Is it ok for my kitty to live in my bedroom?

Some family issues (others not taking responsibility for making sure that they don't make dangerous things availabe for the kitten to hurt herself with) have forced me to have my kitten live in my bedroom until I move out in a few months to go to law school and have a place of my own. She will come with me then.

In the meantime, her litter-box is in my bedroom bathroom, easily accessible and she is using it without a problem. I make sure that she has free access to fresh wet-food and water, and all of her toys and playthings are scattered about the room. She has an iScratch next to her cat-bed and she is able to get up and down off of my bed without a problem (she can climb amazingly well and even makes a game of climbing up the bed, then jumping off and climbing up again).

She seems perfectly happy and has been living in my bedroom for 2 days or so now without a problem. She hasn't indicated that she wants to leave, and when I checked earlier by leaving the door open for her, she stayed where she was. She is always either playing, laying down under my bed hanging out, or sleeping on my bed.

Also, since I've recently had to end my internship, I'm spending lots of time in my room as a back problem heals.

The room is about 20'x20' with a small hallway to the bathroom.

I just want to make sure that having her stay in my room isn't a problem for her developmentally.

ETA: I forgot to mention - she is about 8-9 weeks old now.

Sounds like a good set up for her as you're worried about her safety outside your room. And it's only for another couple of months. I think it's great that you're going to a lot of effort to keep her safe and cared for.

Thats fine! And good job keeping your kitty safe and away from harm. Many kittens do stay in a separate bedroom for a while after they come home to begin with, so as long as you give her some exercise and toys she will be just fine! Good luck!

Manda

When I lived at my parents house my cats stayed in my bedroom.
What you doing is fine.

At that age, sounds like a good arrangement.

I do see a tall cat tree in your future.......

Great setup. She has more than some people have so I wouldn't worry too much lol

A cat tree would be nice, but I have seen perfectly healthy cats live for years in a cage, with only a little time out each day. Not the ideal situation, but it was the life our Ella lived after Hurricane Katrina until we adopted her earlier this year.

Our Punkin lived with us in our tractor/trailer, which we sometimes generously referred to as an 8 x 8 prison cell. Of course, we were home on the weekends during much of that time, but still...

No, cats (and especially kittens) can live in quite small areas. Do try to exercise her with toys, etc., but I see no problem at all.

I assume by cat-tree you guys mean one of those kitty-condo type things?

If so, I decided to wait a few months to get her one to avoid having to ship it possibly across the country. That and she'll be bigger and stronger in a few months and will be better able to use one.

Luna lives in my bedroom. Now if I'm around the house or someone is out and wants to watch her, she gets to roam. I'd let her roam more, but mom doesn't want the cat out unsupervised. So during the weekday, unless Mom has the day off or it's summer vacation (she teachers), Luna stays in my room. Of course I usually let her roam after I get home. She's out her in the living room now, but when I go to my room, I take her with me. She's my roommate .

I think it sounds like a great little hideout!

All the nessesities are there, and toys to keep her stimulated, she will do just fine!

Just think of the small cages shelter cats have to live in...I'm constantly doing that with my boys. I feel horrible we're in a one bedroom apartment, and they seem bored...(we used to live in a two story 2 bedroom house, stairs to play on, lots of hiding spaces, etc), but I just think of the poor cats living in a cage.

That sounds like an awesome set-up. You did good It is good that she has you around to keep her company as she grows.

You just gotta share photos. They grow so quickly at this age. Plus, we are a tad photo crazy around here

Lauren those trees look awesome. I have one small one and one bigger one in the living room, Mine are more like Crow's nests than trees though. Are the ones you have sturdy? My boys get really rough sometimes and some of the taller thin trees in the stores looked like thay would topple easily. Is that 1st tall one anchored to the ceiling?

Welcome to the crazy world of cat ownership!
Hopefully she isn't trying to wake you up at night to play.

In any case, you setup sounds fine. I have two cats that I found as feral kittens about 1.5 years ago. They stayed first in the bathroom (from 4-6 weeks old) then graduated to the kitten-proofed guest bedroom (from 6-10 weeks) and then the full house...so if two kittens can fit in a bedroom..about 12' x 12' and end up fine, then your kitten should have no problem.

I think it's a good idea to wait on the cat tree (if you're moving). I just recently bought a pre-assembled ~6' tree off amazon.com that was shipped for free, so waiting and getting the tree shipped to your new address (especially for free) is a good plan.

If you haven't already gotten some, try getting some interactive toys to play with her with...I have a "da bird" toy (wand, w/ line and a "fishing lure" style feather teaser on the end) and my cats go NUTS for it. I've found that playing with my kittens with this and similar toys just before bedtime helps them settle down (and not wake me up at night).

Good luck!
Art

My cat Princess stayed in my room with me for a awhile because try as we might we could never get her and Kody to get along. She was fine with this. Once my daughter got married and moved Kody in with her I would leave the door open so she could see Kody was not there anymore but it took days before she would venture out. I guess that was because his scent was still there. But once I got my own apt she loved it she has a whole house to herself and now spends very little time with me at all.

Just chiming in to say you are definitely giving your girl a wonderful home - you're keeping her safe and she's got lots of love. She'll be fine in your room - especially if you can devote some time to playing with her. And she'll love her cat tree after you move - but she loves you most of all.

I think that's just fine for a kitten! I wouldn't worry at all!

My Luke spent 3 months in a cage with 2 other cats at the SPCA-- one semi feral-- and did fine. He probably thinks my apartment is a palace now..lol

My cats live in my room. As long as you have toys and entertainment, she should be fine.

see, cats do fine in a bedroom.

Besides, doesn't it feel good to have a soft, furry lump besides you at night?