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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

Advice for new kittens

20 replies

Amy22 · 09/10/2018 13:45

Hi everyone... It's my first time in this part of the forums so be gentle 😊

As a family we have made the decision to adopt 2 kittens and have chosen them from a local rescue. I am just after some advice in terms of settling them in mainly but any advice would be good. I've obviously read articles online but thought would seek out as much as possible. We are picking them up on Sunday.

I had cats growing up but not a kitten and only 1 at a time. We have 3 children aged 5, 8 and 13 and the younger 2 are super excited so I think half the battle will be containing their enthusiasm!!

Anyway, any advice on kittens generally would be fab...

OP posts:

GMFLondon · 09/10/2018 13:58

How wonderful to be gaining new family members! Blue Cross has very sensible advice:

www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/caring-your-kitten

Wishing all of you many years of four-footed fun.

ifonly4 · 09/10/2018 14:47

How exciting. Firstly, I'd say give them a quiet room with their beds, litter trays and food and leave them quietly for a short while, so they've got time to adjust, know where their essential things are and also know it's a safe quiet spot if they need it. As there are a few members of the family, maybe just a couple go in at once to meet them. They might be very confident kitties, but some can be very nervous and take a few days to come around. Prepare your children for the fact this may happen and they'll have to give them some space. Toys with something on a stick or ping pong balls to roll across the floor are great for interaction if they don't want to be too near you or the children to start with. Also, the older ones can take their food in.

What are they like? Any ideas for names? If you're posting on this forum, we'd love to see photos!!

IsTheRainEverComingBack · 09/10/2018 14:50

Feliway plug-ins are a God send, really help them feel settled, I’ve got them again every time we’ve moved house with our cats and had them when we brought them home. You need two litter trays (one each). Make sure they have spaces they can get away in that are quiet and calm - they won’t sleep in any beds you buy but all cats love boxes with towels/cushions in. Cats like to feel secure from all sides which is why they love boxes. Put some of your worn clothes in so they get used to your smell. Definitely handle them so they get used to you, but give them plenty of space as well.

Original poster

Amy22 · 09/10/2018 15:24

Ooh thanks everyone. We have met them as we wanted them to choose us really, there were sadly lots of kittens but these 2 seemed fairly happy with my excitable children around!!

One is currently called Cloud (she is white with grey patches) which my girls want to keep and the other is cuddles at the minute but girls (I have 3!) want to change that one to either Ari (after Ariana Grande!!!) or Ava apparently!!

Is sharing a litter box not advisable then? I'll have to check what they currently have at their foster home. X

OP posts:

IsTheRainEverComingBack · 09/10/2018 15:47

They can share and may well do, but it’s best to give them a choice as cats can be quite territorial, in the wild they wouldn’t go in the same place as another cat as their scent would mark out that space. Mine are 4 and a half and go out most of the day, and I still have two trays, they use both and definitely each favour one over the other.

agnurse · 09/10/2018 20:50

I would introduce them to the litter box first and let them explore from there. This way they learn where it is and how to get back to it.

Suggest the girls give them a couple of days to settle and adjust before trying to interact with them - the kitties will need time to explore the space. Once they get settled in they may enjoy toys - our kitties are especially fond of wand toys, toys they can chase, and the laser light. (Just ensure you don't shine the laser in their eyes.)

GMFLondon · 10/10/2018 13:43

Re litter boxes, this might sound weird, but I'd take a small scoop from their current boxes at the foster home, and sprinkle it on top of the new litter in their new boxes. That way it will smell like them already, and prevent any accidents or confusion.

I'd also, at least initially, make sure I use the same brand of litter their fosterer is using, and a similar box ie covered if covered, uncovered if not.

Wolfiefan · 10/10/2018 13:48

Ideally for two cats you would have three litter trays. We only have two though!
Check what food and litter they are on now. It’s a bad idea to switch suddenly.
YY to quiet room overnight. I let mine explore more the next day when the kids were at school.
Check when flea and worm and vaccinations need doing.
Kittens are bloody fast. Always have a door shut between them and the outside!
Neuter ASAP (see above!) and microchip at the same time.
Kittens can get up chimneys and under dishwashers. And never start washing machine etc without doing a kitten check first.
And most importantly? Prepare to be enslaved.

DevonCherry · 10/10/2018 13:52

Kittens have needle-like teeth and claws and some biting / scratching is inevitable at first. Teach your girls to play safely with them and not get their hands / arms / feet in harms way. The scratches won't be serious but it could colour your daughters' attitudes to the cats.

Original poster

Amy22 · 10/10/2018 19:42

Fab thanks everyone. I have a list of the food and litter currently used at the foster home and the flea/worming information so prepared in that respect.

I keep warning the girls that they'll need to leave them be for a bit as they are so flipping excited I know they want to cuddle and play with them.

Some great advice so far, thank you. We don't have a huge house so trying to find suitable spots for the 'equipment' is my biggest consideration until they arrive home! X

OP posts:

agnurse · 10/10/2018 20:27

We have our kitties' things in our laundry room. Generally it's a good idea to put the litter box somewhere where there isn't a lot of traffic - many cats don't like have an audience while using the toilet. A corner of the bonus room or something would probably be okay too if you have one. We do have their water in the kitchen (long story; they try to drink out of the bathtub if the water is in the basement).

Wolfiefan · 10/10/2018 20:34

I left mine in the kitchen the first night. But clear the work surfaces.
I figured the hard surfaces would make easier cleaning if they missed the litter tray etc. (They had comfy beds) They were fine though so the next night they slept on our bed!!

Original poster

Amy22 · 27/10/2018 07:57

I meant to update this a while ago in case anyone is interested but our little furry friends have settled in well!

OP posts:

LaurieFairyCake · 27/10/2018 08:05

So gorgeous !!!

hugoagogo · 27/10/2018 08:08

Too pretty!

bellinisurge · 27/10/2018 08:13

Your new overlords are absolutely gorgeous. Have fun together!

GMFLondon · 27/10/2018 08:34

"Dogs have owners while cats have staff" is so true - enjoy spoiling your new gorgeous furry friends!

agnurse · 28/10/2018 00:32

Sweet little baby kitties! The tabby one reminds me of our Gatsby who we also adopted as a kitten.

As far as cats having a "staff" it depends on the cat. Our Biggie doesn't have a staff. He has a Daddy We suspect that in the Biggie universe Daddy hung the moon so he practically worships the ground under Daddy's feet.

Then again we suspect that Biggie thinks he's a dog. He tried to make friends with a dog once.

Breadnroses · 28/10/2018 00:38

Oh they are very cute! Hope they are loving having you all as their humans to pander to their every whim

Jayneisagirlsname · 30/10/2018 14:39

Oh they are lovely! Hope your girls are enjoying them!

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