New Kitten Advice Please

[lilipk]

Hello,
I am the proud new owner of a gorgeous wee kitten that I got from a child in my class yesterday. I've never had a cat before but I'm all set up and got great advice from the child's mam. I'm a little worried though as the kitten hasn't pooped, peed or eaten really since I got her yesterday afternoon. Is this normal??
She is quite playful but has spent most of her time snoozing in her cat-bed.
I put her in her litter tray a few times and she dug about in it and then ate some of it which freaked me out! I have some diluted kitty milk for her which she hasn't touched and dry kitten food which she had a tiny bit of yesterday.

Any advice from cat owners would be helpful and much appreciated! :)

[sara3]

is the dry kitten food a "complete" food? I thought little kitties needed mushy cat food stuff..

[boxtops]

How old is she? When I've had tiny kittens they eat little and often, but always tin or packet kitten food. Her little tummy might not yet be ready for biscuit, that can be binding without anything else. Also don't dilute the kitty milk (unless they tell you to), it's the right consistency in the bottle to give her the nourishment she needs. Quick snacks, quick play, lots of sleep, are what kittens need! (Poop and wee may only be once a day, that's normal) but you might have little accidents until she gets used to your tray.

[ummmm]

I wouldn't give her dried food just yet. If you get a sachet of kitten food divide it between four meals. Leave fresh water down....I wouldn't bother with kitten milk. It looks like they don't touch it but they do. She's probably just getting use to her new settings.....

She'll be drinking out of the toilet before you know it :-)

[lilipk]

I never thought such a thing would excite me but she just pooped in her litter tray!! :) Thanks for all the advice - in answer to your questions:She is 8 weeks old and it is a complete kitten food but I'll go get her some little pouches of wet food today. She's currently curled up asleep on my tummy - absolutely adorable! Thanks again for everyone's prompt and helpful replies - this website is amaaazing!

[boxtops]

Let us know how you get on with her - kitten updates always appreciated. It's great that she's sleeping on you. Get her used to being handled a lot and she'll be so easy to handle when she gets bigger. While you're cuddling her, nudge her on the top of her head with your chin - it's what mother cats do when they are washing the kittens and even my big 10-year-old cats still love it.

[wildwood]

I can somehow imagine you dancing around the house with your arms in the air, yelling "whoopeeeeee, my kitty pooped" lol

[lilipk]

Haha!! You're not far wrong...there may even have been some applause - my celebrations ended quickly though when she kicked the poop onto the floor! :S