Need advice on what to do with 2 small (motherless?) kittens in my back yard?

Question

I found 2 small kittens huddled together under a gutter downspout in my back yard. It seems they have no mother, they are shivering cold, and I don't know how long they have been there. Its 38F outside and will be dark in about an hour. One of them is friendly: he let us pick him up and we brought him in the garage and gave him a nice warm blanket and some water. The other hisses and bats his paw at us whenever we approach, and is even more defensive now that his brother is gone. What should we do? Should we take both kittens in, or leave them outside together, or just leave the one? I think it is bad to keep them separated but at the same time I am terrified that they will freeze to death overnight. Please help!

Answer 1

Get them to an animal shelter in your area

Answer 2

I take it that it is a small kitten?

Take both kittens into the garage. Just throw a blanket over the other and carry him in.

Leave the blanket with them, they dont need a box, they need to move about. They may sleep on the blanket.

Put some newspaper down for a toilet, they may use it as cats are naturally clean.

Leave a bowl of water for them. Milk is better than water when they are kittens.

Just leave them alone and they will settle after a few hours.

Biggest thing to remember is that they are cats, not people. They dont need toys etc. They need peace and quiet.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Bring #2 back from the garage to calm #1. Then try again to get them both in the garage at the same time. Put on heavy clothing and gloves - so long as you can catch him you can survive some scratching.

Then once they're safely inside, call your local animal control/shelter. Kittens are usually easily placed and you can turn them over. If you prefer, look for a no-kill shelter.

Worst case, leave them both outside together. They can huddle together for warmth. It breaks my heart to think of one left out in the cold alone.

Answer 4

Take them both in immediately! They will freeze. Even if the mother is around, she is a stray and that is not way for the kittens to live. If the kittens are very small and need nursing, pet stores have kitten formula. If they are on solid food, get kitten food and cottage cheese.

Put them in a warm bathroom on a blanket with a little box if possible and close the door. Little babies can't retain heat like cats can.

Answer 5

Please dont leave them outside, if you have to call animal control like people said. But first try finding a decent size box. Then put a bunch of blankets in it and slowly walk to box over to the kitty. Put some food or treats in it too. Walk away for a little while and then hopefully he will go in the box for warmth then you can just pick up the box and walk it in to the garage with the other one. From that point you can decided weather to find them a shelter or keep them but he might freeze outside :-(

Answer 6

She will freeze. Go out with a large towel or blanket and pitch it over her and grab her cold little bottom and put her in the warm garage with a heating pad. If they are tiny you could give them some food with a little milk. but if they are several weeks old they will get diarrhea from the milk. So older kittens no milk or you will have some mess to clean up.

If you do not want them then call the ASPCA to pick them up and they will find them a home.

Answer 7

Take them both indoors. Get some gloves, or a towel, and pick up the hissing one. They shouldn't be outside, its too cold.
I'm not sure how old they are, but if they still ned to be nursed, you can go to your local pet store and buy kitty milk supplement for them. DO NOT give them human milk.
If you don't want to keep them, then take them to a humane society or other no kill shelter. Try to avoid animal control at all costs. Good Luck

Answer 8

Many times a mother cat will leave her little ones and return for them later, I suggest you get a box and some warm blankets and place them in it and wait a bit, (don't worry about touching them, cats are not like bird and will not abandon their kittens if they feel your scent on them) maybe mom just went to eat something if by morning however take them in and buy a tiny feeding bottle and kitten milk (available at any pet shop) and feed them according to the packaging directions, you will also have to stimulate their bowels by rubbing their tummies and genitals with a wet cotton (use warm water) I have saved many little kittens, if you feed them and help them with their bowels their chances are good.

Answer 9

You most certainly should get both of them in. They could freeze if kept outside. You'll have to try getting the defensive kitten in anyway you can. Try bringing it in with food? If it's hungry, I'm sure it'll want that. And once it gets inside for a bit and gets used to its surroundings, all will be well. Don't take my word on the freezing part though.. I'm not a cat expert. XD But I figure it could.

~Sonicblur

Answer 10

Awwwww... Yeah, get a box, and put the nice warm blanket in it, and get some like, thick gloves and long sleeves and stuff, and that way you won't get scratched by the other one. Have someone help you... pick it up, but be very gentle. Try using a cat carrier if he won't stay in your arms... can they like, walk yet?? Nevermind... just pick him up, and put him in a small cat carrier, and bring him in, and put him with the other one. Keep them in a warm room, not the garage. If they're still very little, they won't drink water. Call the vet... most definately, and they can help you.

Answer 11

I am definitely a cat person and my husband tells me I am incorrigible as far as strays go. I always have a major soft spot for strays. I'd have to take them both in, even if that meant taking the little spitfire by force -- I wouldn't leave it outside in weather like this because as you said, it won't survive. Once they were in the garage, I'd feed them and try to get them to trust me. Unfortunately, I'd also end up keeping them. But if you can't do that, perhaps you can keep them long enough to get them healthy, used to human attention, seen by a vet and then find them good homes.

**ADD**
If you want to catch the spitfire to bring it in, use a large towel, get close enough to gently drop the towel over it and then you'll have a good shot at getting a hold of her (or him) by grabbing her up in the towel -- but do it quickly (even if it makes her mad); the towel will protect your hands and arms. You'll need to really work at getting her on the first shot otherwise she may run away and not come back. She will take some time getting used to people but if you go slowly (once she's in the garage), she'll come around. Especially if she's well fed. If you talk calmly to her each time you go out to feed them (without trying to touch her), she'll really come around. And if she sees her brother accepting you, she's more likely to as well.