New kittens - our first cats, any basic tips?
Discussion
We lost our Labrador in March, the house hasn't been the same without a pet but we decided we were not ready for another dog.
The local cat shelter had an open day on Saturday so we went for a look and Sunday we were bringing back 2 kittens!
They are 10 weeks old and were abandoned at the shelter approx 3 weeks ago, they have no details but were in litter of 6.
They had paired themselves up so we have got a brother (plain grey) and sister (dilute grey tortie), Brian and Audrey.
They are toilet trained to a litter tray and eating well.
During the day they roam around, disappearing under the sideboard with any big noises or quick movement. When our girls (5 and 3) are around they hide, but come out again when they are in bed.
Now we are sat on the sofa and they are playing on the rug.
We can pick them up, but they won't come to us, and they won't sit on your lap.
Assuming they are still quite shy and will get bolder/cuddlier as they settle?
Sorry no pics yet as they run off as soon as I go near them with the the camera!
The local cat shelter had an open day on Saturday so we went for a look and Sunday we were bringing back 2 kittens!
They are 10 weeks old and were abandoned at the shelter approx 3 weeks ago, they have no details but were in litter of 6.
They had paired themselves up so we have got a brother (plain grey) and sister (dilute grey tortie), Brian and Audrey.
They are toilet trained to a litter tray and eating well.
During the day they roam around, disappearing under the sideboard with any big noises or quick movement. When our girls (5 and 3) are around they hide, but come out again when they are in bed.
Now we are sat on the sofa and they are playing on the rug.
We can pick them up, but they won't come to us, and they won't sit on your lap.
Assuming they are still quite shy and will get bolder/cuddlier as they settle?
Sorry no pics yet as they run off as soon as I go near them with the the camera!
Just heard from the wife and they are going crazy, charging around and climbing all over - but only her at home today!
When i left this morning they were both having breakfast in the kitchen with all of us pottering about.
The vet has said to pet them when possible but not to force it, brian is definately more outgoing.
Our girls are very good, our dog was quite ill towards the end so they are used to being quiet and leaving alone when told.
Just looking forward to a cuddle!
When i left this morning they were both having breakfast in the kitchen with all of us pottering about.
The vet has said to pet them when possible but not to force it, brian is definately more outgoing.
Our girls are very good, our dog was quite ill towards the end so they are used to being quiet and leaving alone when told.
Just looking forward to a cuddle!
We have a small toilet problem, the first couple of days they both used the litter tray perfectly.
On thursday we found a wee on the floor in the lounge and on a sofa cushion, last night a poo behind the sofa and this morning a poo behind the sofa and behind the sideboard.
To make matters worse as soon as the poo was cleaned up she wee'd where it was!
It is definately her - any ideas what to do?
She does still go in the tray as she is sat in it now - so knows how to use it and where it is!
On thursday we found a wee on the floor in the lounge and on a sofa cushion, last night a poo behind the sofa and this morning a poo behind the sofa and behind the sideboard.
To make matters worse as soon as the poo was cleaned up she wee'd where it was!
It is definately her - any ideas what to do?
She does still go in the tray as she is sat in it now - so knows how to use it and where it is!
Ok we will get another tray and try that!
Another poo behind the sofa this morning, and then we have left them all day (7.30-4.30) and both have used the tray and no suprises, very frustrating!
They are coming out more - he comes out but she is more playful
Another poo behind the sofa this morning, and then we have left them all day (7.30-4.30) and both have used the tray and no suprises, very frustrating!
They are coming out more - he comes out but she is more playful
Edited by Blakeatron on Sunday 4th October 17:03
okgo said:
Not sure I buy the multiple trays, we have one tray and two cats, always have. But you need to make sure IMO that its clean, we change litter daily.
The only time we had issues with them s
tting elsewhere was when they deemed the litter tray to be too 'used' so while another tray may help you could just try new litter more often
We clean the poos and pick out the big clumps of wee straight away, and have been changing it every other day.The only time we had issues with them s
tting elsewhere was when they deemed the litter tray to be too 'used' so while another tray may help you could just try new litter more oftenEdited by okgo on Sunday 4th October 17:21
Since being home I have played with them a bit and got them both to come up to me by slowly dragging their toy towards me.
Being satisfied with my effort I sat on the sofa, she jumped up next to me looked me right in the eyes and peed all over the sofa.
While cleaning this up she pood behind the sofa - ffs.
It's only me home so she can't be being scared by anyone else
Thanks for the advice, we now have 2 litter trays and she is using 1 and him the other.
Last night we put a carvol soaked tissue behind the sofa and there were 2 poos in the tray this morning - one form each of them (is it bad we can tell the difference!?)
For the first time they have just sat in the dining room and watched us eat dinner, and he was purring earlier when being stroked!
Last night we put a carvol soaked tissue behind the sofa and there were 2 poos in the tray this morning - one form each of them (is it bad we can tell the difference!?)
For the first time they have just sat in the dining room and watched us eat dinner, and he was purring earlier when being stroked!
Well a few more days passed and so far no more presents.
They are coming closer to us, but not onto our laps yet. However they will lye there and be stroked - even purr!
We have also upped there food as they were finishing it within seconds and meowing for more, meant to be done on weight but there is no chance of weighing them so we have taken an educated guess.
Garden is not enclosed to cat standards - only a 4' fence so they will not be going out for a while
They are coming closer to us, but not onto our laps yet. However they will lye there and be stroked - even purr!
We have also upped there food as they were finishing it within seconds and meowing for more, meant to be done on weight but there is no chance of weighing them so we have taken an educated guess.
Garden is not enclosed to cat standards - only a 4' fence so they will not be going out for a while
A few more weeks and a lot of progres. Very, very few accidents now - 1 in the last 10 days or so, they now have full roam of the house but tend to stay downstairs where we are.
Brian has changed from being the brave one to being scared of everything, he wants to be near us and if you stealthily sneak up on him you can stroke him. But apart from that he keeps himself to himself.
Audrey is now a cuddle monster with anyone that sits down - rubbish iPad pic
Brian has changed from being the brave one to being scared of everything, he wants to be near us and if you stealthily sneak up on him you can stroke him. But apart from that he keeps himself to himself.
Audrey is now a cuddle monster with anyone that sits down - rubbish iPad pic
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