Getting two kittens tomorrow and feeling nervous. Need some advice

[jokerismyfave]

I'm getting two little boy kittens from same litter tomorrow, they are 8 weeks old. I'm nervous but very excited.

I have a few questions though, at night time I am going to bring them up to my room to sleep in their bed on the floor, so do I leave my bedroom door open and let them roam about upstairs? I'm worried about the stairs. If I should close my bedroom door and keep them in bedroom then should I bring their litter trays into the bedroom and their water?

Also is it okay to feed them on a schedule of 8 am, 12 pm, 4 pm and 9 pm?

Thanks in advance

Got their little area all set up 😀

Ohhhh gingers! I have a LOVELY ginger cat, she's incredibly affectionate and chatty, always wants cuddles. Hope yours are similar

@islandislandisland aww fab! I hope so too 🤞 thank you!

@jokerismyfave Gorgeous kitties! I don't like the look of the area they have been kept in though 😩 but atleast they're going to good homes right?

Kittens are so much fun, bed time is the best! We have one that sleeps in between OH legs and that means he cannot move for the night haha, one on the ottoman, one in the cat bed (surprisingly!) and one on the chair.. maddest thing is we are now having a baby so we are adding to the madness in August 🤣 good luck with everything!

@OohKittens look at those ears!! 😻

@Oldestchild90s Yeah I had noticed that, they are farm kittens so think they are in an out house but yeah glad they're coming to a cosy home and my little girl (7) will be a good playmate for them!

Aww brilliant, congratulations on the baby! How exciting! Good luck to you too 😃

@jokerismyfave all rescues/TNRs that we never 'R'd. The streets are lousy with them where I live sadly.

My brother has those stairs and they have loads of cats, none has ever fallen through. Don't worry!

Okay so got the kittens, they are sooo cute but so nervous. They have eaten but now one is under the sofa, he was meowing but has now stopped and the other won't come down from upstairs. Do I just leave them to it? Will he come out from the sofa when he's ready?

Yep, just leave them to it but hang out with them if you can. Just chill out and watch telly or read. They will come out and explore, probably drop a stink bomb in the litter tray! Good times ahead! 😂

Just leave them to it. You can't rush them. One of mine lived behind my fridge for a week, only coming out to eat and toilet at night or when we weren't there when we first got her 😂. They'll come round soon enough.

Are they getting the mum neutered do you think?

Leave them to it they say to just ignore them which isnt easy 😃

They are both behind the sofa together now so I feel better about that 😊

@EachandEveryone I don't think they are getting the mum neutered no! Aww I know, it's so hard, just want to play with them and cuddle

Can I just ask...I've moved their litter trays into the living room. They've now eaten twice and went back behind the sofa together but not used litter tray. Will they know to do that?

Yes, they will usually look for them.

@Shmithecat2 okay, thank you

They might lay low for a couple of days while they get used to the new surroundings.
Have they been using litter trays where they're from? If not, they might need some training and be prepared for accidents.

I bought a kitten playpen which has given me peace of mind. Boudica has been home 13 days now and I don't feel the need to use it as much but for the first nights I knew she was somewhere safe. I will get rid of the playpen altogether soon but my older cat is still upset when she chases him around so I want to make sure they are separate sometimes.

Scrape the kitty paws in the litter and they will know this is their litter tray.

Another little tip, to teach kitties to use the scratchy post my partner used to pick them up when they scratched furniture/carpet, take them to the scratching post and paddle their little paws against it, they soon got the idea.

Ah, lovely kittens! I'd definitely leave them downstairs overnight. I have a 9 week old kitten and I'm pretty sure she would be all over me in the night if she could - she stays in the lounge. They'll be fine in the dark overnight.

I'd pop them into the litter tray (even if they jump straight out again) just so that they know it's there.

Just leave them to it. They’ll come out when they’re ready. Maybe get a little string toy or something to entice them out. Even just a bit of scrunched up paper on a piece of string. If not, then food will do it. It’s a big change for them. Also, kittens love a little scratch of wallpaper. So watch that.

I can't even go near them to help get them to litter tray, they just run and hide and don't want to make them anymore anxious. They do come out for food so glad they're eating. I wonder if they'll maybe come out for a nosy once we go to bed.

Here they are 😍 Get better pics in a few days I hope.

Here they are 😍 Get better pics in a few days I hope.