were around when I fed her, so they got used to her.

right now I am fostering 4 kittens - different moms and different ages. They already have homes.

[Betty88]

11. sounds like your doing good

I would keep the kitten away from the others for a week if possible in another room you can close it off. As for socialization hold her as much as you can and you will have a lap cat in no time, the others will get used to her.

[Arugula Latte]

12. Be sure to keep her digestive system moving.

Mom cats will wash babies, so you need to wipe her little butt area regularly with a warm washcloth to stimulate her to pee and poop.