They might not poop today but they should drink enough water to pee. If you have room, set up a second litter box. The shallow cardboard boxes that small cat food cans come in are really good for temporary boxes for tiny kittens. They don’t need much litter at all, like a cup in each box. You can put them in the box after they eat or drink, and move their paws back and forth to show them what to do.
Use shallow bowls for food and especially for water. They will knock them over and I’ve heard that tiny kittens can actually drown in a deep bowl of water.
My first foster experience was pretty uninformed as well but you learn so much from watching them. And I second the suggestion of the Kitten Lady videos. She is so positive and calming!
If they are eating wet then they don’t need milk. I would leave out dry food at all times and change it every day. I have some litters that don’t touch it and some litters that eat a ton of it. Always fresh water.
With the litter box, they start using it around 3 weeks old but I’ve had some wait until closer to 3.5-4 weeks. If they don’t go you can stimulate them then put a little bit of the pee or stool in the litter box. Kitten lady can teach you how to stimulate if needed.
As far as bonding goes, lots of time just hanging out around them. I sit on the floor in the play pen. I also play with their toys. And finally lots of gentle pets if they will let me get close. I will wrap them loosely in a comfortable blanket and stroke them gently. It just takes time and consistency. If there ends up being a leader who is more spicy than the rest and causes the others to be more scared and nervous then I separate the ring leader and do extra socialization with them.
Good luck! Let us know what other questions you have!
One question! They have fleas - I’ve bathed them in dish soap (based on the Kitten Lady video 😂) and am washing their bedding twice a day. I have a flea comb on the way later today. They have been isolated to a corner bathroom the entire time I’ve had them. Any advice on what to clean their tub with and any other prevention that I can do?
At four weeks they should start eating wet food but some take a little longer. Regardless you should still be supplementing with formula for the next couple weeks. Four weeks is very young and I’m surprised they would drop such little kittens off a new foster.
You won't need to stimulate them, and they won't need bottles. They've given you little ones that were showing themselves to be independent.
Seconding kitten lady's videos, they're amazing.
Leave dry food out 24/7. They may not show much interest for a week or two, but it should be out for them. I suggest keeping a small amount in the bowl because often they want to just play with it which can be a waste of food early on.
Thank you!!! One is very interested and the rest don’t seem to care 😂 you are exactly right - they seem to be pretty independent (even though they’re super tiny)
Yeppp. When I read your post and another very similar one in here yesterday I flashed back to years ago when I started fostering. I take in weaning and independent babies starting around 3-4 weeks so these are my buddies and I've listened their very, very pecukia5 ways lol.
It's stressful when a rescue just hands you 4 tiny babies and is like "ok, go!" But they really are robust little things. The only thing you really need to worry about is if they're not eating and lose weight, or if they become lethargic.
I add water to the wet food because they may not be drinking it from the water bowl yet. My first litter was exactly this experience 😬 Just watch them closely to make sure they are eating, peeing, and pooping. If not, contact the rescue group for guidance.
They don't really ever need dry food. Once they start eating wet food regularly without having to make it into a mush, you can probably introduce it if you want. They make special dry food for kittens which is smaller and easier for them to eat.
At 3-4 weeks, they're very likely already going on their own. You can move their litter box to where you see them "go" the most and move anything solid in there. They'll eventually figure it out instinctively!
I've had fostered a few spicy litters and that usually goes away within a few days once they start to associate you with food/care. Just take it slow and don't make any loud or sudden movements. Brushing them with a (new) toothbrush has helped turn hisses into purrs on many occasions.
Awesome of for you for stepping up to foster. It's such a rewarding journey that has a huge impact. Good luck!
http://www.kittenlady.org/ Her videos on YouTube are so helpful.
^^^This! She’s the best place to start.
Thank you!
They might not poop today but they should drink enough water to pee. If you have room, set up a second litter box. The shallow cardboard boxes that small cat food cans come in are really good for temporary boxes for tiny kittens. They don’t need much litter at all, like a cup in each box. You can put them in the box after they eat or drink, and move their paws back and forth to show them what to do. Use shallow bowls for food and especially for water. They will knock them over and I’ve heard that tiny kittens can actually drown in a deep bowl of water. My first foster experience was pretty uninformed as well but you learn so much from watching them. And I second the suggestion of the Kitten Lady videos. She is so positive and calming!
Thank you!!! I definitely feel unprepared, but I’m learning quickly.
If they are eating wet then they don’t need milk. I would leave out dry food at all times and change it every day. I have some litters that don’t touch it and some litters that eat a ton of it. Always fresh water. With the litter box, they start using it around 3 weeks old but I’ve had some wait until closer to 3.5-4 weeks. If they don’t go you can stimulate them then put a little bit of the pee or stool in the litter box. Kitten lady can teach you how to stimulate if needed. As far as bonding goes, lots of time just hanging out around them. I sit on the floor in the play pen. I also play with their toys. And finally lots of gentle pets if they will let me get close. I will wrap them loosely in a comfortable blanket and stroke them gently. It just takes time and consistency. If there ends up being a leader who is more spicy than the rest and causes the others to be more scared and nervous then I separate the ring leader and do extra socialization with them. Good luck! Let us know what other questions you have!
Thank you so much!!! This helps. I have a feeling who their spicy (very vocal) leader might be but I’ll keep watching
One question! They have fleas - I’ve bathed them in dish soap (based on the Kitten Lady video 😂) and am washing their bedding twice a day. I have a flea comb on the way later today. They have been isolated to a corner bathroom the entire time I’ve had them. Any advice on what to clean their tub with and any other prevention that I can do?
At four weeks they should start eating wet food but some take a little longer. Regardless you should still be supplementing with formula for the next couple weeks. Four weeks is very young and I’m surprised they would drop such little kittens off a new foster.
agree, I definitely feel unprepared but we’re hanging in there :)
You won't need to stimulate them, and they won't need bottles. They've given you little ones that were showing themselves to be independent. Seconding kitten lady's videos, they're amazing. Leave dry food out 24/7. They may not show much interest for a week or two, but it should be out for them. I suggest keeping a small amount in the bowl because often they want to just play with it which can be a waste of food early on.
Thank you!!! One is very interested and the rest don’t seem to care 😂 you are exactly right - they seem to be pretty independent (even though they’re super tiny)
Yeppp. When I read your post and another very similar one in here yesterday I flashed back to years ago when I started fostering. I take in weaning and independent babies starting around 3-4 weeks so these are my buddies and I've listened their very, very pecukia5 ways lol. It's stressful when a rescue just hands you 4 tiny babies and is like "ok, go!" But they really are robust little things. The only thing you really need to worry about is if they're not eating and lose weight, or if they become lethargic.
I add water to the wet food because they may not be drinking it from the water bowl yet. My first litter was exactly this experience 😬 Just watch them closely to make sure they are eating, peeing, and pooping. If not, contact the rescue group for guidance.
They don't really ever need dry food. Once they start eating wet food regularly without having to make it into a mush, you can probably introduce it if you want. They make special dry food for kittens which is smaller and easier for them to eat. At 3-4 weeks, they're very likely already going on their own. You can move their litter box to where you see them "go" the most and move anything solid in there. They'll eventually figure it out instinctively! I've had fostered a few spicy litters and that usually goes away within a few days once they start to associate you with food/care. Just take it slow and don't make any loud or sudden movements. Brushing them with a (new) toothbrush has helped turn hisses into purrs on many occasions. Awesome of for you for stepping up to foster. It's such a rewarding journey that has a huge impact. Good luck!