Need some advice on stray kittens!. Help!

[rubberducky]

In my area we have a lot of cats, but these three little kittens have stolen my heart! I have 2 dogs, so I can`t take them in. But I have taken to feeding them scraps. Alright, I confess I find myself making them dinner! I`ve never had a cat so I do not know what to feed these little guys. Can I give them milk? Should I call the pound? I`m really lost here. I`m in a wooded area, so they have plenty of room to roam. But, when I come home and get on the computer there are three little faces looking at me. Help!!!!

[MissMillie]

1. What you give them will depend on their age

If they're weaned, then they can have soft meat, but it should be as bland as possible. Use no salt, pepper, sugar or other spices. The less processed the better.

A little fat won't hurt, but don't overdo it.

Milk really is a no-no, from what I understand. Water is preferred.

Rather than cook for them, why not some canned cat food. Then they'll get what they need. It really is cheap enough.

You might consider trying to catch them and bring them to the local no-kill shelter. You probably don't want to have them around the yard loose, in danger of disease or predators, and breeding up a storm.

[rubberducky]

2. Thank you!!

I`ll try to chase them down today. We have a wonderful shelter here, but I will surely miss my little buddies!!

[haf216]

3. How friendly are they?

I'm they are good with people call a rescue group and see if they have room to take them in. It's usually ok if they need some work, but they should be able to be picked up. I took in four stray kittens yesterday, they are going to need some work but I should be able to get socialize so we can adopt them out. Oh and no cow's milk. There is something called Tiger's milk that you can get at a pet store, that is a replacement for the mother cat milk if you think that they are too young to be off the mother's milk. Thank you for caring about the little guys.

[rubberducky]

4. Thanks, they are weened.

Mom still keeps an eye on them, though. I`ve been making them chicken breasts, but I wondered if they needed milk. Glad I didn`t give them the milk! I plan on getting them to our local rescue shelter today. Hard to get very close to a couple of them, though!!

[rubberducky]

5. Thanks,again for your help!

The shelter is coming over to pick up these little ones. Knew I had to do this. But, I`m typing through my tears. I will miss thier sweet little faces!

[Mz Pip]

6. If you're going to feed them

then they will become dependent on you, which is fine but then you will need to trap them and get them neutered or you will have more cute little kitties running around your property. We had this happen in our neighborhood 7 years ago and had quite a time of it trapping 3 litters. It took awhile but we got the group stabilized and they all live outside and we feed them.


Feral kittens have about a 70% motality rate so they definitely will do better with some human intervention. This site has good info on caring for kittens.

http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm

Don't give them milk. IT will make them sick.

Good luck.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[rubberducky]

7. Thank you!

I`m waiting for the shelter now. But, I have to say, I`m really going to miss these guys. Hubby had brought home 1/2 gal. of milk for them but, I just wasn`t sure about giving it to them. I`m so glad I checked with DU first!!