We've just picked up our new kittens!

[esoryelneh]

We've just picked up our two new kittens. We've named them Polly and Daisy. They just look so tiny! They're 11 weeks.

I totally gutted the house (it's baby proofed anyway due to DD) moved any wires and they've found a comfy spot together under the sofa where they currently are asleep.

I've got 3 litter boxes, 2 downstairs and 1 upstairs. Set out their food bowls each and water.

Does anyone have any tips? We thought long and hard about pets and we finally felt ready. They're sisters and I didn't want to separate them. We got them from a local adoption centre and they came together so we took them together.

If anyone has any words of wisdom or tips please let me know! They are so adorable.

When we go to bed do we just leave them be? I have bought cat beds but didn't know where to put them. Any tips please thank you!

I don't know but please post a photo!

Congratulations on your new feline overlords (perhaps that should be overladies). I'm not a cat owner so I can't offer any advice except that you will be required to post pictures soon and frequently! Have fun.

Expect your shit to be wrecked but you tolerate it because they’re so damn cute.
Put their beds wherever, they’ll most likely choose somewhere else to sleep anyway!

You need to get over to The Litter Tray, we love kitties but you need to post a photo as dems da rules.

First if all, ah cute! Please post a photo!

Get them a decent scratching post downstairs (and upstairs if possible), plenty of toys, hold off buying any posh new furniture for a bit! Keep on top of litter cleaning duties- I once worked for someone who never cleaned it out and the poor cats started pooping anywhere but the desired place!

Enjoy them!

Thank you everyone! Ive got a tall scratching post and some hangy ones to put on the sofa arms to hang down.

I will post pictures of them as soon as they appear from underneath the sofa!

Ooooo I didn't know there was a litter box section, I'll definitely have a scroll on there. (I should've posted there duh)

I've bought them plenty of toys and out them in an open little toybox in the lounge. They have a donut bed but they can choose to sleep wherever they please. So excited to see their little personalities to come out. They look almost identical too so will take some getting used to telling them apart!

Photos!

One of the best tips I had when we got our kittens (also tiny 11 week old sisters!) was to play with their feet/toe beans early on to get them used to the feeling and it makes clipping their claws easier. Mine are 10 now and they've always been really calm about claw clipping time. Also, who can resist the toe beans?!

I don't think it matters where you put the beds, they will either use them or ignore them. You might find they want attention at night, totally up to you whether to let them in your room but try to stick to 'rules' to avoid confusion. I always let mine sleep with me but shut the door when dd was newborn and they'd howl outside the door until I let them in.

Enjoy your adorable little tyrants 🥰

Its quite a good idea to keep them in just one room or part of the house at first, so that they can thoroughly explore it without getting overwhelmed or lost. Gradually give them more space as they get more confident.
Photos required stat. You can point your phone under the sofa, surely?!

When it’s time for them to go out and start exploring the great outdoors, get a smart cat flap that identifies their chips and only lets them in, not any Tom Cat and Harry. Set it to lock them in overnight - much safer for them and better for wildlife.

Don’t clip their claws - they need them to defend themselves against other cats.

I'd leave them shut in one room at night for a few nights. Then they can explore at their leisure without humans around, and will feel safe in that space. I think it was a week before I let mine have the whole downstairs (3 rooms) and a month before I caved to pressure to let them sleep upstairs (on my bed) at night.

I had cat beds from the start and they do get used, but both cats also sleep wherever they fancy. I got a cat blanket for my bed cos they like sleeping there during the day when I'm at work. They also like the top of the bookcase and under my bed.

Mine also have two safe spaces where I don't let anyone bother them - under my bed and on a shelf behind a bookcase. They hide there if they get scared and nobody is allowed to even reach in to stroke them.

Lastly, I taught mine to come when I call them. Ever since I got them I say their names in a particular tone when I give them food and treats. They now come whenever I call, even if they're several gardens away.

Mm you expect us to believe you actually have 2 gorgeous squishy dkittens?
Meh. Not a chance.
Proof or they didn't happen.

Err! You wrote kittens, in the same sentence it should say ‘I posted photos’. Tut, tut!

With scratching posts, you need to keep an eye on what type they prefer - some cats much prefer horizontal scratching (carpets) and you can buy flat scratching boards for them.

The other thing about keeping them shut in one room is that they get used to closed doors from the start. Less scratching for doors.

Also - if you let them in the kitchen you can train them not to jump up to the worktops. I don't trust mine entirely so still clean the worktop before using it, but they haven't jumped up in front of me for a couple of years.

The safe spaces suggested by a pp is really important, especially if you’ve got kids. I also taught my dc that you never touch a sleeping or eating cat.

Thank you all so much for this it really helps. Will definitely look at the chip cat flap.

I've emptied out a cardboard box and put it on its side with some toys and DDs old newborn blankets in. I'm going to shut them downstairs tonight. The the kitchen and dining room is open planned and door linked to the lounge so shall I leave the whole of the Downstairs or just the living room?

I'm going to try and get pictures but our sofa is huge so I'll give it a go! (I apologise in advance of the dust under the sofa on the wooden floor)

Thank you, DD is 18 months so is starting to understand commands. This will be really important to do so I'll start with that straightaway thank you!

So... not a very good image. Our sofa is huge so they're under the arrow underneath.

You can just about see a black and white something but that's them huddled together asleep. Will get a pic as soon as they come out!

They’ll feel less overwhelmed in a smaller room overnight if possible. But how lovely for you all. Congrats on your promotion to cat servant.

One has some out and letting us stroke her and jumping on the sofa already. Makes my heart so warm.

This is Daisy everybody!

(Will post Polly when she comes out)

Huge ears! I hope she grows into them.

Get a few shoeboxes for them to hide in. See how many can squish into a single box.

Another vote for you to come to the litter tray, you have already paid the kitty tax (AKA posted photos)

Ahhhh, how cute! Daisy looks likes Batman!

One of the best tips I had when we got our kittens (also tiny 11 week old sisters!) was to play with their feet/toe beans early on to get them used to the feeling and it makes clipping their claws easier. Mine are 10 now and they've always been really calm about claw clipping time

had cats for the best part of 40 + years. Never had to clip any claws.

Bless her!