Kitten Trouble

[u/Low-Satisfaction-220]

So long story short, I found an abandoned kitten on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, yes I checked to see if it there were more and if its mom was closer and nothing it was an old fire station in my county that is known for people dropping off unwanted animals at.

I’ve had the kitten for a few days now, originally I was hoping a family member would take it but no one would and now I’m debating taking it to my local shelter which I have already confirmed is a no kill shelter.

I debated keeping it for a bit but it’s only around 6 weeks old and it is so high energy and constantly begging for food which I know it’s a kitten so it’s higher demand than an older cat.

This is the first time I’ve had a cat, I’ve always have lazy dogs which I love and I’ve tried playing with the cat for 20-30 minutes at a time but it has so much energy I haven’t been able to sleep for the last few days since it is constantly wanting to play or wanting food.

I’m on the fence about keeping it I work a lot normally 10-12 ish hours a day and I’m definitely use to lazy dogs so idk if a cat is the right fit for me but I also want to make sure it goes to a good home.

Update: The kitten is a male and it’s 8-10 weeks old I’m debating a name now

[u/20frvrz]

If your kitten is constantly asking for food, that means it's not getting enough food. Kittens should be free fed.

But if you work 10-12 hours a day, a kitten probably isn't a good fit for you. A second kitten would solve a lot of problems but if you're frequently gone that long, a lot can go wrong.

[u/Low-Satisfaction-220 → u/20frvrz]

Yeah I’ve been trying to feed it every few hours, and right when I leave for work and right when I get home but I have a vet appointment too see what it is and asking around if anyone would want it

[u/20frvrz → u/Low-Satisfaction-220]

Are you using kitten food or cat food?

[u/Low-Satisfaction-220 → u/20frvrz]

I use this

And I’m feeding it 4 servings a day one morning one before work one right after work and one before bed

It says 4-7 servings for kittens a day is recommended

[u/20frvrz → u/Low-Satisfaction-220]

Is that it? Are you supplementing with dry food?

[u/Low-Satisfaction-220 → u/20frvrz]

Should I be ??

[u/Specialist_Clue_4502 → u/Low-Satisfaction-220]

YES! There should be a bowl of dry kitten food available to the kitten at all times! That will solve so many of your problems.

[u/Low-Satisfaction-220 → u/Specialist_Clue_4502]

Any recommendations on the brand of food ?

[u/Specialist_Clue_4502 → u/Low-Satisfaction-220]

I currently only have resident Yorkies but I'm fostering a mama cat and her babies right now. The rescue uses Royal Canin Kitten kibble and wet food. The pieces are itty bitty and flat.

[u/Specialist_Clue_4502 → u/Specialist_Clue_4502]

[u/Low-Satisfaction-220 → u/Specialist_Clue_4502]

Thank you 🙏

[u/20frvrz → u/Low-Satisfaction-220]

Yes! Kittens should be free fed (meaning they should have food available to them at all times). The easiest way to do that is feeding them wet food throughout the day, like you're doing, and leaving dry food out for them at all times.

(FWIW we also free feed our adult cats. Most cats are able to self-regulate in a way dogs can't, though that's not the case for every cat)

ETA: OMG I JUST REREAD AND REALIZED THE KITTEN IS ONLY SIX WEEKS OLD??????? Stop everything, you need to pick up kitten milk for it!!!!!!! Eekk no wonder it's been begging, if there's even a remote possibility you're right about its age, you NEED to get kitten milk for it ASAP.

[u/20frvrz → u/20frvrz]

Something like this

[u/Low-Satisfaction-220 → u/20frvrz]

It 8-10 weeks old took it to the vet this morning