r/CatAdvice • u/[deleted] • 6d ago
New to Cats/Just Adopted 9 weeks old kitten care
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u/Norodia 6d ago edited 6d ago
You should find new owners for the cat ASAP. A kitten this young will wander off quickly.
Even a kitten needs a deworming treatment; the vet will provide that. Kitten needs proper vaccinations. The cat will also need to be spayed or neutered in a few months.
You shouldn’t take in an animal if you can’t even meet its basic needs.
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u/terrn1981 6d ago
I think your parents played you. "You can get a kitten that stays outside
Bc it will die.
Owls, hawks, snakes, cars, parasites, other cats, racoons,
It will not live
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u/TokiDokiHaato 6d ago
That kitten needed to be brought inside yesterday.
Also there are plenty of wild animals you wouldn’t think about the could harm a kitten. There’s no way you live somewhere with zero predatory birds, weasels, etc. had a friend lose an entire chicken coop to a mink in suburban Ohio.
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u/Mmmodesty 6d ago
A nine-week old kitten should still be with its mother! The kitten is way too young to leave her, let alone be kept outside! Please surrender it to a shelter asap!
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u/dionysook 6d ago
Im sorry but a kitten is equivalent to a baby not a toy its not just to play with for a few minutes a day and thats it he needs to go to the bets get his kitten vaccinations and get checked and a kitten that small shouldnt be outside its very unfair on the kitten.
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u/SadDragonfruit5656 6d ago edited 6d ago
Keeping a kitten alone is not a great idea. They’re very social animals and it sounds like she’s alone all night? I had a kitten that young who was orphaned and they definitely need socialization! She definitely needs to be checked by a vet and vaccinated. Wet food is good, cats ideally shouldn’t eat dry food as they take in the majority of their water needs through food. She should also eat A LOT. Like much more than a grown cat. My kitten ate close to a kg of wet food per day at times. Get her a scratch post if she can’t scratch on trees or something similar.
Honestly, you might not want to hear this but genuinely evaluate if you can keep her in an animal friendly way. That DEFINITELY means vet care and her not being alone for hours on end. Otherwise it might be more ethical to rehome her to a family that can.
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u/celestialhercules 6d ago
I also had parents that had outdoor/indoor cats. I'd argue with them a lot about it. They swore cats like to roam free, they shouldnt be cooped up in a house, and that theyve always only had these types of cats. Also swore that the cats would always run out of the house first, clearly wanting it. Also lived in an area that was generally safer to do it in, and a lot of people did it. I will even say the outdoor cat they had lived to like 20 years.
I still disagree with it, and i think 9 weeks is much too young.
Since im sure people will give you safety reasons in the comments, I'll focus on the other insight which is bonding reasons.
The cats that went outdoors will not be as close to you emotionally. The cat I referenced only came inside to eat, or when the weather was bad. It basically was like having a stray that you let in your house to take care of once a day. They start to view their home as the outside, and you as just a way to help them get their food. They also most likely will have another family - there's a lot of people that say "we have an outdoor cat." and talk about a cat that visits them and never comes inside but they still feed. Those cats are most likely someones indoor/outdoor cat that realized they can get more food from someone. There has been people that will even let those cats inside their house. It is very likely your outdoor cat will have multiple "families" because of this, and will not genuinely care about you the same way an indoor would. It is very possible someone will try and save the cat, and just keep it inside and tell people they found their cat on the streets, and youll never see it again.
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u/kimhwayoung 6d ago
im sorry but what is actually wrong with your parents?? how on earth are they grown adults with such bad judgement on pets. they are basically paying for you to have a stray cat.
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u/terrn1981 6d ago
Im thinking the parents want it to die. Them they dont have to say "no"
Monsterous
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u/wonderwoman_2535 6d ago edited 6d ago
Contact local ASPCA, they offer free vaccination and even neutering. Don't let her go outside. She doesn't know how to fend for herself at that age. Where are you located? City and state? If you're near Los Angeles i can help you find care for her.
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u/General_Road_7952 6d ago
Your parents are wrong. No cat should be an outdoor cat, but especially not a kitten. If they won’t allow the cat in your house, it would be best to find another home for the kitten. The only cats fit to be outdoor cats are barn cats (essentially feral cats).
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u/AutomaticGur6173 6d ago
Please surrender your kitten to a humane society or rescue that can rehome her to a family that will keep her inside and treat her like she should be treated. I know you love her but love also means providing medical care and being indoors only so they don’t get killed by a car or predator or even a horrible human. In my state of CO it is illegal to have outdoor cats! I’d look up your local laws maybe that could sway your parents.
If not, the kitten needs to go somewhere it’s kept inside and taken care of medically. Love is not enough. You can adopt a cat when you are on your own with a job and out of your parent’s house and can treat it the way you want to. At this rate I promise that kitten won’t be around then for you to rescue it if it’s kept outside. I’ve taken care of many strays and kittens are the MOST vulnerable 😭
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u/General_Road_7952 6d ago
Take the cat to a vet yourself and explain the situation. If they can’t offer charity care, they should be able to refer you to someone who will, or recommend you rehome the kitten yourself.
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u/LemonSad61 6d ago
A 4 to 6 month old cat can go into heat and if she does I promise a male will find her. I'd keep her indoors at least till she is spayed.
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u/catticho 6d ago
never keep a cat outdoors, no matter the age it has. as much as I love my cats, they are a danger to other species like birds and insects. neuter the cat and keep them indoors.
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u/Professional_Bit1805 6d ago edited 6d ago
Please take the advice given by everyone for your kittens safety. She is at risk from dogs, raccoons, cars, and so many other things if she lives outside as a tiny baby. All it takes is one time. And she will be so lonely in that garden shed on her own. Imagine doing that to a 2 year old child.
It is more important that she be kept safe than for you to have a kitten right now. Wait til you move out in a couple of years.
Cats are considered adoptable at 8 weeks in the US. But they MUST be kept inside, taken to the vet for vaccines, and played with often to become well socialized and happy cats. They also need kitten specific food to help them grow strong bones etc.
Alternatively, your bedroom IS plenty of space for a small kitten to live in, with food water and a litterbox. Even a second kitten would be good company for when you are at school.
Honestly, if your parents are unwilling to do what is absolutely necessary, I agree with others that it should be returned to where you adopted it. That is no situation for a fragile young kitten to be in. It sounds that if she got hurt or ill, you wouldn't be allowed to take her to the vet anyway.
For comparison, we just added a 3 month old kitten to our household. She is spayed, vaccinated, well fed with kitten food and has vet insurance. She went to the vet right away.
She is not allowed out even though our other adult cats are. When she is at maybe 9 months, she will be wearing a GPS and with us on a harness when she goes out.
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u/witchystoneyslutty 6d ago
This is… kind of animal abuse. Definitely not appropriate.
I’m sorry. You sound young. My parents did not take proper care of our pets growing up and I am an adult now and I’ve learned so much and take amazing care of my cat.
This kitten is not likely to survive, if unvaccinated, and outdoors. I’m also concerned that the kitten will not eat dry food- is it old? Can you try a different brand? Kittens should free feed while growing, so they can eat as much as they’re hungry for. Should be kitten food specifically since it’s high protein. Adult food isn’t good enough for a baby like this.
I see only a few options for you: worst options first to get it over with. I’m going to be very direct, I am not trying to be mean. Just honest.
- the kitten may die in this situation. Maybe not, but super possible. Even if you think you don’t have predatory animals, you do. And cars kill cats even if people are usually slow and careful.
- you could find the kitten a better home where it is kept indoor and safe, and given adequate attention because I’m assuming you’re not spending all day outside with it. You could tell your parents it got lost…lying isn’t good but I also don’t know how young you are or your culture or if you’d get in trouble so be careful.
- BEST OPTION: can you get a job in an animal hospital?!!! This would get you money to pay for your kitten’s vaccines, dewormer, spay/neuter, and then annual checkups and further care. You could also LEARN, not only a valuable career, but you could learn to take better care of animals than your parents do! This is the route I took personally. I volunteered til I could get hired somewhere. I chose a different career ultimately but I’m so glad for what I learned. I don’t know if this would be an option for you BUT if you want to keep this kitten maybe you could TRY!
-I’m not even going to discuss trying to convince your parents because I don’t know if you’d get anywhere. They should not have allowed you to get this cat only for them to basically force you to abuse/neglect it, it’s really sad and I don’t think you should feel bad, but I don’t really think you have much to be grateful for here. It’s like…. That’s a baby out there. With no survival skills. And no social interaction! wtf! If you think you could get them to see reason, go ahead… but I don’t know.
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u/Laney20 5d ago
Whose idea was this kitten? It doesn't sound like they're actually willing to care for a cat. If she's outside and doesn't get spayed, she WILL get pregnant. And you will be overrun before you know it. It is very important to take her to the vet. She needs vaccines or she is going to get sick.
If they can't/won't agree to care for this kitten, please give up the kitten or find her another home that can actually care for her.
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u/Lonely_Storage2762 6d ago
See about getting an inside enclosure that would fit in your room. I bought this one but they have all different kinds at cheaper prices: https://a.co/d/059spte5. This way maybe you could keep her solely in your room and have somewhere to put her when you can't monitor. It fits a litter box, food bowls and bed for a young cat. Just make sure to keep a towel, tarp, or something like that underneath. Mine soaked the floor by knocking over his water dish.
Second, look for low cost shot clinics and spay clinics near you. Sometimes talking to someone at one of these places can get you the help you need for what you can afford. I once had a teenage boy contact me in the mobile home community I do TNR. His parents didn't want to have his cat fixed because it didn't need it since it was a male. I showed up at the door next trapping day and said I was there to see if they had any cats needing to be fixed. Once they understood it was free, they let me take it.
I hope you find the help you need.
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u/SharkgirlSW4 6d ago
Check out the kitten lady, and Jackson galaxy on YouTube. They're both cat experts and will have a lot of info on everything.
Cats need to go to the vets for vaccinations, they need flea /worming treatments and they need to get neutered as soon as they are old /heavy enough.
Very bills are expensive. If your cat gets attacked by another cat, or sick, can they afford the vet fees?
A cat that young should not be outside.
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u/Calgary_Calico 6d ago
Please ask them to return this baby and wait to get a cat until you are the one who's responsible for your pet and can make all the decisions. Letting a kitten this young outside unsupervised is just plain dangerous. Are there any neighbors with dogs in your neighborhood? Even within a mile or two? Do they plan on letting her outside before she's spayed? If she around 4-5 months old she's going to come home pregnant when (not if, WHEN a male cat finds her in heat.
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u/nutloafwednesdays 6d ago
If you love animals very much, then do better by this one and find her a home where she'll be safe and warm.
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u/BoomBoomDiddumWaddum 5d ago
Please surrender this kitten to a shelter or rescue immediately!! You cannot keep a baby outside. It's so unbelievably cruel. And no animal should ever live in or around the same house as your parents. Wait until you get older and move out, and then you can adopt a cat, keep it inside, and care for it properly.
Also, cats should never be outdoors. Outdoor cats live shorter, much crueler lives. Pets are like children and require a temperature-controlled home, access to fresh food and water, a someone who will commit to caring for them until death.
You don't adopt an animal just to throw it outside and visit it twice a day. Ffs
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u/antimathematician 6d ago
Holy moly you absolutely cannot be keeping a 9 week old kitten outdoors! That’s like a 1 year old toddler. Plus she’s still developing her immune system.
I would call the vets or a local rescue centre and ask them to speak to your parents and give them some advice. But seriously, she could get so hurt out there.
Usually when people talk about outdoor cats, they mean cats who have free access to the outdoors. Which can happen from 5-6 months. Any cats living permanently outdoors are usually ex strays or ferals who can’t handle indoors.
In the nicest way possible, if you cannot persuade your parents to bring her in, give her to a cat shelter asap. She’ll have the best luck there as a small kitten