bk_blue Posted June 14, 2003 Posted June 14, 2003 OK this is about a kitten but so many of you have feline friends too, so I hope you can help. Last night mum found a kitten (no mum or siblings) under the house, starving, and mewing... so now she has a new kitty (she is going to keep it). We have no idea how old she is or what to do, as we've never had *our* own kitten before... So far she (she doesn't have a name yet!) has a collar, flea collar, bed, bowl, litter box etc. Hasn't been to the vet yet (but will be going asap), I know they have to be vaccinated too. Mulder (the resident visiting cat from next door) isn't too happy about not being the only cat around and is annoyed to say the least LOL. I took some pictures of her but they won't be developed until I get to the end of the film. She is GORGEOUS. A grey and black tabby with yellow and green eyes, and she is so sweet and sooky. We are also stuck for names. Any assistance would be GREAT... thanks guys :D Quote
bk_blue Posted June 14, 2003 Author Posted June 14, 2003 I forgot to add she WILL be spayed, naturally. So we have to keep her inside away from all the other cats in the neighbourhood, the last thing we want is more kittens. :-? Quote
bk_blue Posted June 14, 2003 Author Posted June 14, 2003 I know K but I don't have a digital camera :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: I think I am turning into a nervous mummy, I seriously have no idea what to expect from a little kitten. From doing a quick search I think she is 8 weeks of age plus. Mum actually just said there were two kittens a few nights ago, but she rescued this one last night (the other one wasn't there, I hope it is ok :-? ), so I suppose mummy cat has either died or abandoned them. Quote
bk_blue Posted June 14, 2003 Author Posted June 14, 2003 The cat now has a name: Lily. (Aroura you'd be proud :wink: ) :angel: Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted June 14, 2003 Posted June 14, 2003 JUST TREAT IT LIKE A LITTLE PUPPY HEAT CYCLE IS THE SAME AS A DOGS THE VET WILL KNOW HOW OLD SHE IS AS LONG AS SHE IS SPAYED BY 6 MONTHS IT WILL BE OK Quote
bk_blue Posted June 14, 2003 Author Posted June 14, 2003 I have no idea how old she is... she's pretty small but leggy (she is a little on the thin side from being a stray I suppose). I have read that kittens can get pregnant by the age of 4 months but I don't think she's that old yet. She is SO CUTE!!!! :D I am so excited, we've never had a stray animal before and now mum is keeping her! Quote
behle Posted June 14, 2003 Posted June 14, 2003 Congratulations to your Mom and Lily! :lol: She will love her! My Mom just got a little kitten a few weeks ago and she is just "batty" over him now! Looking forward to pictures of the little beauty! :D Quote
Angelboddy Posted June 14, 2003 Posted June 14, 2003 This must be the session for stray kittens. My friend called me yesterday asking if I knew anyone that would want a stray kitten. She found him in the storm and rain on the side of the freeway. He is only 6 weeks old. I'm hoping one of my other friends will take this kitten in. My husband would never let me. Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted June 14, 2003 Posted June 14, 2003 I have read that kittens can get pregnant by the age of 4 months but I don't think she's that old yet. THE FIRST SEASON WOULD BE 7 TO 9 MONTHS A VET WILL SPAY FROM 4 MONTHS SOME MAY EVEN DO IT EARLIER Quote
courtnek Posted June 14, 2003 Posted June 14, 2003 Just a few tips: She will need a scratching post, unless you plan to declaw her, or she will destroy your furniture - you can buy stuff that attracts them to the post, and then put their front paws on it and pull down, imitate scratching. After a while, they will learn that this is the onyl place they can scratch, but it will take time to train them. They like warm places in the sun - even the long haired cats love nothing more than to bask in the sunlight. A southern exposure window, and one of those "kitty condos" (which can also serve as the scratching post) is perfect. They need fresh water every day. You have to watch that, because they dont drink alot of water (not like a dog) but even if it looks unused, change it out daily. Some cats dont like the scented litter. Allergies can develop. Usually all you need to do is show the cat where the box is, put him in it, and they'll use it from then on. They are naturally clean, and attracted to sandy materials to go in, since they originally developed in the Egyptian desert. Litterbox should be scooped every day. If they feel it's not clean, they may decide to go in your houseplants and tub (yes, tub....) Now while she's a kitten. if you get her used to being picked up, held, cuddled and petted, she will most likely grow up to be very affectionate. Check out various websites on cats - there are some houseplants, medications and foods that are TOXIC to them. And these items are very common in most households, they're not something unusual you wouldnt have.....Tylenol is one. Those big red leaved plants that everyone sees around Christmas are another. Cats are very attracted to the leaves, but they're poisonous One of the best toys I ever had for a cat was something called a "cat-dancer" - it's basically a wire attached to a pole (or it can be dragged too)that is so lightweight and shaped funny the cat will spend hours chasing it around or following it if you drag it. when they spring on it, it changes position and "runs away", prolonging the chase. Good luck with your new kitty! You can PM me with other questions if you like - I have had cats for almost my whole life. :D Quote
bk_blue Posted June 15, 2003 Author Posted June 15, 2003 Thanks for all your help guys. I think Mum wants Lily to be an outside toilet cat but we have a litter tray as well. She takes her out about every hour and after meals, and she'll dig a little hole in the dirt and do her business. She's very affectionate already, she loves to be patted and stroked and held. She doesn't like her basket though, much prefers the couch (well wouldn't you?) :roll: :wink: . I will let mum know about the scratching post. We don't have any indoor plants and we don't get the poinsietta (sp?) at Christmas. She doesn't seem to like water yet, she likes the cat milk though. :D Quote
Malamum Posted June 15, 2003 Posted June 15, 2003 Congratulations on Lily (it's such a sweet name). Can't wait to see pictures. Quote
Sanvean Posted June 16, 2003 Posted June 16, 2003 She sounds so darling! Can't wait to see photos :) Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted June 17, 2003 Posted June 17, 2003 Lily is probably too young to be letting her outside. You should have your mom wait until she is at least 12 weeks. Especially since her cat mom abandoned her or died, she needs to be older so she can defend herself. Personally I reccommend that you keep her as an indoor cat. She is so young that she can be trained to be a very good indoor cat. If you're worried about clawing the furniture, you can get a scrathcing post or even better, there is a product called soft paws that works great! I use it on my two cats. www.softpaws.com Also, she is too old for cat milk. If you leave water next to her food bowl she will eventually start drinking it. The milk could start making her sick soon. One more thing, if you want her to be an indoor cat-stop taking her outside to go to the bathroom, this may be confusing to such a young cat and she might not use the litter box properly when you want her to. Pick one or the other for now. here is a great forum for cat questions. The woman who runs it is Pam and she is a feline behaviorist and her advice is wonderful! http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ptthinkcat Good Luck! Rianne Quote
Peng1zrule Posted June 17, 2003 Posted June 17, 2003 I raised my cat kind of like you raise a pup...I found my squirt bottle to be invaluable so long as no immature humans got their hands on it. My cat is very vocal and will sit, come, sit up, and shake hands. A scratching post will be needed...most people forget to get one, and then they end up with the cat scratching the furniture. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted June 18, 2003 Posted June 18, 2003 Be careful about disciplining a cat with a squirt bottle-they aren't as lenient as dogs are and they may become skittish an testy. Seriously check out the ivillage link I posted before performing any kind of discipline. Cats do not respond like dogs do to discipline they are totally different. Quote
Sanvean Posted June 18, 2003 Posted June 18, 2003 Heh. I gave up on the squirt bottle, as it didn't seem to discourage my kitties anyway :) I figured, they do what they want while I'm away...they might as well do it while I'm home! :-? Quote
courtnek Posted June 19, 2003 Posted June 19, 2003 the best way to discipline a cat is vocally - they dont like loud noises, so if you say NO stern and fairly loud (dont scream) they will get the picture. Do not hit them, I wouldnt advocate the squirt bottle because they hate water, altho it works on some cats. Do not be surprised if after a vocal discipline they run, or hunch up. They are very independant, and you have to start training them at a young age. AND it takes longer than with a dog. You really need to work on the reward program with a cat. more so than a dog. They respond much better to positive input than negative. If you see them scratching on their post, using their litter box, pet them gently and talk to them in a quiet voice. They do respond to treats. They like to be cuddled if you started them early being held. Those are the best rewards, and they provide the best results. Pretty much everything with a cat has to be positive. Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted June 19, 2003 Posted June 19, 2003 UPDATE TIME BK HAS MUM TAKEN HER TO THE VET TO BE CHECKED OVER AND AGE ESTIMATED :) AND A DATE TO GET SPAYED Quote
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