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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.

Original poster

We are getting a new kitten tomorrow! Any advice for us?

67 replies

pinkchampagne1 · 06/05/2015 16:45

Think we have bought everything we need for now.

Will he need a vets appointment asap for a check over? When will he need jabs?

Any other advice? Smile

OP posts:
toomuchhappyland · 06/05/2015 23:10

If you can stomach losing the money, I'd honestly not go tomorrow. Sorry Sad

Charis1 · 07/05/2015 04:20

Personally, I would go and get it, because I'm a soft touch, and couldn't leave "my" kitten somewhere like that. Certainly take it straight to the vet, and certainly report her, but please go and rescue your kitten.

We have had several cats. One was brought to a pet shop from such a place like this, in a shoe box, with several others, and sold to the pet shop because they hadn't sold online. Not the best start in life. We took him straight to the vet, who had heard bad things about that pet shop. Anyway, 5 years later he is still a happy, healthy, loyal, loving pet. He has a heart defect, which may be down to inbreeding. We have discussed it with the vet, and have decided there is no need to treat it at all, although it might or might not in the long term shorten his life.

Anyway, he is the only one of our cats who wasn't a "rescue" cat, but the vet said we did rescue him, but not officially.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 07:40

That is how I feel, Charis1. I held him the whole time I was in that smelly place yesterday. I could feel his little body trembling but stayed in my arms while I stroked him. I just want to take him away from there. Sad I already have a name for him.

We plan to take him straight to the vets for a check up. Other than that, do you pros have any tips for when we get him home? I have read to introduce them to one room at a time and to place them in litter tray to get them used to it. Anything else we need to know?

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 07/05/2015 07:46

I had no idea that kitten farming goes on just like puppy farming! ShockAngry
I must be really naive.

There was an excellent program about puppy farming (?Panorama) not that long ago and one of the points being made is that the process is kept going amongst other (financial) reasons because so many people feel sorry for the pups being kept in such horrible conditions. They want to help by getting them out and buy them. And so the cycle onctinues…. Sad

Whether you get the kitten or not, please report this woman to the RSPCA.
I know your kitten will be very cute - they just melt your heart, don't they? I hope he is ok, behaviour and health-wise.
Thanks

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 08:00

I had never heard of kitten farms until it was mentioned here, then I googled it. I am worried about him after what I have read here, but can't leave him there now. Sad He did seem the more chilled out of the two kittens available, which was the main reason I chose him. I will look into reporting her though as we were shocked after going to the house.

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SlipperChick · 07/05/2015 08:38

I'd go and get him because I wouldn't have been able to stand leaving him there. I would take him straight to the vets, don't even take him home first! Mention that he has been treated with cheap, probably adult, flea stuff. Insure him!!!! Do not wait. They don't pay out for the first fortnight usually so that needs doing ASAP. Report this woman to the RSPCA.

When you get him home and he has calmed down, watch him eat, drink and use his tray (you may have to be covert) just to ensure all is well.

I hope you have much more luck than me. Next time, go to a reputable shelter.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 08:50

The only reason I didn't go to the local shelter was because I read they insist on a cat flap and we don't have a back door, just patio doors , so we have nowhere to put one.

What happened to you SlipperChick?

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 08:51

I actually have a print out of the flea stuff she used so can show it to the vet

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MissingKittyCat · 07/05/2015 10:38

I had an epic NC fail! Slipperchick is me. I only changed it to see if it worked, experimentation! Forgot to change it back.

Don't let what happened to our family happen to you. It's horrendous. And the ripple effect emotionally/financially is crippling.

RubbishMantra · 07/05/2015 12:39

Please do report the kitten farm to the RSPCA.

Like TCN says, the unwanted ones get dumped, or even given away for dog-baiting. The poor mother cat is forced to produce too many litters than is healthy for her.

And keeping cats in cages?! Sad

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 15:47

I read your thead, MKC. So so sad, I am so sorry for what you and your little kitten went through.

I will do, Rubbish. It is not nice seeing all the cats and kittens caged. Sad

I phoned vet earlier and they could only offer morning or evening appointments so we have had to bring him home first. He hasn't come out of the pet carrier yet so I am guessing he is feeling anxious.

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Charis1 · 07/05/2015 18:53

A few things that have worked for us.

staying in the pet carrier with the door open is fine, in a peaceful spot, where you can be seen and heard, and food/water and litter tray is visible.

For the first evening, do not approach, and be careful not to tower over him, but respond with strokes and cuddles if he approaches you.

be prepared to clean up any accidents, gently place in the litter tray and move one paw gently to show it can be dug.

litter tray sheltered, not over looked, but easily accessible.

Feliway spray if it is available.

Please keep us updated, we all need to hear of a happy ending.

MissingKittyCat · 07/05/2015 19:02

I agree with Charis, some great tips there.

Five years ago when I brought kitty home (from a dive as you describe, I was rescuing her from it!) she was terrified of life. She hid for weeks. She was a nervous wreck but once she bonded with me, she was like a child. Terrified of life still but always more relaxed with me. Amber hid for one night and was quite possibly the bravest, most inquisitive kitten I've ever known! They're all so different. I believe Kitty was mistreated by the man who lived in her birth house. She physically vomited when men came to the house Sad

I hope yours is a brave, loving, playful kitten. Put the time in at the start and they'll fall in love with you forever. Hope all goes well at the vets. Congratulations! Kittens are brilliant.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 20:44

Ah, thanks for all the tips.

He came out of the carrier earlier and had a little walk round the kitchen, then found his litter tray and had a poo. After this he took himself back to the carrier where he remains now. We are just leaving him to come out when he is ready. We also heard he should be slowly introduced to one room at a time, is this right?

Is Feliway spray the stuff you put on scratch posts etc?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 07/05/2015 20:47

Felliway is a plug in diffuser, it's not cheap. He will explore in his own time, he's probably not used to being able to explore freely so he feels safer enclosed.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 21:09

Ah right, thank you, I will google it.

We have kept the top on the carrier so that he feels sheltered but left the front open so he can wander out when he feels ready.

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 22:10

He hasn't come out to eat any food since we brought him home. The only time he came out of the carrier was when he used the litter tray

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 07/05/2015 22:13

Have you got any cooked chicken or ham? He needs a dish of water too.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 22:21

I bought both wet and dry kitten food. I have put out a bowl of dry food and some water for him but he doesn't seem to want to come out of the pet carrier at all, not even for food.

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 22:23

I only have frozen chicken, nothing defrosted and no ham. Can get him some tomorrow

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MissingKittyCat · 07/05/2015 22:38

Is he in a quiet room alone? He won't come out if there's noise and people around.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 22:40

Oh I think we have a little progress! He came right to the opening of his carrier for a little sniff, so I stroked him and he started really purring for the first time and moved a paw outside the carrier. Don't want to go to bed and leave him all alone but you are not meant to move them from room to room at first are you?

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 07/05/2015 22:42

He is in a quiet room. He is in the kitchen as thought that would be a good room to start him in as quiet and also where his food and litter tray are. It is just me around atm as DH at work and boys in bed

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MissingKittyCat · 07/05/2015 22:44

Ah bless! How cute. I have always kept new kittens close, the worst that has happened is accidents but they soon resolve when kitten learns the layout. I would feel bad leaving them alone too!

BettyCatKitten · 07/05/2015 22:53

I've always took my kittens to bed with meGrin they love to snuggle for warmth and it really helps with bondingSmile