Starting as we mean to go on - new kitten, sleeping arrangements and any other sage advice

[MindySimmons]

Hi,

I am new to Cat ownership and myself and DD (DH not so much!) are incredibly excited about our Siberian Kitten arriving in two weeks.

Trying to get everything ready and would love to advice on others to help us get off to the right start:

Sleeping arrangements: I really do want to avoid 'Boris' (latest name chosen by DD!) sleeping on our beds, I have a cat allergy and although I have done plenty of tests with this cat, it is best he stays out of the bedrooms. Any suggestions on where to encourage him to sleep and avoid scratching/howling etc.

Cat proofing a garden: don't really want to have to leave the windows and doors closed forever but equally, want to do all I can to keep Boris healthy and happy. I know most pedigrees are indoor cats but has anyone successfully cat proofed their garden? Looked at www.kittyklips.com/ and www.katzecure.com/

General tips for a happy kitten.

Thanks

Bump

I'm likely to be absolutely no help because although I always had cats growing up, they were in and out as they chose and regularly slept on our beds! At night my parents had their bedroom door shut which obviously kept nighttime visits to them down, and I suppose you could continue that during the day if you were really determined? Ultimately if a cat wants to get somewhere, unless there is a locked door between them and their goal they're likely to reach it eventually!

Hopefully someone experienced with indoor cats and that sort of cat deterence or training will be along to give some better advice!

Thanks Squirrel42, sure you have a point there but if anyone has successfully been able to keep their cats out their room without the house being meowed down or the door scratched off, that would be great!

Anyone???

Surely there must be some happy and smug cat owners with wonderful kitties that can share their secrets

We have 2 male cats aged 10 and have succesfully just got a new kitten for my dd. Don't believe it when people say you cant train a cat. My boys are very well trained. They know where they are allowed and not allowed.
Get together and decide a few choice words such as out , in bedtime(upstairs) teatime(breakfast and dinner) OFF etc and get everyone to stick to them.

My boys have a routine that we stick to and it works for us and the kitten was put straight into that and has responded well. I personally wanted the kitten to sleep in my dd's room as it is her cat and my boys sleep in my room so as soon as we brought her home we put her straight in there and as it is the first thing they see it becomes their space. This was only a theory but it actually worked.

My dd made a little area for her and she loves it in there so I would suggest you choose where you want kitten to sleep and do the same.

If you dont want kitten on the sofa etc this needs to be discussed and everyone must stick to the rules. If it gets on just lift it off and firmly say No..continue until it gets the message etc.

Be warned though kittens will try and chew and play with everything so make sure the space is clear of any danger..good luck

one more thing...cats will only give back what you put in and I really believe in the early days they should get loads of attention...(not being dragged around , mind) and played with to create a bond. I have always had cats but at home when I was young we had a big house and cats just did there own thing( except mine) who lived with me in my bit of the house. With my boys I didn't leave them alone when they were young and they are just the most adorable friendly cats I have ever met.

I've had cats for the last 20 years and they have always gone where they pleased but I do sometimes close the bedroom doors so they can't get in - more because they howl to be fed the minute they see any signs of wakefulness from anyone in the house than from a hygiene point of view

My cats have great characters because they have always had loads of love. Their favourite places to sleep include on top of the computer (involves falling off regularly!), on the fish tank, on the dining room table , around my husband's shoulders where one cat lives like a scarf and on a shelf in the bathroom which is the warmest room in the house with underfloor heating! Hope your new addition brings you lots of joy.

bishboschone - if you don't mind me asking, how old is your dd - this is my dd's kitten really but she is only 3 and a half so I'm not sure them sharing a room would work! Not sure anyone would get any sleep but I expect dd would love it!

Hi Mindy our kitten is 18 weeks old now and not so small anymore.

The DCs are 5,4 and 3, and I would advise you strongly against allowing the cat to sleep in a 3 year olds room. We are lucky enough to have a utility room and originally at night the kitten got popped in there with his bed, litter tray and some water. He now has the run of the kitchen, utility room and family room at night and he is perfectly happy.

He has so far been a house cat but as soon as he has had the snip, I shall just open the cat flap and let him come and go as he pleases.

The little bugger is going through a stage at the moment where he is pouncing on all of the dcs claws out and biting them!! Not sure why he is doing it, we have had him since he was 8 weeks old. Just keep having to tell him no and hope he catches on, otherwise God knows what I will do.

My dd is 6. She plays with her until she goes to bed at 7, then kitten comes down with us and the boys until we feed them at 9 and then she comes up and plays with us and the boys until we go to sleep. Then I put her in dd's room. The kitten does wake up quite early but dd is very good at sleeping and staying in her room etc so its not a problem. I don't think it will work with a 3 yr old. The thing is to decide where you want it to sleep and show it from day one and keep putting it there, they do get the message very quickly.

The more 'normal' way to keep cats is to just let them wander and find there own places to crash and feed on demand but we find this way suits us and our cats better.

Hi JH, great to hear that as our house downstairs is quite, open plan, so little Boris (as he has been named by dd) once he is settled would actually have a whole range of places to choose to sleep - with only the bedrooms as off limits. I know there's a high chance that of course, that's exactly where he'll want to sleep but I think it's best for all of us and Bish - thanks for letting me know. I think a 3 and a half year old and a kitten will be asking for trouble!