Vacuum

emy4cats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
849
Purraise
1
Location
WA
I need to Vacuum my bed room, but Flower is afraid of the vacuum and I am unsure of what she will do if I vacuum near the kittens. I don't want her to harm them or move them any ideas? Or do you think it will be ok?
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,997
Purraise
10,644
Location
Sweden
Cant you move on the family for the vacuuming?

Set them into a basket or something, toghether with their favorite cushions, and off they go to another room.



If your mom usually accepts the vacuum, it should be OK.
But if you know she dont like it, or is nervous - better not take risks.

You never really know what a mom may do if really stressed...
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

emy4cats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
849
Purraise
1
Location
WA
Well they are 4 days old is it ok if I move them? Then there is the issues of where to move them. I don't want Figaro or Comet to stress Flower out either. I could wait on vacuuming for a few days if I have too but I usually vaccume 2x a day and it has been 5 days since are bedroom has been done its driving me crazy.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,997
Purraise
10,644
Location
Sweden
Does she have a nest which is movable? Otherwise you can move them in a basket, or a upturned cardboard box, with something nice like their favorite cushions at the bottom.
Take them to the bathroom and close them in there, so your other cats wont get in.
As you are completely right: You should avoid the other cats getting at the kittens = not stressing the mom is important.
(unless they are good pals and the mom accepts they are visiting)

Although waiting with the vacuum is also an alternative, unless you are allergic and MUST do the cleaning very often.
You want the cats to be brave. You can put the same demand on yourselv!


If you really must clean, you can also use a semiwet cloth or semiwet sponge. Have a bucket with you with a bucket with a little soap and warm water, so you can rinse off the cloth now and then, and wring semidry.
Works just fine and wont disturb the little family.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

emy4cats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
849
Purraise
1
Location
WA
I am not allergic just OCD


I am not too sure how Flower would feel about Figaro or Comet visiting (Comet is a 90lb dog) I opened the door so she could come out and run around a bit in the house and Comet was at the door and I thought Flower was going to eat Comet. So that made me worry. I think they are a little too young for visitors, I was thinking at like 3 weeks Figaro could meat them. Does that sound ok? Or is it all based on mom? I have never had kittens in my care that were younger then 4 weeks. So any tips are welcome!

I like the wet cloth idea, but not sure I have time for that with the dog, mama cat, Figaro, 3 litter boxes that I do 2x a day, changing the bedding 2x a day and an infant
Will the cloth get up all the pet hair?
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,997
Purraise
10,644
Location
Sweden
Originally Posted by Emy4cats

I think they are a little too young for visitors, I was thinking at like 3 weeks Figaro could meat them. Does that sound ok? Or is it all based on mom? I have never had kittens in my care that were younger then 4 weeks. So any tips are welcome!

I like the wet cloth idea, but not sure I have time for that with the dog, mama cat, Figaro, 3 litter boxes that I do 2x a day, changing the bedding 2x a day and an infant
Will the cloth get up all the pet hair?
3-4 weeks is of course the safer bet. 5-6 is still better. 5-6 weeks is usually when the free-living mom takes the kittens from the nest and shows them the outside. Or a farmer barn cat where the mom suspect the kittens may be killed...

But as you say, it really depends on the mom and the other cats /dogs. If they are pals and such, and if mom feels comfortable. Only wat to know is to try - very cautiously. You must of course supervise the first meetings.
Many male cats do acts like extra moms. Even some studs have been known to do it. Dogs probably too.

If at least unsure - better safe than sorry - and keep them apart from each other!

Other male cats are afraid of kittens...

I think a semiwet cloth should do fairly well also with the pet hair!. Do test! You dont need to make the whole room at once. Try out with a smaller part!



Edit. ps. I dont remember if you wrote earlier - and if the mom cat is already pal with the others. Reading your letters it sounds like she is new to them? A homeless/ stray you did took in??
If so, do play it safe.
Keep them apart, and dont use the vacuum-cleaner when she and the kittens are in the same room.

You can also try to use a Feliway diffuser. its giving a nice calming and feeling safe for the cats. It shouldnt be necessary here, but if you want to have an extra little something
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

emy4cats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
849
Purraise
1
Location
WA
No Flower is are kitty. I have tried to get her spayed on may accations, but she was in heat for every apt that was made. Then in Feb Jaiden was born and it got put on the back burnner sadly. She was going to get spayed this comming up weekend, the only apt avaible at the only vet office that would abort the litter. As you can see that didn't happen
Now we are making the best of it. I know we can't keep all the kittens, but I am not sure what we should do with them. I wounder if I can work with a no kill shelter. See what advice they have for me. It is still aways away they will not be taken from Mom untill they are at least 12 weeks. I really don't want to take them to a shelter at all.

Flower has mixed feelings about Figaro. He is a few french fries short of a happy meal.
 

tigger_2801

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Messages
64
Purraise
2
Location
UK
De had hers under the bed and I did try moving them at about 3 weeks when I couldn't bare the carpet anymore but before I could turn the vacuum on she brought them back! So we ended up not doing it until the kittens were out and about, then we shut them out of the room we were cleaning.

As far as the other cats, I would be a bit careful. Jasper was frightened to death of the babies at first, he'd watch from afar but wouldn't go near and De was fine with him being around (she'd even go for a wander and leave him in charge lol). Now though, I don't know if it's because he's starting to play with them or because unfortunately we had to move house when the kittens were still with us, but she keeps attacking him for no reason! He's not near the babies at the time (we only have two left with us now), he's not approaching her or making any noise and she just launches at him!! So maybe for Figaro's sake a bit of space might be a good idea :-)
 

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
If the kittens are in a box or tub then take them all to a bathroom and close the door till you are done vacuuming the bedroom - then take them all back.
 

pbsj_1988

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
May 1, 2009
Messages
94
Purraise
1
Location
Galveston, TX
I would say the same put them in the bathroom I vacuum once a day and movd them to the bathroom I could not go five day without vacuuming.

I started when they where 2 days old now they case the vacuum when it on. And the dog but my dog is scared of her own shadow.

Its something there going to have to get used to in there forever homes there may be carpet. Better to start young I even bought a tile vacuum so they could get used to that also but it works great.

About finding home find your local no or low kill shelter. That who I went through my are 6 weeks and go ing at 3 pounds or 10 weeks which ever come first.

they will also all be spayed and neutered before adoption so you know that they wont make anymore babys/unwanted litters
 
Top