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Original Poster
#1 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 10:39 AM
Default New kitten owner - advice??
I hope this thread is allowed but...

My boyfriend and I have just acquired a kitten! We'll be picking her up at the weekend, so I've got some time to prepare for her arrival...
I've been around cats a lot as friends and relatives have had them, but neither me or my boyfriend have ever owned a cat/kitten before. So as well as being excited, am also a little nervous!
I was wondering if anybody on here had any advice about how to prepare for our kittens arrival. And in particular any good advice about how we can get her settled in as quickly and painlessly as possible.

What I'm most worried about is the fact we also have a house rabbit who I don't want used as a pin cushion! So if anybody has any personal experience/advice on how to get those two to get along that would be great!

I've been reading lots of advice/articles on the internet to get me prepared but it would be reassuring to hear some helpful and positive advice from people who've been in this situation before.

Thank you!
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Alchemist
#2 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 11:03 AM
Hi,
I have 2 cats and i got a kitten a few weeks ago

You should ask if she is litter trained. If she is, Get her a litter tray and place it in a corner, Never move it or she will get confused.
Their litter tray should be cleaned every week (some litter companys claim that their litter lasts for months, Believe me it doesnt ).

also get her a small bed or let her sleep on your bed for the first few weeks so she can get used to being away from her mum because she will, most likley, Mew for her mum.

Hope this helped!
Original Poster
#3 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 11:16 AM
Thanks kustirider.

According to her owners at the moment she is litter trained, so I will definitely be investing in her own litter tray. Just hope she doesn't try and share the bunny's!

We've got her a little cat bed.. it's the only thing we've already bought.. just hope she uses it, it does look rather cosy!
Alchemist
#4 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 11:23 AM
She probably won't be bothered by your bunny. My kitten just sniffs mine and then ignores him .
I always find that young cats like toys that make a noise when you shake them
Inventor
#5 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 11:27 AM
Hi Roxette,

It's great that she's litter trained - makes things a lot easier for you. However, I'd be cleaning the tray every day. Some cats become incredibly fussy and will not use a tray if even a small amount of urine or faeces remains (as will inevitably occur if you just scrape out her wastes each day, rather than emptying the tray completely. It might be worthwhile investing in two trays, so that she always has a clean one available to use. Leave the tray/s where you want her to use them, and take her to the tray after she wakes and after meals, so that she becomes accustomed to their location.

On food - find out what she's eating at present, and start her on that. If it's different to what you want her eating, make the transition slowly (over about a week) so that she doesn't end up with a tummy upset.

And really - start as you mean to go on. It's easy to let babies get away with murder because they're cute, but you need to set the ground rules now. She might respond to a loud clap or a NO if you catch her doing something she shouldn't. If she doesn't, try using a water spray bottle on her.

Do you have a cage that you can put your bunny in? That's probably the safest way to introduce them initially - at the very least, she's going to want to play with him and one of them is likely to get hurt. Just do it gradually - through the cage, then supervised in a room together. Cats & rabbits can get along, and with her being a baby he's likely to be the one setting the rules, but make sure they're well supervised.

Oh, and if she is overly stressed when you bring her home, something like a Feliway diffuser may help her to settle in. A vet check is a good idea too (a lot of vets will do a free 'New Kitten' check if you are going to be taking her back there for her vaccinations.

Good luck, and enjoy your new kitten Feel free to PM me if you've any particular questions

Please call me Laura
"The gene pool needs more chlorine."
My Site
Top Secret Researcher
#6 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 11:32 AM
ahh you've got a house rabbit?! i've always wanted one but we have two dogs so i can't have oner
anywayy...
you should introduce your kitten to your bunny from day one, just hold the bunny and your boyfriend can hold the kitty and they can jus sniff each other and get to know the scent of one another. And just so you know i think the kitten will be more scared of the rabbit than the rabbit being scared of the kitten, i got a puppy a couple of weeks ago and hes scared of my (outdoor) rabbit, the puppy runs away from the rabbit.

hoped that helped ^.^ have fun with your new kitten. :D

Previously known as 'simcharley1990'
Original Poster
#7 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 11:58 AM
kustirider I can't wait to get her some toys! She was playing with a little chicken one that made a very funny noise when we went to see her.

longears Thank you so much for your advice. The bunny has a pen in the corner of the room he spends most of his time in, with his food bowl and litter tray in there. The door is usually open, but when we introduce them for the first time we can keep the door closed so he can shy away from her if he wants to. Am hoping he will assert himself over her so she will just leave him alone, as at the moment he is a lot bigger than she is! We have agreed though that she will only be allowed in the room with him supervised and that they're not to sleep in the same room.
Am going to get her in at the vets as soon as possible as I have been informed that although she has been flea treated and wormed, she hasn't had any injections yet which I am a bit worried about as she is already 12 weeks old and I have been reading she should have had one by now. I have to go to the vets today though so I was going to ask them about it then.

simcharley: Yup and he's adorable! That's what am most worried about.. I really don't want the new kitten to upset him, keeping my fingers crossed all week in hope that they're going to get on! Or at least tolerate each other. But am hoping he will scare her away from pouncing on him since he's twice her size and weight!
Alchemist
#8 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 12:06 PM
My kitten is about 3 months old and he hasnt had any injections yet... I think they're for if she goes outside. so she doesn't get infections.
Original Poster
#9 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 12:08 PM
Ok that makes me feel a bit better Thanks kustirider.
Inventor
#10 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 12:20 PM
Hi again - the usual kitten vaccinations are against herpes and calicivirus (which cause 'cat flu') and panleucopaenia (feline enteritis). They would usually be given at around 8 weeks, then at 12 and 16 weeks. (That is the protocol I was taught, but different vets do different things.) She should be fine getting one now and another in a month. Even if you're going to keep her indoors 100% of the time, I'd strongly advise that you have this done - she's still going to have to have trips to the vet where she will potentially be exposed to other cats (e.g., if you have her desexed and she is caged in a room with other cats), and the 'cat flu' viruses are very common and very contagious.

If she's going to be going outside, it would also be worth finding out about vaccination against Feline Leukaemia and FIV ('Feline AIDS'). If they are reasonably prevalent in your area, and she is likely to come into contact with other cats, vaccination against these would be a good idea.

Please call me Laura
"The gene pool needs more chlorine."
My Site
Original Poster
#11 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 12:26 PM
Ok thanks longears I will be sure to get her vaccinated. I don't want to risk her getting poorly. I want to take her in fairly swiftly after we get her to check she is definitely healthy so I will see if she can have her first one then.
I would like her to go out when she's ready and spayed! So I think I will see if I can get her vaccinated against the others you mentioned as there are a few cats living in our area.
world renowned whogivesafuckologist
retired moderator
#12 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 12:40 PM
If she won't use the bed at first, try putting some newspaper, or a brown paper bag in it. For some reason, cats like laying on paper even if you give them somewhere nice and cushy to lay instead.

You also may try scent-friending. I've done it with litters of kittens abandoned by their mums, and introducing two older cats. Get some scented lotion and rub it on your hands. Then, pet the kitty. Do the same with the rabbit. Do this daily until everyone gets along well. Animals use scent a lot more than humans do, and if the kitten associates that scent with you as well as the rabbit - and with herself - everyone's more likely to get along well.

I find for scolding, a light flick on the nose accompanied by a strong "NO!" works well if the cat's actually hurt you (or someone else) by biting or scratching. After a few times, just the hand gesture of holding your middle finger with your thumb will get them to shrink back, realizing you mean business.

You may also find it helpful to get her used to having her paws touched and played with. Many adult cats get very offended if you touch their paws, but it's necessary to trim their claws so they don't hurt you or rip the hell out of the upholstery. Getting her used to it as a kitten is very useful - just take one of her paws in your hand while she's curled up on you and hold it gently, pressing in front of the pad to get her claws to extend.

Some vomiting/hacking is normal for cats... some cats eat too fast, or get hairballs, so if you find she starts puking all over the place, go to any pet supply store and ask for some cat grass. They make a little tray with grass seed that you can put in a window sill. Gives them something to chew and generally reduces tummyaches and hairballing. If she stops eating or seems otherwise under the weather at the same time as she's getting pukey, that probably means something's wrong.

Likewise, some occasional peeing in spots other than the litterbox is usually normal - especially if you haven't cleaned the box recently. But if the box is clean and she has otherwise been going fine in it, peeing in strange places can mean a bladder or urinary tract infection.

Make sure you check the house thoroughly for stuff she can get into - you probably have small holes pretty well sealed up and cords out of the way because of the rabbit, but cats tend to get into more stuff than rabbits will. Especially anything string or cord-like, you need to make sure is well secured so she can't get into it. Ribbon, string, tinsel at Christmas, easter grass - anything stringy can be extremely dangerous for cats as they'll swallow it and it can get caught up in their innards.

In addition to the recommendation above to taper off whatever she's been eating thus far... Make sure to get her a high-quality food. The cheaper foods are high in salt content (which can cause issues with the bladder/urinary tract including crystals which is -extremely- painful!) but low in meat content. Check the label - first ingredient should be beef or chicken, not corn or rice. In fact, the first several ingredients should all be animal products. Some corn or rice is okay, but it shouldn't be the main ingredient.

Also, if you get her a collar, make sure to get a breakaway collar if she's going to be going outside at all. That way if she gets caught up under a bush by her collar, she can pull it off, rather than getting stuck and choking.



... I was raised by a cat lady and have dealt with all manner of issues. Ever need to know how to give an angry elderly cat an IV without ending up shredded, I'm your girl.


Anyway, good luck with the new kitty - they're terribly fun to keep and as a new cat owner, it should be interesting adjusting to the fact that you're not really an owner - you're a servant and staff.

my simblr (sometimes nsfw)

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Panquecas, panquecas e mais panquecas.
Original Poster
#13 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 12:52 PM
Thanks very much for all the advice HP!

If she won't use her bed I'll definitely try the paper thing... I have known cats to sleep in some obscure places, my old next door neighbours cat used to sleep in a tissue box despite owning a perfectly comfortable soft and fluffy cat bed!

I'll try the paws thing as well, hopefully it will work out ok. I want to keep her claws trimmed regularly just in case she does try and harrass the bunny, I don't want him getting badly scratched.
Top Secret Researcher
#14 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 3:11 PM
oh also before she arrives maybe you should 'sit' on the pet bed, i had to do this with my older dog because i brought her a bed and she ripped it to shreads so i had to buy a new one and sit on it so she would know the scent. and it worked lol:D

Previously known as 'simcharley1990'
Original Poster
#15 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 3:34 PM
Ha! I could give that a try... though I imagine I'll look rather amusing doing so, the bed is tiny!!
Mad Poster
#16 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 4:21 PM
Don't know aboout scents, I think it may be more an issue of space and personal preferance. I bought my cat a nice wicker basket with a comfy cusion and he still prefers to sleep in one of these. He hasn't slept in the basket more than maybe a couple of times in the last 4-5 years, but he uses it occasionally to sharpen his claws on it. At night he'll sleep in the bed even if he has to wait for you to fall asleep first. Speaking of scratching, make sure you give her a scatching thing, or else you might find the furniture scratched all over.
Original Poster
#17 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 8:39 PM
Hehe hope she doesn't want to sleep in a big plastic basin or she'll end up in the washing up bowl!

I definitely need to invest in a scratching post, I do not want her clawing at the new sofa! She has been using a scratching post currently where she is being taken care of though.. so am hoping she'll continue to do so when she moves in with us. And I've seen one that has catnip on it/in it or something, so hopefully that'll encourage her to use it more.
world renowned whogivesafuckologist
retired moderator
#18 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 8:54 PM
Catnip won't do anything until she's sexually mature - catnip mimics cat pheremones and thus, kittens could care less.

my simblr (sometimes nsfw)

“Dude, suckin’ at something is the first step to being sorta good at something.”
Panquecas, panquecas e mais panquecas.
Instructor
#19 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 9:08 PM
I have two cats that are complete opposites of each other. One is more laid back and really doesn't mind if the litter box is a little dirty, but the other won't use the litter box unless it's completely clean. So, I would clean the litter very regularly until you figure out your kitten's personality.

The best investments i've ever made for my cats have been their cat tree (they like climbing it and looking out the windows, plus it gets them away from my dog) and cat grass, not to be confused with catnip.

Also, i found one of the best cat toys is a kid's fishing pole. I went to target and got a barbie fishing pole for $5 and it comes with a little plastic fish to practice casting and the cat's go crazy chasing it.

And don't leave food out for your cat. Set feeding times instead. My lazier cat is now overweight because I used to leave food out for them and is now on a diet (which is really a huge pain.)
Original Poster
#20 Old 1st Sep 2008 at 9:12 PM
HP: Oh.. boo! Well I guess I'll just have to hope the pretty dangly things hanging off it catch her attention then!

dlisted: I was looking at a fishing pole type toy in a shop today.. think am gonna have to get me one of those now! And thanks for your advice about feeding time, I definitely don't want a podgy kitty!
Lab Assistant
#21 Old 2nd Sep 2008 at 3:09 AM
You can buy all the toys you want but I'm sure kitty will find something he/she likes by herself. My 7 month year old loves ponytail holders. She'll chase and chew those all night if I didn't take them away from her. We have a few cat toys that we play with her and she'll play with them by herself.

She slept in the cat bed (ignored by the alpha cat and favored by the dog) for a week until she discovered the pinnacle of comfort...the Wii Fit balance board. I used to stick it under the bed but one night I left it out and it was claimed by her. >p

Cats have minds of their own and they're quite smart; if they need something, they'll either wake you up at 4am and tell you or create it themselves.

I'm indifferently curious.
8/2010
9/2011
Original Poster
#22 Old 2nd Sep 2008 at 10:06 PM
I hope she does find something she likes to play with.. as long as it's not my furniture! The toys I've bought her were only cheap anyways... and am sure my boyfriend will have fun playing with them even if she doesn't! Hehe.
Forum Resident
#23 Old 2nd Sep 2008 at 10:26 PM
Rule number one: Don't play with the kitten with your hands!!! I cannot stress that enough. I know it is a ton of fun to let them chase your hand and to wrestle with them, but it will just teach the kitten that it is ok to bite and scratch you. We made this mistake with our kitten, and now when she is especially hyper she will just latch onto my arm and go at it.

Make sure you have plenty of toys around for him or her to play with.

Also, this is what my vet recommended for feeding, and she is a cat specialist so I think her advice is pretty trust worthy. Feed the kitten about 75% canned food and 25% dry food. People claim the cats teeth will go bad if they don't eat dry food, but with cat kibble, the bits are so small they only scratch their teeth a very minimal amount and don't really help much in the way of dental care. If you want to make sure her teeth stay nice and healthy you can buy food specifically formulated for dental health that will have bigger and a tad softer bits so they will surround their tooth when the cat bites it.

Also, not sure if this was mentioned, make sure her food and water dishes are not close to the litter box. Cats, like humans, don't like to eat where they do their business!

Congrats on your new kitten and good luck!
Original Poster
#24 Old 2nd Sep 2008 at 10:51 PM
Thanks for the advice ktbcca

I'll have to make sure me and my boyfriend don't use our hands to play with her anymore... we were doing that when we went to visit her but I don't want to get bitten!

Her food and water are across the other side of the room to her litter box so we got that covered. I figured it was best to keep the litter tray as near to the back door as possible anyways due to bad smells!!
Original Poster
#25 Old 7th Sep 2008 at 2:32 PM
I got the kitten this morning!!

Thanks so much for all the advice.. she's getting on great so far!

She got straight out the cat carrier as soon as we got her home. Had a good run round, sniffing and exploring everywhere. Climbing up places we never thought she'd reach yet! She played with some of her toys... Then climbed on my knee and had a wash.. and washed me too!
And now she's napping on the chair next to me (not in her bed as suspected!)

She hasn't eaten yet but she's had plenty to drink and she's also used her litter tray!

Am so excited, she's lovely!!

I just wish I could decide on a name for her... I thought I had loads of ideas but nothing quite seems to suit!
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