bit upset and feel ridiculous but..

[jeanswithatwist]

I can't help it and will blame hormones but wondered if there is anyone here as childish as me. We got a new kitten yesterday. I work so unlike dd who is off school, i can't sit around with the cat for hours. I worked today too and will b tomorrow as well although dd will soon b back to school as well as my soon being house bound due to an opp so I will b with the cat a lot then. My point is that I worry she won't bond with me and will gravitate towards dd. In my mind the cat was more mine as I bought/planned for her. My previous cat loved me and followed me everywhere, we had a special bond and I guess I miss her. It hadn't occurred to me that I may not b her favourite which I know is so childish but I can't help it. I feel I am either working or fiddling with her doing all the boring stuff ie trying to put drops in her eyes (eye infection), trying to clean her eyes (colour stainig and gunk, claw trimming). I worry she won't love me ??

Don't worry, I thought the same. I'm out of the house for at least 10 hours on weekdays, DDs are in a lot more (teens). Kitty started off being more interested in DDs, but now follows me everywhere whenever I'm in.

She's just turned 8 months, and has been like this for at least 3 months. She sleeps on my bed and if I'm in she's not interested in anyone else particularly, it was just the first few weeks. I was a bit put out, I'd do all of the feeding, litter tray cleaning, playing etc, it payed off in the end

In my experience, the person who holds the feeding spoon is always the favorite

I work longer days than dp, but as I'm up before him and am the one who let's them out and feeds them of a morning I'm the one who gets the cuddles when I come home :-)

It's not ridiculous so don't worry. They go where they will and without fear or favour, though, so don't try to force anything. Cats seem to like calm and routine and she'll decide who her person is soonish if she's that sort of cat. (Her breed is not my strong suit, I'm afraid.)

Oh - and take her to bed. That will create a good bond. Never knew a Siamese who could resist an afternoon snooze and maybe that extends to other cats also?

Agree with above, taking kitty to bed with me was probably the turning point. Before we got her I was thinking that she would sleep downstairs, but I soon changed my mind. I could hear her meowing from my room, so let her in, it's been brilliant for bonding. Lovely purry snuggles in the night, I wouldn't be without them now. I don't know what breed you have, mine is just a moggy, doesn't want cuddles unless it's 3am.

Yy let her sleep on your bed, all my cats have done this. My youngest always sleeps on our bed!

I got a lot of love actually at 4am on my way off to work this morning. Thing is, we have to give her meds, she is a little grubby too so I keep fiddling is trying to clean her eyes as she is a Persian and has typically dirty eyes that need cleaning which are worse due to a cold. I worry she will hate MW by associating me with trouble the way my previous cat did with dh as he always manhandled her if there were meds etc

I have unconditional love from my cats and it's caused by nothing other than the fact I'm the person who feeds them. They adore me, and it's really not because I stroke and cuddle them. It's all about the Purina. So don't fret - it'll work out fine.

.....I got a lot of love actually at 4am on my way off to work this morning.....

There you go.

How is she with voice prompts? The prospect of meds and cleaning is a bit daunting but if she has to have them....... I've found that one important thing is not to send 'mixed messages' to cats so don't use love words to get her for a procedure of some sort, however short of time you are. Absolute consistency is key - so use the love words to call her for cuddles, food, bed, all those good things and treat any giving of meds/procedures as 'business'.

They usually pick up on this real quickly and learn that if you use a term of endearment, they don't need to be on their guard.

that's good advice cozie as i hadn't thought of that, thanks. I have to give her a worming pill today using one of those plastic things. found it ok enough giving previous cat liquid meds, haven't tried pills before....i always feel so guilty, worry she will hate me which i know is daft, but she does love dreamies what cat doesn't! so i will give her a few after. she is slowly beginning to recognise her name and came when i called her earlier!! this morning she woke me up lying across my neck . i posted a similar photo on here a few hours ago. she is a darling of a cat!! we love her to bits

My cat much prefers DH, who is in the least, as his arrival is exciting and a novelty. He is the out and out favourite as a result!

This may be the reason we got two cats...one each. (not really!)

Don't worry. When we rescued Cat A and Cat B, I was working mostly from home and played loads with both of them. DH worried that he'd never bond with the cats. But being cats they tend to have their own ideas and will choose whoever they want as their personal butler preferred human.

These days Cat A is 100% my boss cat and Cat B is 100% DH's master and commander cat. It's based on inclinations - Cat A and I both like sofas, warmth and wool blankets while Cat B and DH both like being outdoors rummaging in the garden. At the end of the day though it's not up to you or your DD, it's up to the kitten