New kitten - help really needed

I have just 3 days ago got a Russian Blue Kitten (called Boris). He is 3 and a half months old.

I have never had a kitten before, and am having a few problems with him.

Most of all, (and I'm sure some people will shoot me down in flames on this one) he is incredibly needy. I wasn't expecting this to the extent that I have it.

He literally will not be away from us for more than 1 second. If you stand still, he stands on your feet. If you sit anywhere, he immediately jumps on your lap. He puts his paws on your shoulders and puts his face in yours. He climbs on your shoulders. It sounds cute, and to a certain extent it is, but this is CONSTANT, literally 24/7. I can't walk anywhere as he is there! To eat dinner we have to put him in a another room, but it takes ages as he's so quick and can get out faster than we can close the door. If we do manage he cries for hours and hours at the top of his voice.

So my question: is this normal?? I know this is an affectionate breed, but will he chill out a bit when he grows up?

The breeders house had other cats and lots of dogs too, they were all friends. I don't know if this is a factor.

Please help, I'm thinking I have made a mistake in getting a kitten, and I feel incredibly bad about it.

Well... he is a kitten... Normal normal.... They also have LOTS of energy.... LOTS AND LOTS of energy! It sounds to me he is pretty well adjusted - there are some kittens that are down right destructive so much energy they have! The solution... either get another kitten to make him company, or play with him quite a bit, and offer lots of things to distract him throughout the day. Toys, cat trees, shelves, window perches, etc.
He will eventually grow out of it, but he will be a kitten for a while...
Good luck, have fun, and please post pictures!!!!

That is a normal kitten.
My Russian Blue mix acted that way as a kitten.
Russian Blues do taht.
They love to sit on the shoudars also.
I got my sphynx last Dec and that stopped her from being so hyper.
They play with each other.
Can you get another kitten?

I agree with my collegaues.

A nice, lovely and lively, love-thirsting typical Russian blue kitten. Good he accepts you as his Ma. Give it to him, you will get much back.

And yes, it will be easier for you if he has a cat pal.
(It is not only about russians. It IS a rule of thumb: it is usually easier to have two cats, as long as they are pals, then having only one cat.).


If you dont afford another one pure breed Russian, consider adopting one kitten or friendly grown up from a good shelter.


Good luck and much pleasure!


ps. Welcome to the Forums!

Thanks for the comments, so i just have a regular hyperactive kitten!!

Can I ask you guys more questions?

Is the best thing to do pick him up and put him down from areas where he's not supposed to be. I.E if he jumps on the keyboard, or tries to eat our food I tell him no and put him somewhere else, but he comes back 2 seconds later. If I do this 10 times he still comes back, so I put him in another room with the door shut and he cries like crazy...am I doing the right thing?

Also, overnight we keep him in a small room with bed, toys, post, litter box etc. During the day he's allowed into the adjoining living room as well so he has more space to run around....is this ok for him do you think? The litter tray is not where we want it long term (other end of the house) but we thought this was best for now.

On the subject of littler trays...he pee's in his litter tray, but poo's next to it (not in it). Any ideas on that one? I'm going to get him another larger litter tray and see if that works.

Sorry for all the questions, I don't know anyone else with a kitten so need some advice and you guys are making me feel much better

Thanks for the comments, so i just have a regular hyperactive kitten!!

Can I ask you guys more questions?

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Around here it is always ok to ask questions!!

Is the best thing to do pick him up and put him down from areas where he's not supposed to be. I.E if he jumps on the keyboard, or tries to eat our food I tell him no and put him somewhere else, but he comes back 2 seconds later. If I do this 10 times he still comes back, so I put him in another room with the door shut and he cries like crazy...am I doing the right thing?

Click to expand...

You can try different things... one that works for me in training Hope is saying a loud, short and sharp Ah-Ah every time she does something wrong. I say "ah ah" (loudly!!), then correct her behavior - for example, if she is on the table while we are eating, I say it, and immediately put her down.
When food is the problem, try to serve her food, then move on for yours - she will be eating hers and you will have peace. Never EVER give her food off the table, or food scraps - consistency, consistency.
She will not learn immediately, but soon enough she will associate this sound as being "no". For some reason it works better for me than the word "no".

Also, overnight we keep him in a small room with bed, toys, post, litter box etc. During the day he's allowed into the adjoining living room as well so he has more space to run around....is this ok for him do you think? The litter tray is not where we want it long term (other end of the house) but we thought this was best for now.

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Is there a reason for him to not have the full roaming of the house? Make sure that he has enough distractions on the room he spends the night at, as well as food, water and a litter box.

On the subject of littler trays...he pee's in his litter tray, but poo's next to it (not in it). Any ideas on that one? I'm going to get him another larger litter tray and see if that works.

Click to expand...

This can be normal - there are lots of cats that like to pee in one box, and poop in another. The rule of thumb is to have the number of cats +1 boxes, so in your case, with one cat in the house, you should have 2 litter boxes.
What litter are you using?
As far as the litter boxes itself, IMO the majority of the ones sold in the stores are too small, so I like Sterilite containers - they are much bigger, and much cheaper! For some reason my kitties like the ones with the higher walls better - the regular sterilite large/extra large containers. I also have one that is an under the bed storage container - they like it well. Make sure your cat can make it inside, if you decide to go with the regular storage containers.
Clean your boxes once a day - cats are extremely picky about their "bathrooms".

Good Luck!!!!!

It sounds to me like, if you have the ability, you should definitely get this little sweetie a playmate. He's used to having lots of other friends around to entertain himself with and now all he's got is the two of you.

I also incorporate the "ah-ah!" into my training techniques, as well as hissing when something extremely inappropriate happens. However, you shouldn't listen to me because my cats have me trained more than I have them, lol.

Another thing you can try, if you aren't already, with the litter box is when you see him poop outside of it, put it in the litterbox. Hopefully, he'll realize it's his and start going there on his own.

Questions are always welcome! It's better to ask and get lots of opinions on something you're not quite sure of than to just fly by the seat of your pants and hope you're doing the right thing. See? You're a good pet parent already!

Give him LOTS of attention, play with him, let him sleep in bed with you guys (if he doesn't already) and plz don't lock your kitty away at meal times or anytime he's doing something disagree-able. He's not going to associate being alone with the offending behaviour. Just try teaching him not to do (as stated above) and give lots of positive re-inforcement when he does something good.

That said, sounds like ur kitty is all lined up to grow into a gorgeous, super-loving cat. Enjoy him!

Last question...maybe someone can help with this...my kitten only wants to poop on the side of the litter tray...at first i thought the litter tray was too small...so i got him a HUGE one...and still he only poops on the side of it...all over the litter bag every time...any ideas why he might be doing this? Thanks!

do you have both litter boxes now?
Also, what litter do you use?

Originally Posted by carolinalima

do you have both litter boxes now?
Also, what litter do you use?

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Yes 2 boxes...use wooden litter, which is what he learnt with. Tried Catsan but he didn't want to use it.

What is wooden litter? And who recommended Catsan as an alternative?

If you are talking about wooden pellets, that might be the problem, as it can be uncomfortable on the kitten's sensitive paws, which would make sense for him to poop outside the box, since pooping takes longer than peeing.
Try a regular clumping litter on the second litter-box - I highly recommend Dr Elsey's Precious Cat Litter - you can buy it on Pet Smart.
You can also try Kitten Attract and Cat Attract litters, also by Dr. Elsey's.

yes i mean wooden pellets...that's what the breeder used. he just did a big one standing in the tray with his bum hanging over the edge...directly on the floor...nice

i will try another type of litter

thanks for all your help