We just got a seven week old kitten from a shelter yesterday. He had been brought in the day before. Since we got him home he has eaten some wet food, drank water and used the litter box. He is crying a lot. I realize that he may be looking for his litter mates and his mom but it also seems like he is looking for something to suck on. He didn't seem to know what to do with dry food so we fed him wet. Is he weaning from his mother? If you think he is, please let me know what to expect. I estimate hes been away from her for two days. He seems very affectionate and normal otherwise. What's going on here?
2007-03-02 02:19:05 · 11 answers · asked by ineeddonothing 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
MORE INFO... I forgot to mention that before he used his box to poo last night he was crying a lot as if in pain. I thought he might have been a little constipated with the food shifts he has been through the last two days. After he poo'd he stopped crying.
2007-03-02 02:20:50 · update #1
We didn't get two kittens because we already have one older cat. We are keeping them separated until kitten is big enough. I am not prepared to care for three cats - but do know that with kittens it can be easier to have two than one. Just not an option for us.
2007-03-02 02:27:26 · update #2
Like human babies, some kittens take longer than others, but typically around 3-4 weeks they will wean. Try soaking some of the dry kibble in warm water, and setting it out on a cookie sheet, or plate for the little guy. As for the crying, he could have been constipated (mommy cats have to "stimulate" this process), or he could have had no real reason....some kittens just like to "talk" and it sounds like crying....when we first got our kitten she was looking for a playmate. After she found our other cat to pounce on, she stopped crying!
2007-03-02 02:26:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anna 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I also got a kitten 7 weeks old(auctually, ive had 3 cats. 2 when I lived with my father, which we got both from a shelter when they were only 7-9 weeks old) just a month ago. He would cry at first, but to get his mind off of being in a new place away from his mother and other cats I would simply play with him. If you really want to drive a cat nuts(in a very good way) get him/her a lazer light. Let the cat chase it around the house. He will want to play with it forever. And even if your cat cries alot, it may just be a tabby cat :P I have a cat that is now 3 years old who still meow's all the time. She meows when she wants to eat, play, be petted, chase me around the house etc. But your best bet is to just give the cat lots of attention and play whenever you get the chance. Besides, the more attention you give a kitten, the more attention it will want as an adult.
2007-03-02 02:32:06 · answer #2 · answered by zasshi 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At seven weeks your kitten is old enough to be weaned but a kitten will suck on his mother or anything else even untill he is full grown.
You might try using dry food that has been soaked in milk to get him used to the dry food taste.
I usually keep kittens in the bathtub with a blanket and their litter box untill they are old enough to jump out by then they are litter trained.
Watch him very carefully whenever he is loose so you can catch him before he messes on the floor, they often cry or start digging into the carpet or floor right before they mess.
If you plan on letting him sleep with you, you can start this as soon as he can jump off the bed to get to his litter pan in the night.
2007-03-02 02:28:58 · answer #3 · answered by Debbie H 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the lady above it right about getting him a kitty to play with. Having 2 cats is actually easier than having 1. We have 3 cats in my home, we got the 2 girls when they were 2 and 3 years old. Then a couple months later we brought home a 8 week old kitty. They have all adjusted to each other and are great friends now. He didn't cry for his buddies or mom, but we were around him for the weekend before we brought him home (from my father in law's farm).
Good Luck!
2007-03-02 02:30:09 · answer #4 · answered by Jo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I brought home a 3 week old kitten..the vet cleared her, and sent us on our way with KMR. she was bottle fed, and our older "grumpy" cat took to being a mom substitute after a couple stressful days!
The kitten can sense that there is another cat in the house..and wants to be near it, she is way too young to be left alone with no contact..human or animal, when you adopt a kitten so young they need constant touching . Ours slept curled up under my chin!
She is now much older, and the two cats are snuggled up on the bed now..good luck!
PS...please do NOT use milk for a kitten, if you need to moisten anything use kmr (kitten milk replacement) or warm water a kitten cannot process cows milk, it is make for calves, and is way too rich for a kittens system!
2007-03-02 02:34:52 · answer #5 · answered by kat k 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He didn't have enough time to complete his nursing with his mother. He will do much better on canned food. Max kitten would be a good choice for now. And he is probably having problems with his separation from mother and siblings.
He will be much happier if you can get another kitten. It's a good idea for many reasons - mostly his social and emotional adjustment and you will have fewer problems with needy kitten behavior if he has a buddy to share his life.
2007-03-02 02:25:57 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually all babies, cats and dogs are not drinking milk from their mom from around 5-6 weeks. I would just try him on canned food for a while. He has teeth but they still are small. He needs to be taken to your vet ,, so he can be checked out. He needs to be dewormed, and have his first kitty shots. I would mention to your vet about how he acted when he was using the litter box. He can help you out with any questions. Good Luck !
2007-03-02 02:28:32 · answer #7 · answered by nc_debi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they must be weaned between 5-8 weeks or someplace around there. additionally, they ought to no longer be ingesting person nutrition; kittens have distinctive nutritional needs than person cats. The kittens AND the mummy could desire to be ingesting kitten formulation (feed the mummy kitten nutrition until they are completely weaned).
2016-10-02 06:24:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By 7 weeks, they are are usually weaned and eating kitten food. Just keep handling the kitty as much as possible.
2007-03-02 03:09:49 · answer #9 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
probably is giong through some seperation anxiety it will pass but if your still worried you can take the kitten to the vet
2007-03-02 02:24:34 · answer #10 · answered by debsinlove 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋