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Kitten in the Rain...

post #1 of 31
9/16/08 at 3:24pm
Thread Starter 
So my parents while visiting my sister found in my sisters cars engine a little Black kitten, crying away (no it wasnt on). It was raining so hard for so many days last weekend it sought shelter in my sisters car engine. Luckily my parents visited and heard it before my sister went anywhere.

My sisters kids are madly allergic to cats, so my parents brought it home. They recently had a dog that passed away and have a senior dog and senior cat, with the recent passing of the other dog, a new kitten is not in the cards for them right now.

They have it 'they think its a her 6-7 weeks old' in a spare bedroom, until they find her a home. My step mom tells me that she is All Black, that her face reminds her of a Siamese cat (because her face is long, that her nose is long and has a bump but not like shes been injured), that she has long legs & Brown eyes (which I think is odd for a kitty... shes little tho... I'm betting that will change).... I havent seen her for myeslf yet, she's only been described to me.

They ask me if I know anyone looking for a kitten. I tell them I'll ask around...



I sit, I ponder, I picture the descrption in my head... having a hard time putting it together... I google it... becoming more intrigued, I call my husband and tell him about her... he says that if my parents take the kitten to the vet & she gets a clean bill of health, then she can come home

I quickly call my step mom and ask her if she is willing to do that & she will! She said that if she will most certianly do that, if that will get her a loving home. , so she is making an appointment asap.

SOOOO... This evening I'm going to go take a look at her I'll try to take some pictures if I can

Help me out here... I have a few questions, I've NEVER had a KITTEN BEFORE... EVER! I have always adopted CATS... the youngest cat I've ever adopted was Max who was 10 months old... she 'thinks' this kitten is 6-7 weeks? She is eating crunchy food & is using the litter pan.

But... I'm SO NERVOUS! I've never had a kitten!

I've always read, that homes can have a million male cats but 1 female cat... am I DOOMING my home? by introducing a 2nd female cat into a household with 2 males & 1 female... the female, Yuki is the dominant cat in the house.

I use 14 & 15 Gallon Rubbermaid/Sterilite bins as litterboxes in my house... will these be TOO BIG for a little 6-7 week old kitten? My step mom says she jumps up on the table at her house when she has gotten out a few times... if she can jump up on a dinner table... surely she can jump into a 14-15 gallon litter bin? Or NO? People with Kitten & Sterilite bin experience advise?

I'll have more questions... a BUNCH! I'm so nervous! Thats it for now tho!

Wish me luck!
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post #2 of 31
9/16/08 at 3:50pm
Awww poor little one. You are not doomed with 2 males and a female and bringing in another female. The resident female will hate the kitten for awhile (maybe months) but the boys will welcome her.

I'd get a smaller pan for the kitten for awhile till its bigger. Not fair to expect the kitten to use a deeper pan just cause they can jump on a chair

Confine the kitten to her own room with food, water, litter pan and do slow introductions (males first). But before you do anything, the kitten should be taken to the vet, gotten shots and schedule a spay in a month (or by 4 months old). I'm assuming the rest of your cats are all neutered and spayed.
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post #3 of 31
9/16/08 at 4:08pm
We're the opposite here. Two females and one male. Everyone gets along fine. Of course when we first got our second female (she was a foster that we adopted) things were rocky at first. But we kept Twix in a separate room for awhile until they got acquainted with each other through the crack in the door. When we finally started to leave the door open they would inch together little by little, but eventually they integrated just fine.

I think you will have an easier time since your little one is a kitten. There might be a little hissing in the beginning, but I think your cats should come around.

You know this is probably a great question for Marilyn over in the experts forum.

As for the kitty litter. I always use a shallow pan for our foster's kittens when we introduce them to their litter. It doesnt take them long to figure out how to use the Sterilite Pans, but better to be safe than sorry. Maybe you can get a disposable roaster pan or something along those lines and place it next to the deep tub until you are sure she has the hang of it.

PS congrats on your new kitten - I look forward to seeing pics when you get her!!!
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post #4 of 31
9/16/08 at 7:33pm
i have 4 females & 1 male... 2 of the females were added to an all-female [at the time] household. the final female came after the adult male was adopted. all of the females were added as kittens [at different times, of course] of varying ages. the male is the only adult adoptee.

now, for dynamics - my senior pretty much gets along w/everyone, & is glad to snuggle with & groom any of the others. i would consider her to be either 2 or 3 on the 'alpha cat' pecking order. my alpha [female] is the middle child, age-wise, but second only to the senior in order of adoption. she snuggles only w/the senior. she gets along w/all of the other females, tho - only seems to assert her status with the male [who is twice her size].

1 girl is a loner - i think by preference, altho she'll play w/the 2 younger girls.

the youngest girl - her favorite 2 housemates are the male & the senior girl - but especially the male. i was really glad to see this, because none of the others are that close to him - & he's a real loverboy. baby girl [she's just over a year old] will groom her brother, snuggle w/him, body rub him - she really, really loves him!

i think the issue of whether Yuki will accept your newcomer depends on if the 2 boys are junior to her - meaning, they were adopted after you got her. at least, that seems to be the way it's worked in my house.

Pixel was never an 'only cat' as she was adopted w/her littermate. she's accepted newcomers the most readily of all of the cats. each of the others [except for Chip] have had issues w/whichever the 'new cat' was after them... but not any others [again, with the exception of Cable & Chip].

gosh, i don't know if any of this really makes sense... but i DO think that Yuki will eventually tolerate your new one [as Cable tolerates Chip ] & she may surprise you & readily accept her!
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post #5 of 31
9/16/08 at 8:19pm
Thread Starter 
Yuki was 2nd adopted, Max was adopted actually only 6 months or so after Yuki, I got my 3 kitties within 6 months or so of eachother actually. I got Max about a year & some months ago... I know it was in the summer anyway... I'd have to look in my file... Anywho... I adopted Horatio, Yuki then Max.

I just got back a little bit ago from visiting the little one The description was 'close' not as 'oriental' as my step mom had made her out to be, but I can see what she was saying, she does have quite a prominent nose... hard to tell in black kitty photos tho... & her eyes are kinda brown, she is adorable. She curled right up in my lap right away & her little motor was running, then went STRAIGHT into play mode... oh my gosh does she have a ton of energy... what have I gotten myself in to! LOL!

She is very tolerant of handling & while she was sleepy I tinkered with her feet and every one of her toes and nails... which is GREAT... I cannot clip ANY of my kitties nails... THIS little one WILL be different Never having had a kitten to have started clipping its nails from the start... I can, with this one

I didnt have my camera, I got some shots with my step moms lil camera, so these ones will have to do for now until she comes home

I have no idea what to name her... ( if she is a her?... my step mom says it IS a her because the fur doesnt cover her nipples?... lol? heck if I know anything about that... I figure when she goes to the vet, they'll say for sure...) I dont know if I want her name to have something to do with the fact that she was in the rain... hmmm rain? no... or the fact that she was caught up in the engine of my sisters car to get out of the rain, stray type kitty name... or just pick something cute for her... I dont know yet... OR... my luck I pick something cute... & the vet says... yep... that kitty is a boy.

Anyway Here are a few photos of the little one. She is staying with my parents for now until 'she' is vetted, then she will come home.








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post #6 of 31
9/16/08 at 9:22pm
s/he's beautiful! what about Storm for a name - suitable for either gender!
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post #7 of 31
9/17/08 at 12:20am
Oh dear, what a beautiful baby! Sleek and black with golden eyes How about Lucky as a name? Things could have turned out differently for her.
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post #8 of 31
9/17/08 at 5:02am
"The fur doesn't cover her nipples?" Sounds like a unique sexing method to me!

A little like the little boy who asked his mom on the city bus, loudly, "Mommy, is kitty a boy or a girl?"

"A boy, dear," was his mother's answer.

"How do you KNOW?"

The bus fell silent, waiting.

"Well, he has whiskers, doesn't he?"
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post #9 of 31
9/17/08 at 5:53am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
"The fur doesn't cover her nipples?" Sounds like a unique sexing method to me!

A little like the little boy who asked his mom on the city bus, loudly, "Mommy, is kitty a boy or a girl?"

"A boy, dear," was his mother's answer.

"How do you KNOW?"

The bus fell silent, waiting.

"Well, he has whiskers, doesn't he?"
LOL! Like I said... I'm not taking anything to heart what my step mom says about gender. Yes funny 'the nipples thing' she has a 50% chance of being right, I'm just greatful they found her and took her in & are willing to get her checked out before she comes home with me... I figured I'd just say nothing & when 'she' goes to the vet, I'll know for sure.
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post #10 of 31
9/17/08 at 6:38am
I love black cats and "it" is a beauty. I'm so happy you are going to be able to give it a loving home.
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post #11 of 31
9/17/08 at 7:08am
How precious! Since she was found in the rain, you can name her Rain or Rayne.

And just get a couple of those disposable aluminum cake pans for litter boxes for her until she's able to get into the larger litter boxes. They're cheap, you can sanitize them, too.
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post #12 of 31
9/17/08 at 10:21am
He/she does look like there is oriental/siamese in the background with the long slendar build.

BTW that's NOT how you tell male from female (regarding the nipples). If its a girl, I pick Raynie; if a boy, Stormy
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post #13 of 31
9/17/08 at 4:16pm
Well, if you want to go with Weather-Storm related names, there is of course the ones mentioned, Rain/Rainy Storm/Storm or more unconventional:
Squall
Twister
Typhoon
Vortex
Thunder
Cyclone

you did say (s)he has a ton of energy

Or you could always name him/her Hemi! Since you found her on an engine

Cute pictures - thanks for sharing!
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post #14 of 31
9/17/08 at 4:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45 View Post
He/she does look like there is oriental/siamese in the background with the long slendar build.

BTW that's NOT how you tell male from female (regarding the nipples). If its a girl, I pick Raynie; if a boy, Stormy
Like I said in the origional post, I was going based on my step moms description. That I'd have to see for myself.

Her old kitty is a tabby with a very short nose, round face, so her long nose is probably what is just so unique to her. When I saw her, yes 'she' is horribly cute, but to me, she looked like, just 'a black kitten'. I certianly do love 'her' tho.

My 4 year olds (soon to be 5 in a month and a half) are REALLY into x-men right now... so for a 'her' Storm WOULD be really cute & they would really identify with it too. They do not know about 'her' yet. I'm not going to tell them until after 'her' vet check. 'just in case'
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post #15 of 31
9/17/08 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lore View Post
My 4 year olds (soon to be 5 in a month and a half) are REALLY into x-men right now... so for a 'her' Storm WOULD be really cute & they would really identify with it too. They do not know about 'her' yet. I'm not going to tell them until after 'her' vet check. 'just in case'
i would consider Storm to be a gender-neutral name, myself.
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post #16 of 31
9/18/08 at 7:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by laureen227 View Post
i would consider Storm to be a gender-neutral name, myself.


I'm betting that will be the little ones name no matter what... we keep referring to 'it' as the 'storm' rolling in

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post #17 of 31
9/18/08 at 9:16am
When [s]he is taken to the vet, just make sure whoever is taking him/her actually ASKS the vet to sex him/her.

Only bc i thought Monster was a girl (i was told) for the first like 6 months i had him. i had taken him to the vet, at least 3 times in that time frame (he was sick). They knew i thought he was a girl, his name was "Bella", & i just assumed that if he was not really a girl, they would tell me. Well they didnt, & on the 4th visit, my bf came out & asked if Monster was a he or a she. he had been thinking the whole time i had him that he was a boy, not a girl. & he was right
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post #18 of 31
9/18/08 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
I suppose we'd certianly find out when we take 'the kitty' in to get spayed or nutered...

But ya, definately, I'll have to tell my step mom to make a point to ask. I suppose I just figured the vet just inately checked... but I'll tell her to certianly bring it out into the open about gender. I'm so curious
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post #19 of 31
9/18/08 at 10:25am
Awwwwwww how precious. You know boy cats tend to have larger noses than girl cats, so my guess is, hes a he.

When is his appt? And when do you get to bring him home? I bet your babies will be so excited to get to have a kitten for the first time ever, awwwwww
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post #20 of 31
9/18/08 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pami View Post
Awwwwwww how precious. You know boy cats tend to have larger noses than girl cats, so my guess is, hes a he.

When is his appt? And when do you get to bring him home? I bet your babies will be so excited to get to have a kitten for the first time ever, awwwwww
You know... THAT would make me happy

BECAUSE... my husband and I are in abit of a dissagreement

HE likes the name 'Rain' *I* like the name Storm

So HIS solution to *our* dissagrement, is IF its a Girl we name her 'Rain' since its a 'girl' name (he says) & if its a boy... we name him Storm.

IF there was a way for me to know for sure that I would win... I'd surely agree to that arrangement, LOL!

I'm not so sure I like the name Rain
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post #21 of 31
9/18/08 at 2:00pm
Does your MIL have access to the internet?

If so get her to look at this and then tell you for sure if its a boy or a girl, THEN you can agree or disagree with that arrangement.

http://www.pawsonline.info/sexinga.htm
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post #22 of 31
9/18/08 at 2:14pm
I vote for "Storm" as the cats name, seems more fitting for a black cat than "Rain".
Hope everything goes well at the vet and the kitty will be home soon with you!
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post #23 of 31
9/18/08 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pami View Post
Does your MIL have access to the internet?

If so get her to look at this and then tell you for sure if its a boy or a girl, THEN you can agree or disagree with that arrangement.

http://www.pawsonline.info/sexinga.htm
Ummmm... I'm not totally sure on this - since we're looking at a drawing... but isnt there something wrong on that drawing of the male??

Shouldn't the little hangy-ma-jiggers be ABOVE the urethra and under the anus?



I think this picture is more accurate...

or maybe I'm misinterpreting it and missing something
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post #24 of 31
9/18/08 at 2:51pm
Thread Starter 
Indeed, I do hope all goes well at the vet as well.

According to my step-mom 'her' 'tuccus' is very close together (heck if I know... I'm not there... LOL! I'll let the VET tell me... LOL!)

.... I still stand firm on Storm and will hold my ground with the husband.

'she' will be going to the vet on Saturday & if all goes well, 'she' will be coming home on Sunday at Noon
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post #25 of 31
9/18/08 at 7:20pm
The second link is correct. The male is further apart between anus and penis (like a colon - 2 dots). The female is closer and is more like a slit or upside down question mark

Course I had a white rex that I swear looked like the kitten had balls. When the kitten was in the vet's for shots, they came and told me "are you SURE its a boy"....turned out to be a female but it really looked to me like she had balls
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post #26 of 31
9/21/08 at 7:11am
Thread Starter 
UPDATE:

VET CONFIRMED HE is a HE

He has some ear mites, he got some meds for that, but other than that, everything came back great. He is one healthy lil' kitty, who is estimated to be about 3 months old

So 'STORM' will be coming home at noon & will be living in the master bedroom while he adjusts & while we take care of those earmites

I FEAR for my feet at night
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post #27 of 31
9/21/08 at 7:26am
Aww he looked like a he to me but 3 months old??? Is he little or did your MIL just guess wrong?

Congratulations on the new addition Get lots of pics!!
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post #28 of 31
9/21/08 at 7:29am
awww he is lovely, storm is a very fitting name
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post #29 of 31
9/21/08 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by -_aj_- View Post
awww he is lovely, storm is a very fitting name
thank you I am about to go post new photos of him in the Photo Section from his first day Home
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post #30 of 31
9/22/08 at 11:49am
Storm is great for the name; however, cats tend to respond more to naming ending in a vowel sound, so you might wind up changing it to Stormy
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