2 new rescue kittens: an update on progress.

[Melinda and Kitkat]

Hi all,
I have been here on this site for 2 months as my Kitkat was newly diagnosed FD this Nov, and has shown just incredible improvement from the advice here, the links and info, its all so amazing. I say with all confidence the knowledable and friendly helping people here have surely saved my kitties life.
I come to you all once again with a new thing, my sister has taken in 2 abandoned kittens, just learned she's had them 3 months, left on the roadside on a cold winter evening and she heard them cry. Bless her for trodding through the snow to find them when she had simply stopped to check the mail at the driveway!
My cat is 17, so I've never looked at info on kittens (these kittens are probably ~4 mnths old now) and just wondering if you have some helpful links for me to read up on and help her. specifically for feeding? getting them adoption ready? My sister is budget constrained, not able to work and living with a friend, friend has 2 dogs and a cat, and is not keen in the least of keeping 2 more cats.
I will help her with costs of feeding, fixing, any other stuff, and finding a good new home. These two kittens may well be a bonded pair now??? they sleep together, groom eachother, and have little interest in the other animals in the house, they just stick together. Still social and happy, just wanna keep them that way.
If someone has a recommendation for a good starting spot, it would be much appreciated.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Aaawww! Bless your sister for taking those two abandoned kitties in. Who in their right mind would leave them on the roadside, let alone in winter. I hate humans sometimes!
I’m sure they would be bonded and you would want them to be adopted as a pair.
We want photos please!!!!

I’m no expert on kittens but I do know that they need a kittens diet until they are 12 months old that has a different nutritional content to older cats. You can buy kitten food at any supermarket.
I’m going to tag @Suzanne & Darcy as she has a lot to do with kittens.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

Thanks Bron, and I sooooo agree, a few weeks old and out in the -20C to fend for themselves. It's truly shocking!!!!. My sister just sent me a pic, and a short video... I will do my best to post it.. I've had advice here on how to do this as well!!!!

they need a kittens diet until they are 12 months old that has a different nutritional content to older cats.

That's good right there to know thanks.

I’m sure they would be bonded and you would want them to be adopted as a pair.

I thought that as well, also good to know, to find them a comfortable, loving home.
Pics to follow!

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

They are gorgeous. Look very happy together.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

My sister sent me the cutest 1 min video of them spooning and grooming eachother on their fluffy blanket. Might just figure out how to add it here.
Spent much of the day researching kittens. (Poor neglected Kitkat,lol). I think I have found several decent to very good kitten foods. A couple of dry (if needed due to budget) and a few wet options. Price point is definitely gonna be the decider. I've printed off a bunch of info and will take these with me to Walmart (hopefully) and Petland (likely necessary). Still waiting to hear from her as to what they are eating now.
A few things I am now concerned about and to just confirm with you:
1. I highly doubt she has had them to a vet for a general health check.
2. Also means they are most likely unvaccinated (now 3-4 mnths old - yikes) and they do go outdoors occasionally with the other cat. (Rural heavily wooded area down a quiet gravel road and have not been fixed I'll bet $1000.00 the bleepity bleep that dumped them in the snow did't spend a penny more than needed. Also unsure of the existing cat's gender.... hrmmmm.
3. True "bonding" occur after a certain amount of time??? Any crystal ball answer for that? They certainly appear bonded, and will be important for adoption options?

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

Also..... (sorry!)..... from the pic and video it appears the one is a fair bit bigger than the other..... concerning issue?????

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I would definitely do a vet visit and get them deserved. Other wise if they go outside and are female, she will end up with a pregnant cat and kittens.
I’ll tag @Suzanne & Darcy again. Not sure she is around atm.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

For sure a priority Bron, thanks for tagging Suzanne, I will remove the question mark from thread title.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

For sure a priority Bron, thanks for tagging Suzanne, I will remove the question mark from thread title.

I think you could leave the ? there as others might be able to help you. I am trying to think of others who rescue kittens.

 

[tiffmaxee]

That young they need to eat as much as they want. It’s probably good yo feed both wet and dry if she is not going to keep them. They do need a first set of vaccines asap and a second set 3-4 weeks later.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

That young they need to eat as much as they want. It’s probably good yo feed both wet and dry if she is not going to keep them. They do need a first set of vaccines asap and a second set 3-4 weeks later.

Thanks Tiff! I will be shopping for food tomorrow and also calling around to find about vet check/ vaccine/ fixing. Thankyou. It does sound like variety in food types and flavours is good as kittens, can introduce them to new stuff young may help avoid later life extra fussy eaters. Correct?

 

[tiffmaxee]

Stick with turkey when it cones to protein right now.

 

[Gracie85]

If she's already had them 3 months, they are probably closer to 5 months old, and are getting very close to going into their first heat. If the other cat in the house is male and unneutered, there will be kittens from these kittens for sure. If they get to go outside, the chance of them getting pregnant is also very high. So very important to get them to a vet asap for neutering, or convince your sister to keep them inside only until they are; and away from the other cat in the house if it is an unneutered male.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I’m no expert on kittens but I do know that they need a kittens diet until they are 12 months old that has a different nutritional content to older cats. You can buy kitten food at any supermarket.

That's good right there to know thanks.

Almost all cat food available in the USA meets the requirements for both adults AND growth (kittens). The food container will say if good for adults and kitts by saying that it is good for all life stages. Tjus, there is no real reason to buy kitten food if the container says good for all life stages. There is a little cat food that is only good for adult and/or senior cats and the container will specifically say meets the requirements for adults and maybe seniors. AFFCO listing only identifies growth and adults as the two categories of cat food. There may be some cat food identified for seniors and that may be low phosphorus and low protein since many senor cats have degraded kidneys.

Regarding what to do with kittens before adoption, I would make sure they are up to date on vaccinations and get them spayed/neutered. I would talk to local shelter/rescues for low cost places for vaccinations and spay/neuter.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

If she's already had them 3 months, they are probably closer to 5 months old, and are getting very close to going into their first heat

Their actual age, as you say may be a bit older, and one boy, one girl, (other in house is fixed, but dont solve the issue) yes thankyou! I am hoping the short cold days of winter have done her a favour for going into heat (seasonality).

The food container will say if good for adults and kitts by saying that it is good for all life stages. Tjus, there is no real reason to buy kitten food if the container says good for all life stages.

Thankyou Larry, as I continued looking I did see the "all life Stages" approved AAFCO. That truly helps with her budget, Cheers!

Regarding what to do with kittens before adoption, I would make sure they are up to date on vaccinations and get them spayed/neutered. I would talk to local shelter/rescues for low cost places for vaccinations and spay/neuter.

I am on it today, much appreciated.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

It sounds like you have gotten good advice here so far. They would need to be dewormed, they are old enough for their first FVRCP injection and that one needs to be followed up with a booster three weeks later (no more than 4). They are also old enough to receive their rabies shot if they’re now about 4 months old.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Also hopefully they do not have fleas. She actually let them go outside? I would not have, but I am glad they’re okay.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I usually start my kittens out on baby formula if they’re young enough to need bottle feeding or even if they are eating solid food. I feed wet food with Breeder’s Edge powder mixed in for a while— because it has so many good immune boosting ingredients and also those good for the GI tract— but these guys are past that point. They look healthy. What has she been feeding them? I know a person who has raised many kittens on just Friskies pates. I usually feed Royal Canin Mother and Baby Cat Ultra Soft Mousse but that stuff has gotten ridiculously expensive! Same with the Wellness Kitten food (wet) that I also like. The Friskies wet kitten foods are less expensive and I have also fed those to my foster kittens. It all depends on your budget. Kittens can eat a LOT!$$

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

It sounds like you have gotten good advice here so far. They would need to be dewormed, they are old enough for their first FVRCP injection and that one needs to be followed up with a booster three weeks later (no more than 4). They are also old enough to receive their rabies shot if they’re now about 4 months old.

Thankyou Suzanne, I will ensure these are on the list for the vet.
and for the food advice

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

Quick update on the 2 cuties
My sister is mysteriously tight-lipped as to what she is feeding now, avoids the question (she only texts, she doesn't talk on the phone or answer). I will find out eventually... lol.
Based on not knowing what they've been eating I opted for a variety foods, in case they are nutrient deprived and/or fussy eaters already
I got her a bag of Blue Healthy Growth with lifesource bits Kibble for Kittens, 2 boxes of FF kitten wet (Turkey and Whitefish), and 1 box of Whiskas Kitten Chicken pate.
My mom is delivering the care package today. She will grill her for more info... Mum's have way with their daughters, sisters are not always the same case.
We will tweak the feeding and products as we go.

Also contacted the Meow Foundation of Calgary, an Alberta wide, nonprofit, volunteer organization that helps with subsidies and info, adoption programs, no kill shelter options (we would never want to use this as an option) and the like. Hoping to hear back from them in the next few days. (links from the RSPCA and the Humane society recommend them highly).
All Good Stuff !!!