Need help - ragdoll kitten

[TheSunIsStillShining]

I need some advice on 3 topics. We have a 4 months old ragdoll kitten, brought her home a month ago. She is stupid as hell, but makes up for it by being cute, cuddly and funny. :) Never had any pets before. But we came across 3 things that are of slight concern.

1. foul smelling, not too solid poop. She has been on Applaws tuna (wet), then we gave canagan chicken (wet). She loves both. Didn't have any issues in the first 2 weeks. Then we gave her whiskas for one day. And since then the smell is almost unbearable, and the "texture" is somewhat loose.

She eats about 2 tins/packs of wet food a day - c. 120-150g. Is that too much wet food that can cause this? Since she is a kitten we are not to rigorous about feeding times and schedule and thought that we can wait until about she's a year old to put her on a more strict timetable. She always has dry food out as well.

1. still somewhat medical/health. today evening when stroking her we felt a lump. imagine cat standing, facing away -bum in your face- and you stroke the full cat from head to tail on both side simultaneously. A bit above her hip?/leg there is a little lump. We tried pushing it gently, no reaction - so it's not something that is causing pain. Anyone ever felt anything like this? Again, new to this whole thing and not perfect in cat anatomy (yet).

1. this is totally diff. type of issue. How can you teach a cat not to go into a room? The bedroom is taboo. But as soon as I open the door she slips in and starts acting crazy (playfully). During the day it's not that annoying, but I want to be able to go out for a drink at night, or anything.... Chasing a cat that has gone berserk at 2 am is not my idea of fun.

And we live in a rental, so fixtures, high gates are not an option.

@RavingAnnie
see reasons a bit above. I'm willing to compromise on millions of things, but this is a non-negotiable item.

Because you are not sure if it's kitten safe?

What are you not sure is kitten safe?

It's easier to kitten proof (and safer) as there s no sure fire 100% guaranteed way of keeping a cat out of a room. Even shutting the door, you are going to forget at least once.

@RavingAnnie
kitten safe is one thing. I need my safe space for my knitting. And not being woken up in the middle of the night by a furry little devil walking on my head. :)

Your kitten is gorgeous.

I said our cats were only to sleep in the kitchen. Then they started sleeping on the landing. Now I leave a few bedroom doors open - if I don't they stand outside and cry/meow....waking up all the kids. They never wake me up in the night, they do come into me about 6 when it gets light.

My cat is nearly 8 and will wander over the bed at whatever time they please. If you ignore they walk up and down you , or cry into your ear for attention. That my dear is cat ownership !

We locked ours in the kitchen overnight, it’s good fire safety too.

She's a beauty

She should also calm down a bit when she gets older...in a few years. I appreciate this doesn't help you much now!

I'd consider shutting her in 1 room overnight. Make sure she has a warm, cosy bed that she actually uses.
Cats do like routine so I'd introduce one. Mine understands what 'bedtime' means when we say it.

So initiate a bed time routine, final game for the night followed by food and settling.

Fabric baby gate? All my cats would climb it!

Can't help with the stools, I've posted before about Greedy Cat having the same issue and we haven't found a solution yet.

Cats do play up at night sometimes because they're hungry so make sure this isn't it. If she's just got the nocturnal zoomies leave out some cat toys.

You could also get a plug night light if you're worried about being surprised by her in the dark

Posted too soon...

Could just be a fatty lump but get it checked if you're worried.

Also she might get less excited by your bedroom if she has daytime access. It's taboo? Won't be for long! You have a cat, that battle was lost long ago!!

She's lovely, OP.

My raggie develops an upset tummy if she even looks at 'the wrong food' so I've learned never to deviate from what I know.

I reckon the lump needs an eye keeping on and if it's still there or gets bigger in the next week it's off to the vets (at least that's what I'd do).

IME both my raggies only ever wanted to just sleep on the bed, even when they were kittens although as they got bigger there was less and less bed left for me . But if it's a deal breaker you just have to keep the bedroom door shut.

I think my worry about wool is that she might decide to chew on a loose end and swallow a length which can be very dangerous (I speak from experience, male raggie once ate a shoe lace and had to go to the vet after I managed to hang on to the end which was still hanging out of his mouth and just allow him to keep coughing up the length that he'd swallowed but it was a very scary experience for him and for me)

@TaraR2020
shutting her in is an idea. Realistically it would be:

• kitchen - god no.
• living room - no access then to toilet and food. loads of wires. This is why H sleeps on the living room. Although I question this decision: he is a really deep sleeper, so don't see the point... :) I think he really loves our sofa tbh
• entrance/hallway. wouldn't it be too small? would have access to toilet (guest one, that has her toilet in it) and food, as it's there already.

Our real worry is about proper safety hazards that we can't do anything about - cables, roman blinds strings (atm she can't jump up to the windowsill, but it's only a matter of days/weeks). Not really worried about scratching or her destroying anything.

I really think we might be over-thinking this :)
She does have a climbing thing with a cave, a big beanbag, 2 rugs she loves and 2 big plastic boxes which have some toys in them.
spoiled brat....

Funny thing is that her most favourite "toy" is a very cheap plastic bowl and the 10p springs. Combine those and she'll be happily playing for 30-40 mins :)

@PollyGray
Yeah, I've read how it can be an issue. I'm not planning on ever leaving any knitting out. What I do want to do is knit when she is awake. :)

Ah, well, if she's awake and wants to play she wants to play......

You will need to develop the art of stealth knitting for cat slaves and then patent it for all the other mortals who live to serve .

If you can shut her into hallway then it sounds like a good place as she has access to litter and food. The cosy bed for night I suggested because she might want to be able to snuggle while you sleep so giving her somewhere warm to snuggle without you might help.

Atm my H sleeps on the living room sofa so that the kitten settles. And because we are still not sure if the room is cat safe

That seems a bit OTT. Buy a pop up pet pen for her to sleep in until she finds her bearings and you're confident.

As far as the bedroom issue you'll have to shut the door. My boy is allowed in my room but he knows he's not allowed on the bed and doesn't even attempt it.

Dh always tied the blind cords up so he couldn’t strangle himself on them by accident.

I’ve had cats all my life, as a kid (my parents cats) and now as an adult I have two. From when they first arrive as kittens we shut them in the kitchen at night. Litter box, food and water available, and a snuggly bed as well. I literally can’t see what dangers or risks she might face in a normal kitchen? I think you’re over thinking this! Put her in the kitchen, shut the door, and get your partner back in your bed. She’s a cat - cats live in all sorts of places all over the world very independently. She will be fine in your kitchen. If you start doing this now she will never know any different.