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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

How long did it take you to get used to your cat?

57 replies

Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 08:26

Be gentle please. I am not very happy about all this.
I have never wanted pets. But now I have 3 children, one who was desperate for a cat and two who were terrified of cats and dogs. And a dh who loves cats. So we got 2 kittens, thinking it would be good for eveyone.
We have had them about 6 weeks. Do you think I will get used to them? Only right now I am not enjoying them at all.
I particularly don't like keeping windows and doors shut, I feel trapped and like the house needs air.
Waking up to cat poo smell.
Them being in my face when I try to eat breakfast.
Fleas - they came with them and I feel like I have tried everything, and the extra hoovering and housework is driving me mad.
Will I start to enjoy them? They have been neutered (they are one boy and one girl) but not let out yet. I think if we can get on top of the fleas, and when they can be out it will help.
They are lovely cats, I just don't want them in my house. I know you are all cat lovers and am expecting some harsh replies, but hoping maybe for some support too, or maybe someone who felt the same?

OP posts:
sunshineandshowers40 · 11/08/2021 08:33

Why did you get two? How old are they? We recently got a kitten (DH and DC really wanted one). I love him and I'm really not a cat person but did struggle with having to keep windows and doors shut. I am also ready for his cat litter to go. I love seeing my DC care about him. Have you spoken to your DH about how you are feeling?

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 08:35

Yes my dh is well aware. We are holding out for the time the fleas are gone and the cats can go out.
We got two because I did lots of reading about owning cats before we got them, and I was led to believe two would be better for them and us. They are really lovely cats.

OP posts:
Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 08:36

They are 4.5 months old.

OP posts:
MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 11/08/2021 08:39

You can get a good flea treatment from the vet. Maybe better than shop bought.
Kittens are hard work but they do grow out of being so full on.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 08:41

Thank you. Yes, we are hoping the vet one we are getting this week will work.

OP posts:
EverythingsComingUpRoses · 11/08/2021 08:41

Kittens can drive you crazy and I've had some element of kitten regret with all of mine I have 6 so it's clearly not put me off completely

What are you using for the fleas ?

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 08:43

Thank you. We used two doses of Advantage. We were self isolating and it was all we could get. After one dose the vet told us it had worked and to use up the second dose before they prescribed anything. But the fleas came back.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 11/08/2021 08:54

You need indorex for the house, sometimes pharmacies sell it but the kittens mustn’t be allowed to stay in a treated room.

Flat cat window panels stop them falling out, I’ve had the windows open all summer. If you order a couple they send you a discount code.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 08:57

Thank you. We have indorexed twice and ordered some more. I hotwash their bedding every other day and hoover every other day too. The fleas are only on the cats, I haven't seen any in the house.

OP posts:
TroysMammy · 11/08/2021 09:01

Haribo was very food orientated, on the worktops and table. Trying to get food you were eating. We would lock him in the living room at meal times. He soon stopped and we got him a stool to sit on by the table. He now sits on the windowsill watching us, mainly my DP at meal times because he gives him titbits Angry.

He also went on the worktops to watch me when I washed dishes. Everything is fun and exciting to a kitten. They soon grow out of it.

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 11/08/2021 09:03

Take them to the vet & get the fleas treated.

Clean up the poo & change the litter!

Why are you closing all the windows?

Suzi888 · 11/08/2021 09:07

Take them back to the vets to sort the fleas.
I’ve had two cats, strays and one was pregnant and we never kept the kittens in. Is it new advice to keep kittens in for months? I’ve never heard of it!?
I think they’ll be much less work when the fleas have gone and they can go outside.

Cattitudes · 11/08/2021 09:13

It did feel weird at first but you do get used to them. As dh wanted them he should do more than his fair share of the care which might make you resent them less.

Would they tolerate harnesses? You could then get them used to the garden and open the windows for a little bit.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 09:14

We are keeping them in until the girl cat is fully recovered from neutering. The main window/door bothering me is the patio door which is usually wide open all day. We do clean up the poo and change the litter of course.

OP posts:
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 11/08/2021 09:19

Shop bought flea treatments don't work, only vet ones do. You can give them a shower and shampoo to get rid of the worst of them as long as you are careful, or wash them in a bowl.
I never get kittens, they are really really hard work, I always get older rescues.
They will be fine once they are a bit older and going out, you wn't notice they are around half the time. Honest!

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 09:26

Thank you everyone. I did campaign for older cats but dh and the kids were adamant that kittens would be worth it! They are great cats and the kids love them, so in that respect it is good. It sounds like I just need to be patient.

OP posts:
AlfonsoTheMango · 11/08/2021 09:33

If you haven't already installing a cat flap in the patio door will be helpful when the cats are older.

There are catflaps that work with microchips (I hope the cats are chipped) so that only they can come and go. And if you're worried about the female, right now so you can set it so only the male can use it.

Oldraver · 11/08/2021 09:49

I second Flat Cats for windows, I'm currently sat in a breeze while the kittens snooze

I made my own with silicon mesh off Amazon though you could use voile it net curtain fabric

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 10:00

Thank you all

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 11/08/2021 17:21

I’ve had two cats, strays and one was pregnant and we never kept the kittens in. Is it new advice to keep kittens in for months? I’ve never heard of it!?

It's been advised for years now that cats shouldn't go out at least until they've been neutered (and of course microchipped). Cats can reproduce from as young as 4 months, and you won't know they are sexually mature until it's too late.

headintheproverbial · 11/08/2021 21:55

I loved mine from day 1. But even if you are not a cat person it is much better when they go outside. No more closed windows or smelly litter tray.

minipie · 11/08/2021 22:02

Ours slotted in very easily, but she was a spayed adult when she came, so we only had to keep her in a few weeks (in February not August!) while she acclimatised to her new home. Also she had been de flead and wormed by the rescue. Once allowed out she barely used the litter tray.

I am a cat person but DH wasn’t and we thought an adult cat would be much less of shock for him.

Sorry appreciate this doesn’t help now you have the kittens… I bet they are adorable though

Shouldbedoing · 11/08/2021 22:07

I imagine the kids and the H are swooning over their loveliness while you clean their bums. In time, because you don't chase them, they will love you the best, and you will have 2 calming companions. They will be potty trained and much cleaner than now.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 11/08/2021 22:18

Thank you that is kind. Right now they are snoozing next to us on the sofa while we watch tv and being utterly gorgeous.

OP posts:
BreadmanAndCake · 11/08/2021 22:19

Definitely get to the vets for a couple of doses of bravecto for the fleas. The more expensive one lasts for three months and also covers ticks and many types of worms.

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