01/10 Caturday Kittens Questions

[Dyana]

Last Caturday

The New Kitten remains unnamed.

We found out that he does not have worms, via a stool sample. But he was just wormed on the 2nd and the stool sample was on the 5th. Could he still have worms that have just not matured yet?
He has been eating like a starving cat and I have been feeding him, four times a day. He was 3 pounds 4 ounces on Monday, 3 pounds 5.5 ounces on Wednesday, and 3 pounds 8 ounces today. Is that too fast of a weight gain? He does not have a belly, and looks kind of thin but not too skinny, just like a growing kitty.

I asked the vet about the dull hair coat. It is dry, and reminds me of a puppy's baby fur. Do kittens have the same course baby fur? The vet said it was from poor nutrition. I am just used to J.D.'s shiny soft thick black coat, and Ginger's soft shiny long hair.

Last night he was inside this teeny little box 4 inches by 4 inches by 6 inches, all scrunched up in there and looking up at me, and I carried him around with one hand and got to my camera, and he got out, just as it was ready to shoot.

He was playing pretty rough this morning. One day real soon, I'm going to need to trim his nails.
He has been sleeping since about noon.

I did fit a harness for him and he has been wearing it for most of the day.

I tried to take him outside, but he didn't like it much. I guess because it's so cold. On the third try, I tried to take him to show my elderly neighbor, but he jumped out of the purse I had him in and ran through the snow back to my house. He is learning where the front door is. I supposed I should be waiting until he has his rabies shot and micro chip installed at the end of this month.

 

[Vyktors Mum]

Lucky he ran back to your place (he knows when he's onto a good thing ) bet he gave you a heart attack when he jumped out! I think I would be waiting until he has his chip and shots. It might not just be the cold he doesn't like right now too. He's already seen that the big wide world can be a bad place so why wouldn't he prefer to stay in his secure place until he gets his confidence up. He might have been worried he was being dumped

Weight gain sounds okay. They grow very fast when they're little and seems like he had some catching up to do. How's the poo report?

And good luck with the nails - this should make for a good story bahahaha

He is such a cute little bundle

 

[Chris/China (GA)/Garfield]

Worming usually needs to be repeated in 10 days to make sure you get everything

What a cutie he is!!

 

[carfurby (GA)]

He's such a cutie. It's been so long since I've had a kitten, I don't remember about the weight. That doesn't sound that fast to me. Good luck with the nail trim.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

More cutie pics! Try calling the shelter to see if they did both rounds of worming mess. The shelter I was at would do both and first set of shots before adopting out. And find out what worming meds they used. Different meds treat different combinations of worms.

And yes on the kitten fur. It's usually not as sleek as adult fur.

The little guys do have a good appetite don't they! And great nails for climbing!

 

[terri1962]

Yay on the harness. Hopefully you can start walking him soon, it may have to wait till spring since he does not like the cold, but you could practice with him in the house.

Terri

 

[Dyana]

I better take his collar off before I leave for work.
Right now I don't hear his bell. All is quiet in the house. It's weird to call out "Kitten", but ,, someday, he'll have a name.
Hope you all have a good Sunday.
Sending feel better vines to Trixie.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Dyana,
I guess you don't want to call him "Hank"? Hope you find a name soon so that he can learn it. Otherwise he might think his name is "Kitten". It sounds like he is really liking his new home and his mamabean and his "Aunt Ginger".
Have a fine day!

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

Hi Dyana, I have no advice but just wanted to say thanks for the updates and pics- little "Kitten" is so adorable! Hope you can find a name for him soon-have a great day!

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

I've always wanted to name a black and white cat.... Oreo.

 

[Tena and Curry(GA)]

Hi Dyana

Saw your post. When I got Zeke I kinda did an experiment. I was curious about how much he ate and how fast he would gained. I would weigh him weekly and calc how many calories he was eating. He gained weight up until 10 months and then slowed down. He ate all the time as a kitten and slowed down. He was eating like 300 calories daily at the beginning. Basically let him eat all he wants for first year. They usually will eat what they need. Zeke plateaued at about 11 lbs around a year. He's kept it there. I feed him wet and raw since he has some food allergies and the raw helps with that.

Your little guy is sure cute and so very fortunate to have such a great Mom.

Lots of hugs
Tena

 

[Anne & Zener GA]

Kitten has cuteness in spades. It must be a shock to have a growing kitten with a big appetite compared to older cats with appy issues.
Liz

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Kittens can be eating machines. They are growing. Ask anyone you know who has a human baby -- they eat all the time, too. You might want to take a look at some photos or the live streaming of kittens. It will give you an idea about coat texture.

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

How's the little cutie doing this morning? I hope he gets used to the harness and leash. Anytime I put mine on a leash they flop down and play "dead cat"!

Kittens do eat a lot, but it slows as they age. http://maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm has some great information on feline nutrition. About a page down they have this chart: