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The litter tray

Oh God help me-having always had dogs I now have a 7 wk old kitten!

33 replies

Aapplecrumbly · 20/06/2013 21:23

What have I done? I am shellshocked at how active a kitten isShock.I have only ever had dogs and currently have a retriever.I rescued this kitten from the roadside and thought "oh how sweet,I will keep the little thing".but really,its ridiculous.She needs constant supervision,climbs all over my laptop,climbs up when trying to have a cup of tea.etc etc.I am trying to do the right things and follow advice on threads here but blimey,its hard work.I have now just shut her in the kitchen for a little while just so I can come and use the laptop.How do you have a glass of wine and watch tv etc? I am giving her a tiny spray of water from a spray bottle for things like climbing on the table ,climbing curtains etc.What else can I do and will it get easier?Please reassure me!Sad

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Fluffycloudland77 · 22/06/2013 22:54

Poor dogs, they do get the fuzzy end of the lollipop where cats are concerned.

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cozietoesie · 22/06/2013 22:16

One of my Mom's cats was RTA'd and we acquired a replacement kitten for her. (We knew she wanted one but just hadn't gotten round to it.)

When it arrived, her dog, who had been at the bottom of the heap with the old cat but had been getting quite above itself as lone pet, took one look at the new arrival which was yowling loudly and quietly slunk away with an 'Oh Gawd, it's back!' look on its face.

The kitten never had any trouble with it.

Smile

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Fluffycloudland77 · 22/06/2013 22:05

I wonder if your dog watches the kitten rampaging around the house and thinks "well, I was never allowed to get away with that".

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deliasmithy · 22/06/2013 18:17

They do calm down but some remain naughty forever!
I love my new 6m old kitten he is hilarious and awesome but he is back to pinging the door handle ALL flipping night!! Aaaaaarrrggghhh! ! He thinks it's a great game.

Someone is going back in their room overnight so I can get some sleep!

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Aapplecrumbly · 22/06/2013 14:13

Its so unfortunate but we have booked to go to France/Disney/Paris etc for a week this coming wednesday.Poor thing is just settling and she will have to go into cat boarding at the vets for the week.The timing is bad but what can you do-the vets know me well and have promised she will get lots of attention from the staff etc.I think kittens are always popularSmile.
cozie can I ask out of curiousity,are you simply a cat lover with tons of experience or a professional?You seem to really know your stuff < in awe>

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cozietoesie · 22/06/2013 12:29

Only for a week or two, though - maybe two or three at worst. They really do settle down very quickly at this age. She'll still have completely mad moments but soon enough she shouldn't be so completely concentrated.

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Aapplecrumbly · 22/06/2013 11:52

Ok we might be settling down a little I think(prays hard).I put her last night in the spare box room with all her bits n bobs and it was much better for everyone.Previously she had been in the kitchen overnight and then it was a problem depending who was down first in the morning-dh keeps forgetting about her and leaves doors open and the two teens cant be relyed on either when they are just up as they will come and say hello to her etc and then wander off-I find I need to be on top of this myself at all timesGrin.So this is a good solution seeing as we have got room.Talk about being like a military operationHmm.

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cozietoesie · 22/06/2013 11:45
Grin
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kittenery · 22/06/2013 11:20

Kitten and me are just in the middle of a game of 'fetch'. It's not quite going to plan Wink

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yegodsandlittlefishes · 21/06/2013 20:23

littenery I overstated it in saying you can train them. Grin One (not both) of the cats in residence here likes to play, and likes us to join in. She seems to think we need exercise, so she will drop something at our feet to throw for her, she'll demonstrate 'exercise' by running after it and doing some great gymnastics, hiding it underneath something and pretending to forget it, then pretend to suddenly notice and jump on it (I think she might be trying to teach us to hunt). When she runs out of ideas, she brings it back to us. Perhaps she hopes we will play with the toy in the same way and entertain her, but we never do, we just throw it and she flies through the air to get it - sometimes she goes faster, sometimes she catches it in mid air! She then brings it back. When she was a kitten, she would play fetch in the middle of the night and would drop the toy into my hand (otherwise I wouldn't be able to find it in the dark to throw it for her). She doesn't play fetch as much these days, probably given up on us ever learning to hunt properly!

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cozietoesie · 21/06/2013 15:51

Sure - cats will fetch if it's worth their while eg if it continues the game.

Smile

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kittenery · 21/06/2013 14:56

yegods can you really train them to fetch ????

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deliasmithy · 21/06/2013 14:15

Cleopatra - very fitting!

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deliasmithy · 21/06/2013 14:14

If by ensuite you mean litter trays then yes.
We call it the cat condo. They were in the largest spare room but have down graded them to the box room.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 21/06/2013 13:59

Good name. Very well chosen.

A bedroom with an ensuite I assume?

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Aapplecrumbly · 21/06/2013 13:14

Oh fluffy how aptGrin. The dog is fine actually-stares at kitten in disbelief running around furniture etc and takes herself off to a more peaceful location..we have named the diva kitten ' Cleo '.
Yes I could see this diva having her own bedroom alsoGrin.

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cozietoesie · 21/06/2013 08:47

Great picture, Fluffy!

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Fluffycloudland77 · 21/06/2013 08:13

This is you now.

Lots of playing is the answer as pp have said.

What does the dog make of it all?

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deliasmithy · 21/06/2013 00:47

My cats have their own bedroom. Now this makes them sound very spoilt but its more for my benefit for when I need half an hour peace and quiet!

I find kittens do not know when to stop, they are so playful they can play until they suddenly stop and fall asleep in their tracks. I think it can be kinder to force them to have chillax time when they get carried away so they don't exhaust themselves.

definitely agree with playing with them lots and yes, life has changed but in positive ways. im so jealous I'd love another bundle of fluff but no more room!

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cozietoesie · 20/06/2013 23:19

Not doomed. Just under the paw like most of the rest of us.

Smile

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Aapplecrumbly · 20/06/2013 23:03

Thanks yegods I have actually been doing this a little when I have to-things going on where back door needs to stay open etc and she seems to be ok with it actually.I take herself and all her bits n bobs off to the spare room upstairs where there are no wires,electronic stuff etc.

God they are fusspots arent they.I changed the litter today to a really expensive,compostable one.Well blow me if she would use it.She weeed twice in a corner of the living room and would not stay in the litter tray.I have just now emptied the whole thing and replaced it with the cheaper,gritty stuff I had been using and a little of the used stuff from yesterday (retrieved from bin) and bloody hell Shock.Straight in there and did poo and everything.Is this possible at such a young age-such fussiness! I am truly doomed arent I?Confused.

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yegodsandlittlefishes · 20/06/2013 22:22

She is a female kitten. She is a queen! She is head honcho of all she surveys, including all humans and other animals living in your home! Grin Ours comes and tells me off when I have been ironing too long and says I have to sit down so I can make a fuss of her and have a cuddle.

Do not let her out of the house until after she's been neutered unless you want lots more kittens to look after!

I've got each of our cats their own fleecy blankets which are a colour match for their own fur, and they love them. We also have a huge scratching post which they sometimes use instead of the sofas.

You can teach your kitten to fetch little sticks/balls made with pipe cleaners or foil.

I shut them into one room (bathroom with lino) where their food, water and litter tray were for the first day or two, and any time there were stressful things going on (workmen in the house, lots of visitors, vacuuming) they would go back in there as their 'safe' place, with their blanket. Now they tend to snuggle up on their blankets of a bed or sofa when they're a bit nervous.

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Aapplecrumbly · 20/06/2013 22:02

Actually you are quite right-she does go for a good sleep after a mad burst of play.We have had her a week and I feel exhausted alreadyShock.Yes also to the poster who said "she owns you now".Sadly this is indeed the case.

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Aapplecrumbly · 20/06/2013 21:57

Sorry,crossposted with you all.Oops.cozieI cant do anything like that at the mo-kitten wont let meGrin.She is a tabby with lots of white.I have toys scattered everywhere-she loves balls of tinfoil,a cardboard box with a big hole in the lid,ping pong ball etc.Thank you all for your replies.I am very grateful.

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recall · 20/06/2013 21:49

Get yourself a lazer pointer thing that are used to highlight Powerpoint displays. It will go nuts chasing the red dot about, and it's strangely relaxing watching them charge about with minimal effort from you. .

Also get a cardboard box with a hot water bottle in it and a nice soft blanket. When you've knackered it out, encourage it to settle in the box, and go to sleep.

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