Taking on an abandoned kitten - first time cat owner.

[ChristmasPuddingsAndMincePies]

I've been asked by a friend of a friend if we can home a kitten which she found abandoned on her doorstep. I haven't seen the kitten yet, have no idea how old it is, what sex, etc., only that it is ginger!

We've wanted a cat for a while, but expected that we'd probably adopt an older cat from a home. I've never owned a cat before (DP has), & know virtually nothing about kittens.

What do we need to buy? I've read about needing a room to keep the cat in, away from the bustle of the rest of the house - we have a utility room which should be good for that. We don't have a cat flap, but I think you're supposed to keep cats inside for a while when they move in anyway?

How do you choose a vet? & when should I take the kitten for vaccinations?

Argh! I'm panicking, but so excited. I mostly wanted to ask questions, but partly wanted to be openly excited about the new addition to the family

[SuoceraBlues]

That is my fave "kitty camoflagued as bauble" pic EVER.

[cozietoesie]

Now that is almost Photo of the Year!

What a darling.

[cozietoesie]

....shimmying up the Christmas Tree.....

Oh My !



Glad she's settling in though.

[ChristmasPuddingsAndMincePies]

Haha, 'Scabbers' is an unfortunate name

Thank you for all the advice, everyone.

Merida's settled in beautifully - she is definitely feeling more confident, as she has been shimmying up the Christmas tree & generally getting into mischief. She's curled up on my lap asleep at the moment, having had a busy couple of days. She has had quite a few presents though, & has spent the last two days stalking her toy mice & balls :) I will add another photograph to my profile in just a minute.

[gobbin]

Keep the lid of your toilet down, one of our kittens ended up down the loo years ago (survived, but she'd been there a while during the time we were at work.)

Don't be in a rush to let him out. We've lost one at nearly 6 months (prob to foxes, there's loads round here). We've currently got mum plus two 5 monthold kittens and only mum is allowed out for now. The babies will be going out once they are much bigger.

It's better for their teeth if you give a mix of wet and dry. He may have a preference (my mum cat prefers dry).

They'll have jabs at about 3 months and neutering about 5 months - mine were chipped when they were under for neutering.

If he's a bit 'spooked' or unfriendly, let him approach you not the other way round. Show him your finger end (it looks like a cat nose) and he'll approach to sniff it. You'll need to do this repeatedly for a few days. T,his can then develop into stroking him with the side of your finger on his head/side and so on until he'll let you stroke him properly. We had to do this with the kittens as they were feral and were terrified. Mum was a right tart and loved a good fussing! Both kitts are now total lapcats (we've had them 3 months now).

Have fun and don't be afraid to ring the vets or google for advice.

[cozietoesie]

I'm not surprised! Start the changeover at Xmas is my suggestion. (Get your parents to get the ball rolling.)

[StuffezLaBouche]

He's a He, yes, and I do need to gradually amend it somehow. When I registered him at the vets, the receptionist sounded quite shocked when I said his name!

[cozietoesie]

Or Scabetto if it's a he.

[cozietoesie]

Oh Dear, Stuffez. Can't you amend it gradually in such a way that your little sis isn't offended and the cat still realizes she's being called? I'm thinking Scabetta or something like that. (Telling your little Sis that it's an in-house nickname/diminutive until she's used to it.)

[Sparklingbrook]

Sparkling Cat has taken to leaping into the Christmas tree at the top, at 4 years old she still thinks she's a kitten,

[StuffezLaBouche]

Merida is a really nice name! I stupidly let my little sister choose my kitten's name and she went for the same name Ron called his rat in Harry Potter...

Haha - having to contort into funny angles while typing because they're lying on you is the first step towards being owned by your kitten!!

[ChristmasPuddingsAndMincePies]

It's probably that, or Sergeant Brody (Damian Lewis in Homeland), which might sound a little odd shouted outside - although cats do suit a title!

& now I've moved the more interesting things off the bottom of the tree, she seems to have lost interest. Touch wood.

[cozietoesie]

PS - I haven't seen the film but Merida is a good name. (It can also be called outside safely which is no small consideration when you think of some of the names cats have!)

[cozietoesie]

Aw that's good - your first Xmas with a puss.

I hope your Xmas tree survives!

[ChristmasPuddingsAndMincePies]

Oh yes, sorry, I forgot to say. He reckoned about 6 months :)

I'm having to type with my left hand, at a funny angle, because of how she's lying on me. & I don't even mind at all I am smitten with our kitten!

[Sparklingbrook]

Brilliant ChristmasPuddings. You definitely need to get her a stocking with some cat toys in.

[cozietoesie]

Great news, ChristmasPuddings - on all counts. (Phew!)

She certainly sounds like she's taken over the house - which is as it should be, of course.

Did the vet say how old he thought she was?

[ChristmasPuddingsAndMincePies]

Hello! Sorry, mega busy day. The trip to the vet was fine. No pregnancy, thank goodness - it had vaguely crossed my mind, but the vet checked & she isn't. She had her first jabs today & we have another appointment for 3 weeks time, when she'll be microchipped too. She's also had flea & worm treatment. She'll be spayed at some point soon too - certainly before she's allowed outside.

Snowball is massive now! & looks like Lord of the Manor

Stuffez - yours is very similar to mine! We're thinking we might call her Merida, like the (ginger) girl in Brave, which is one of DS's favourite films. She does need a feisty name

As soon as she heard me start typing for this post, she leapt up & tried to sit on the laptop. Cheeky.

Thanks for all the tips about cat toys. I feel some last minute Christmas shopping coming on!

[cozietoesie]

Who knows Fluffy ? Christmas had the vet this afternoon, though, so hopefully all will be revealed.

[StuffezLaBouche]

My kitten ignores his lovely scratch post in favour of my sofas
Luckily they're only second hand and he hasn't done any damage yet. Can I also advise some jingly ball things, easily found at poundland etc. He loves them and they keep him entertained for ages :)

(Have just uploaded a picture of the little demon - he really is very similar to yours!)

[Mibby]

Well done with the fast vet app Christmas

Mine love ball pit balls if you have any. Light enough to flick and chase but big enough not to get stuck under stuff

[Sparklingbrook]

Ooh Fluffy that's a thought.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Anyone else thinking at 6 months of little known providence she could be pg?

[StuffezLaBouche]

Oh she's lovely! She's almost an exact female replica of my little ginger boy (who's currently evilling me - not sure what I've done!!)

Very sad to think why someone would abandon a lovely cat after presumably keeping them for five/six months or so.

[Fluffycloudland77]

You wont see a spider for a while, we trained ours to come running when we say spider.