How to tell if stray kittens need to be rescued
Uncertainty about whether a mother cat is still caring for the kittens makes it difficult to know when to step in. People worry about bringing home a kitten that has fleas or exposing their own pets to risk, stopping them from knowing the right protocol to help.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Leaving the kittens where they are with foodDid this help you?
- 2Trying to feed the cats to build trust and catch them laterDid this help you?
- 3Looking for local residents to help with trap-neuter-return programsDid this help you?
- 4Feed the stray and find a vet near you that gives discounts for straysDid this help you?
- 5Provide water, a box, and a baby blanket to lay and hide in while waiting to see if the mother comes backDid this help you?
- 6Bring the kitten inside, keep it in the bathroom overnight, and then take it to the vet for shots and a checkupDid this help you?
- 7Feeding them treats like tubesDid this help you?
- 8Trying to catch them by handDid this help you?
- 9Getting cat milk from the store and planning a vet visitDid this help you?
- 10giving the kitten away to a kind neighborDid this help you?
- 11placing the kitten outside temporarily while preparing food or quarantiningDid this help you?
- 12discussing options with a partnerDid this help you?
- 13keeping them temporarily in a dog crate in the garageDid this help you?
- 14feeding and watering them while figuring out long-term plansDid this help you?
- 15Spending time with strays dailyDid this help you?
- 16Ordering a weatherproof and insulated outdoor home for themDid this help you?
- 17Feeding them multiple times a day and providing different types of treatsDid this help you?
- 18Rationalizing that you cannot right all the wrongs of existence or save every living beingDid this help you?
- 19Hoping a parent will allow bringing the animal home laterDid this help you?
- 20Leaving out water and wet food temporarilyDid this help you?
- 21Trying to lure cats into the garage to trap themDid this help you?
- 22Contacting local Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs or independent rescuesDid this help you?
- 23Rehoming them to friendsDid this help you?
- 24Leaving them to live as an outdoor cat colonyDid this help you?
- 25Trapping the cat and taking it to a vet to check for a microchip, prioritizing the animal's immediate medical needs over potential ownership disputes.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“We don't have a big enough house for both, so in the meantime we're discussing what we do. I'm not sure yet.”source ↗
“I worry they can either grow up to be a menace to our house, like our late cat, or a snuggle bug like our other cat. The tossup has me anxious.”source ↗
“Recently I went to a dads friend’s farm and they had a few cats, throughout my time of stay there I noticed the owners not feeding them at all and just allowing them to roam throughout the farm scavenging for scraps of food the whole day.”source ↗
“The thing is the cats seemed to be neglected and the youngest cat couldn’t even meow or purr, I was so confused, and right now I’m missing them so much.”source ↗
“I just arrived to my complex and found this kitten outside, I’m not too familiar with the protocol but I would like to help her.”source ↗
“I would’ve wanted to bring her in but I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”source ↗
“Saw this tiny thing persistently climbed over a tall wall right infront of out house and it won't stop crying so I just gave in and took it”source ↗
“I‘m a little lost. I think this one might be around 4 weeks? It’s walking fast, climbing, has open blue eyes and upright ears. He looks well fed too? Or possibly wormy.”source ↗
“found 2 kittens living under my moms house. no mom or dad from the looks of it.”source ↗
“have no idea how long they have been without food. was thinking of getting them some cat milk from the store and try to get them from under the house and to the vet but have no idea how to go about it.”source ↗
“how do I know that I'm not kidnapping someone else's outside cat?”source ↗
“I really don’t know which one of he cats is the mom, since none of the females cares for the kittens.”source ↗
“Two kittens can't seem to climb out”source ↗
“It's going to be 90+ degrees again soon”source ↗
“There's no water in the backyard”source ↗
“What should I do?”source ↗
“Idk just know I feel the same way you do”source ↗
“I work on a farm and one of the many cats there has just had 5 kittens I've managed to help rehome one to a friend, should I take another of them home with me to give it a life if an indoor one with my other two cats?”source ↗
“None of the other staff are interested and I'd hate to see them just be left to roam and become feral.”source ↗
“How do you deal with the guilt of not being able to take in strays?”source ↗
“I feed them 2-3 times a day (depending on how much they eat). I even buy them 2 different types of treats (crunchy turkey flavored treats and salmon flavored licking treats). But I feel awful that I cant take them in.”source ↗
“I know cats have emotions (despite what some may think), and I know they know I love them but I cant take them in and the guilt; it's breaking my heart.”source ↗
“I’m just nervous to do so in case she has fleas? I do have a cat at home so I’m also worried for her sake”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 7How do I know if I should rehome my puppy?
- 3Should I surrender an injured stray cat or let it go?
- 2Did I separate a stray cat from her kittens?
- 4How to protect stray kittens from cars without locking them up
- 4Tips for socializing rescued stray kittens
- 21How to tell if a neighborhood stray cat is in heat