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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

we are getting kittens

64 replies

TequilaMockingMagpie · 29/10/2012 08:19

Are there any basic websites out there that has child friendly info ?

I have two boys and they want to learn all about them and exactly what we should do for them .

The kittens are male , born on a farm and I am nervous but excited about having them .

But it has been a long time since I had a kitten in my life , so I also need to check lots of info .

Like is it two weeks I should keep them indoors completely so they know they now live with us ?

I am going to ring local vets today to find out about jabs .

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cozietoesie · 29/10/2012 16:15

That's the way to do it. Be advised that when they've eaten, they often want to use their tray soon afterwards. Make sure it's easily findable.

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 29/10/2012 16:24

Thank you for listening to my witterings

They are lyimg on a rug in the kitchen now , which is where the tray is so hopefully they will find it ok . They have already found the cupboard with the wine in and knocked a bottle on the floor , ooops .

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cozietoesie · 29/10/2012 16:28

I'm getting vicarious kitten owning here! (Fond memories.)

It just might be a good idea to remove anything small and fragile to a cupboard for the next few weeks. As you have two of them you're likely going to get some serious chasing about and it would be a pity if the Ming vase went sideways in 'hot pursuit'.

cozietoesie · 29/10/2012 16:31

Alternately, of course, now is the time to bring out that vile souvenir of Skegness that Great Aunt Ethelberta gave you, place it in an exposed position and keep your fingers crossed!

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 29/10/2012 16:31

Or on a brighter note I could leave out all the rubbish stuff I have ever been given by my mother , or my husbands hoardings and hope for the best

It is reminding me of that newborn baby stage when you can't stop staring at them , except in this case I am having to do it with sideways glances .

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cozietoesie · 29/10/2012 16:32

Two minds with one thought!

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 29/10/2012 16:32

Marvellous cross post

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pearlgirl · 29/10/2012 16:44

It sounds like they have found a really lovely home.
Our first kitten out of a litter of sis departed for his new home and it has been nice to read about it from the other side - and I am having to get used to counting five kits and mum instead of six. Our have played and played - to the extent that our eldest dc complained when they were in the middle of a chasing rampage round downstairs (we have wooden floors) as he was trying to go to sleep.

cozietoesie · 29/10/2012 17:25

By the way, I think your idea of getting a fireguard was a good one on general principle. I've lived most of my life with open fires and I've never gone to bed without the fire guard up (and wedged with the fire tongs where possible.) It's just good practice - for the whole household, not just for kittens - even if the fire looks settled or dying. They're not expensive.

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 29/10/2012 19:12

They are now behind the washing machine , strange animals , they still haven't used the litter tray which u am a bit worried about but fingers crossed they will come out soon .

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cozietoesie · 29/10/2012 19:46

See - I told you the Litter Tray Angst was the worst!

(They should be fine. Cats can cross their legs for a long time.)

Ponders · 29/10/2012 21:02

we had a firescreen (embroidered thing behind glass) in front of a sparkgaurd with folding sides when ours first arrived & they have never breached it (but then they are weedy gurls)

we have had fires lit since then, & they are interested, but keep a safe distance

a friend who took a male litter mate had him straight up her chimney, until she blocked it with cushions etc

when ours first arrived (aged 9 weeks-ish) we kept the cat carrier, door open, right next to both food/water dishes & litter tray for a couple of days - unhygienic but it meant they were well acquainted with where everything was

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 30/10/2012 12:49

The litter tray has been christened ! Hurrah !

They are still hiding though which is a bit sad , I am amazed by my children's patience .

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Ponders · 30/10/2012 13:13

hooray for the litter tray, Tequila!

ours were very timid when they first got here & they had been living in a house, but with their mum of course, & other kittens - they used to explore when nobody was there but run & hide when someone came in. It took a few days before they relaxed.

GraceOfWrath · 30/10/2012 13:16

I can't believe you have got this far into the thread tequila and haven't posted a picture for us. Rude, that's what I call it. Young people today. Tsk.

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 30/10/2012 13:21

I would love to shoe you how gorgeous they are but every time they come out we all sort of freeze and pretend we haven't seen them otherwise they run away and hide even quicker , I should have taken some before we brought them home .it must be very odd for them , they were in a big barn with mum and now there is all this furniture and noise and weird smells .

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Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 30/10/2012 13:22

Thanks for the young people , I feel and look anything but .

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Ponders · 30/10/2012 13:36

have you tried sitting on the floor, very quietly, near where they're hiding? they might creep out & sniff you

cozietoesie · 30/10/2012 14:18

Well done for the litter tray! That's you away. They'll know to use it from now on.

They'll relax and come round. Remember they've barely been with you 24 hours and it's a big change for them. The DCs are doing very well indeed I think.

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 30/10/2012 14:34

That's what I keep telling the children , but i want them to come out and play .

They played in the kitchen last night when we were in the other room but as soon as one of us moved they ran off again .

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pearlgirl · 30/10/2012 17:11

I think your dc are being amazing. I have spent a lot of the past 10 weeks trying to persaude ds4(2 and a half) that the kittens don't like being driven at by all manner of ride on toys and his diggers. They are remarkbly robust and curious given that he is fascinated by them. Yours will come out and play given a bit of time and then it will be fun.

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 30/10/2012 18:13

Thank you , the eldest is actually getting bored now , apparently I promised him that kittens would be fun and so far so dull .

He will get over it , we have bought a scratching post and a lovely squishy bed for them that no doubt will never be used but they look pretty .

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Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 30/10/2012 18:57

One of them has just come out to eat and the excitement on my children's faces was fab . He has now buggered off behind the cupboard but hopefully a step closer .

I know I am wittering but honestly if I rung a friend up with this stuff they would think I was nuts , whereas here I can delude must that someone out there understands .

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Ponders · 30/10/2012 18:57

get the laser pen & see if you can tempt them out with that

it's pretty well irresistible!

Original poster

TequilaMockingMagpie · 30/10/2012 19:08

They are out and playing ! Woohoo !

I can't believe how excited we all are , very happy in the tequila house .

I am so proud of my boys , they have been very patient but not sure how much longer they would have lasted .

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