Our Animals
Foster Manual for Cats & Kittens
Whether you are a seasoned foster parent or just starting your journey, our Foster Manuals are designed to equip you with essential knowledge and guidelines to care for these adorable animals with confidence.
For many people, cats and kittens are the easiest kinds of animals to foster. They don’t require a lot of time and yet they give plenty of love in return. Many foster homes find that they are even comfortable fostering more than one cat at a time. Whether you are interested in fostering one cat or many cats over time, the information in this chapter will help you to familiarize yourself with some of the common needs, behavioral issues and health concerns that are associated with fostering cats and kittens.
Table of Contents
Supplies Needed
Behavioral Issues
Health Issues
Supplies Needed
The following is a checklist of items that you will need to foster a cat or kitten.
Our rescue will provide the necessary supplies, food, and medical care for your foster animal. Please take care of and keep track of the supplies given to you as we do reuse them for the next foster animal. Thank you!
Checklist
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A large crate to keep foster kitty separate from personal pets for at least two weeks following rescue.
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Litter box
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Food and water bowls
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Scratching post and/or toys to help keep your foster kitty busy (and away from your furniture and carpet!)
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Litter
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High-quality cat or kitten food (it’s a good idea to have both dry and canned food on hand in case you have a picky eater)
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Cat bed, blankets, or towels to provide your foster kitty with a comfortable place to sleep
Behavioral Issues
It is common for a cat to experience some behavioral problems and need a period of adjustment when placed into a new environment. The following is a list of common behavioral problems as well as suggestions for behavior modification.
Problem #1 Aggression towards other cats
Prevent aggression before it occurs by introducing cats gradually. You will keep them separate for two weeks if the foster cat or kitten is not up to date on shots, is sick, etc. Take that time to get the cats used to each other.
If quarantine is not necessary, we still recommend the foster cat stay in a separate room for a while. There are steps to getting the cats used to each other. For instance, try placing the two cats on opposite sides of a door. Let them get used to each other’s smells and sounds before opening the door. You may even want to try pushing small treats under the door from one cat to the other. The cats will think that the treats are coming from the cat on the other side of the door. If you can do that without the cats hissing and growling, you can then open the door a crack and do the treats, and then build upon that. This may take a couple days to a couple of weeks depending on the cats. Patience is the key!
When your foster cat is no longer in quarantine, we recommend letting it out to explore, while your cat is safely kept in another room. When you do introduce the cats, try to make sure that they are away from any area in your home where one cat may feel territorial (i.e., a favorite sleeping or eating place or a favorite toy). Taking these extra steps in the beginning will help ensure a smooth transition into your home.
Additional Resources
Problem #2 Scratching furniture or carpet
Provide something appropriate for the cat to scratch. All cats scratch. The scratching motion allows the outer, frayed layers of the cat’s nails to be removed. While it is very difficult to try and teach a cat not to scratch at all, it is quite easy to redirect the cat’s scratching to a designated scratching post.
Cats like to do most of their scratching activity right when they wake up. Keep this in mind and make sure that the scratching post you provide is near where the cat naps. If the cat insists on scratching in an inappropriate place, try using a squirt bottle to deter the cat from that location. For behavior modification to be successful, do not scold the cat; just provide a quick squirt with the squirt bottle. You want the cat to associate the squirt with scratching in the inappropriate place, not with you.
You can also try placing double-sided tape on the area where the cat likes to scratch. Cats don’t like sticky surfaces and will usually leave the area alone. We are against declawing as it is very hard surgery to recover from and carries risks. Instead we recommend you get your cat used to having its NAILS CLIPPED. Go slowly (try doing just one paw if your cat is unhappy) and give lots of treats while you try to clip the cats nails. Eventually it will become routine for the cat and you will be able to clip without resistance.
Problem #3 Not using the litter box
There are several common reasons why cats don’t use their litter boxes. When introduced to a new environment, a cat may simply not know or remember where the litter box is located. Make sure to confine a new foster cat to a small area (like a laundry room or bathroom) for several days before allowing the cat to have more space. This will help ensure that the cat knows where to find the litter box when he needs it.
It is also very important to keep the litter box as clean as possible. In general, cats are extremely clean animals and most cats will do their business elsewhere if their litter box becomes too soiled or if the litter box is too close to their food and/or water. If more than one cat is using the same litter box, it may be necessary to provide extra litter boxes so each cat can have his/her own.
If none of these suggestions help, the source of the problem may be a medical condition. Urinary tract infections are fairly common in cats and almost always result in litter box problems. If you suspect a urinary tract infection, contact our rescue to set up a veterinary appointment.
Additional Resources
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ASPCA Virtual Cat Behaviorist – Litter Box Problems
Problem #4 Chewing on plants or other inappropriate items
There are a number of taste deterrents available on the market. Some companies even make formulas specifically for plants, furniture, and other items. Taste deterrents aren’t that expensive and are usually pretty effective. You can also try using a squirt bottle to discourage cats from chewing on inappropriate items. Be aware that many plants are toxic to cats when ingested. It is very important that you find an effective deterrent or move the plant(s) to an area that is not accessible to the cat(s).
NOTE: Cats do not respond well to punishment. When dealing with behavioral problems, focus on behavior modification, not punishment. Physically punishing a cat won’t do anything but damage the bond between human and cat.
Additional Resources
Health Issues
Because many foster cats are strays, or rescued from shelter environments, it is very difficult for us to ensure that they will always be healthy. A cat that appears healthy at the time of rescue could easily begin to show signs of illness several days later. For this reason, it is very important that foster homes keep their own cats up to date on vaccinations. Because cats are relatively easy to keep separate, we encourage foster homes to isolate foster cats in a large crate (we provide) for a period of at least two weeks following rescue. Most illnesses should be apparent within those two weeks. We also suggest that foster homes provide foster cats with separate food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes for those two weeks. Also, ALWAYS wash your hands thoroughly after handling your foster cat/kitten. Oftentimes if we know a cat or kitten is sick, we will quarantine them at the veterinarian’s office.
Fading Kitten Protocol
Fading Kitten Syndrome is a life threatening emergency in which a kitten, sometimes one that was previously healthy, “crashes” and begins to fade away.
Signs & Symptoms
- Low body temperature – the kitten feels cool or cold to the touch
- Extreme lethargy – not getting up, unable to stand, not responding to touching/petting
- Gasping for breath
- Meowing/crying out
Common Illnesses in Cats
The following information is intended to help you better understand and recognize some of the more common illnesses in cats. These illnesses are not life threatening if treated early or if the animal has been vaccinated. We do recommend that when bringing in a new kitten/cat with an unknown medical history, that you quarantine the new animal for 2 weeks.
Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
Panleukopenia (sometimes called feline distemper) is a viral infection that most commonly affects kittens and young cats. Left untreated, panleukopenia is almost always fatal. Even with intensive treatment, the majority of cats showing signs of panleukopenia will die. Unfortunately, this illness can be frustrating to deal with because the virus can survive in the environment for up to a year. This means that other unvaccinated cats can become infected with panleukopenia simply by coming into contact with places where an infected cat has been. A bleach solution is the best way to disinfect areas that may have been contaminated. The vaccine for panleukopenia is considered very effective. Our rescue screens every cat 8 weeks and up (the test can be less effective when the cat is younger than this) for this disease so that we do not place a cat with this disease into a foster home. If the kitten(s) are younger we recommed quarantining until they reach 8 weeks.
Signs & Symptoms
Fever, diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite
Treatment
Veterinary care, including fluid therapy and antibiotics
Transmission
Very contagious to other cats, especially through contact with infected feces or vomit, can be transmitted through contaminated objects
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
The term “upper respiratory infection” is used to refer to any illness that affects a cat’s upper respiratory system. URIs are very common in strays and shelter cats. Some of the more serious URIs (for which there are vaccines) are listed separately in this section. Following below is information that applies to all upper respiratory infections.
Signs & Symptoms
Sneezing, runny nose and eyes, fever
Treatment
Veterinary care, including antibiotics
Transmission
Very contagious to other cats, transmitted through infected nasal secretions, can be spread through contaminated objects)
Additional Resource
Rhinotracheitis
Rhinotracheitis is a type of upper respiratory infection. Rhino often infects cats that also have calicivirus. The vaccine for rhinotracheitis is considered very effective.
Signs & Symptoms
Sneezing, coughing, fever, runny nose and eyes
Treatment
Veterinary care, including antibiotics
Transmission
Very contagious to other cats
Calicivirus
Calicivirus is a virus that attacks the lungs and lower respiratory tract, usually causing pneumonia. Ulcers are often seen on the tongue and lips. The vaccine for calicivirus is considered very effective.
Signs & Symptoms
Loss of appetite, sneezing, runny nose and eyes, oral ulcers
Treatment
Veterinary care, including antibiotics
Transmission
Very contagious to other cats
Chlamydia
Also called pneumonitis, chlamydia attacks the respiratory tract and produces conjunctivitis. Chlamydia is a bacterium. The vaccine for chlamydia is considered very effective.
Signs & Symptoms
Loss of appetite, fever, nasal discharge, red eyes
Treatment
Veterinary care, including antibiotics
Transmission
Very contagious to other cats
Ear mites
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal.
Signs & Symptoms
Itching, scratching, head-shaking, dark brown discharge in the ears
Treatment
Veterinary care, including an injection or ear meds
Transmission
Contagious to other cats and dogs, but usually requires direct contact with the infected animal
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungus related to athlete’s foot, not actually a worm.
Signs & Symptoms
Irregularly shaped areas of fur loss; the skin in these areas will usually appear rough and scaly
Treatment
Veterinary care, including an injection and/or topical treatment
Transmission
Very contagious to other cats, dogs, and people, but usually requires direct contact with the infected animal
Additional Resource
Fleas
Fleas are tiny insects that feed on the blood of cats, dogs, humans, and other animals. Although each flea only consumes a small drop of blood, fleas usually attack in large numbers.
Signs & Symptoms
Intense itching and scratching
Treatment
Veterinary care, topical treatment
Transmission
Very contagious to other cats and dogs
Round, Tape, and Hook Worms
Worms affect a cat’s digestive system. They are most commonly seen in kittens and young cats.
Signs & Symptoms
Large belly, diarrhea, and an inability to gain weight
Treatment
Veterinary care, including de-worming medication
Transmission
Contagious to other dogs and cats, but only through contact with (and subsequent ingestion of) feces
Coccidia
Coccidiosis is a parasitic type of infection, caused by the Coccidia parasite. It most commonly causes watery, mucus based diarrhea in animals. If it is not treated, over time it can cause damage to the lining of a cat’s intestinal tract.
Signs & Symptoms
Watery, mucous like diarrhea sometimes bloody, not gaining weight
Treatment
Veterinary care, usually treated with Albon
Transmission
Contagious to other cats, but only through contact with feces
Giardia
Giardiasis is a medical condition that refers to an intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite giardia, and this parasite can also infect animals, including cats. Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms are more apparent in younger animals than in older animals and can be either sudden, temporary, intermittent, or chronic in nature. In some cases, cats will exhibit diarrhea that is soft, frothy, greasy, and with a strong, awful odor or excessive mucus
Treatment
Prescription drugs, along with thoroughly bathing your cat, should be sufficient for removing the parasite from your cat’s body and reducing the likelihood of repeat infection.
Transmission
One of the methods by which this parasite spreads is through the ingestion of infected fecal material, as the cysts are shed out of the intestines through the feces. But, the most common cause of transmission is actually waterborne, as the giardia parasite prefers cool and moist environments.
Fading Kitten Syndrome
Fading Kitten Syndrome is a life threatening emergency in which a kitten, sometimes one that was previously healthy, “crashes” and begins to fade away.
Signs & Symptoms
- Low body temperature – the kitten feels cool or cold to the touch
- Extreme lethargy – not getting up, unable to stand, not responding to touching/petting
- Gasping for breath
- Meowing/crying out
Treatment
Veterinary care, including de-worming medication
Transmission
Contagious to other dogs and cats, but only through contact with (and subsequent ingestion of) feces
Cleaning Procedures
It is important that all items and areas used by a sick foster animal be cleaned thoroughly. You can use a 10% bleach solution to reliably kill most viruses and bacteria. Items to be cleaned should be thoroughly wetted with the bleach solution and allowed to stand for at least 15 minutes before rinsing. Because clothing can become contaminated, keep a shirt that you only use while handling foster animals in quarentine. Foster homes that have recently fostered a cat or kitten with panleukopenia (feline distemper) or another extremely contagious disease may be asked to wait several months or more before fostering another unvaccinated cat or kitten.
Routine Veterinary Care
Our rescue will provide foster cats with routine veterinary care prior to placement in our foster homes. The following schedule outlines the various types of routine care provided. If we know a cat/kitten is sick, we will sometimes quarantine them at the veterinarian.
Procedure Schedule
FIV/FeLV test
A blood test for kittens 8 weeks and older to determine if the cat is positive for either disease
“Distemper combo” vaccine (panleukopenia,rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus)
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Initial dose given shortly after rescue to cats 8 weeks of age or older
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Booster given 3-4 weeks later
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Additional boosters given every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is at least 16 weeks of age
Rabies vaccine
One dose at 12 weeks of age
De-worm (Panacur)
Initial dose given for 5 days shortly after rescue. Second dose given if needed two weeks later.
Spay/neuter
Done shortly after rescue to kittens 4-6 months or older
Frontline or Revolution
To protect from fleas and ticks for kittens 8 weeks and up
Stool sample
Many times a stool sample will be taken if kitten/cat presents with certain symptoms.