Our semi- feral 2- week old kittens

The garage and barn are packed pretty tight with 'stuff' all around the outside walls, including things such as sheets of plywood. What I fear may have happened is that the two missing kittens ran down into one of those narrow gaps and got stuck, not being able to back out or turn around. And no kitten crying noises either. If I heard them, or if Mama cat was intent on some place in either building, I would dig the stuff out (actually mostly my wife- broken wrist of mine and all) but as I said, Mama is just sitting there like the Sphinx not making a sound, nor moving.

Brian

 

Okay, so I feel stupid, after Googling I found that cats don't do the regurgitation bit. They just bring home kills and the kittens learn by watching and are weaned that way.

 

Hey I like the kittens just fine but I ain't bringing in road kill and showing them how to eat it.....



Brian

 

Stopped and picked up kitten formula and two bottles. We, mostly Andrea, was fairly successful in getting some formula into both of the kittens I caught.

Then we went outside and found that Mama cat had two (2!) kittens with her and the runt was too slow so I scooped her up too. The other one ran behind some stacked wood but we will go out later and see if we can catch that kitten alone and <hopefully> a little sluggish. Actually I had a handful of kitten but the dammed thing was pulling so hard I was afraid I would hurt it if I kept a grip on it. :-( So there is the good news, all four are still alive and well, and we now have three in the house. And one of them actually used the litter box for a very small drainage. The other two like the litter box too but think it is a playground.



They appear to be all females and are surprisingly different in size. I have named them Big Calico, Smaller Calico and Runty and they are in that order in the photo from the bottom to the top.

Brian

 

Yeah, my D-I-L says that when you feed a cat dairy you get, and I quote, "icky poopies".

Oh they have teeth, trust me. I am sure they are baby or milk teeth but they are still tougher than the skin on my hands. They all have very visible teeth. We are very confident they are four weeks old w/in three days and I believe closer than that really.

Brian

 

I admit that I took a double-take at reading the first part. Then flat out LOL'ed at your re-statement.

 

OMG - I think I'm falling in love with kittens . ARRGGHH, let me know when they are ready to go and maybe I'll come get one - unless they have all been spoken for.

They all think it is a playground at that age. They do not seem to mind both playing and doing their duty in it for a little while.

So the last one you have to catch is your wife's favorite? Or is hers the runt (which from this angle looks like the gray one)?

 

Good work, Brian! I think you've earned your certificate in kitten herding!

 

You want to make sure you fall in love with Miss Available!

 

Exactly ! Don't need his wife

 

I am actually much more of a 'dog person' myself. But I never had a dog until I was 30 yrs. old, and I grew up with cats and kittens and learned to appreciate them for what they are: beautiful, graceful, elegant, hunter- killers with almost mythical physical abilities. So cats are fine by me. Now I was not looking for any cats at all but because of the 'herd' around the house, I seem to have been dipped in Cathood. :-(

Anyone who can resist a kitten, or better yet, several kittens in the same litter is just not human IMO. They are simply adorable (and men, including me, do not usually use that word).

My favorite, only because of markings, is the one still with Mama cat in the garage. A gray cat with white markings that look like eyeglasses. Makes me smile. Hoping to catch it w/in the next few days.

Andrea's favorite is 'Runty', the smallest (by far) of the litter, but only because it is all- gray and looks like Phoebe. Runty seems to be the most laid- back of all of them. She (it really does seem to be a female) does not run, does not startle, and does not particularly react to being picked up by us 'monstrous' humans. I think Runty will make a very nice, docile, 'lap- cat'.

At this point, none are spoken for. Our plan is to socialize them (with humans), finish rearing them to when kittens can normally go to a new home, and find good, adoptive homes for all of them. All are 'up for grabs' but I sincerely ask that any adopters get the kitten spayed / neutered and give the kitten the minimal veterinarian treatment: shots for distemper, worming (if needed) and so forth. I cannot insist of course but I will give preference to my vet.'s clients as adoptive people because I believe they will take the best care of a kitten. I will have my own vet. check them for leukemia, out- of- pocket, and any that test positive will be euthanized: I believe that is the kindest course of action. And I wound NEVER give a kitten with leukemia to anyone to raise; that is just unfair to both the kitten and especially the potential adopters.

But I will tell you from actual experience, kitten- fun is to the square of the kittens present; one kitten is a blast, two kittens is four times the fun, three kittens are nine times the fun. Kittens are nothing short of spectacular playing with each other. They will run, run sideways, jump, climb all over each other and a million other things that humans just cannot do.

Be careful though: my mother had three cats I grew up with that all lived to be 22+ years of age, so a kitten can be a really long- term commitment.

As I said, none of these kittens are 'spoken' for and all will be available unless one worms her way into our hearts and we just cannot part with it. But the plan is to find four adoptable homes for these kittens, with the understanding by the new owners that they will need care and a vet. to live a long and happy life for both owner as well as the cat itself.

Brian

 

Will happily arrange transport if possible for a GOOD HOME for any of these kittens. Will share the expense with the new "owner" (really, the cat is the owner and the human is to be trained ).

Brian

 

All dogs and cats that I have ever had were spayed/neutered. No need to add to the population! They all go to the vet at least 1x per year (more often should it be needed - of course the first several months worth of shots). Sadly I've never had a kitty (or dog)last for 20+ years, but most dogs and cats have lived 14-16. I'd be happy to give you the name and number of my vet so you can talk to them about how I care for my family members.

Of course I have to consult Rita first and make sure she is ready for a new kitty buddy - if I can get her attention since she is busy playing with bugs (in the fenced in yard of course) .

 

be careful. My two himalayans got together and along came kittens, I was planning on selling the kitten to recover the cost of the parents, but the wife and I both just couldn't bring ourselves to part with the kittens. So now we have 6 cats, but know that they are all neutered. their long hair is a lot of work to keep up with.

 

I chuckled when you told the story at the G2G - You each got one then keeping all the kittens. Fortunate for you that it wasn't a large litter hu?