Feeding Stray Kitten?

[goldfish]

I used to give a local cat milk from time to time. When I saw she was pregnant I gave her milk every day. She had two kittens on a neighbours balcony about 3 weeks ago and then moved them to my balcony last week as its quietier. Have been giving mama milk twice a day since. This morning I woke to find one of the kittens dead. Have no idea of the reason. Should I be giving the kitten food? Am still not sure if the mama has a home and I do not feel I have any right to find a home for the kitten, maybe it will be happier being feral

[elfe]

I used to give a local cat milk from time to time. When I saw she was pregnant I gave her milk every day. She had two kittens on a neighbours balcony about 3 weeks ago and then moved them to my balcony last week as its quietier. Have been giving mama milk twice a day since. This morning I woke to find one of the kittens dead. Have no idea of the reason. Should I be giving the kitten food? Am still not sure if the mama has a home and I do not feel I have any right to find a home for the kitten, maybe it will be happier being feral

you could already try some food, like tinned fish or freshly cooked fish, tinned cat food, no rice. depending where you live (close to road, dogs around) the kitty could be in danger and have a longer life in a home. anyway you first have to find a home for her which is not always easy...

[leisurely]

I think that cats are allergic to milk, certainly in England you can buy cartons of special cat milk.

If you are serious about adopting these cats,you should have them doctored. I saw a projection once about how 2 cats (male and female) would eventually end up at a ridiculous number as they breed so prolifically. I have no idea of the expected life span of a Thai cat, they are few and far between here unlike the dogs. In England we had a cat who we adopted at 14 and she lived to 20!

[goldfish]

I will not be adopting any cats, I have a dog, just trying to help something live. Just removed the kitten whilst suckling and gave it some food, it ate quite a lot, and gave the rest to mama. I am not a cat expert but suspect mama may be pregnant again.

I live in a quiet part of Cheweng, so if elfe knows anyone who would like a kitten...

[Minburi]

Its all or nothing. I feel that you started this and have taken on the role of them now being yours so you should bite the bullet and take them the mom and the remaining kitten to the vet for a checkup and for mom to get the snip snip to stop anymore. The big problem maybe that mom is not that healthy and she is not giving much milk to kitten.

[elfe]

hi goldfish, i have 13 rescued cats and wished to give some to good homes...

maybe your dog gets along with the kitties?

ask around all the time maybe someone wants the baby cat... if the baby can eat alone already take mom to neutering to prevent more unfortunate kitties.

[Sheryl]

The kitten that died probably did so from an infection since they haven't been vaccinated. Nothing to do with your feeding the Mama.

At 3 weeks or more old, the surviving kitten does need some food as well as Mama's milk, and Mama needs more than just milk.

Doubt Mama is already pregnant if the litter is less than a month old, but certainly she will be if you don't get her spayed.

Bring both to a vet, let them vaccinate both and spay the Mama cat. Keep feeding both and look for a home for at least the kitten, if you don't find one by the time the kitten is about 5 months old then take it to the vet for spaying/neutering.

There are different types and degrees of cat ownership. If you are more comfortable with it, keep them at some distance, outside the house, and limit your assistance to food and vaccination (and population control!), they'll still be a whole lot better off than they otherwise would have been.

[goldfish]

Thank you for advice. Am feeding dried cat food and milk and keeping them at arms distance. Only see them to give food on balcony, which the kitten seems to be able to eat. Don't mind doing this but will make the feeding irregular, to reduce dependancy, when older. Oh, and mama is definately pregnant again. How long after birth can I take mama for neutering?

[BambinA]

How long after birth can I take mama for neutering?

feeding mama can be spayed after weaned kittens (1.5-2 mths)

un-feeding mum .. she needs to be spayed as soon as possible.

Edited March 13, 2007 by BambinA

[Mystery]

Seems to be a growing tradition amongst the farang community... I too take care of stray cats mainly, although I'd probably feel sorry for anything hurt other than a mosquito!

Very strange that the kitten died, perhaps a runt, a little smaller than her sister? Kittens live off their mothers milk for at least the first two months, although after one month you can start slowly introducing soft kitten meat from Whiskas or rice mixed with a bit of soft, cooked fish or meat.

Interesting idea about the kitten having the right to be feral - never thought of it that way around - perhaps I should - I'd have less cats thats for sure!!

If she needs a home let me know, thanks.

I used to give a local cat milk from time to time. When I saw she was pregnant I gave her milk every day. She had two kittens on a neighbours balcony about 3 weeks ago and then moved them to my balcony last week as its quietier. Have been giving mama milk twice a day since. This morning I woke to find one of the kittens dead. Have no idea of the reason. Should I be giving the kitten food? Am still not sure if the mama has a home and I do not feel I have any right to find a home for the kitten, maybe it will be happier being feral

[goldfish]

The other kitten certainly wasn't a runt, used to have a hissing fit if I went near. If you have an interest in the kitten and live on Samui then send me a pm. Mama is definately pregnant again so a home will probably be helpful.

It seems fairly robust and is doing well with the dried cat food. Did try it with kitty food but seems more interested in the dried variety now

[Sheryl]

If cats preferred to be feral, they'd run away and be so...but they don't (tho I have known cats dissatisfied with one owner to go and adopt another!).

Fortunately for us cats have decided they want to live with us...

[goldfish]

My brother had two cats. After about a year one of them ran away. He would see it occasionally sitting on a wall at the entrance to some fields, just sitting there looking at him. Wouldn't allow him near enough to touch. It chose to be feral. Not sure what that says about my brother tho

[Sheryl]

My brother had two cats. After about a year one of them ran away. He would see it occasionally sitting on a wall at the entrance to some fields, just sitting there looking at him. Wouldn't allow him near enough to touch. It chose to be feral. Not sure what that says about my brother tho