Can anyone help I found an abandoned cat and kitten?

Question

I am not sure how old the kitten is, but here is a picture with him next to a kleenex box for scale http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v410/ShapeShift81/babynewyear.jpg
and here is mom next to the same kleenex box
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v410/ShapeShift81/chibithin.jpg
Anyways, I have no idea what to do. Mom is so skinny, and the kitten can eat dry food, so I am not sure if she is just so thin that she cant nurse him, or if she is trying to wean him.
I have been feeding them dry food all day, and in the evening a can of Friskies. Just one of those cans about the size of a tuna can. I am not sure what to do with them, what to feed them, how often, and how much. And grooming! I have always had long hair cats, so this is new for me. How often should I brush them? And what about baths for them? I want to get them to tolerate baths, but I am not sure of the process.
Thank you all so much for your help! :)

Answer 1

Hi Michele, first of all thanks a bunch for taking these cats in! We definetly need more of that. I'd guess the kitten is 3 - 7 months. Just keep feeding them their dry food. If they don't seem to like that or are having problems eating it I'd soak it for about fifteen minutes so it's soft. I don't know much about feeding amounts, I usually just go by their interest in food. If they seem full all the time, I feed less. Starving - feed more. If they hurry to get their food but don't gulp it down and don't beg and beg for more, then you are probably feeding them about right. I have all short hair cats that are allowed outside, and I don't do much for brushing them, just lots of petting and scratching has always keep their coats nice for us. I wouldn't start on baths yet - they are probably still a little unnerved. When they seem really comfortable I would start by giving them a light bath - lukewarm water, not much, don't completely immerse them, then dry them off and let them run away to pout. (set out some yummy treats as a sympathy gift) Try this for awhile, but really, we've had indoor/outdoor cats for three years and haven't had to even bath for fleas once. So, I wouldn't make too much of a deal out of it. Another really important thing is to get them to a vet soon. They will probably need routine vaccinations and they should be spayed and neutered. They may also have earmites. I really hope they work out for you, and again, thanks so much!

Answer 2

First of all, congrats. You have 2 very beautiful cats. The kitten looks old enough that he is probably being weaned. The mother cat you said is skinny. A lot of mother cats are real skinny while nursing, so she should gain some weight back soon now that she's done nursing. As for grooming, you can brush them every few days or even once a week. They are short haired cats, so they don't need as much grooming as long haired cats. As for baths, you know they won't like it. Try holding them by the scruff of the neck and give them their bath that way. I do the same thing with my kitten. They should get used to it eventually. If you don't see any changes in the mother cat's weight soon, I would ask a vet. She may have something wrong, it's hard to tell, but she looks healthy. Take great care of your new cats and Happy New Year.

Answer 3

For shorthair cats, you don't need brush more than once a week or so. Try feeding the mother about three times a day with small portions, gradually adding more each day. When she is the desired weight, slowly cut back to two or even one meal a day (but make sure that there is still plenty in the bowl to last her all day).
I think the kitten (especially if he's just been weened) should start off with softer food and gradually work his way to regular hard dry cat food.
Hope this helped some and good luck!

Answer 4

What a wonderful pair of cats! The kitten probably doesn't need to nurse any longer and he may for comfort or out of habit if she lets him and has milk for him.

Please use a good quality food for both of them. Friskies is really trash. Natural Balance has an excellent, high quality line of canned and dry foods which are very reasonable in price. There are others - some more expensive.

The mother doesn't look terribly underweight from the picture and a good quality food is what she needs to replenish her body from the birth and nursing of kittens. So give them what they will eat right now. Canned food will not make them fat and the kitten will need more food for the first year when he is growing so fast. He does not need "kitten food" - just high quality meat protein in whatever he eats - dry or canned.

I have cats who are in their "teens" who have never had baths and it is not something I would care to do. It won't harm them if you skip that procedure entirely.

Certainly they both need a vet exam. The kitten will probably need to be wormed and should be started on his kitten shots. Probably both should be tested for FIV or feline leukemia and all that will be a pricey start for them and one I feel is very necessary. I would hope you will keep these lovely cats indoors and the mother will not need a lot of vaccination.

Answer 5

Hey, hang in there, it will be alright. First, give as much wet food as possible right now, they could also be dehydrated and cats rely on moisture in food for a lot of water. Mix the kitten food with pablum or any other brand of baby rice cereal. When a pet store in your area opens up, go get some cat and kitten food there. Grocery store food is like feeding yourself McD's. all the time. Its less then healthy usually filled in with ash and fats. Ask for Hills brand foods or equivalent. You might also want to ask for weaning formula for the kitten and mix it with regular food.

Bathing a cat should be a rare event. If they smell or are really dirty then get a cat shampoo and follow the directions. Brushing, for a short haired cat, once a month with a soft brush if at all.

Now since they look like siamese or mixes there of, somebody probably owns them since you could be housing a $500 + cat. Siamese are also very skinny cats in general. Get in to see a vet ASAP to be sure. I'd say that kitten is likely about 9 weeks old.

Answer 6

cute cats! My best advice is always have food out and ready for them to eat. they will get back to a healthy weight. give them a good brand of food. Give the kitten a kitten formula food, and the momma an adult food. Once the kitten is 6 months old or a year (depending on what your vet says) then you can just give both of them adult food.dont force the kitten to wean too quickly.

and the bath thing... ease them into it. they might be frightened.

they look like shorthaird cats, so groom them(brush) about once a week or two.

Lastly, take them to the vet and get them their shots and make sure they are up to date.

Good luck!

Answer 7

First, you need to take them both to the vet for shots and to test for leukemia, anemia(could be the cause of the mothers thinness), parasites(could also be the cause of her thinness), and so on.

It is important that you take them BOTH to the vet because the kitten is very susceptible to disease and worms, and the mother could have something and pass it on to her kitten, you, or other animals in your house.

It sounds like you are feeding them wonderfully. As long as they are eating correctly, and drinking water they should be fine. (The kitten looks old enough for dry food) Make sure to check their litter box for any worms they might have passed and to see if their ...reliefing...is not liquidity.
It might be too soon to try to bath them...do it one at a time.
**You will want to start with them getting friendly with the bathroom, then the tub. After they get comfortable with the surroundings you can try turning on the faucet a little and see if they are bothered or if they try to play with it. Do this for about 3-7 days until they are use to the water being on then slowly get them wet(put water in your hand and then pet them). **

Answer 8

Purina has a kitten food that is coated in milk, might be best for kitten. I would feed them where they know that they have dry food and water all of the time and then give them the can food as you are doing. As far as bathing start now and they should adjust. Do it in a sink, not as deep as tub, less scary for them, less fighting. Brushing is entirely up to you unless the cat deems she needs more and you'll know if she wants more. Once or twice a day. Plain sugar-free yogurt is a good source of milk for them with out upsetting their stomach-es. No runs after wards.

Answer 9

It sounds like you are doing the right things regarding their feeding. Keep it up. The mom is skinny because she has been feeding her baby, and hasn't been retaining enough nourishment.

Brush them just like any other cat, long or short haired. As far as baths go, you will have a better shot at that with the baby. The mom is a different story. Cats usually groom themselves in that regard. We currently have 3 indoor cats...2 long haired and one short haired. I brush them, and comb them with the "grooming comb" to dislodge loose hair and keep shedding to a minimum. But as for baths, they do that themselves.....I've never actually bathed a cat.

Answer 10

Looks like you got yourself some nice feline friends!!! The kitten is probably 7-8 weeks old?? And the mother looks like a Siamese. Check the papers and see if anyone is advertising for them.(probably not )Also get kitten food for the baby. The Mom is probably thin from giving birth and feeding kitten(s)