kitten advice please

[John]

A friend a couple of weeks ago took in a cat that was hanging around his house he thinks it is a " Burmese Linx " personally I do not know the breed. but it is a siamese type cat with big ears..today he came home from work and it has had 5 kittens. any thoughts or advice reqired please...

[angieh]

Depends what your friend wants to do. Bless him or her for taking in this needy cat.

I would advise contact with your local Cats Protection branch. You can find details on their main website.

[John]

he loves the cat and wants to keep her, but would like a bit of advice on mum and kittens and what to do.she had her babys in the middle of his bed, so tonight he is sleeping on the couch lolo

[angieh]

If he thinks there is a reason for concern about mum and kittens, he should take them to a vet.

If it's just general care of the new kittens and mother then please say - there are loads of people here who can give good basic care advice.

Second thoughts about this: as mum cat was a stray, she may need a check up at the least. She and kits will need worming and professional advise is best IMO.

[calismum]

What a lucky girl to have found your friend. I'd agree lots of TLC, good food and worming all round. A vet checkup would be good idea if mum is friendly enoughto take.

[John]

the cat is very loving so will mention taking to the vets, do you think mum and kittens should be wormed now or later. my friend is unemployed so wil there be any charge if he takes them to the PDSA. I dont think he is in a position to pay for vets bills
i think general care advice is what he is after

[calismum]

sorry John - I have no idea. But when my friends mum took in Kinsi's mum who was pregnant the local CP paid for a great deal. If your friend will struggle with foood bills then I'm sure they would take mum and babies.

[angieh]

PDSA is a good idea. I would suggest that your friend contact them direct and ask their advise and also what they can offer to him as an unemployed person.

[John]

He is a cat person and loves animals. I think he is just after general advice on being a new "dad"

[angieh]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Good for him! Guess he needs to reclaim his bed first!

Get a nice cardboard box; line with newspaper and an old blanket. Put it somewhere quiet and out of draughts. Try and coax mum cat to make this her lair.

Make sure she eats small meals frequently, better than large meals. Try and encourage her to drink water as this will help her milk. If she likes it, she may like some cat milk. This is preferable to cows' milk which she or the kittens may be intolerant to.

Make sure she has a litter tray for her own use close by.

Good luck to your friend. I have never heard of a Burmese Lynx; although Burmese is a very lovely breed. She could be a cross breed.

[calismum]

PDSA then, and lots of cuddles to socialise babies. They sound lovely John, I hope they do well.

Make sure kittens are feeding, tummies should be full, but not hard. Mum should keep them clean, but watch out for clean eyes and noses.

I hope someone who has kitten experience will soon be along with better advice.

[dandysmom]

Can't improve on any of the above excellent advice, John; good luck to your friend and bless him for taking in that little cat and her unexpected brood! Do let us know what's happening.

[John]

thank you all for the advice..one of the kittens has died, the others seem to be doing well..will have more updateds tomorrow..john

[dandysmom]

Oh, sad about the one who died; glad the others are doing well. Have they seen a vet yet, and has your friend been in contact with any organizations that might be able to help the "new dad"?

[Moli]

Think the CP would help with vets etc............

[catlady81]

So sorry to hear that one of the kittens has died. :(

I couldn't really improve on the excellent advice that's already been provided on this thread. CP and PDSA are both excellent resources. Your friend should get in contact with both of them to see where he stands and what help is available.

[John]

update on mum and kittens..I have passed on all the information you have given me..mum is now being given chicken and fish as well as cat food..he is waiting for kittens to be a little older before taken to the PDSA..

a few days ago mum went out so he put kittens in a box with cushion and blankets and changed his bed. mum came in and promptly picked her babies up and put them back in his bed..
he is still sleeping on the couch..lolo
I have told him not to let anyone have the kittens, if they are old enough, before xmas.as they may be unwanted xmas presents

[Moli]

Sounds like he is doing it all perfectly...
Good advice about christmas John..;)

[dandysmom]

Well done your friend, he's a good dad! Agree about Christmas ... and too soon anway!!

[calismum]

Sounds as if they're all getting along well. Love that he's sleeping on couch - obviously he's a real cat person then.

[John]

Sounds as if they're all getting along well. Love that he's sleeping on couch - obviously he's a real cat person then.

If you seen him in the street you would not think he is that sort of person..just goes to show you cannot judge a person on how they look..

[EmmaG]

Very true John,

glad mum and kittens are being well looked after, no doubt providing good company for your friend x