Unfortunately, stray cats are common in many areas of Italy. Almost (but not) all strays are wild, so they are very unlikely to become domesticated to the point of living indoors with people. However, kittens are more likely to become pets if they are used to socializing from an early age. If you find a stray (or wild) kitten, there are several things you can do to help them survive and make them a good house pet.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Providing Food and Shelter in Emergency Situations
Step 1. Make sure the cat is truly abandoned
Mothers are not always able to look after their young and in some cases have to leave them alone to go in search of food. If you find one or more stray kittens, you need to be sure they have really been abandoned by their mother before bringing them into your home.
- Unfortunately, the only way to make sure a kitten has been abandoned is to wait and observe it. You need to do this from a distance that the mother cannot see or smell you.
- If after a few hours the mother hasn't returned, she probably won't.
- If the mother returns, it is best to leave the kittens in her care until weaning. Until then, you can help the cat family with food, water, and shelter.
- Once a kitten has been weaned, you can decide whether to bring it indoors or let it live outdoors.
- Many stray cats live in colonies. Kittens that are at least 4 months old are able to survive on their own within these groups.
Step 2. Estimate the puppy's age
Kittens need different care based on age, so the first thing to do is try to estimate this information. If you can see the specimen clearly, you can get an idea of its age before touching it and bringing it indoors.
- Newborn puppies that are less than a week old have the following characteristics: they weigh about 80-220 grams, have their eyes closed, have their ears folded and cannot walk; they may even have a piece of umbilical cord still attached to their tummy.
- A kitten between 7 and 14 days of age weighs 200 to 300 g, has blue eyes slightly open, ears barely open and tries to move.
- A kitten of about 3 weeks weighs from 200 to 450 g, has its ears and eyes open, is able to take its first steps, reacts to noises and movements.
- A 4 to 5 week old puppy weighs 200 to 500g, is able to run and play with his siblings, can eat wet food, and no longer has blue eyes.
Step 3. Try to find a mother who is already breastfeeding
Cats with children have a very strong maternal instinct and it often happens that they adopt other kittens in their litter. Since mother's milk is the absolute best food for a kitten and a cat already knows how to care for their young, delivering the kitten you found to a mother is the best choice.
- Call animal protection, vets, animal shelters and ask if anyone has a mother who can look after an extra kitten (or two).
- Even if you decide to deliver a kitten to a mother, you can still get it back after weaning.
Step 4. Keep the kittens warm and dry
Kittens have a hard time regulating their body temperature (in fact, they are not able to do this at all until 3 weeks of age), so they need a lot of help keeping warm. They usually stay very close to their mother to keep warm, or huddle between siblings (often one on top of the other).
- If a kitten is cold to the touch, warm it with your body. Use your hands to scrub it and promote blood circulation.
- Build a kitten bed out of a box, a laundry basket, a plastic tub, and so on. Place blankets and towels inside to keep him warm and to prevent him from falling or climbing out.
- You can also place a heat pad inside the kennel (under a towel) if necessary, but make sure the kitten has a chance to move away if it feels too hot.
- Since the kitten does not have a mother to clean it, the blanket will get dirty. Make sure you change it often so your pet doesn't get wet. In this case, wash off the dirt and dry it with a cloth.
Step 5. Purchase infant formula for kittens
Kittens can only drink infant formula specifically designed for cats. Never give the waif other types of milk you have at home. You will likely need to go to a pet store and purchase a specific product as soon as possible.
- In addition to formula milk, you also need to purchase a bottle for the kitten. You will probably find it in the same section of the shop.
- If available, buy an elongated bottle for the bottle, which allows the kitten to drink better.
Step 6. Make emergency infant formula yourself
If you need to feed a kitten and all the shops are closed, you can make an emergency drink with the products you have around the house. If you are missing something, you will likely find a supermarket that is open even on days when the pet shops are closed. Use this formula only in emergency cases, because its ingredients are potentially dangerous for the animal. Milk can cause diarrhea and eggs can transmit salmonella; either way the kitten could die from complications.
- Option 1: Mix 200g of evaporated milk, one egg white and two tablespoons of corn syrup. Strain the mixture to remove lumps, then store it in the fridge until breastfeeding. Place it in a bottle with equal parts boiling water and feed the kitten the mix when it has cooled down.
- Option 2: Mix two cups of whole milk, 2 raw egg whites (organically grown, if possible) and 2 tablespoons of protein powder. Use a fork or whisk to make a smooth, lump-free mixture. Heat the drink by placing it in a bottle in a bowl of warm water.
Step 7. Feed the kitten on a regular schedule
Kittens need to eat about every 2 hours, depending on their age. Have them drink lying on their stomach, with the bottle up but at a slight angle. The milk should be hot, but not too hot.
- Kittens 10 days old and younger need to eat every 2 hours, all day, including night.
- Kittens between 11 and 18 days old must eat every 3-4 hours, all day.
- Puppies between 18 days and four weeks old need to eat every 5-6 hours, all day.
- Once a kitten reaches 4-5 weeks of age, you can start weaning it from the bottle. You can do this by mixing formula milk with wet food and feeding it in a bowl. You can also try starting dry food to see if he's interested.
Step 8. Have the kitten digest after feeding
Just like babies, kittens who drink formula milk from the bottle also have to "burp" at the end of a meal. These animals usually stop drinking when full if they have no problem sticking to the bottle.
- If a kitten is not latching onto the bottle, you can pull it while drinking to encourage it to suck harder. You can also move it to try to get the same result.
- If a kitten is sick, you may need to feed it with a tube to the stomach. Take him to a vet before attempting this solution.
- Once the kitten has stopped drinking, place it on its shoulder or tummy and gently tap its back until it digestes.
- When he has burped, use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe him off and wipe off any excess milk that hasn't gotten into his mouth.
Step 9. Stimulate the kitten to urinate
Kittens who have not yet reached 4 weeks of age need help with their needs. Under normal conditions the mother licks them to stimulate excretion, but since they are orphans, you have to help them. Thankfully, you don't have to lick them, just use a soft handkerchief or a warm, damp cotton ball.
- Use the handkerchief or cotton ball to gently scrub the kitten's rear until it comes free.
- As long as a puppy only drinks formula milk, his droppings will be liquid.
Method 2 of 3: Deciding to Keep the Kitten
Step 1. Think carefully about whether or not to keep the kitten
A kitten is adorable and it's really hard not to have the instinct to take care of him. However, raising a kitten (especially one that small) and getting them used to becoming a pet is a long and complex process. You need to be sure you are ready for such a commitment.
- Also consider that a stray kitten will need a vet's care sooner or later. Standard treatments (vaccinations, sterilization, flea treatment, deworming, etc.) can cost several hundred euros. Non-standard ones (emergency visits, parasite treatments, cures for respiratory tract infections, and others) can be very expensive and it's not easy to predict when your kitty will need them.
- If you are unable to make such a commitment, you may find another person willing to do so. Start asking local animal protection and shelters. You can also call a vet and ask if they know anyone who can help you.
Step 2. Weigh the kitten regularly
To make sure it is growing well, do it every day. You may get into the habit of weighing it before each meal, or at the same time each day. Make a note of its weight on a chart so you can gauge its progress.
A kitten should double its weight in the first week of life
Step 3. Start training your cat to use the litter box
When a puppy reaches 4-6 weeks of age, you can start teaching him where he needs to go. If you notice that the kitten is already looking for a place where it needs to free itself before it turns one month old, you can try putting it in the litter box even earlier.
- Use a very low litter box. Many shelters use the cat food box.
- Use non-caking sand. Do not use paper or towels to train a kitten, as this could lead to bad habits that would be unwelcome to future owners.
- After the kitten has eaten, place it in the litter box to encourage it to use it. You can also use a soiled cotton ball or handkerchief to help him understand what he should do.
Step 4. Check that the kitten has no health problems
Unfortunately, puppies, especially those born in the wild, can have many health problems when they are young. Be careful while caring for them and take them to a vet if you notice anything wrong.
- Kittens often suffer from upper respiratory infections. If you notice yellow mucus leaking from your kitten's nose or if she has trouble breathing when she eats, she may have this condition. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may need to give him antibiotics.
- Fleas are also a common problem for cats that have lived outdoors, and in the case of a puppy they can be lethal. If the puppy you are caring for has fleas, start brushing him with a flea comb, then give him a warm bath. Don't use a flea shampoo or anti-parasite medication like Revolution.
- Kittens born outdoors can also have parasites, which usually cause problems with defecation. If you notice something wrong, take your kitten to the vet, who can deworm him as early as 10 days of age.
Step 5. Take the kitten to the vet for a full checkup
When he is a little older, you need to take him to the vet for vaccinations and to check his health, assuming you have not already done so because he had problems that required the help of a doctor. Vaccines usually need to be given in multiple doses over the course of a few weeks or months.
Method 3 of 3: Taming a Stray Kitten
Step 1. Place the kitten in his room
As long as he is very young (less than 2 months) he should be alone in a safe and warm place. When he grows up, you can allow him to move more and have more space to play in.
- Make sure the space you choose doesn't have hiding places for the kitten to crawl into.
- You can use a cage if you don't have a small enough room.
- Make sure the space has a cot, a litter box (for when it gets bigger) and two bowls, one for food and one for water.
- Prepare the bed so that the puppy can comfortably hide under the covers if he is scared.
Step 2. Don't make too much noise
When in the company of the kitten, move slowly and quietly. Talk to him often so that he gets used to the human voice, but do so in a sweet tone. Make sure there is not too much outside noise coming into the room he is in (if possible) and don't play music until he feels really comfortable.
- After the kitten lives in your home for some time, you can leave the radio on at low volume in the room when you are not around.
- If the kitten is not afraid, place its cage or bed in a more frequented area of the house (where you can control it), so that it gets used to the confusion of home life.
Step 3. Avoid punishment and lectures
A kitten does not understand when it is wrong, so it may have behaviors that you consider negative. If it happens, don't punish him or yell at him. On the contrary, reward him for behaving well, so that he begins to understand how he should behave. When he learns, he will start repeating positive actions over and over.
Step 4. Be patient
Depending on how old the kitten was when you brought him into your home, it can take some time to tame him and get him used to being around people. Don't rush him. If you are caring for more than one puppy, you may want to separate them and dedicate some time to each of them.
Step 5. Use food as an incentive to be around people
All kittens love food, so you can use it as a stimulus to encourage your kitten to socialize. You can leave dry food in the bowl all day, while you should only feed it wet food when you are around. Teach him to associate wet food with you (the man), so that he appreciates the presence of people.
- Keep the bowl of wet food as close to you as possible when the kitten eats.
- Gently stroke and touch the kitten as it eats so it gets used to the contact.
- You can also feed the kitten with a spoon to get it used to your presence.
- Finally, you can give the kitten a pure-meat baby food as a treat. Make sure it doesn't contain anything else, just meat.
Step 6. Play with the kitten at least 2 hours a day
You should spend at least 120 minutes with him every day. You can do this in one go or in short intervals, as you like. Play with him by lying on the ground. If you have more than one puppy, take the time to play with each one individually. Touch it as much as possible, especially keep it close to your body. Give him toys when he shows interest.
Step 7. Introduce your kitten to new friends
If a kitten is comfortable with you and is not stressed out, you can start introducing other pets to them. You should always observe these meetings closely, because you cannot know how the parties involved will behave. You can also introduce your puppy to other people so that he gets used to other humans besides you.
Step 8. Give the kitten more space to play
When he gets older and starts using toys, you can enlarge the play area at his disposal and include more fun items he can use. In addition to toys, you can use a scratching post or cat tree (a short one, for starters), a gallery, cardboard boxes, and so on.
Advice
- Ideally, you should have all stray cats spayed to prevent them from reproducing. A fertile female can give birth to more litters each year. If you can catch a stray cat and take it to the vet, you can free it back in its colony after surgery. There are probably government agencies that provide this service and can help you take care of any cats you've found.
- If a kitten is near a road, do not approach too fast or it may run away in traffic.
