Another novice cat owner here. Getting new kitten on Sunday. Advice please!

[ToffeeWhirl]

I have been looking at old threads here and it's been really helpful, but still have a couple of questions. Firstly, am I meant to put newspaper down under the cat litter or just sprinkle the cat litter straight into the litter tray? Am not sure what newspaper will achieve, but have this odd feeling I should!

The other thing I'm troubled about is that we are bringing the kitten back in the car with us and it will be a four-hour journey. I have borrowed a cat carrier and bought some Feliway to spray in it. Am just looking out old fleeces and towels to make it snuggly. What I'm worried about is what to do about food, water and the kitten's need to wee/poo. It is toilet trained already (it's 14 weeks' old), but will it just do that in the carrier if it needs to? Could I bring the litter tray and offer that or is that a mad idea? I do have an absorbant disposable mat to place under the towels in case of sickness or anything else.

And I don't know what to do about food because some advice says don't feed your cat before a journey in case it makes it travel sick. But surely it's cruel not to offer the kitten some food on the journey? I will obviously be offering water anyway.

Also, a friend told me to bring ear plugs for the journey because the cat might be noisy. It's a Balinese (like a Siamese). I have visions of a four-hour journey from hell, with yowling travel-sick kitten and two wailing, travel-sick children.

Right, DH and I have a theory. Please say if you think this is likely. The washing machine is on fast spin and is being very noisy. I noticed that Snowy didn't like it and got out of the kitchen pretty damn fast when he heard the noise. Unfortunately, the litter tray is right next to the washing machine.

I bought a cheap litter tray to put up in DS1's bedroom today, so he will always have an alternative. Do I simply show it to him and hope that he retains that in his clever Balinese brain so that he will use that next time there's something scary downstairs?

PS: Fell asleep with kitty after the school run today . Dh took a photo because we both looked so contented.

You could take a little bit of the (clean) litter from his existing tray and sprinkle it on top of the clean litter in his new one. Though clean, there should be enough of an odour to his sharp senses to click with him. Then it's up to him.

Your theory might well be right. In my own experience, cats instinctively want to poo and pee in the right place - so if they don't, there's something wrong. With such a young cat, that something is overwhelmingly more likely to be something about his environment than something physical.

< Studiously refrains from mentioning how impeccable his toileting behaviour would suddenly become if the litter tray was in your bedroom >

I would have thought that he just might want a more private place to do his duty. Yes indeed to the extra tray placed in a more out of the way place - and make sure that they're both kept immaculately clean. (They sometimes don't like using a tray that's already been used if even for another function.)

Then clean the chair immaculately and see how it goes for a day or two. You're already praising use of tray when you see it so that's good.

Nothing like sleeping with one, is there? Where's the photo that DH took by the way?

PS - I've never been able to work out why Seniorboy uses one tray over another when both are clean. He does like (and use) two though.

I will try sprinkling litter from one tray to the other, cozie.

We are not having a litter tray in our bedroom! (You must wake up to not-so-fragrant smells in the morning if you allow this, cozie).

Point taken about the litter tray needing to be in a more private place. The only other place I can think of is in another part of the dining room, tucked away between the shoe rack and the piano. That is extremely private and won't be noisy unless someone decides to play the piano (rare).

I am using Cat's Best litter. The instructions state that the base content may remain in the cat toilet for 4 - 6 weeks. I know this contrasts with other instructions I have read which say you should change the litter contents every week at least. So far, I have scooped up every bit of used litter as soon as it's done, so the litter remains clean. I'm sure I have read somewhere that litter should be changed more often than that and the tray cleaned with boiling water, so I hope I'm not doing this all wrong.

Snowy is still doing a good job of turning off DS1's XBox at bedtime. He bats at the button with his paw. We now send him up to do his work when it's time for DS1 to stop. DS1 can take it from his kitten in a way he could never accept it from us.

No smells at all. Seniorboy covers well and I'm conditioned to clean nearly as soon as I hear litter scrabble.

It is possible that he doesn't like his current litter so much. There are nearly as many tastes here as posters' cats so the board is well named. I do know that with my boy before Seniorboy, I decided for once to try wood based litter on his first night because someone had given me a spare bag of it. Oneago looked at the litter, walked all around the tray, and then came onto the bed with me and did a copious pee all over the split new duvet.

I got the message loud and clear - and the next morning was out to the supermarket first thing to buy the Fuller's Earth clumping that they've all otherwise used. No more problems. Let's see how Snowy does for a day or two with two trays in better places.

It's good that he's interacting fine with DS1. I fear that you'll be the litter changer and feeder (teenage boys not always being great on the practicalities in my experience) but just having a cat as part of the family is so good for youngsters. Very calming.

No smells at all? May I ask what you feed him? I suspect cheap Felix sachets (which the breeder recommended, but the pet shop pointed out were full of junk) are not doing kitty's tummy much good, but I bought a huge boxful of the stuff and I can't throw it all away.

Will keep an eye on the litter. Bizarrely, I love the fact that it clumps and I can lift out the used bits so easily, but I'm aware that it may not be exactly what he wants. The breeder used a wood-pellet based litter, but said they would probably prefer the fine clay or litter such as World's Best. I simply chose the one recommended by Mumsnetters.

Yes, I am the litter changer and feeder, but I expected that and haven't forced the issue with DS1. Snowy is happier with DH and I on the whole because we are quieter and more predictable than the DC. He enjoys being cuddled by DS1 and is actually quite alarmed by DS2's noisiness, poor thing.

DH and I are getting the boys to bed earlyish tonight and watching a film together (a rare enough event for it to be a special occasion). I can see us fighting over who gets to cuddle the kitten!

Oh, have uploaded the pic.

At the moment he gets a right mix of wet brands. (Fussy and I need to get meds into him twice a day so he's managed to up the ante on variety. (Ranges from coop's own chicken supreme (which he loves) via Sainsbury's to Gourmet. Plus a lunch of cooked ham or chicken which is his treat.)) Pound for pound, he eats better than I do!

I think - see how the changed tray arrangements go for a day or two. You can re-evaluate if there's a continuing problem.

If Snowy is like my boys, he'll prefer calm and structure especially as he gets older. He won't ever be mean to the DSs but I think it's understandable if he gravitates towards you and DH. It doesn't matter though, really, because he'll be a family cat. And if he sleep with you (re afternoon snoozing) I think you'll find that the DCs won't be jealous. As I mentioned before, it's somehow different when it's Mum.

What a blissed out pair! And it shows just how tiny he still is because there's something to judge by now.

That is an INCREDIBLY cute picture

My two are still terrified by the noise of the spin cycle & flee from The Noisy Monster so suspect that prolly is why Snowy decided to Poo Somewhere Safe. (Lucky you.) Hopefully your planned changes to Facilities For Feline will sort that out though. Might be worth seeing if he's happier with a different litter: if he was used to a wood-pellet one the change mightn't be to his liking. Mine ended up with a clumping litter once as supermarket only had clumping sorts & they showed their disgust by making it look as though there had been a sandstorm in the kitchen. Lovely. We used Catsan odour-reducing stuff for ages but are now on a wood-pellet one that the cats are happy with - as am I, on the smell & cost front.

IIRC Whiskas/Felix are only about 4% meat. Which for carnivores is prolly not ideal. I shop around online to get the best deals I can on food for the cats - usually get Almo but sometimes Lily's Kitchen & they have had Bozita which they liked but couldn't eat that much of in a sitting... They looked better for being swapped to kitten food from what they lived off before coming to live with me, but the change when they went onto Proper Meat Foods was amazing! Mine have half their food as (good quality) dry food (again I hunt about for offers) mostly to prevent their foodbill from bankrupting me but also cos it's meant to be good for their teeth. While Snowy's finishing up the Felix it might be worth having a look about at the various options for future menus. If you have a decent pet-shop near you it might be worth consulting them, too? My local (independent) pet-shop are very good at giving advice without pushing sales - they even offer guidance on feeding animals well-but-cheaply...

Is so lovely to hear about Snowy settling in & bringing you the sort of Joy that only a cat can

Toffeewhirl - you sound besotted! He is very cute but may I just say..

You've put a litter tray in your son's bedroom - where you child (older I know) - sleeps?!

I have cats btw and am complete mug about pandering to them but I think that might be a step too far. Your poor DS!

Fwiw on the food front - we give ours both wet and dry food. Our girl prefers biscuits, the boys prefer meat but tend to wolf it down so I like having the biscuits around for them all to graze on.

Ghengis - I haven't put a litter tray in DS1's bedroom yet! Was considering it because it would be a good idea to have a litter tray upstairs too, there is nowhere else to put it (no floor space in this house) and DS1 wants kitty to sleep there sometimes.

Zebra - thanks for your advice on cat litter and food. We do have an excellent petshop nearby and I have also ordered from petsathome and zooplus. Am already looking out for good deals. Interesting that your cats are still terrified of the washing machine. I think I read that cats' hearing is more acute than ours. What on earth will Bonfire Night do to the poor things?

Gave kitty the boys' leftover fresh plaice last night (thoroughly checked for bones first) and he has had Applaws Kitten chicken for breakfast, so he's not doing too badly. He also seems to enjoy the Royal Canin kitten biscuits I have just received from an online order.

Have just realised that both errant poos were placed on DS2's things (his bed, his chair) and DS2 is the only person in this family who hasn't fallen under kitty's spell. Coincidence or cat revenge?

Kitty sat on my shoulder whilst I fetched breakfast for the boys and is now sleeping on my lap whilst I type. It's hard not to be a little besotted .

You're welcome

Cats do indeed have incredible acute hearing (& indeed a sense of smell that knocks that of dogs into the proverbial cocked hat, IIRC) & my two are most unfond of fireworks. And indeed thunderstorms. Black!cat is a bit braver these days (what is making the sky explode?! I shall peer out of the window to investigate) but blond!cat is still terrified & if he can be coaxed out from under my bed/other hiding place will cling to me. Poor puss.

It would be unnatural not to be enchanted. Blond!cat has taken advantage of my spending day in bed to get in some serious snuggling. He's asleep atm, squirled up against me, looking absurdly cute

You lucky thing, Zebra (all those snuggles). I must say, I hadn't realised I would be quite so besotted . I really wanted a third baby and may have just found him (ssh, don't tell DS2).

Kitty (I'm sorry, am having real trouble calling him Snowy, especially since the rude comment) has a problem. He has just climbed out of the litter tray and when I checked his paws (a habit since he had poo on them a couple of times), I found bits of litter stuck in his pads. I brushed them out, only to find his pads red and bleeding in places . Is it the litter? Poor baby. Maybe the bits of litter (Cat's Best clumping litter) are too big for a kitten's paws? I feel dreadful now. I don't understand what we are doing wrong, but I assume the litter is wrong for him. What do you think, oh wise cat people?

On a more positive note, kitty has had a very busy day lying on DS2's cushion, basking in the sunshine. He did have a bit of an emergency when DS2 decided to play hairdressers and plugged the hairdryer in (which he is forbidden to do anyway to dry his toys' hair. I heard the noise and came in to find one very scared kitten cowering in the corner.

When I pick kitty up, he nibbles at my fingers and wraps his paws around my hands. I feel like his substitute cat mum. (Maybe I am?).

Oh Dear, Toffee. Not only have I never had this problem but I've never used Cat's Best so don't know what size the granules are. (Always used Fuller's Earth which is fairly fine grained if you ignore the larger stuff on top when the pack settles.

When you say his pads are red and bleeding, just how bad are they? Realistically. I'm busy wondering how he can do his duty with wounds on pads if they're really bad.

Makes me wonder if this is why he used DS2's chair yesterday. (Sore paws and associating litter tray use with hurt.)

cozi - The granules are irregular sizes, ranging from miniscule to pea-sized. I have just scooped up a handful and they feel like pebbles, so are quite gritty and hard.

You wouldn't know his pads are bleeding unless you look closely and prise them open a little . I checked them because I wanted to see if the cut from the other day had healed, then I noticed granules still stuck in his pads and flicked them out. And then I saw that the pads looked sore. They are not bleeding all over the place or anything. It's more as if they have been grazed, but the top layer of skin has certainly been rubbed off.

He is still patting away at the granules to cover up his business and he has used the litter every time since yesterday, so he hasn't been put off. Also, he doesn't seem to be in any pain. If he was a child, I would soak his wounds in salt water, but he went right off me for a while when I last bathed his paws, so I daren't do that again.

He was using a wood-based litter at the breeder's. Maybe I should change him back to that? If the soreness doesn't heal, should I take him back to the vet?

He seems perfectly happy in himself and is currently slumbering on DH's stomach .

Here is a link to Cat's Best.

Sounds too big and hard for my liking. I think that, if I were you, I'd try out some wood based (although I don't use it - but he did at the breeder's) or maybe some Fuller's Earth (I only use Sainsbury's or Coop because that's what Seniorboy likes) on the alternate tray that you bought. Then he can demonstrate to you what he likes so that you can make a judgement.

Kittens heal very quickly so I wouldn't worry quite so immediately re going to vet. I think you have time to do some litter varying and see how that works. Shame you can't bathe in salt water though because that would be good for ensuring clean tiny wounds.

Yes, that sounds a good plan, cozi. Maybe I will bathe his paws in salt water if they still look sore tomorrow, even though he will scorn me for several hours afterwards.

Poor kitten. I feel awful now. Will download some more pics to cheer myself up.

Sounds a good tactic. And don't worry if he does the scorning thing - the trick is to harden your heart to it. He'll crack first.

Aw. Great new photos.

Just finished uploading them, so not sure which ones you saw, cozie.

Will try to harden my heart if he scorns me .

No sniffing, now - or you'll be under the paw for ever. You're dealing with master manipulators !

Would he paddle in salty water? Or is it just my cats who like padding about in a damp bath?

Poor Toffeekitten having such sore paws though - does sound as if a change of litter is in order & a wood-pellet one seems the sensible option given that's what he used before coming to live with you.

I am very lucky to have cats whose favourite place to be is With Me: their ideal is to have all of us curled up on my bed together. The only downside to this is that they really dislike being away from me: a few weeks ago something upset black!cat while I was out & he wouldn't be soothed until I came home. They were really upset by my absence when I was in hospital for a few days in December so am slightly dreading going to my cousin's wedding in August because it'll upset them. I do need to get them used to my going away (they're accustomed to my brother doing it but he is not Their Human in the same way I am) but I hate the idea of them being distressed. Ech.