Cat Chat Feline Forum

6 weeks is very young to be separated from Mum and siblings - she is probably calling for them. Keep her warm, frequent small meals, access to the litter box, lots of company, plenty of sleep - and vaccinations as soon as possible of course!

It is very understandable - we all try to find a reason when hit by tragedy, and think What-if? and If-only? But it is very, very unlikely that a few treats from a reputable source were the cause of her illness, and far more likely to be something she caught and ate outside, just as the vet says. Yo...

That does seem very little food to be building and maintaining so much cat! Is she eating anything else? Human food, other animals' food, treats? I assume, given her weight and indoor status, that she is not hunting. Is anyone else feeding her? I had a neighbour with an overweight dog who carefully ...

Pippin has been on Metacam (loxicom) for many years for arthritis, and it makes a huge difference - he has about half the maximum dose each day, perhaps a little more when he is very stiff. Seraquin (glucosamine) also helps.

It is pretty typical kitten behaviour. I would leave her alone, with smelly food close by and a tray within reach. She is more likely to come out if no one is there, and if the food smells really tempting. If she has not ventured out to eat in 24 hours it might be time to consider dismantling the cu...

If it is more than an hour or two since the first kitten was delivered I think you need to get her to a vet. There could be a kitten stuck, and that is an emergency - it may require surgery.

A timed feeder sounds like an excellent idea - he may be so focussed on waiting for it to open that he forgets about hunting! Perhaps "random" times for opening, so it holds the same fascination as a mouse hole.

First, the constant hunger - does he need worming, perhaps? If he is wormed regularly, and there is nothing physically wrong to explain his appetite (it would be worth getting blood tests done when you can) I think I would free feed him, feeding wet food morning and evening and leaving a bowl of dry...

First, slow down and take some calming breathes. I think you are right, and this is about you and not Hector - are you still in touch with the therapist you saw after your break up with your previous boyfriend and your cats? I don't want to go down the route of cod-psychology, but I do wonder if som...

At 8 weeks most kittens are happily eating solid food. I would try feeding the kittens separately, in case one is bullying the other around the food dish. Perhaps adding a little warm water to make a gruel consistency would help, or starting her on kitten milk.

It could be anal glands or something else physical, but the fact that she seeks you out to do it makes me wonder if it has become an attention seeking game. She obviously gets a big reaction from you every time, which can be very rewarding. I would try completely ignoring her when she does it, and p...

Hope you are recovering well - all of us who are sheltering safely owe you a great deal.

Is the food wet or dry? A wet food pureed so he can lap it without chewing may help both the toothache and the dehydration.

It took me half a dozen attempts to find a renal food Tilly will eat - fortunately she has continued to enjoy it and has stayed pretty stable for a year now. I do have to serve it in small portions at room temperature in a shallow porcelain saucer, of course...! Meanwhile she is still supplementing ...

Many, many cats live many happy years with early CKD - talk to your vet about the treatment options, and do not get too anxious too soon. An excellent source for well researched and comprehensive information is https://www.felinecrf.org. A change of diet to a low phosphate food, preferably wet, will...

Well, she certainly didn't hang about, and is clearly aiming to be an Instagram star! I hope you found a space to sleep - are there more kittens this morning? Three is quite a small litter, and could explain why she did not look full term. With the average litter of five it is much more obvious. A d...

It sounds as if she has decided you are now her humans - congratulations! It's good that you have been able to come to an amicable arrangement with her previous owner. Have you any idea of how old she is, and whether this is her first litter? You have obviously started researching what you might nee...

I would try a different brand, and different textures - some cats prefer pate foods, or just chunks in jelly, or just in gravy. If you are feeding her human food try to use meats that are low in salt and with not too much fat - chicken thighs with some of the skin taken off or minced beef, turkey, e...

Have you tried putting her heated bed and other comforts in another room, and accustomising her to sleeping there? Perhaps a bathroom, if your flat is small. Then she could have tray, food and water as well as a very comfortable bed all within easy reach, without the kitten having access to the food...

Do you give her a late evening meal, or leave food down for her overnight? And is she allowed out at night?

It sounds to me as if she is utterly confused by the whole situation, and possibly, given the loss of two kittens already, as if perhaps the whole litter has issues. It is possible, given the eye and respiratory infection you mention, that Molly has had feline herpes, and as a carrier may have passe...

I believe that, while long term metacam can cause CKD, when the disease is already present metacam can actually improve kidney function, due to its anti-inflammatory effect. It may be something worth discussing with your vet. Pippin's arthritis is so severe that he simply could not manage without it...

Pippin loves seraquin, and it does seem to help the arthritis.

If he is eating by himself he should be capable of urinating and defecating, but try rubbing gently with a damp cloth down over his tummy towards the anus for a few minutes - think of the strokes of the mother cat's tongue.

Excellent news! He just needed a little more time.

I would certainly try him with a little mince beef, if you have some - simmer it in not too much water, no salt, and offer it to him while it is still tepid. Scrambled egg is another possibility, if he is old enough to eat solids. Years ago we used to wean pups and kittens onto baby cereal mixed wit...

I am so very sorry - such a devastating accident to happen to a beloved, healthy young cat. I do not think anything will stop the "if onlys...", but try to think of the wonderful, happy year he had in your care, when without you he would have died as a tiny kitten. After such a fall I don'...

You can usually borrow a trap, so no need to buy, but yes, other cats can get caught. That is why the trap needs checking frequently to release them if necessary. I baited one with particularly good food and caught the same little tortie at least four times. But as the trap was checked every half ho...

I see. I would ask around vets, rescues, etc for a trap - it does mean that it needs checking frequently, but is probably the safest way. Meanwhile if you know exactly where the cat is perhaps a former neighbour could be persuaded to feed it in a suitable spot, where you could then put the trap when...

Is there any reason why you can't simply go and fetch the cat? Are the new owners of the house claiming him/her?