I got my parents a new kitten (little over 8 wks old). I gave it to them yesterday and today the called me to

Question

tell me that I should come get it. They think it was taken away from mom to soon. They said it sits in a corner and hisses at them. They are afraid it is going to starve. Don't they just need to give it some time? The kitten will eat if they are hungry, right? Please help... I think they need this new addition to thier home.

I have the kitten now. They decided to go with a dog. Kitty is eating and still a little shy.

Answer 1

make sure it has available fresh water and food and comfortable bedding and give it some time to determine that life will be good at this location...fear of the unknown makes it hiss

Answer 2

Sounds as though this little one is scared to death. Right now the last thing it needs is free roam of the house. Set up shop for it in a bedroom or a bathroom, a smaller area where it will not feel so overwhelmed. Have them hold it and pet it so that it realizes that they mean it no harm. Once it feels secure in that room, the can bring it out the the other parts of the house, but always let it return to that area as a safe haven. 8 weeks old is fine to have been removed from mama and it's littermates, but it is a big scary world out there, and it needs to be introduced to it just a little bit at a time. Where a puppy would whine and cry because it is scared, a kitten will hiss. If it was a happy, normal kitten when you first saw it, it will come around.

Answer 3

You really never should give give anyone a kitten unless they requested you get one for them. You certainly shouldnt give them one you picked up for free.. only place to get kittens is the SPCA or other animal shelter because it would have been vet checked and dewormed... maybe their is another problem you dont know about, a healthy 8 week old kitten would NOT hiss.. only kittens that hiss at people are ones who have not been properly socialized.
You should be feeding it the same kind of food it was on before you got it... they will eat if they are hungry but a drastic diet change will make them sick
YOU "THINK" they need a new addition - but do they??? Really your parents probably would have been better off with a mature cat, not a fiesty kitten they were not wanting in the first place, either take the kitten yourself and tame it down for them or return it to where you got it or better yet, take it to the SPCA so it can be rehomed responsibly

Answer 4

They need to give the kitten some time. Did they know that you were giving them something that needs to be taken care of? Animals (in general) do not make the best "surprise" presents. The kitten may not have been handled much by it's previous owner and that is why it may hiss at them. It will eat when it is hungry, but keep in mind that this is a stressful time for the kitten and it may be too stressed to eat.

Answer 5

First of all, you should NEVER give animals as gifts, especially if it's a surprise.

Secondly, it sounds like the kitten didn't get socialized with humans. At 8 weeks old it old enough to eat on it's own, but they can give it KMR, which you can buy in any pet store, and mix it with hard food. Soft kitten food usually gets the appetite going, too.

Other than that, work with the kitten. They are going to have to handle it and cuddle it as much as possible and use it's favorite food as a bribe. Try feeding it off their finger. Socialization is key at this age.

Answer 6

8 weeks is generally the time when kittens are weaned from their mother. He's just a little guy, and I'm sure he's pretty terrified about being in a new environment. My suggestion for your parents is to give him a little time. Most feline companions need an adjustment period to stake out and delineate their territory, as well as getting to know their owners. If he seems reluctant to eat, might i suggest putting a little lukewarm kitten formula (you can get this at your local vet) in a bowl and just leaving the room. He should come around soon. Best of luck.

Answer 7

Yes it's an overreaction, If you introduce a dog into the house a cat will do the same thing. The kitten is old enough to leave its mother and it will get hungry enough to warm up to your parents, just give it some kitten chow and some milk

Answer 8

8 weeks old is a perfect time or the supposed time to ween kittens from their mother. Just like any cat young or full grown cats are resistant to change. The scare easily and like thier space. The best way to adjust a cat is to leave it to it own divises, keep in mind that your home is a strange new place to your kitten, and depending on her background, she will need time to adjust. Hopefully the links below bring some information and good luck.

Answer 9

I once read that kittens need time to get used to a new home. They need a quiet place to be by themselves until they get used to the smells of the house. They should put the kitten in a room away from most of the noise of the house with their litter box and food and try not to startle it until it starts scratching or something and seems to be around people.

Answer 10

Try to get then to give the kitten some time. It will eat if it gets hungry enough. I suggest at least another week, if you can. Little kittens have a way of growing on you, I love my cat, he has me trained well.

Answer 11

it is a new plaace and she is not so sure she wants to go without mom and she still might be wondering if it safe. make sure the environment looks safe for the cat and make it welcoming. get your parents to bring it's food bowl over. then aftera while give it a treat.after a while of her sitting there she might come to them and ask in her own way to be petted. if not get your parents to pet her or just sit with her. that should open her up but dont give her away because that would put the cat in a more nonsecure environment and more drama. take it slow and easy. my cat did that too.