Momma just told us some news. She is going to FOSTER a baby Siamese from the shelter. This baby is about 3 weeks old. I guess his momma moved her other babies and never came back to move him. The people waited 24 hours (they fed him) for her to claim him, but she never did, so they brought him to the shelter. Momma is new to feeding baby kitties and is a bit scairt, but the lady who has him now is going to help her. (Momma would love any input from other foster Moms in the blogosphere.) I have a feeling this is only "the tip of the fostering iceberg." Yes, there will be pictures. Oh, his name is Squirt. Now there will be two Squirts in the house!!!! (You can see by my expression I have mixed feelings about this.) ~Patches Lady~
16 comments:
Oh, what fun. And work. But your mom will probably love fostering.
A baby meeze! How sweet! I hope it all goes well!!!
Oh, that's awesome! I cannot wait to see little Squirt.
Calico Mom,
You probably know more than I do since I don't know too much about fostering babies. However,I think when they are little you have to feed them every 3 hours and rub their tummys like the momma cat would lick so their little guts work. It's great that you will have some help with this. I'm not sure how long until they can sleep for longer amounts of time between feedings. All you forever cats there don't have to worry. Your momma's heart is big enough for all you kitties and helping others too. Purr near your mom when you can...she's doing a very good thing to help this little one.
May this be a wonderful experience.
Shilgiah, Tommy and Hope's Mom
What a great thing your mom is doing! And you too...for letting her!
Maybe the shelter people can give some advice too...
YOU ARE FANTASTIC TO DO THIS!!! I just sent you an email with some helpful information! I've had some experience with fosters, so I would be happy to help.
If you don't get my email, just let me know:
debrastaylor@earthlink.net
Love, Deb
Well, Patches if you think you are miffed at this kid coming to the house... what about Precious Flower... this kid has stole her name!!!
But it will go well, and remember she isn't coming for long and when she goes back, you will be feeling bad and miss her.
The biggest thing is patience.. it is hard on you gals to have a baby who loves to play when you don't want to. So try to remember what it was like when you came to Piney woods.
ROKON
We are so excited for you. Baby kits are so cute and exciting. The only thing Mom knows about baby kits is that after they eat, if you use a warm wet washcloth to rub their bellies, it works to make them go potty.
Tavi, Cody, Camie, Miss Jade and Gracie
We have no idea how to foster a kitty, but a baby meezer, what a great thing! We are kinda partial to meezers ... hee hee! And he has an "S" name, like us, so he will be a great meezer! We wish you all of the best, we know things will go wonderful with little Squirt and that you will find him a wonderful home!
Purrs and headbutts,
Sabrina, Sam and Simon
No clue on the foster stuff. But a temporary Meezer, brofur.
Can't wait for the pictures.
Mum planted lots and lots of morning glories, they are really starting to grow.
Like others here said, you rub their bellies and their anus with a warm, wet washcloth after feeding, so they can go potty. Feed every two to three hours. We feed KMR to the little orphans we get, and let them eat as much as they can at each sitting. You can buy kitten/puppy/small animal bottles at the pet store, as well as KMR. We get the powder and then mix it, because it's less expensive that way.
Do you have a large dog crate? You can also use a large cardboard box with the biggest side cut away. The kitten needs a place to call his own when he's not being fed or cleaned. Get doggie pee pads (disposable) or dog or human washable pads (waterproof lap pads or vinyl-backed pee pads) and line the carrier/box with that.
Give him lots of love, attention, and body contact. Put him on your chest to rest over your heart. Pet him gently as he eats.
At about 4-5 weeks, he will start eating dry food. We use plastic toddler plates for food and water. Be sure to give kitten food, not adult food, as it's smaller pieces and softer.
At about 6-7 weeks, he will be able to use a litter box. Use non-clumping litter, corn litter, or newspaper-based litter. It doesn't stick to the paw pads as much, and corn or paper can be digested (whereas clay cannot). Put some of his poop or pee in it, then set him in it the next time it looks like he's ready to go.
If/when you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me at ktmoonblue AT yahoo DOT com.
What an exciting time! One thing we liked to do when fostering a real littlie was to have a slightly older kitten (a couple of weeks or so). The baby would learn to copy the older kitten with the litterbox, and eating solids. I used paint trays for litterboxes, it was easier for their little legs.
The most important thing is to enjoy it, and post lots of photos!:)
Oh a baby meezer! That is exciting news. We can't wait to see photos.
I don't know anything about taking care of a kitten that young, but it looks like you are getting lots of good advice. Don't be sad, Patches. Little Squirt is too little to bother you much and your Mom has enough love to go around.
Wow, that is so exciting. Mum has never fostered a kitten, so we don't have any advice for you, but it looks like some very smart people have already left some good advice for her. It's a great thing that your Mom is doing, and she'll always love your girls, so don't worry Patches.
Purrs to you kitties and your Mom,
Gypsy & Tasha
Oh my goodness...a baby in the house! How sweet.
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