New Kitten Stupid Questions Thread.

[crunchyfrog]

We had an unexpected arrival a few days ago (well-meaning gift to DD, but we're keeping it after a small wobble.)

He/she/it is 8 weeks old, and I think is male from a bit of a google.

Stupid questions:

What is the best litter? It came with clay stuff and it's rubbish, tracks all over the place. Are covered trays better, and if so, how many do we need - is it likely to travel through the house to find it or do I need one in every room? It's beautifully litter trained, confined to the kitchen when I'm at work (Dsis visiting for feeding/ cuddles in the day) and to DD's room at night.

When can it go outside? We have an enclosed yard, but there are a lot of cats locally. They don't come into my yard, but if Kitten were to get out I think there would be a bit of a row.

Currently it's eating 3 sachets of kitten food from Pets at home a day. I'd rather it ate dried, so I can leave more out for it while working. What brand/ serving size do you recommend?

Do we need toys/ scratching posts/ dens?

I plan to have it neutered ASAP and hope for it to be a mainly indoor cat. Will still fully vaccinate and insure though.

He/she/it is really lovely - from a farm but friendly to all within a couple of hours and doing a parrot impression perched on my shoulder right now!

We have a (large, fairly vicious) rabbit. Are they likely to get on or should I avoid yard time when Rabbit is exercising?

Thanks for any support.

Wood pellet cat litter is the best-I've tried most of them.
A covered litter tray is best I think but it's maybe a bit young for one yet.
I've read that you're better with a litter tray on each level of the house but I've only ever had one and my cats have managed fine.

It can get cat meat and dried food so you could feed it meat in the morning, leave dried food out then more meat at night. try mixing some biscuits in with meat if it's not used to them to start with.

It will need a scratching post (a basic one is fine) and most cats like some toys.

I'd keep it in for a few weeks just to be sure it won't run away or get lost when you do let it out.

I'm sure both male and female cats need to be at least 6 months old before neutering.

hope this helps.

Best litter is Catsan (expensive) or any odour absorbing one.

Mine I feed Iams in the morning and lunch (it gobbles that up) and Whiskas steamed kitten food. will probably change that as it gets older.

scratching post is needed and as mouselittle says a basic one is fine.

My kitten ignores a few toys apart from Catnip Kitten Toy, the odd ball and a laser toy. Scrunched foil is a good football.

Ah I meant Iams Kitten Food. But Whiskas Kitten biscuits are just as well eaten and cheaper (found that when Sainsbos ran out of Iams Kitten)

Ahh welcome to the world to being a owned by a kitten

Agree the wood pellet stuff is the best, i buy morrisons own brand which is cheap and works great. My cats have an inclosed litter tray and have both managed it from 8 weeks old (although the door to it has fallen off!) Unless you live in a mansion one litter tray will be fine.

The kitten can't go out until had his injections, they normally have their first lot at about 9 weeks and then a second dose at about 12 weeks. Some say not to go out until they are neutered which can be done at 20 weeks.

Have you taken to the vets and discussed flea and worm treatment? If your pets at home have a vets attached (companion care) they do a scheme where you pay £10 a month and that covers the flea, worm and booster injections.

There are lots of dry food options, its done to personal preference and budget really. My cats like science diet and the vet recommended it for my boy cat who gets a dodgy stomach from time to time.

A few toys like balls or things with feathers on are always popular, however my girl kitten loves screwed up bits of paper and old feathers I found outside oh and also hairbands

Not sure about the rabbit tbh, maybe supervised access......

Thanks for replies! No vet yet, I work FT so it will be Saturday before I can get. I think it needs worming, just because it's a farm cat. Also, sexing, so I can stop saying "it!"

It's actually lovely. I think we've bonded!

OK, first thing is get him/her to vet to register sex, worm, flea, microchipping, health check etc.

Litter - I use World's Best or Sophisticat Clumping Gold. Both are not cheap, but I've found the cheaper ones are a false economy. Both can be bought from zoopuls I prefer a covered/hooded litter tray. Means I don't have to see/smell poo first thing in the morning. Two trays per cat is best.

Food - For dry I leave Applaws out all day for mine to snack on. Cereal free. Cats don't tolerate grains, being obligate carnivores. Animonda Carny wet food. They can survive on dry only, but I am a sucker like to give them a bit of flesh to get their teeth into.

Toys - anything they can scuttle about really, that can't be ingested. Laser pointers, and the Flying Frenzy are firm favourites with my cats.

*Zooplus not zoopuls. Clicky link still works though.

OP - aha a farm cat. If it's being trained by mum cat (or even not) it should be a good hunter.

I'm rubbish re training cats but Cozie has some great tips and apparently re hunting too.

Depends if you want him/her trailing in countless rodents etc. Though I did hear that if a rat bites them they often stop catching those. But if you do have a mouse problem the cat will solve that. hopefully....

Sexing should be fairly obvious...... balls or no balls?!

And err I believe photos are compulsory in kitten threads

They don't have visible balls at 8 weeks.

Really? Am sure my boycats were visable although alas not anymore

What colour is he Op? Ginger cats are often boys, torties almost always girls......

I use zooplus too and find it great for bargains on litter etc.

Also, this toy keeps my kitten amused for ages and is handy because it's there when she's left alone.

Anyone know how I can stop my 2 nine week old kittens pooing in my pot plants?! They have a litter tray which I change every day and don't go out yet, but they seem attracted to the large plants and keep pooing in the soil! I've cleaned it out so many times there'll soon be no soil left! Luckily they're v v cute

They'll get too big to balance in the plant pot soon. That'll stop them.

One word, fleas.

Get the spot on ASAP, we didn't realise new kitty had fleas till 3 weeks later....
Wasn't fun.

Here he is meeting Ziggy the rabbit

He's a lovely little thing frog, the rabbit looks massive by comparison.

Who is his favourite person?