We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

We adopted one of the kittens Tara found under her deck yesterday.

She was having trouble eating yesterday. Just did not seem interested.

I brought her to the vet last night (who was not nice at all ). She was concerned bc the kitty seemed underweight. The assistant got her to drink some kitty formula and showed me how to force her nose into it (I was being way too gentle)

Since then, she is drinking her milk non-stop as well as eating tablespoon amounts (every 3hrs or so) of wet kitty food. They said her teeth are ok for dry food, and she nibbled at that too. We go backto the vet next week to re-check her weight. Right now, she is about 5 weeks.

I've never had a kitten before, so I do have some questions:

1. I dont want to just let her run loose yet - with three kids and a very concerned & interested dog I bought her a soft carrier which is about 6 times her size. I have her in their when I cant sit and watch her. Is that ok? I've been putting her in the litter box in between (she went twice without a problem ) and also let her sit in her little bed on the couch when I'm able to sit & watch her. She seems ok in there - not crying or meowing and I think she likes it. When she finished her food, she actually climbs back up and in herself. I just feel bad keeping her so contained.

2. I made the mistake of leaving a little water and dry food in her carrier overnight and she got it kind of mushed on her. I dont want to traumatize her by bathing her yet, but I cant get it off with a baby wipe and her brush. Any tips for getting her clean without terrifying her. She is very scared - shaked every time I pick her up

3. I forgot to ask at the vet and plan on asking when I go back next week, but how long do they stay on the formula for? I'm assuming a little longer for her since she is underweight.

I guess thats it for now! I've been reading a lot online! It was an unexpected thing so I did not have much time to prepare.

I love this little girl so much already and I was never a cat person. We still need to decide on a name!

Message edited 5/11/2011 8:34:09 PM.

Re: We got a kitten yesterday

aw that's so great! Congrats!

Just one thing about her shaking, she's scared of all the new stuff going on and may not have been handled by people much. Let her hang out with just you for awhile, snuggling. I know some kittens will fall asleep snuggled near your neck, so just handle her a lot.

Re: We got a kitten yesterday

awww how great is that!!

when I got my kitten, i kept him in a room by himself when i wasnt home. We had another cat and we didnt want any problems between them, until they got used to each other. I think 5 weeks old is young to be away from the mama cat so that can be why she is shaking. keep her with you on your lap and she will become fast friends with you. My kitten used to sleep on my chest as I watched TV.

Please post pics of your kitty!

Re: We got a kitten yesterday

Thank you! I've been cuddling with her every chance I get.

We decided on a name for her tonight - Luna (We are huge Harry Potter fans and it fits her!)

Here she is when I took her out for some fresh air (excuse my lawn - I just mowed it 2 days ago and need to do it again!):

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

Awww, our black kitty is named Luna. We also got her at 5 weeks old.

We had simliar issues with eating, vet gave us prescription wet food that was high in calories and we also fed her kitten milk in a syringe direct into her mouth.

If you want a cuddly kitten/cat as she gets older, hold her as much as you can. I held her all the time and put her in bed at night and now she is VERY attached to us.

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

oh my goodness! she is cute, congrats!

If you want to clean her I would take a wet rag and wipe her down. It would be like a mother cat licking her kitten but make sure you dry her so she doesnt get cold

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

Oh no! Too stinking cute! Congrats!

ETA: And LUNA! How did I just see her name now?! I love it!

Message edited 5/12/2011 3:26:46 PM.

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

OMG..she is the cutest thing!!

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

Awww!!! she's adorable!!!

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

OMG!! what a sweet face!!

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

She is so adorable. I'm not really a cat person but she just melts my heart. Love those little white feet.

Our puppy is named Luna too!

Enjoy her and I hope all goes well with her eating and weight gain. You are a very kind person to take on a kitten with all you already have going on. Sound to me like you are doing a great job.

Message edited 5/12/2011 8:53:51 PM.

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

I love when non cat people get a cat and fall in love!

she's so adorable!!

when I got my 2nd kitten I had to keep her separated from my big cat. i just kitten proofed a room and had her stay in that room for safety.

good luck! and I agree with using a rag to clean her off with. Also baby powder is supposed to loosen poop on fur so maybe try that. I know it's not poop... but it might work too.

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

Aaawwwwwwww, now you have another beautiful subject to photograph. She is precious!

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

Awwww, Michelle, how precious!!!! Mary

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

oh so cute... she such a cutie pie.. love her name!!

Re: We got a kitten yesterday (added pics)

so cute.