Found - Stray Kitty - How to care for?

Hi! A tiny stray kitty wandered up to our home the other night. Absolutely no idea where it came from, since we live practically on the top of a mountain. Not sure how old it is (maybe somewhere between 4-6 weeks?). We started feeding it warm milk and dry balanced cat food with some canned food mixed in. Seems to gobble all that down - especially loves the warm milk (although it is skim). I asssume whole milk would be better for it. How long do you give such a kitten milk? Do you at some time switch it over to water? We've been keeping it in a box outside with a blanket in it and a blanket covering the box to block the wind. How cold of weather can a small kitten endure before it gets in danger? (It was 24 out the other day - seemed to survive that ok - of course it cuddled down deep inside its box). Also - will it need shots or is that necessary? Need any and all advice!

Thanks, Mark

Good for you, Mark, to take in this little one. Here's my advice. First, bring it inside, where it will be safe! (If you have other cats, be sure to keep the kitten in a room of its own for two weeks.) Next, stop with the milk, already! Not good for cats and particularly kittens. Then, get it to a vet for a check-over and firsthand, professional advice. (Be sure the kitten is tested for FeLv/FIV and intestinal parasites as well as started on shots when it is old enough.)

Feeding it in the interim, I recommend softening a good quality kitten chow (Iams is my choice) in warm water. Science Diet has a tinned kitten food that is also good (I personally recommend chow as a steady diet).

If the kitten is as young as you think, there may be littermates out there. I would look and listen for them, and immediately. Keep us posted.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats