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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

I have had one of my kittens returned to me not sure on what to do

15 replies

yolothankgod · 27/02/2014 23:54

My cat ended up pregnant after escaping and had 3 very healthy kittens, they were all weaned and litter trained by 7 weeks old so 2 of the kittens went to their new homes with people I new and trusted & I kept the other one.
Kitten came back to me yesterday as the other person cats didn't get along with him so I agreed to him coming back rather than him going to a stranger, so now I have 3 cats and two kittens

The thing is he is half the size of his brother as he looks more 8 weeks old rather than 12 weeks and 3 days, he is eating and drinking and using the litter tray, he is very clingy and all he seems to be doing is sleeping with the odd 5 minute fight with his brother - none of them recognise each other & the mum is very wary about him.

I'm not use to a clingy cat as mine all like to do their own thing & him being half the size of his brother I'm not sure what to do.
Will my female cat (his mum) get used to him as I really don't want to have to find another home for the poor little thing.
Also what's the best food to help him gain some weight as he is a skinny little thing

He is a maine coon cross if that's any help and he is the only one out of the litter with all the maine coon traits, very vocal etc

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 28/02/2014 00:20

Did the people give him his vaccinations, yolo ? (I'm thinking that getting him a check over by the vet would be no bad thing - on general principle - and if he was to get jabs you could kill two birds with one stone.)

Otherwise - well, he's maybe had 5 weeks of being yelled at by other cats or possibly even being manhandled/not allowed near the food bowl - so him sleeping, eating and recovering his equanimity is probably to be expected.

Original poster

yolothankgod · 28/02/2014 00:56

I have him booked in for next fortnight for his jabs & a quick check up.

From what I were told he was just completely ignored by the other cats

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 28/02/2014 06:48

Poor wee stick. Even if the isolation is true, it's a heck of a change when you're only 7 weeks old to go from a loving tangle of kittens and Mum to a place where you're cold and all alone.

I think you really need someone who knows Maine Coons - if he's very Coon-y - but I do know that any of my Siamese, who have all been great people cats, would have gone into a steep decline if they had been ignored and left alone. Seniorboy, for instance, would just wonder what he had done wrong and fade away.

I know you say you're not used to 'clingy' cats but you may have got a close cat now now and have to live with it. I'd be giving lots of TLC and cuddles to see if you can cheer him up and the eating and bouncing should follow when he's happier. I also wouldn't reject outright the thought of another home, maybe if you know someone who could give him a place as a singleton cat. He might be better suited to that and to the constant love and attention it would bring.

Anyway - come back if there's no improvement over the next few days. I think the vet is a good idea for a check up even leaving aside the jabs which he has to have.

Original poster

yolothankgod · 28/02/2014 08:47

He was 8 & a half weeks old when he left.

I know Maine Coon as I have 2 of them so I do know the breed.
I love that he is a lap cat I just wasn't sure if his behaviour was normal as he is clingy and follows me everywhere yelling at me

Thanks Cozie

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 28/02/2014 09:44

Well I don't know Maine Coons but certainly if my boy wasn't following me around and talking to me (when he deigns to get up from his electric blanket) then I would start to worry that something was badly wrong - it depends on the cat and he may be extra needy after being deprived of love and affection. I'd give it a little while anyway.

Have you had Mum neutered yet? You certainly don't want this happening again after all.

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/02/2014 10:36

Mine does this if I leave him in a cattery for a week, he gets less clingy as he realises everything's back to normal though.

It sounds like he had an awful time though.

JohnGilpinsWife · 28/02/2014 10:38

My cat ended up pregnant after escaping

Have you had her spayed yet? You don't want her breeding with her own kittens which she certainly will do

Original poster

yolothankgod · 28/02/2014 21:49

Yes all my cats are now neutered & little Otis is booked in for next fortnight

OP posts:

DameFanny · 28/02/2014 21:53

So there's a Main Coone cross going spare you say? Anywhere near Norfolk...?

Northernlurker · 28/02/2014 21:58

I suspect there was a bit more to it than the other cats simply ignoring him. He clearly hasn't thrived there has he? I would take vet advice about diet and yes he needs some love.

Can you do http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/73276000/jpg/_73276310_kitten.jpg this with him?

Northernlurker · 28/02/2014 21:58

Aaargh here

catbus · 28/02/2014 22:05

Have you tried a Feliway diffuser, to restore a bit of balance? When one of our cats had her first litter of six, her sister, edgy cat anyway, went batshit.
I used the plug in and the results were instant- she chilled out immediately and peace restored. Worth a shot for a clingy cat and a wary Mama cat too

Original poster

yolothankgod · 28/02/2014 22:11

I'll try a diffuser if it doesn't settle down in the next few days.
He seems to like been tucked up under a blanket for 90% of the day which is terribly cure

Dame Unfortunately not I'm up on the north coast

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 28/02/2014 22:19

It almost sounds as if, having come back to your home, he's reverting to the point where he left it - as an 8 and a half week old kitten. If he's imbibing and using his tray, I'd let him rediscover his bravery and make his own running. (Apart from giving him lots of cuddles of course.)

cozietoesie · 28/02/2014 22:21

'Miss Otis Regrets.....' That song title was a bet if I recall?

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