Suggestions needed for new kitten

[sandypas]

Hi everyone.

I am excited to be getting a new little kitten in a couple of weeks.  It is a little grey tabby and is the runt of the litter so very small.  We have called her Misty.

It has been a long time since I had a kitten and times have changed.

What do you feed tiny kittens these days?  I don't think you give them milk anymore - or is that just puppies?  They are in the unit

next door and she is feeding them some type of cat feed in a tube???  I thought fresh food, maybe chicken mince or such might be better.

Also, what is the best kitty litter?  I have just bought a tray until she is larger then I will get one with a flap as I didn't think she was big enough to push it open.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

[fourandsixpants]

thanks for that....I will try chicken wing tips and steam the necks......

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

I believe the stringiness of the chicken skin acts as a tooth floss, well so I've been told Necks don't have so much skin, so I imagine it's the crucnhing through the bone that's beneficial to the teeth, and lightly cooking wouldn't change that.

Paintsew, your kitties sound like they are living in the lap of luxury! I bet they live to be 30

if my cat doesn't stop demanding to be let out 3 minutes after she's demanded to be let in, she might not live to be 5

[fourandsixpants]

ref pimpy:

I gave mine a small piece of toast and vegemite last week. She refused to touch it!  First cat I've met that didn't at least lick the vegemite off the toast. Even the dog turned his nose up at it. And yet they eat rotten road kill and blerky lizards.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

funny you should mention.....I actually prefer marmite myself! I said vegemite cos everyone knows the stuff. We have a jar or each in kitchen.....but I reckon the recipe has changed re. vegemite or 'someone' is using a diff product ....like powdered 'something;' instead of fresh.

Worries me that a lot of these products esp. 'chocolate' products are now being made in N.Z. - nothing wrong with the Kiwis mind you! BUT the NZ govt has much laxer trade agreements and import legislation between China than does Australia.....then we import 'whatever' from NZ.........MMMMmmmn. Look/read the where is it  'Made in'? on your product labels/info in your kitchen/fridges and pantry-and you'll see what I mean.

I well remember the tin powdered baby formula scandal and what happened......and the 50+chemicals in the 'laced' fruit that ended up on WA supermarket shelves that came from China in ships VIA NZ. We West Aussies kicked up a stink over that lil' lark, refused to buy the s***e and screamed blue Aussie murder til the situation was rectified and the 'fresh' fruit supermarket shelves were replenished by the 'fresh food people'

Still makes me furious.

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

I prefer Promite, maybe I should offer the cat a try of that.

Both jars seem to indicate they are made in Aus. and distributed in NZ, but who can ya trust these days

[sandypas]

Oh wow!  Thanks so much for all the advice.

We have a butcher here who doesn't add preservatives to his minced beef so some of that, some chicken mince and a bag of dry food from the vet sounds good.  Also some tips of raw chicken wings - we get our cavalier chicken wings for her teeth.  She has her first vaccination on Thursday and will be microchipped and desexed at the same time.

Our neighbour has had the 4 kittens since they were 6 weeks old.  The mum is owned by a disabled man and hadn't been desexed.  She is keeping them together until they are 8 weeks but keeping ours for an extra week as we are going away next Monday.

We have a cat cage out the back that OH built onto a garden shed when we were watching our daughter's cat so we will put her in there for short bursts when we go shopping so she gets used to it.  It has 3 stories and the top two are carpeted.  She won't be allowed out of a night but I want her to get friendly with our cavalier if possible so after she is used to this house, will be allowed out the doggie door during the day sometimes.

I can't wait to get her.  We have bought some toys, a scratching pole with a bed, a tiny soft collar and a little soft bed to put in the bedroom - she will probably end up on the bed .

One of my daughter's cats died quite young a few years ago from kidney failure and the vet said that too much dry food is not good and probably had a lot to do with it's death.  My dad used to feed his cat chopped ox liver and it refused to eat anything else.  Just that on it's own is not so good either but a little is very good.  (The birds used to come and pinch some of that).

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to give your advice - it is really appreciated.  I will definitely put up a photo when I can.

[carls*world]

Up to 8 weeks, Mum's milk and pouch specialised kitten food.
8-12 weeks, continue the kitten food, replace mum with kitten formula milk.
12 weeks, introduce kitten dry food, along with continuing wet food, wean off the milk, and encourage water. Once they start on dry food, water intake increases considerably. Worming and flea treating at this time also, continued 3 monthly (particularly if kitty will be venturing outdoors, or coming into contact with animals that do) If kitty is isolated indoors, these treatments may not be necessary as ongoing.
6 months, switch to adult food. Avoid processed meats.
I've had best success with Coles clay kitty litter, the cats seem to prefer it, more like natural ground they would use in their natural environment.

[i-once-was-bump]

Keep the kitten inside and never let it out and you will have a very healthy happy cat.

Indoor cats have far less injuries and illnesses and they should not be out unless you can confine them to your own yard at all times.

With the litter box put the lid on but take the flap door off until the kitten is bigger and stronger.

My cat will not use a box with a lid because he was not brought up to use one with a lid and it is so much tidier with a lid.

My cat really likes Homebrand clumping litter which is a real nuisance if they don't have any in stock when I need it, he won't step on the crystals so I don't know how they are and I have tried the flushable litter but still felt uncomfortable about flushing it in case I clog up the toilet so stopped using it.

[sandypas]

Thanks bump - good suggestion re the flap on the litter box.  Might buy one this week - the reject shop have them for $20.

[sandypas]

Oops, your post was bypassed Carl.  Thanks for the advice.  We have the cat cage but I would like the OH to connect and run from it to a window so we don't have to place her in there.

Food advice is also very handy except they have had no mother's milk since they were 6 weeks old.  I'm not sure if they are giving them the kitten milk.  I will ask.  We did ask what she was feeding them and she said this soft packet of cat food for kittens.  I would like to introduce the fresh meat as well.  They are always handy to have though.

[vampire-teddy]

mine went from hills kitten food to hills adult food.  he eat that only.  eats only dry food and he is beautiful, has the shiniest black coat and excellent health.  he is also an indoor only cat.