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Original poster

getting a kitten today any advice??

19 replies

mustsleep · 07/08/2007 10:05

hi am getting a kitten today!!

have already bought her but she is in quarantine until today

she's nine weeks old ans hasn't had any vacciations yet

does anyone have any advice, have googled kitten care on the internet etc, but have never had a cat before

have been out and bought all the stuff (well litter tray, litter, food, dry food, toys and a bed) just wondering f there's anything else i should get while i'm out)

or if anyone has any advice would really appreciate it

OP posts:

babywhiting · 07/08/2007 10:09

ok well i'd buy new sofa, new curtains,(cos it will be all over them) body armour (for the scratches) he he!! only kidding sounds like you have it all , good luck with your new kitten , what are you calling it??

Original poster

mustsleep · 07/08/2007 10:19

ds has picked the name, lilo

does that furniture spray work that's supposed to put them off scrarching

the kids have pretty much destroyed the carpets but would quite like to keep the sofa in one piece

OP posts:

KITTENSOCKS · 07/08/2007 11:45

You can get sticky tape to put on sofa corners, the cat isn't supposed to like the sticky feeling when it attempts to scratch, don't know if it works!
Can recommend 'Your Cat" magazine, lots of info and do articles on kittens, and they can answer emailed questions. If you're lucky, they may even publish your question if they think it will help other readers! Cats Protection do a whole collection of leaflets which you can send for. Basically read everything you can if you've not had a cat before.
Get pet insurance and kitten microchipped, vet can do the chip at the first vaccination.

NoviceKnitter · 07/08/2007 11:56

Apparently, eucalyptus oil is smething cats don't like so put this places you don't want it to go/scratch, eg sofa arms. Also spray one of your favourite scents. reapply these regularly then eventually stop using the eucalyptus - the scent you like will have a pavlovian response in the cat. (assuming you don't want house to smell of euc forever.) but use a smell that's not something that's going to put them off other things ie not your perfume or they'll get deterred from cuddling you!

of course i haven't done any of this and have just had to replace sofa cover. it's worth it tho - cats are ace - i wouldn't be without one. enjoy! purr

becklespeckle · 07/08/2007 12:01

I would 'show' your kitten the litter tray by putting it in, holding its front paws and making scratching movements in the litter. Might sound a little odd but I have always done this with kittens and not had any problems with house training!
Also he/she will probably be a little scared and overwhelmed so if you can get your DS to stay away from it for a couple of hours while it settles in (haha!) then that will probably help too.
Good luck and enjoy your new kitten!

vonsudenfed · 07/08/2007 12:05

Perhaps keep it in one room for a few days until it gets used to being somewhere new.

We fostered 4 kittens from 8 weeks, and just kept them in the kitchen for the first couple of weeks, then gradually introduced them to the other rooms in the house.

Oh, and make sure there's a safe hidey hole for her to retreat to when there's a loud noise or at night. When we first got the 4, I came down the next morning and couldn't see a single kitten anywhere in the kitchen. I was just starting to panic, when a small head popped out of the chair - they'd all gone to sleep behind the cushions for safety!

NoviceKnitter · 07/08/2007 15:07

Don't let it out for a few weeks and when you do put butter on its paws. can't remember why now but that's what we did when i was little to help make sure they come home.

Original poster

mustsleep · 08/08/2007 12:11

thanks eveyone

went to get her yesterday and she is gorgeous, really cute and small (lots smaller than the others that were waiting to be picked up, so think she might have been the runt of the litter) will have to feed her up a bit

shes been really good not too sure of the two year old at first, but has found a nice spot under the sofa that noone can get to

she seems to be already litter trained (well she has done all her business in it anyway without being shown where it was

been good so far (touch wood) about scatching stuff - but have had to put a big piece of cardboard behind the telly because the wires were too much of a temptation for her!!

does any one now how much the vaccincations and microchipping are - am going to call the vets todaya dn don;t want to pass out when they tell me the price

OP posts:

clayre · 08/08/2007 12:18

the vaccenations are about £40, not sure about microchipping

Original poster

mustsleep · 08/08/2007 12:22

your right it's £40.24 for the full course of vaccines

and microchipping is £15 which us quite reasonable

OP posts:

Lawrene8 · 08/08/2007 12:22

Microchipping was £24 for us but our vets offered a discount if we had it doen when we had them spayed as it was easier to do as apparatnly it's a big needle and a bit painful if they're conscious.

NoviceKnitter · 08/08/2007 12:34

Mustsleep - not sure if anyone's said this yet but if i were you i'd get pet health insurance. I didn't and every trip to vet seems to end up costing hundreds of pounds now my cat is older... defintiely worth considering anyway...

massivebigpantsface · 08/08/2007 12:42

wear very thick padded clothes - those little claws are lethal! have fun1

Original poster

mustsleep · 09/08/2007 22:22

just another quick question

it about cat litter - she is really good about going in her litter tray but have noticed it's getting a bit smelly have been removing the poop straight away but the wee is just like melting the litter and i can't pick it up withthe scoopdo i just leave it or do i need to get a better kind of litter (have got a cheap one from wilkos now and it's like in pellets.

i know its gross but help!

OP posts:

KITTENSOCKS · 10/08/2007 10:23

Sometimes cheap cat litters are a false economy, you may have to empty the tray and renew daily. Litters that form a 'clump' where the kitten has wee'd may be more expensive, but you only need to remove the soiled areas.
Some litters are impregnated with a deodoriser, this may mask the smell, but the kitten may refuse to use it because they don't like the smell of the deodoriser! I've been using Bio Catolet which is made from pelleted newspaper, I could flush poo down the loo (the few pellets stuck to it just broke up in the water) and put the rest in the compost bin as it's biodegradable and compostible. Do not compost cat poo, only the wet litter. You can get this litter from Tesco and Pets at Home. This litter doesn't clump, but as your kitten is young and using it all the time it's probably best to empty daily and rinse the tray with just water (no detergent), dry with loo roll and refill. It will become less expensive when the kitten can go outside to the loo and the tray is only used during the night, say, or when you need to keep in.
Sorry, this sounds like such a lecture,but it is based on 21 yrs experience!

Original poster

mustsleep · 11/08/2007 20:47

thanks will give it a whirl!

OP posts:

iliketosleep · 11/08/2007 21:25

make sure you keep flea control well under managment....

she says as she scratches the hell out of herself

Original poster

mustsleep · 13/08/2007 13:15

i haven't used anyting yet as she was flea treated before i got her and they said that she would need treating every fortnight? have got some flea tablets (when should i use them ) dont weant to treat her if she hasn't got any and haven't ntoiced her scratching a lot

also need to get some of that carpet treatment stuff and will frontline her (is that the best?) when she is 12 weeks

OP posts:

iliketosleep · 13/08/2007 13:26

to be honest ive used everything going and nothing is helping little buggers are taking chunks out of me!! although if its the johnsons 4fleas tablets youve got they are marvelous at getting the fleas off the cat. As long as you stay on top of it (which i havent ) you will be fine! my cat is actually due to have kittens today so its all going on!!

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