Advice needed...

pinklizzy · 14-05-2008, 08:12 PM

When I've handreared kittens, I've begun to wean them at about 4-5 weeks,usually using the replacement milk mixed with tinned kitten food (varying the varieties of flavours will help broaden the kitten's tastes in later life)
As Yola mentioned, it'll be best to find out from the 'breeder' has done with them so far.
Use a shallow dish so that the kitten can reach the food and it can help to make it slightly warm to tempt them to eat. Be warned, this is very messy, the kittens tend to paddle in the food at first!
I'd use some sort of way of producing warmth, ideally a snuggle-safe as kitty will miss snuggling with mum and siblings and provide a cuddly toy.
Most kittens tend to litter-train themselves but you can help by placing him/her into the tray after eating/waking. Keep the tray in one place,not too far from the sleeping area so the kitten can always reach it easily.
Obviously, these were hand-reared kittens and ideally they should still be with mum at this stage, hope this helps.

littlelinnie · 14-05-2008, 08:33 PM

I totally agree with all that has been said I know the breeder has the net so I am being very close lipped about this incase they visit this site! if you want my full feelings feel free to pm me! all I am interested in now because I have calmed down is the kitten and I want to help it I know that I am an abler by doing this but I can't just leave the poor thing there can I! so I am just after advice from here on! thanks for all the very good advice I have got already! should I be getting some of that milk thats very close to the mothers milk?? I was thinking of feeding it that I have bought a kitten bottle set and then I was going to buy some very young kitten food, Royal Cainn does looks like good food! I was thinking of getting a cat teddy that is a smiliar colour to the mother for it to cuddle up to and loads of cuddles of me and my oh and my daughter of course and toys I have a cat water fountain for it when its older... needs a bed and I have just got it a new collar... get it down the vets and when its old enough get it done!
anything else??

Kazz · 14-05-2008, 09:19 PM

I am sure you want to "rescue" the kitten but in fact all taking a 5 week old kitten from the breeder dos in in fact encourage them to breed more, they want a fast turnover of money and kittens............sad but sounds like true, I would walk away, hard hearted yes but if you have the kitten you are encouraging more to be bred and moved on by what next 4& 1/2 week? 4 weeks?

Are you being asked to pay for the kitten?????

You sound like a lovely person who will totaly care for a kitten, but it is a shame to start on an uneven playing field....y Archie was 5 weeks old when I got him 26 years ago and he was clingy all his short life to the extent of trying to knead suckle my jumper........I did not realise he was so young until I took him the vets......but back then kittens were given away through lack of knowledge I think.

Whatever you decide hope it works out for the best all around. I realise sometimes your heart does rule your head.

Karen
Karen

pinklizzy · 14-05-2008, 09:27 PM

Sorry, I think I misunderstood the post, I thought you had already taken on the kitten. I have to say I agree with the other posters, the kitten should stay with mum.

littlelinnie · 14-05-2008, 09:30 PM

yes totally the kitten should stay with its mother I would want nothing more... but the breeder has already sold the others and they are going at 5 weeks so if I don't take the kitten she'll just sell it to someone else! and in which case it will never be with its mum longer anyway and then the other people may be cruel to it!I can't walk away I just can't!

smudgley · 14-05-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlelinnie

yes totally the kitten should stay with its mother I would want nothing more... but the breeder has already sold the others and they are going at 5 weeks so if I don't take the kitten she'll just sell it to someone else! and in which case it will never be with its mum longer anyway and then the other people may be cruel to it!I can't walk away I just can't!

Yes you can.

smudgley · 14-05-2008, 09:46 PM

I don't mean to sound uncaring, but I really would find another kitten if I were you.

However many kittens do ok when leaving their mom too early, so if you really do take the kitten, then PL gave some excellent advice.

littlelinnie · 14-05-2008, 09:49 PM

well at the end of the day thats up to me and not you and at least if I get the kitten I know what's happened to it where as if I don't, I don't know whats happened to it... I came on here for advice on how to help the kitten.. but I feel like most people on here only care about their views... their views aren't going to help the kitten... at least I am trying to help it even if it is the wrong way... if I walk away there will be someone right behind me waiting to take it and whats to say they will do with it...if she doesn't sell it she will have that out of the streets breeding that! walking away isn't going to do anything unless every person walks away and thats not going to happen... sometimes you have to do the wrong thing to do the right thing and at least I am stopping this kitten ending up in a shelter or on the streets...

Kim · 14-05-2008, 10:05 PM

Hi Littlelinnie, and welcome to Catsey.

Smudgley really is only trying to help, she has a lot of experience with CP. Surely if you don't take the kitten then at least she has the chance to stay with her mum a bit longer. Couldn't you point out to the 'breeder' that they shouldn't have left their mums so young? and I'm afraid I would most definiltey report her.

You sound like a very caring person and if you really are intent on getting this kitten I can only give a little advice. We hand reared 3 kittens from 2 weeks old after their mum, was killed in an RTA. That was 20+ years ago, but from memory I think at 5 weeks I was mashing up some kitten food with a little warm water or substitute milk such as cimicat. Your vet or vet nurse will be able to give you more advice and check the kitten over to make sure it is as healthy as possible. Very sad situation that makes me very angry, how can some people be so irresponsible?

littlelinnie · 14-05-2008, 10:11 PM

I have already told her its to young she doesn't care! someone else will buy it because shes listed it weeks before its ready!

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