Just brought home a kitten

[MimsyBorogroves]

From our local animal rescue.

They're saying he's 7 weeks - and he's small. Was taken from Mum last week. His birth date (born in rescue) doesn't quite add up though as he would be almost 9 weeks, so there's some confusion there. Full whiskers and teeth.

He's happily eating and drinking, had a sleep on me and is generally being an absolute terror knocking things over and chewing.

We've had cats from kittens - but always 12 weeks plus.

I've shown him the litter tray many times, but he's running straight out of it. He's been here since 3pm and no sign of any wee or poo - is that normal? We were going to let him sleep with us tonight. Litter tray is on the middle floor (we are in the loft conversion) - do we bring it to our room or leave it in its normal place? He's more than capable of running up and down the stairs like a twat but I'm worried he will forget where it is, or just not use it at all? He's had a tray in the rescue.

Any help would be great, I feel like I have a newborn again.

Lucky you, enjoy OP

Right, he's been left whilst we are at work for the day, shut out of any rooms he can destroy in his whirlwind moments, lots of toys, his bed, his favourite cuddlies. I'm worried as to what I'll come home to - he's been a superstar at using the litter tray but I've taken him to it each time. Hoping he finds it on his own or our house will be a disaster zone...

Just so you know, I discovered one of the previous kittens sleeping behind the cooker on my first day back from work - and in the fireplace on the second. By the third, he was snoring underneath the settee.

Eventually, I found all his little hiding spots. Or he decided to come out and greet me each evening so I didn't find his best one of all.

Didn't stop me practically tearing the place apart until I found the little git each night, though.

With these ones, I will make sure I see them last thing at night (if all else fails, by rattling the crunchie box) to ensure they are indoors, but they normally disappear for up to six hours at a time inside. I suspect one is under the bed (or on top of the wardrobe). I have no idea where The Idiot TwatCat goes. Probably into a parallel dimension.

2 wees in the litter box and nothing else suspicious!

He's made up for it by being a dick since we've come home. Pulling lamps down by the wires (now moved), climbing on washing on the stair rail and falling off (caught him, washing now away), smacking the dog across the face (she admitted she deserved it) and wrecking lego buildings.

He's a bastard and I love him.

You do know the being a dick bastard is a kitten’s job description. That’s why they’re so cute. So they can get away with it!
Gorgeous puss.

And the reason why it is in their job description is so that you're so worn down by it, all the adult cat twattishness (mouse guts, furballs decorating the stairs and the like) seems like perfect behaviour in comparison to the CatNado of the first weeks, so you indulge their every whim because they're being 'such a good boy'.

Haha. That’s so true!