Keeping kitten out from under my wheelchair

[KittenKins]

So, does anyone have any advice? I have a 3.5 month maine coon kitten. He's only been here a week & is very close to me, & getting use to my team of carers.

I have a new electric wheelchair, I can only sit in it for short periods of 45 minutes & a few times a week. I'm hoping to increase this over time, but I'm worried about crushing the poor thing. My chair is 160kg empty, he is 2.3kg & I checked with the breeder, mum is 5.5kg, dad 10kg, so he won't be small for long.

Because my wheelchair reclines & my legs don't bend at the knee I am 1.87m long in it! I'm struggling to get around as it is. With my previous older cats I had a manual chair with more normal legs, it wasn't a problem. Yes, they went under me, but moved quick & the odd occasion a tail got caught I could quickly move off. Now my chair is a monster & my kitten small.

I'm scared of using this new chair, Phoenix isn't too bad with it, I even had him on my lap for a little ride :)

But how do I not squash him? My dad popped in & suggested putting something that rattles on the wheels to warn him, but I'm worried he would be scared of it, & thus me. The house isn't huge, so it's not like we have space for Phoenix to move around me, so I'm unsure what to do for the best?

Any suggestions welcome,

Many thanks

It's made my day to hear that! May you and his fluffy majesty have many happy years together.

Actually I was messing with a brush-type draught-excluder recently, the flimsy aluminium type you screw to doors.

They're very bendable, so if you ever did decide a brush skirt for the wheel was useful, these might be the job.

www.screwfix.com/p/stormguard-bottom-door-brush-draught-excluder-white-1m/3891v

Thank you very much, I'm going to mention it to dad tomorrow because as last night shows, you never can be too careful & I was scared after the tail fluff incident. At this rate he will be dog sized & I shall need a bigger over the bed table ;)

I’m so pleased cat ownership has worked out for you. He’s really adorable.

He's gorgeous and I'm so pleased it's worked out for you!

Actually what I've linked looks a bit robust to bend well. The really cheap and cheerful ones are very flimsy.

www.screwfix.com/p/diall-brushed-door-draught-excluder-gold-1m/195fr

Lovely update. Glad it’s all working out. Gorgeous cat!

Ah, a lovely update and I'm glad it is going well. I hate to think of anyone missing out on the joys of having a cat because of mobility issues.

He's gorgeous. Does he like a lap? Is he snuggly? He looks it but you never can tell really!

Thank you very much, you are very kind. I've linked my dad.

I have this problem only my chair is a manual.

Both kitties have collars with bells but Betsy likes to fall asleep behind my wheels so when I go to roll backwards there she is!!

To be honest I'm just really vigilant and make sure I check all around me before I start moving. I also keep a couple of her catnip balls on my desk so I can throw one for her to chase if she is in the way.

I did roll over her tail once and she hated me for a few days but she has forgiven me now and is actually much more aware herself.

Please don't listen to the posters telling you to send the cat back!! When we have to live like this we need our comforts (i.e as many cats as we are allowed lol) and there are plenty of people who use wheelchairs and have cats and don't run them over!!

He's very cute. I was going to suggest a laser pointer to direct him elsewhere as you move. Mine loves chasing the red dot.

He is snuggly, but he finds me being turned every two hours a pain, so he buggers off! My new issue is trying to keep him out of the carers room upstairs. He's only allowed there when someone is with him, so by day he is down here. At night however he has taken to buggering off upstairs.e Bcause the night carer has to be awake, they play with him, so instead of him being here with me, when the carer goes up, so does he. It makes me a little sad at times, especially when I lay awake while they have fun up there.

Cats do what they want, don't they? I want him happy at the end of the day so it's not something I can easily fix & I'm pleased the majority of the carers enjoy him & want to play with him. He now is the proud owner of a tent, tunnel & various other toys they have brought him :)

It's just a bit sad when they play peek-a-boo on the stairs as I just lay here listen to them play. He loves the stairs, so every time someone walks up it he runs after them. Unless he is exhausted I loose my darn cat to steps ;)

Thank you again everyone.

He or she is beautiful. I love the bowl picture, Phoenix is about to be in the position of not fitting into his 7l bowl. I can't find a larger one the same shape for him that is clear.

Oddly enough I had a laser pointer for the carers and Phoenix found it, now it's purely for his entertainment but I'd never thought of getting one for the wheelchair, fab idea, cheers.