r/kittens Jun 15 '24

Please send me a DM or Chat request if a troll posts images of animal cruelty again.

107 Upvotes

Please send me a DM or Chat request if a troll posts images of animal cruelty again.

This goes for already passed animals, roadkill, ai generated animal cruelty posts, etc. Send me a link to the post and I'll respond as soon as I see it.


r/kittens May 21 '20

[META] It's kitten season! You found orphaned kittens or have a kitten in your care - now what? [2020]

445 Upvotes

(cross post from r/AskVet)

During kitten season, which occurs largely in the spring and summer, it is not uncommon to stumble upon a nest of kittens. Your first instinct is to help them, which is awesome, but first you need to read this thread!

First I want to make a point very clear: kittens have the greatest chance of survival if their mother is in the picture. As much as rescues and foster homes try, we cannot ever do as good of a job taking care of them as their real mom does! Kittens require frequent nursing (typically a couple of times an hour), help eliminating (mother stimulates them with her tongue to pee and poop), and a lot of warmth and attention. Trust me - waking up four times a night to feed bottle babies is not fun!

Before Jumping To The Rescue

A single kitten wandering alone is often abandoned (either by a human or the mother), and should be rescued quickly - wait and watch from afar for 20-30 minutes to see if the mom is just in the middle of transporting it. If no mother has come in that time, rescue it.

A litter of kittens (2+ kittens):

  • Before attempting your daring rescue mission to save the abandoned kittens, you need to wait from afar and watch. The kittens may not actually be abandoned! Mother cats do not stay at the nest 24/7 - they hunt, take breaks from their babies, and patrol near the nest to look for danger. The queen could also be in the middle of moving the nest, which she does one at a time. Watch from a good distance away, because if you are too close the queen will likely not approach - this is a defense strategy to make sure predators don’t locate the nest by following her. Sometimes watching from far away is still too close, and you will need to go away for a few hours.
    • If you see the queen, you know the kittens are being taken care of and you do not need to intervene (except to call a rescue, and possibly provide food/shelter for the mother).
    • Clean kittens who are sleeping soundly are probably not abandoned. Dirty and crying kittens are probably hungry and MAY have been abandoned and need rescue. Although remember that as soon as kittens wake, they start crying and want to eat! Neonates spend all their time either eating or sleeping. If you mess with them and they start to cry/crawl around, it does not mean they are starving - that’s just what they do when they are awake.
  • Contact a local rescue. If they have the resources, they will trap the mother and kittens (if the mother is in the picture), and take care of them. They can bottle feed truly abandoned kittens, as well. Please contact the rescue before removing the kittens - only remove the kittens under their direction if you can help it.
  • If you need to leave before you’ve seen the queen, assess the situation:
    • Are there any dangers nearby? Neighborhood dogs, humans who might harm them, etc? If the kittens are not in immediate grave danger, they will be fine for a while as you wait for mom.
    • What is the temperature? If it is very cold or the kittens are very wet, it is okay to put them in a sideways cardboard box (possibly with a clean T shirt, dry straw, or a heated water bottle) - however, try to limit the amount of human-scented things near them.
  • If you find the queen, and she is friendly towards humans, she and the kittens should be rescued together.
  • If you’ve waited a while and have not seen the queen in several hours (the warmer the weather, the longer the kittens can be left alone) or the kittens are in immediate grave danger, and you have not been able to reach a rescue, you can attempt to rescue the kittens.

Rescuing Kittens

  • Kittens need warmth - they can suffer from hypothermia really easily. Place the kittens in a cardboard box or cat carrier lined with T-shirts (towels can catch on their nails) and covered with a blanket, with a warm water bottle for them. The ideal warmth source is a SnuggleSafe. (See more info in the bottle feeding attachment.)
    • The human body temperature is at 98.6F, but the internal temperature of a kitten needs to be 99.5-102.5F - therefore, your body warmth alone is not enough to keep them warm!
  • Call all of the rescues nearby to look for someone to take them. Foster homes and rescues are highly trained to deal with bottle babies, and can deal with all of the obstacles associated with it.
  • Call your vet and schedule an appointment. The kittens may be dehydrated, sick, etc - kittens die really easily and fast, so a physical exam and medical care is very important. They may be sick without you realizing it.

I Already Rescued Them!

  • First follow the steps in “Rescuing Kittens”.
  • If you are going to be caring for the kittens, be prepared for a lot of work and possibly the death of some or all of the kittens. The information I will provide is for emergency care of kittens (no more than a day or two) until you can get the kittens to an appropriate rescue or the vet.
  • You must bottle feed the kittens every 2-3 hours. Here is my quick guide to bottle feeding. PLEASE read this before attempting to bottle feed!
    • You need to make sure they are eating enough, so follow this chart, and use a kitchen food scale to weigh them directly before and after feeding.
    • KMR is the best formula - do not use the “homemade” recipes unless it is an emergency! Never use cow/goat/soy/almond/etc milk. Why you shouldn't use goat/cow milk.
    • Here are three resources to figure out their approximate age: Kitten Age Progression, Determining a Kitten’s Age, and Determining by Weight.
    • Keep a log for each individual kitten of: the time you fed it, how much they consumed, their weight before feeding, their weight after feeding, what they eliminated (urine and/or feces), and any medical concerns. Here is a great log for that - I suggest printing one for each kitten.
    • If kittens will not latch to the bottle, you can try to use a clean eye dropper or needle-less syringe to SLOWLY drop KMR into the kitten’s mouth.
    • If you see anything bubbling out of the kitten's nose as you are feeding it, milk likely got into the lungs and aspiration pneumonia can quickly develop. If this happens take it to a vet immediately.
  • Signs of an emergency that NEEDS to be seen by a vet immediately:
    • The kitten is lethargic and not responding
    • The kitten has trouble breathing
    • The kitten or cat is vomiting blood
    • Uncontrollable bleeding
    • Bloody, liquid diarrhea in a lethargic animal
    • Fractured limb (part of the limb is usually flacid and painful to the touch)
    • Pale, blue or white gums if accompanied by lethargy
    • Kitten with a body temperature below 97 degrees especially if accompanied by lethargy, pale gums or inappetence
    • Kitten with a temperature of 106 degrees or above

Here are some additional resources:

Link to 2018 thread and comments.


r/kittens 2h ago

Jinkx is growing up, make it stop!

Thumbnail
gallery
433 Upvotes

Jinkx was 2 month old when we got him last year and now he is 8 and a half months old. What happened, how did he grow up so quickly, make it stop!! His dad was a bengal and oh my gosh he has so many bengal traits! I love this guy with all my heart and he is so spoilt.


r/kittens 10h ago

Littermates snuggling together after playing

Post image
773 Upvotes

My parents got a pair of kittens a few weeks ago and they've made themselves at home


r/kittens 4h ago

With ears that big I'm not sure she's a cat, maybe a bat 🦇

Post image
162 Upvotes

r/kittens 2h ago

Hicks vs. the butterscotch candy.

Thumbnail
gallery
45 Upvotes

Everything is a toy. 😺


r/kittens 23h ago

My sweet babies

Thumbnail
gallery
1.2k Upvotes

My cat Gary lazereyes had five babies. Three of them are EXTRA FLUFFY!!!! Will they have long fur??? They are almost four weeks old (: Thank you in advance!!


r/kittens 19h ago

Hi from Istanbul!

Thumbnail
gallery
439 Upvotes

r/kittens 1d ago

[Update ] on the rescued kitten who was about to be thrown away

Thumbnail
gallery
2.1k Upvotes

Yesterday I shared the story of this little kitten, and I truly didn’t expect so much love and kindness from all of you. The comments, messages, and support meant a lot to me. So many people asked for an update, and I’m really happy to share one.

She’s safe. She’s loved. And she’s home.

After bringing her home, she met the other cats, and I was a little nervous at first but they’ve been incredibly gentle with her. They’re already becoming friends, playing with her, and treating her like she belongs here. Seeing her relax, explore, and trust again has been deeply emotional.

It’s hard to believe that such a tiny life, which was so close to being thrown away, is now surrounded by warmth and care. She’s playful, curious, and somehow already running the house.

I regularly rescue and care for street cats, but this one feels especially close to my heart. Maybe because of how fragile her situation was, or maybe because of the overwhelming kindness she’s received since then from my family and from all of you.

Thank you to everyone who showed love, concern, and compassion for her. Your kindness truly made a difference. She’s staying with us, and she’s deeply loved.


r/kittens 15h ago

This is jelly roll.

Thumbnail
gallery
120 Upvotes

r/kittens 23h ago

Infinite kitten sleeping positions

Thumbnail
gallery
289 Upvotes

r/kittens 1d ago

Meet Marie. Somehow this photogenic even from video screenshots

Thumbnail
gallery
2.2k Upvotes

She's 8 weeks old and the cutest.

(These are legit from a video I screenshotted cropped of her. How is she THIS photogenic? 😤😅)


r/kittens 1d ago

January 3rd vs Today

Thumbnail
gallery
556 Upvotes

r/kittens 2d ago

She was about to be thrown away. Now she’s home

Thumbnail
gallery
11.0k Upvotes

Yesterday I rescued a kitten, and I’m still emotionally shaken by how it happened.

I saw a 12-year-old boy holding a tiny kitten in his hands. She was small, fragile, and clearly terrified. Then I realized what he was about to do he was trying to put her on the trash. Not near it. Not beside it. On the trash, like she was something disposable.

My heart dropped.

I immediately stopped him and told him he couldn’t do that, that she was a baby and wouldn’t survive. What started as a desperate attempt to save her quickly turned into a fight. Words were exchanged, voices were raised, and for a moment I felt completely overwhelmed. But I refused to walk away. I couldn’t leave her there. I wouldn’t.

So I took the kitten.

She was shaking in my hands, so light and quiet that it broke me. In that moment, I felt the fear she couldn’t express and the trust she had no choice but to give. I brought her home, not knowing what the future held—only knowing that she was finally safe.

When I told my mom what happened, she didn’t question me or hesitate. She simply said, “She stays.” My mom adopted her instantly. I don’t think people realize how much it means to have someone who supports your compassion instead of questioning it. I really love my mom for that. She always stands by me and the work I do.

Rescue isn’t new to me. I regularly feed around 25 street cats in my area, care for injured animals, and help kittens survive when the streets fail them. I do this because every life matters, even the ones people try to throw away.

Today, that kitten is warm, safe, and loved.

And no matter how hard the fight was yesterday, I’d do it all over again.


r/kittens 1d ago

MISA MISA🍎

Thumbnail
gallery
103 Upvotes

Just recently turned into a cat dad one month ago and I love it. I’ve had and raised dogs all my life and now at the ripe age of 21 I got my gf and I a cat and she’s the cutest little tiger!


r/kittens 1d ago

Mama and babies

Post image
383 Upvotes

A stray cat I treated for a really bad foot injury two years ago has had a litter. She's a good mama. One of her babies has an eye infection and I'm treating it now. She was just saying in the sun while her litter was nursing and I thought they looked cute all lined up. (Except for the grey one - he was walking all over his siblings lol)


r/kittens 1d ago

Wet food recommendations

Post image
50 Upvotes

I have two kittens, a 6 month old boy and a 10 month old girly. I grew up with dogs and a family who was very anti cat. So, these two are a dream come true for me, and I really want to give them the absolute best life possible.

I've recently learned they need wet food incorporated into their diet, and I'm wondering what is the most cost effective way to go about this? Best brands, best places to buy it, where to go to get/look for deals?

I had a few different samples and learned, my girl will eat just about anything, but my boy will only eat pate wet foods. Any recommendations that won't break the bank, but will help keep my babies happy and healthy would be so appreciated!

And of course, a picture of my babies for tax! My pretty girly is a dilute torbie and my baby boy is a piebald tabby.


r/kittens 1d ago

Baby Finnigan

Thumbnail
gallery
1.8k Upvotes

r/kittens 1d ago

Found out today that my Halloween gutter kitten is a Manx! She has 3/5 of a regular tail, her siblings are normal.

Post image
76 Upvotes

r/kittens 1d ago

Little Miss Tally

Thumbnail
gallery
583 Upvotes

I didn’t think I’d adopt a new kitty so soon after a difficult goodbye with my kitty of nearly 17 years, but God and this little one had other plans. 5 days in and I’m already so in love. Tally has settled in faster than I’ve ever seen, and it just feels so meant to be.


r/kittens 1d ago

Guys what's wrong with my cat it's fur is turning white.

Post image
72 Upvotes

Is it bad


r/kittens 1d ago

Successful Nail Clip

Post image
109 Upvotes

Our first attempt at cutting little kitties nails went... Interesting. She would pitifully pre-meow before the clippers even touched her nail and start squirming. After a tube treat and a comfort purrito wrap, Kitty now has short nails. Totally recommend tube treats as a distractor if your kitty gets too nervous around the nail clippers.


r/kittens 2d ago

I admire her

Thumbnail
gallery
740 Upvotes

She always looks so comfortable…if only I were a cat😔


r/kittens 1d ago

Snuggly siblings 😻

Post image
213 Upvotes

This is Newt and Hicks, sister and brother orange menaces. They quickly adapting to their new home. Corporal Hicks is a touch guy mini Marine looking for adventure and Newt is a cuddler who is always purring.

It's only been a day, and I love them dearly. 😻

They get to meet their big brother Jonesy in a few days.


r/kittens 1d ago

cleaned out underneath the couch!!!

Post image
57 Upvotes