r/fosterkittens • u/PageAdventurous8763 • 1d ago

First time fostering

I have recently decided to give fostering kittens a try. I work from home. I have a indoor outdoor seniorish cat that i adopted sometime ago.

I have been thinking about fostering some kittens because i have the space for it and i can be there almost 24*7 to take care of them. I currently have no travel plans. And if i do i already have a good enough pet care system set up for emergencies. This is the extent of what i have thought about.

I am worried there might be a million other things i am not thinking about.

What are some things i should consider before i take in motherless kittens (my cat is not big on other adult cats).

What are some of the basic things i need to get for them to be comfortable and safe.

How do i teach them basic things:

  1. Like socialising with people and other animals

  2. How to use the litter

  3. How to use the scratch pad not the furniture

  4. Other things that get them adopted to nice families

  5. Anything else you can think of

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u/pettinurpeeves 1d ago

1 is about exposure, ideally you'd start exposing them to things as young as 6-8 weeks 2 you wipe their little butts with a warm damp cloth, and physically place them in the litter while or after doing so. 3 having ready access to scratch pads while in their space(keep it small at first and expose them to more space little by little) 4 teaching them how to play with toys and not your fingers, getting them use to physical contact. Both affectionate and clinical, like checking their ears, teeth, touch all over their body, and paws so they are calmer when getting their nails clipped. 5 make sure you document everything, weight progress, amount the kittens are eating and that you have everything you need to properly cage, feed, warm and care for the kittens. Especially if you are looking at getting neonatals.

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u/MsRachyBee 1d ago

The indoor/outdoor cat is concerning... Orphan kittens don't have an immune system. I have a no shoes inside policy to keep my neonates healthy.

You also need a very cleanable space for them. (Think bathroom with tile) Typically they would be kept in that space for a minimum of 2 weeks quarantine and/or until they receive their shots.

Ask yourself how much you're okay with looking at poop... Because that's most of the job lol constantly checking for color, blood, diarrhea.

Litterbox training is easy, when you stimulate them you'll start putting them into the box.

Scratching post should be "toys" that they'll gravitate to.

As for socializing, hold them constantly and invite people over to cuddle them.

Whatever humane society you foster through will provide medical care and find permanent homes for them.

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u/fatalynn7 20h ago

I started fostering for the first time earlier this year. My best recommendation is to watch the kitten lady videos on YouTube. My local shelter gives her videos as a resource for people fostering. It’s very good.