Just a few questions about my new cat.

halogen

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
1
Purraise
0
Location
iowa
Hi all, I'm new


About two weeks ago I was out at the local lake with a friend, fishing. For about two solid hours, we heard this kitten crying and crying. We looked everywhere, but we couldn't find her. Finally, she came into view and cried and cried. She followed us to the car and cried.

Being the animal lover that I am, I couldn't just leave her out there, but I didn't want to take her from her mother, if she was around! So we searched high and low for the kitten's mother, and didn't find anything.

So I took her in at my house. My daughter, who is six, fell in love and we decided to keep her.

So far, she's been an okay cat. She has used the litterbox from the start, which is nice!

However, I have some questions about her recent behavior:

1. She yowls and meows SO LOUDLY when my family is eating dinner! I've never seen a cat that begs for food! - She always has fresh cat food and fresh water. My fiance wonders if she begged for food out at the lake's campground? Is this normal?

2. The first two days she was here, she slept. Now, she seems more comfortable, but when she's not sleeping, she's attacking! She'll attack anything that moves! My daughter picks her up and holds her a lot, which she doesn't seem to mind, she hasn't scratched yet, but it is a concern. I also have a 2 year old son that will pet her, and the cat tries to "play" with him. She never bites, but she will put her teeth on your hand. She just doesn't bite down. Very occasionally, she'll sit in the windowsill or just relax, but really, she plays and rams around 99% of the time.

3. For some reason, every night, she finds me and lays all over me. Her favorite part is my neck. I've never seen a cat that wants to lay on someone's neck! She buries her face in my hair and goes to sleep. Why does she choose an odd place like that?

EDIT: This kitten is about 10-12 weeks old.

Thanks to anyone who made it this far! Any advice would be greatly welcomed!
 

asecretk

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 16, 2006
Messages
639
Purraise
1
Location
Ohio
Originally Posted by halogen

1. She yowls and meows SO LOUDLY when my family is eating dinner! I've never seen a cat that begs for food! - She always has fresh cat food and fresh water. My fiance wonders if she begged for food out at the lake's campground? Is this normal?
Yes it is normal. If she was begginng for food at the lake then she is more used to people food then cat food. It will take time but she will calm down.

Originally Posted by halogen

2. The first two days she was here, she slept. Now, she seems more comfortable, but when she's not sleeping, she's attacking! She'll attack anything that moves! My daughter picks her up and holds her a lot, which she doesn't seem to mind, she hasn't scratched yet, but it is a concern. I also have a 2 year old son that will pet her, and the cat tries to "play" with him. She never bites, but she will put her teeth on your hand. She just doesn't bite down. Very occasionally, she'll sit in the windowsill or just relax, but really, she plays and rams around 99% of the time.
She is young and full of energy. I would suggest you get her a lot ot toys. Never play with the kitten using your hands. Use only a toy. She is young and you want to make sure she does not pick up on any biting as she will get bigger and any mouthing on your hands or feet is going to hurt a lot more down the road.

Originally Posted by halogen

3. For some reason, every night, she finds me and lays all over me. Her favorite part is my neck. I've never seen a cat that wants to lay on someone's neck! She buries her face in my hair and goes to sleep. Why does she choose an odd place like that?
She thinks you are her mommy. She wants to snuggle like she would with her mom and siblings and your hair probably reminds her of that.

Enjoy your new kitten
 

4meezers3kids

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 15, 2007
Messages
196
Purraise
1
Location
Kansas City suburbs
halogen;1967493 said:
1. She yowls and meows SO LOUDLY when my family is eating dinner! I've never seen a cat that begs for food! - She always has fresh cat food and fresh water. My fiance wonders if she begged for food out at the lake's campground? Is this normal?

Sounds like she spent some time surviving by begging -- or is panicked about the food supply. Keeping a structured feeding schedule should help. Be careful not to overfeed her if she is insecure and prone to gorging. They can get sick!

2. The first two days she was here, she slept. Now, she seems more comfortable, but when she's not sleeping, she's attacking! She'll attack anything that moves! My daughter picks her up and holds her a lot, which she doesn't seem to mind, she hasn't scratched yet, but it is a concern. I also have a 2 year old son that will pet her, and the cat tries to "play" with him. She never bites, but she will put her teeth on your hand. She just doesn't bite down. Very occasionally, she'll sit in the windowsill or just relax, but really, she plays and rams around 99% of the time.

Again, she may be in survival mode. But kittens are typically VERY ACTIVE (see other new kitten threads -- it can be a shock to get used to!). Sounds like she is very gentle -- which is terrific!

3. For some reason, every night, she finds me and lays all over me. Her favorite part is my neck. I've never seen a cat that wants to lay on someone's neck! She buries her face in my hair and goes to sleep. Why does she choose an odd place like that?

I would guess she wants to feel your pulse and breath, like she was used to from mom. And the smell and feel of your hair is good -- like mom's fur.
 
Top