Thinking of getting a cat, mouse problem.
Discussion
I'd suggest you use exactly the same litter the 'breeder' used.
She should have given you a small bagful of their used litter to scent their new tray, so the kittens know where to go.
Site the tray(s) somewhere quiet and private - and as suggested - not too close to their food. Keep it scrupulously clean.
However I maintain that at 8 weeks they're too young to be taken from their mother. A squillion other people phoning up to buy them doesn't alter this fact.
She should have given you a small bagful of their used litter to scent their new tray, so the kittens know where to go.
Site the tray(s) somewhere quiet and private - and as suggested - not too close to their food. Keep it scrupulously clean.
However I maintain that at 8 weeks they're too young to be taken from their mother. A squillion other people phoning up to buy them doesn't alter this fact.
I realise that I did the wrong thing but I assure you that they will be looked after and loved like the rest of the family 
Some of their litter would have made sense even to my non pet brain. A good point.
My mum, who is staying with us, is a cat nut and has sat in the lounge all day grabbing the little ones when they eat then go for under the telly and placing them in the tray. So far a success.
Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?
Some of their litter would have made sense even to my non pet brain. A good point.
My mum, who is staying with us, is a cat nut and has sat in the lounge all day grabbing the little ones when they eat then go for under the telly and placing them in the tray. So far a success.
Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?
Edited by croyde on Monday 14th January 21:16
Mobile Chicane said:
I'd suggest you use exactly the same litter the 'breeder' used.
She should have given you a small bagful of their used litter to scent their new tray, so the kittens know where to go.
So do I, but you can gradually change it over She should have given you a small bagful of their used litter to scent their new tray, so the kittens know where to go.
Good work from your Mum, fingers crossed it helps!
croyde said:
My mum, who is staying with us, is a cat nut and has sat in the lounge all day grabbing the little ones when they eat then go for under the telly and placing them in the tray. So far a success.
Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?
The kittens' mother would have licked their bums after they'd eaten to encourage toileting.Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?
Cat nut, you say?
plasticpig said:
Think the issue is that there are plenty of kittens available for free. Unless you want a full pedigree moggy then I really can't see paying money (other than a small
donation if from a rescue center) is necessary.
Yep, this is kind of my thinking, but each to their own, it's the OP's money...donation if from a rescue center) is necessary.
Mobile Chicane said:
croyde said:
My mum, who is staying with us, is a cat nut and has sat in the lounge all day grabbing the little ones when they eat then go for under the telly and placing them in the tray. So far a success.
Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?
The kittens' mother would have licked their bums after they'd eaten to encourage toileting.Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?
Cat nut, you say?
ali_kat said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I'd suggest you use exactly the same litter the 'breeder' used.
She should have given you a small bagful of their used litter to scent their new tray, so the kittens know where to go.
So do I, but you can gradually change it over She should have given you a small bagful of their used litter to scent their new tray, so the kittens know where to go.
Good work from your Mum, fingers crossed it helps!
They are using CatSan and no accidents yesterday or overnight. After breakfast an hour ago they both went and did their business in the tray without any prompting.
I can't believe I am posting this crap
OK I know I can get a book on this but I am relying on the PH pet owner's vast knowledge, especially as specific pet forums can be so condescending. The flak I took when I went to forums for help with the fish, Jayzuz!!
So today's question is:
How long do I keep them confined to the lounge? My worry would be that there are so many places in the rest of the house for them to hide, get stuck or disappear. The girl cat (Jess) keeps trying to get out of the door when I go in so is eager to explore.
Thanks.
From memory, we were told to confine our to one room for 6 weeks. We collected him at 13 weeks, I think.
As it was explained to us, the longer you confine them, the less likely they are to stray when you let them out when they are older. Ours sometimes gets let outside during the day, but if he goes he generally stays in our garden. He sometimes takes himself off elsewhere, but is always home for supper.
The whole "indoor cat" thing can be a real can of worms, I'll warn you of that right now though...
As it was explained to us, the longer you confine them, the less likely they are to stray when you let them out when they are older. Ours sometimes gets let outside during the day, but if he goes he generally stays in our garden. He sometimes takes himself off elsewhere, but is always home for supper.
The whole "indoor cat" thing can be a real can of worms, I'll warn you of that right now though...
Cheers Greg
I don't plan to have them as indoor cats and we do have a garden that backs onto other gardens which is good as I would like them to have an outdoor life.
More than a month eh! well the one obvious benefit is that in the first time in over 14 years in this house is that everyone is keeping the doors closed and now the lounge stays much warmer.
In fact so warm I have been able to turn the heating right down
I don't plan to have them as indoor cats and we do have a garden that backs onto other gardens which is good as I would like them to have an outdoor life.
More than a month eh! well the one obvious benefit is that in the first time in over 14 years in this house is that everyone is keeping the doors closed and now the lounge stays much warmer.
In fact so warm I have been able to turn the heating right down
Evening
That's good news, I hope it continues! don't be too quick to move their litter tray once you let them out & about, although that concept is alien to me - I didn't confine Bast & Chilli when they first came home, they had the run of the house from day one!
Pepi/Beauty were confined when they came home but only to introduce them to the resident cat (Pepi to Bast & Beauty to Pepi) - about a week in both cases (before I gave in at their crying when the door closed & so let them out). Both used the litter tray in it's correct location from then on happily, although I left one in 'their' room for a week or so after they were used to the resident cat.
Both Bast & Pepi were 8 weeks when the Breeder let me take them home BTW, they can leave Mum once weaned but a lot of Breeders/Rescue places won't let them go until they have had their vaccinations.
That's good news, I hope it continues!
don't be too quick to move their litter tray once you let them out & about, although that concept is alien to me - I didn't confine Bast & Chilli when they first came home, they had the run of the house from day one!Pepi/Beauty were confined when they came home but only to introduce them to the resident cat (Pepi to Bast & Beauty to Pepi) - about a week in both cases (before I gave in at their crying when the door closed & so let them out). Both used the litter tray in it's correct location from then on happily, although I left one in 'their' room for a week or so after they were used to the resident cat.
Both Bast & Pepi were 8 weeks when the Breeder let me take them home BTW, they can leave Mum once weaned but a lot of Breeders/Rescue places won't let them go until they have had their vaccinations.
Thanks Ali
Didn't you find the odd present in some far corner of the house when they first came home. I only ask as today the No2s have been in the right place but there has been a couple of No1s on the easy to clean Pergo floor
Also their owner asked me to continue them on Whiskas Kitten wet food yet some of the stuff I have been reading suggests that dry food would be better. Any comments.
Cheers again
Didn't you find the odd present in some far corner of the house when they first came home. I only ask as today the No2s have been in the right place but there has been a couple of No1s on the easy to clean Pergo floor
Also their owner asked me to continue them on Whiskas Kitten wet food yet some of the stuff I have been reading suggests that dry food would be better. Any comments.
Cheers again
Nope. I had a couple of wet accidents on the duvet overnight whilst I was asleep under it the first week. I think it was because I carried them to bed rather than let them come to join me, so they were confused.
Mine get a mix of dry food from the Vet (for Pepi's teeth & cystitis) and Whiskers dry, with 1/2 pack wet each am & pm so Pepi gets his tablets,they both graze on the dry & quite often don't eat all the wet, although they go mad for it & woe betide me or James if we are late serving it, unless its the weekend in which case we get a lie in for the am feeding!
Mine get a mix of dry food from the Vet (for Pepi's teeth & cystitis) and Whiskers dry, with 1/2 pack wet each am & pm so Pepi gets his tablets,they both graze on the dry & quite often don't eat all the wet, although they go mad for it & woe betide me or James if we are late serving it, unless its the weekend in which case we get a lie in for the am feeding!
Glad it's working out well. I'd confine to one room for about a week, then a month in the house, before letting them go out.
They'll often take 2-3 days to get the confidence to actually go out though!
Just had some bad news about mine - the two girls can't handle my boisterous tom, so we've been advised by the vet to rehome him.
Whisper has been suffering from a exema type thing for a while, but it started after I'd laid a concrete base for a patio, so figured it was that. Then at the weekend Pippin started crying loads and pacing like she needed the loo. Thought it might be a kidney infection, so got the missus to take her to the vet today (I'm away for work).
Been told both conditions are caused by extreme stress, brought on by Banksy...
We've had the girls from the rescue for 4 years, Banksy was a present for my birthday two years ago. So, so attached, and he's so loyal when I walk to the shops he comes to, walking to heel!
Got told just before I left the office and walked down Bishopsgate with tears running down my cheeks.
Gutted.
They'll often take 2-3 days to get the confidence to actually go out though!
Just had some bad news about mine - the two girls can't handle my boisterous tom, so we've been advised by the vet to rehome him.
Whisper has been suffering from a exema type thing for a while, but it started after I'd laid a concrete base for a patio, so figured it was that. Then at the weekend Pippin started crying loads and pacing like she needed the loo. Thought it might be a kidney infection, so got the missus to take her to the vet today (I'm away for work).
Been told both conditions are caused by extreme stress, brought on by Banksy...
We've had the girls from the rescue for 4 years, Banksy was a present for my birthday two years ago. So, so attached, and he's so loyal when I walk to the shops he comes to, walking to heel!
Got told just before I left the office and walked down Bishopsgate with tears running down my cheeks.
Gutted.
SwayI'm sure Bex will be able to suggest other stuff, but try plugging Feliway diffusers in several places they hang out & get some Zyklene to put on the girls food. It may help de-stress them, certainly worth a try before you get rid of Banksy
Yes, it does sound like stress but you'd know if it had been ongoing for 2 years!
Can you give the girls a room where he can't go so they have their own space?
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