I'm getting a cat tomorrow--and will therefore be a *real* DUer. But... ??

[tjdee]

I used to sit around here thinking you guys were kind of precious with your kitty pic postings and your kitty loving.

But--
My mom has informed me that on Sunday when the kiddo and I return home from her house, we'll be taking home an 8 week old kitten.

I have to work on Monday...so the kitten will be alone for at least 5 hours from then on. Is that horrible? What can I do to make it easier for the him/her? Should I be doing anything else in way of preparation or anything? I think my mom has some litter and a carrier (she's keeping the kitten tonight and we're seeing it tomorrow).

We had a bunch of cats when I was a kid, totally don't remember anything but feeding it. (uh, is my mom getting back at me?)

[crispini]

1. kitty will be scared to begin with.

make her a bed in the bathroom with her potty. put her in the litter box and move her paws back and forth so she gets the idea that's where she goes. let her take it a little bit at a time 'cause she will be frightened. keep her closed in a small space like the bathroom to begin with.


edit: also make kitty a little bed or place to hide in the bathroom.

if you give her the run of the house you will have no idea where she is!

[tjdee]

4. On Monday, for example?

I was thinking of leaving her in my bedroom and leaving the tv or the radio on. But then there's the issue of the litter box...

So the bathroom is good?

Poor frightened kitten!

[CottonBear]

7. The bathroom is ok.

Put a litter box, food, h20 and a box w/ towel/bedding w/ a soft toy in the bathroom. It will be ok. the small space is calming. They can explore the house and then the world later.

[crispini]

9. Yes, close proximity to potty

at first is better than more space. I'd start her off in the bathroom, with food, water, potty, and a little place to hide or nest, and then gradually give her more space.

keep putting her in the litter box too, remind her where she needs to go. she will very naturally potty train herself but she's small, she needs reminders!

[CottonBear]

2. You are so blessed to have a kitty!

You neeed a litter box & litter, a food bowl, a water bowl, a box w/ a soft towel and a small, quiet room (laundry room or spare room). Place a radio in the room and put on NPR. I train my horse and cats w/ NPR. It's always available and it is soothing. Get the kitty some catnip toys and a soft pillow and maybe a post to claw on. Love and cuddle. You will be OK. So will the kitty.
Happy Holidys! Happy New Year!

edit: sp

edit2: crispini's idea about litter is spot on. put kitty in litter bix and move front paws like scratching. They figure it out right away.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. A second little kitten for her to cuddle with is a good idea....heh heh...

[beam me up scottie]

26. I agree with BrklynLiberal, seriously consider making it two

and not just because there are so many homeless kittens out there, but because will you will feel less guilty about leaving yours alone. And two are so much more fun! It's also easier to get kittens to like each other than to try to get a mature spoiled rotten brat to accept a kitten. I was afraid that if I had more than one, they wouldn't want attention from me because they would be closer to each other. Needless to say, that was 20 years and many, many, many adapted strays later. Everywhere I go in my house, they follow me and they are as devoted to me as I am to them.

[tjdee]

27. Wouldn't mind two... actually I'm going to be one of those old cat ladies.

I've been saying for a while that I'll probably end up being one of those old ladies with like 20 cats.

I am very softhearted when it comes to animals, and my mother had to go to the shelter to get one because I would not have been able to. Plus, because it was her idea LOL. I thought she was kidding, at first, but no.

But, I do think of a pet as a major responsibility. I'm already dreading the inevitable dying/putting to sleep/giving shots or meds I'll have to do with this one.

[beam me up scottie]

28. It's true, losing a friend is devastating.

My little girl, PeeWee died in my arms last spring. I was nearly inconsolable. She had lived with me since someone abandoned her six years ago. If I didn't have my other pets to take care of, I don't know what I would've done. I just adopted another abandoned kitten, Alfie who is the spitting image of PeeWee(except most of his tail is missing). Coincidence?

[CottonBear]

31. Private Mail me RE: low cost vaccinations & meds

You can get the FRCP shot at the feed store (you just need help w/ how to combine the liquid and dry ingrdients and give the shot) you can get low cost Rabies vaccine from the Humane Society and I know of farm animal/ pet /vet web sites whre you can get fecal worm test kits and other meds. You can do TWO kitties low cost. Two is more fun than one.

[ariesgem]

33. I now have 4 cats and also buy their vacinations on-line

If I take them to the vet for shots, it costs $35 per cat just to walk them in. That's not including the cost of the shots. I only take them in for the rabies vac and general check-ups. I keep them indoors and they're pretty healthy.

Can you post the links to the websites that sell the fecal worm test kits and meds?

I get my vacinations from www.1800Petmeds.com.

[Blue Gardener]

34. I have two

They are siblings so have always been together. Two are just as easy to take care of as one, plus they have someone to play with while you're at work. I also feed the squirrels and birds, and the feeders are where the kitties can watch out the window, so they are entertained by all the activity.

[radfringe]

47. in some circles -- it's called "chipping"

ala Lays Potato chips "betcha you can just adopt one..."

we have 4 cats and 2 dogs -- the "zero Pet population growth" rule is in effect, meaning we won't be adding to our zoo.

however, rules are made to be broken -- my partner is the ultimate marshmellow when it comes to animals -- so I wouldn't be surprised if we are hit with a heart-string tugging sob story that our "population" may increase.

we also foster retired/rescued greyhounds -- may be getting such a foster after the new year...

[pansypoo53219]

32. yes.

1 will be more agressively curious and could hurt itself. with 2, they keep each other entertained. i had 2 forever, then 1 then 2 gain, but this time i said instead of 1 i will get 3 and it rocks!
same litter is always good.

[tjdee]

6. When can I let the cat have free run of the house?

I know cats are slightly different than dogs in that way...I think.
Man, you'd think I never owned an animal before... :silly:

Happy Holidays to you too!

[crispini]

16. She'll work up to it.

and you'll know when.

I had a cat that lived in a closet for six months! most aren't like that -- but she just didn't want to come out. she finally did, though, and she was fine.

after a bit you can just leave the bathroom door open and see what she does. eventually she will make the whole house 'hers.'

[CottonBear]

17. My wild born kitty came out of the bedroom/bath and...

crept down the stairs and ran under the Christmas tree! She thought she was back outdoors. Eventually, she let me pet and hold her. It took about 3 months. She was a wild born kitty.

[DS1]

3. Two words

Disco Ball

Because there's nothing like your first home, with a disco ball.

You'll also need a digital camera to post pictures

[tjdee]

10. One day I'll be the one starting "Cute kitty pics" threads...

oh my indeed.

A disco ball.... :) I have a lava lamp, does that count?

Hmm. Completely different. I imagine not.

[Lorien]

13. Or worse

you could get caught up in the great time waster that is Catster:

http://www.catster.com/?100240

[Cobalt Violet]

8. Most 8 week olds kittens have already be trained by their moms to use ...

A litter box. You'll find out soon if yours has. Some kittens are more afraid than other too. You'll also get a sense of where your's is quickly, too.

[beam me up scottie]

14. This may sound a little gross, but

I have taken care of many orphaned kittens and alot of them don't realize that the litterbox is a bathroom until I put a small amount of used litter in it from another litterbox. If there is only clean litter, they think it's a bed or playpen. Just a thought.

[Cobalt Violet]

24. That makes sense.

If they don't have mom to teach them someone has to. And I agree used litter attracts more use. And it's not nearly as gross as having to clean accidents.

[MISSDem]

42. Actually, it's ok if they play in the litter box. The cat "experts" say

that a cat who enjoys her litter box in all ways is a happy cat.

[Lorien]

11. Get some Feliway

it's a spray that calms kitties. I used it when I got my kittens, Oberon and Puck (not related) last year, and it really helped. The kitten will want to sleep with you the first few nights, and it's a good idea to let it do so. You'll have a better bond, and he/ she will make the transition a bit more easily.

[LDS Jock]

12. whatcha gonna name it?

just wondering

[tjdee]

15. Well *I* want to name it Brody or Mowgli....the kid wants David or Sally.

Don't know if it's a girl/boy yet...and I don't have any girl names.

My kid was set on "Rum", which I thought was a tremendous improvement over David and Sally, her first two choices, but then my mother mentioned that Rum is liquor, the horror!

So now, since it's *technically* the kid's cat, I guess we're back to David or Sally. :scared:

[Lorien]

18. Rum Tum Tuger?

From the play and poem, naturally.

[tjdee]

22. Yeah--we've seen the musical Cats....

She really liked that, she calls Rum Tug Tugger Rum. As Tug is his middle name, and Tugger is his last name, according to her.

:)

[LDS Jock]

25. thats a great name

or maybe grizabella :P

[LDS Jock]

19. david or sally? those aren't cat names

but I guess its their cat to name as they want. If I got a cat I think I'd name him Obama. Maybe they don't think thats a cat name and we are equal. :)

[tjdee]

21. I told her that....no dice.

Tomorrow on the drive up I'll try to steer her toward better catty names.

David or Sally. :eyes: Dear.

[CottonBear]

23. My stepdaughter named her (& our) kitties

Smokey (B & W) and Cinder (gray tabby)!

[nuxvomica]

36. Sexing the kitten

If your mom doesn't already know the sex of the kitten, do this: pick it up and look at it's little rear end. One hole is female, three is male. Males have little anal glands on each side of the anus.

[iamjoy]

20. How To Prepare

Kittens aren't like puppies, so it should be fine alone.
But, you do need to "kittenproof" your house. You may want to get a babygate (at 8 weeks it won't be able to jump it) to limit where it can roam for the first few months. I would not advise locking it in a room, especially one with carpet (unless you want to replace the carpet). If you can't get a gate, just close off some doors.

The kitten could knock over tables, and could break some of your valuables, as well as getting hurt if something crashes down on top of it (I've heard only of the former, not the latter)
Don't leave ribbons, strings etc out as toys (or otherwise) and be really careful what you do leave out for the kitten to play with while you're away. When my husband was in college his roommate's kitten hung itself playing with string. I've never heard of a cat choking, but I just don't trust the toys with the little glued on eyes, etc. Stick with toy balls. Put wastebaskets away unless you want to clean up garbage that has been strewn all over your house. Toilet lid must be down. Oh, and hang the toilet paper so it unwinds from underneath, this may be backward but it will keep the kitten from using it to have a ticker tape parade through your house.

Some of this stuff is for the kitten's safety, some for your sanity. Once it gets a little older you won't need to be so cautious. I have had several cats (and kittens), and never a one hurt from a household hazard. I did have one shred a lace tablecloth and destroy a dozen roses (at different times). They've also made messes (knocking over trash cans and plants).

added on edit: the toys with glue on pieces are fine to let your kitten play with while you are supervising

[tjdee]

30. That's why I'm a little worried about the bathroom.

Everything in there is so hard.

Christmas being on Saturday stinks for that reason--I probably won't be able to get the Feliway, or suitable toys, or a baby gate until Monday, when we'll already be out for hours.

I do think the bathroom might be the best place, just because it's the cleanest room in the house and there are no strings/ribbons/stairs.

[jukes]

35. excellent advice here

especially: two are better than one.

if you sequester them in the bathroom, be sure to close that lid. cats love to drink from the toilet; a youngster can slam the lid on themselves and drown.

all my cats (MANY) have people-names. gary, steve, paco, pamela, etc.


you'll fall in love w/ these guys quicker than you can imagine.

[iamjoy]

38. Leave A Towel Down

or in a cage (with the door open) if you have one.
The towel gives the cat someplace nice and soft (and warm) to curl up.

Oh, and put the food (and water) dish(es) as far away from the litter as possible. when the kitten is more accustomed to the house, have them in separate rooms

And I think even the drug and grocery stores have some cat toys, just don't leave the kitten alone with any toy with small parts or string.

[Skittles]

29. correction: a cat is getting you tomorrow

cats have no problem being alone for a while but for a new kitten I would suggest setting up the litter box and food and water in a small room to lessen the chances of it getting into trouble. :D

[iamjoy]

39. LOL...how true

(cats own us)

[lonestarnot]

49. So true! LOL

[mdmc]

37. ha ha .. .you got a kitty!

sucker!

[Clark2008]

40. Uh-oh

I'll never be a real DUer then.

I would never harm any living creature or harbor resentment for any of God's little creations, but I won't be having a cat anytime soon.

I have two dogs who hate cats. They would kill it.

Dog person here... whoops. Should I be voting for a Republican? Funny. I always thought the Dems were the doggie people - because dogs are so kind and open-hearted. :)

[BrklynLiberal]

41. I have 4 cats and 2 dogs...eventually they all get along.

Lots of excellent advice here. Multi cats is a great idea...
I also have the bird feeders and squirrel feeders outside the windows to entertains the cats. It is a riot to watch the cats watching the birds. Sometimes the squirrels come up and peer into the windows at the cats. It is like TV for the cats!!!!!
Have fun, and enjoy them. You will be laughing a lot.
Once you have a cat or two, you will never want to be without a cat or two.

[MISSDem]

43. My three dogs hated cats, too until we found a family

of six on the side of the road by our house. Now they all live together and sometimes sleep together. They learn that they are "their" cats and do not hurt them.

[iamjoy]

52. Cats Are Democrats

Because they aren't blindly loyal, they're unconventional and don't just do what they're told.

Cats can be very generous too. They bring their human companions dead mice, dead birds, dead lizards, etc. Sometimes the little creatures are alive, my female once set a live cockroach right at my feet - how precious
:puke:

[Robeson]

56. What?!!? You've never heard of a DemoCAT?..

[crispini]

44. So, it's tomorrow!

Update us on the kitty! :)

[Be Brave]

45. It is now Christmas.

Do you have a picture of the kitty to post yet? Have you seen it?

[Rhiannon12866]

46. Congratulations

But kittens, as opposed to cats, can be a handful. There's nothing wrong with giving a kitten a limited space, to begin with, so they are kept safe. Make sure that he/she has toys and a comfortable place to sleep and always a clean litter box. Is he/she litter box trained? Kittens love to play. I have a great suggestion for the perfect interactive cat toy, and you have little to do but hang on to the other end. My aunt, who had cats all her life, recommended it, calling it "the kitty torture," since cats love it so much. It costs only about three dollars, but few cats can resist it, and it's available in any pet store. Just be prepared for high energy and some great times with a valuable little being, as my friend in animal rescue calls kittens.:-)

http://www.catdancer.com/products.htm

[crispini]

48. kick

for a kitty report!

[tjdee]

50. Just got home!

Sometime today or tomorrow I will be uploading a pic of the kitty (think I left my digital camera cords up at my mom's...oh no!) ...

But she's really cute...she's all white except for a grey streakish thing on her head. Very very cute.

I already blocked off downstairs--she likes to hide. She did that a lot at my mom's, and I left her up here with the kid a few minutes ago, came back upstairs and it took us a good five minutes to find her. We had a long ride, so now she's taking a nap.

She meows a lot--maybe because she misses her cat family?

Talked my daughter out of Sally, was okay with Cat (the next choice) as it was like Audrey Hepburn's cat in Breakfast at Tiffany's... but finally she settled on... Angel. Eh, it's okay, she likes it so that's what counts!

Thanks for all the suggestions everybody!! We're leaving her in the bathroom tomorrow with NPR, hopefully she's okay with that...will post a pic when I can!

[tjdee]

51. kick...but no picture yet.

A pure vanitical kick.

[iamjoy]

53. How Is Angel?

When she meows, talk to her.
She could be nervous, or lonely, or upset.

Eventually, you'll learn her cries for being hungry, wanting attention, etc.

For now, when she cries, talk to her - it doesn't matter too much what you say, just use a soothing voice. Say her name a lot so she learns it.

[Lorien]

54. A faded streak or a dark one?

She could be part Turkish Angora. Turks come in all colors, but the favorite color is white. They are sacred cats to the muslim people because the prophet Mohammed was said to keep five white Angoras as pets. Turkish Angoras are unusually intelligent and devoted cats, and the gray mark on the top of their heads (which disappears with age) is called "the mark of Allah".

[politicat]

55. heh... we have an Angel.... Was like naming a daughter Chastity.

It failed utterly. Angel is very sweet, but she's very demanding, spoiled rotten, and utterly convinced of her own superiority. She's also far too smart for her own good. She figured out that our hallway is a natural echo chamber, and so uses it to amplify her naturally rather soft and small voice into something more appropriate for her ancestry (she's Siamese, but unpapered thanks to her Mama's determination to be a "frat chick" in the cattery. From the same litter, Angel has two siblings that're half Abyssinian, and one that was half Himalayan. She's one of two that were full Siamese.)

Had he known her full personality, Mr. Pcat probably would have named her Mystra or Mask (BIG DnDer...). It would have been more appropriate to name her after the goddess of magic or of thieves.

Good luck, and don't hold off too long on getting another, and try for a male. Female cats are notoriously territorial, and they adjust better to having a neutered male as a companion and slave than another female.

Pcat

[Rhiannon12866]

58. I'm so looking forward to seeing your pix

Your kitty sounds just adorable. But I'm wondering, if this is a kitten, if you might have been better off adopting two, for companionship? This is what I did, adopting two cats who were raised together, and my friend told me that, if she had it to do over again, she'd adopt two kittens, rather than one, though her kitten was rescue, and the other sibling died. Sorry to throw a fly into the ointment, but you mentioned the other kittens, and they like companionship. But I love your post and am looking forward to seeing your pix.:-)

In the meantime, thanks for keeping us updated, and here's mine:
Rhiannon:

[roguevalley]

57. get a kennel and make it their bed. toys, blankies = heaven. :)