Kitten... opinions please!

parsleysage

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That's my friend's kitten Angel. (I don't think she looks like an "Angel," lol!)

She's planning to get rid of her because she's "aggressive" and claws and bites when she plays. Like a 12-week kitten, right? I certainly have the scratches and bite marks to prove that, lol! She also bats at their dog's face. Anyway, the point is she has her reasons for not wanting the kitten anymore. She's advertising it on facebook but I'm not sure she'll get adopted that way.

Do you think she'll get adopted if she goes to a shelter? She's really cute, and young - she stands a good chance, don't you think?

I don't think I want to bring another kitten into my brood just yet. But I also don't want to see this kitten get punished just for being a kitten and doing normal kitten things.

I'm not going to seek the kitten out, but I'm going to follow-up with my friend to see if she's able to adopt the kitten out to a friend. If the kitten is going to end up in a shelter, do you think it'd be a bad idea to bring her home with me instead? Or since she's so little and cute you think she'd fare well at a shelter?

My boys are playful but laidback and almost 16 weeks. They're scheduled to be neutered early next month. I think this kitten is about 4 weeks younger than them. Since they're littermates and best friends, do you think the kitten would be a third wheel if she came home with us?

I don't know what to think!!! I know this is a rambly unorganized post, lol, and I'd welcome any of your thoughts.

p.s., if I adopted her, I'd rename her Joni. So I'd have Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and Joni Mitchell!!!!
The kittens & I are going to form a family band.
 

calico2222

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Awww, she is precious!! I don't think they would resent her at all or think she's a third wheel. They would probably see her as a new playmate and trouble-buddy. You may get a little hissing and arching around the dinner plate but that is solved with just adding a second plate for a while if the brother's are used to sharing a bowl. I've found kitten's really aren't territorial at that age and are fine with another playmate. You may have to keep an eye on her when they play (play wrestling) since she is younger, but she should be more than able to hold her own!

You know you already are going to get her, right? You already named her.
 
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parsleysage

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Agghhhh.... the longer the night goes on the more I want her!!! She's so beautiful - she has the sweetest markings on her face.

My concerns are:

1 - changed relationship with the boy-o's, the loves of my life

2 - upfront costs high (another pet deposit, get her on a wellness plan, etc.)
3 - some apartments limit to 2 pets and I'll be moving in january

I can probably justify #2 to myself... I know I can, in fact. I just don't know if it's objectively wise. Still, I'd rather cut back on personal expenditures if it means bringing her home... ahh!!

It's just that it's kitten season. The SPCA's facebook page is practically begging people to get kittens and they are having to basically give them away with 2 for 1 deals, adoption fee waivers in some cases, etc. I also think of what kind of home she could end up going to - maybe one of those people who think cats are solitary animals and don't need much attention? Maybe a family who gets a kitten for a child who neglects it after a few months? A family who doesn't see the need to take cats to the vet? (Which is the kind of family Simon & Garunkel's sister, Smokey Joe, was adopted out to.) I know I'd be able to provide her playmates and good nutrition and regular vet visits.

Originally Posted by calico2222

Awww, she is precious!! I don't think they would resent her at all or think she's a third wheel. They would probably see her as a new playmate and trouble-buddy. You may get a little hissing and arching around the dinner plate but that is solved with just adding a second plate for a while if the brother's are used to sharing a bowl. I've found kitten's really aren't territorial at that age and are fine with another playmate. You may have to keep an eye on her when they play (play wrestling) since she is younger, but she should be more than able to hold her own!
That is so sweet... I can just see it.

Originally Posted by calico2222

You know you already are going to get her, right? You already named her.
I know... I know... I had a friend over earlier when I wrote the original post (part of the reason it was so disjointed and rambly lol!) and I kept saying, "I wish I hadn't come up with the name Joni because now she feels like mine."
 

zoeysmom

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If you can afford her, get her. Your kittens are young and adaptable. It'll weigh on you forever if you don't take her. I'd totally get a third cat, but my cats are older and more hateful now!
Delilah is currently in a hissy mood because the porch cat decided to let himself in while I had the doors open moving stuff. She was locked in the bedroom, but somehow she caught wind that he was here, and is not impressed. I feel so sad everyday that I can't take him in (even though he technically has a home).

So, I say, do it.

PS: She's beautiful!
 

trouts mom

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Wow, she is so adorable
She would get snapped up in no time.

I don't understand it when people are mad when their kittens act like kittens.
 

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Is she describing her as aggresive?, because she'll never get adopted that way
She's a kitten, and she's doing what kittens do.

If you can afford another one, the older ones will put her in her place with a quick bop on the head
 
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parsleysage

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Her mom says she bites and claws while playing, keeps them up at night, and doesn't get along with their elderly dog. Sounds like a kitten to me.

"Aggressive" is indeed the word she's using
I don't know the cat's history or how they came to have her or how she grew up - I'm going to find that out at work today. But to me it just sounds like she needs a sibling, someone to teach her what is too rough. Two kids under 10 years old and an elderly Yorkie ain't cutting it apparently. But two older kittens....


Still haven't made a final decision though sleeping on it has tossed me firmly into the, "Yes I want this kitten," camp. We'll see - I'll keep y'all posted!!
 

rosiemac

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It's definitely just kitten play. She needs educated in how to direct the kitten away with toys when she goes to bite or scratch.

Does she knows that Kittens teeth as well?. Rosie used to bite my nose when she was a kitten
 

otto

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Congratulations on your new baby


She'll fit in with Simon and Garfunkel just fine. And their colors will certainly compliment one another.

People like your friends make me sick. Who ever heard of and "aggressive" 3 month old baby?

How is it that people don't seem to understand what kittens are? I am seeing threads like this all over the internet. "my kitten is a maniac" "my kitten is evil" "my kitten is destructive". "The kitten has got to go"

What do these people think, that they've acquired a stuffed animal? However I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, people really are just ignorant (as in uneducated) about how to take care of a living animal.

I expend a lot of energy and time giving advice and suggestions on how to raise a kitten and hope for the best. (I also sometimes advise them if they do not want to do the work to please find another home for the kitten NOW, before she or he is ruined and gets dumped from one home to another and ultimately ends up tossed into the street, all because they couldn't be bothered to put in the time and work)

Most you never hear from again. Now and then someone really really wants to make it work, so sticks around and follows the advice, and lo and behold ends up with a nice well adjusted happy healthy cat.

Sorry to turn your thread into a vent, I guess this story was just the last straw.

I'm sure Joni will be very happy at your house, and the boys will love her too, after they adjust.
 

kailie

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I agree with otto 100%. I'm sure she'll do great with the boys. they're all young and will grow up together.
She is absolutely precious, and her current "owner" doesn't deserve her. Some people were just NOT meant to be pet owners.
 

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She is a beautiful little baby! I love her markings... I actually got my Lucy (10weeks) in almost the same way. One of my fifth grade students found her and took her home. Her parents kept her for a week, decided they didn't want her, and were going to take her to a shelter. The thought of her being put to sleep scared me so I took her in and have already fallen in love with her.


Lucy bites me, scratches me, and smacks me in the face every day. lol She is being a kitten... My 9 year old cat is still not happy, but he gives her a swat on the head when she annoys him...


Keep us posted on what you decide to do!
 
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parsleysage

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Thanks y'all!!!!


Found out some more info about Joni/Angel. My gf says she's 8 weeks which I'm not sure I believe. I'm going to visit her this weekend so I'll try to estimate her age. The pic I posted is about 3 weeks ago and those don't look like blue eyes to me. Still, if she is that young, do you think that will change how the boys react to her? edit: she's had the kitten for almost 4 weeks, since June 13, and posted that pic June 15. That means the kitten would have been 4 weeks when she got her, and about 4.5 weeks at the time the pic was taken. Does that look like that small of kitten to you? I'm sure the kitten is older than 8 weeks at this point. Time does fly by so fast, I spent 3 weeks in a row thinking they were 10 weeks old! lol!

She's from the litter of a friend's cat. No shots and not spayed. I'd basically be starting from scratch which is fine. If she really is only 8 weeks though, she was taken from Mom awfully young. So were S&G frankly, at 6 weeks because I didn't know better, but they had each other. Should I anticipate any issues as a result?

Obviously I'm actively planning to adopt her by now...
time to own up to it!! Sheesh... so much for not seeking her out. Honestly, my gf has been complaining about her since she got her and asked me advice about nighttime. I told her to get her a brother or sister, and I guess she is, just not in the way I thought!!!! LOL! I'm exhilarated and nervous at the same time.
 

stephanietx

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Originally Posted by parsleysage

Her mom says she bites and claws while playing, keeps them up at night, and doesn't get along with their elderly dog. Sounds like a kitten to me.

"Aggressive" is indeed the word she's using
I don't know the cat's history or how they came to have her or how she grew up - I'm going to find that out at work today. But to me it just sounds like she needs a sibling, someone to teach her what is too rough. Two kids under 10 years old and an elderly Yorkie ain't cutting it apparently. But two older kittens....


Still haven't made a final decision though sleeping on it has tossed me firmly into the, "Yes I want this kitten," camp. We'll see - I'll keep y'all posted!!
I think you're right. She's young, needs kitten playmates to teach her what's appropriate and what's not, and a human who understands kitten behavior. She was probably bored and acting out at your friend's house.

So when are you bringing her home?
 

auntie crazy

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Originally Posted by parsleysage

...

I told her to get her a brother or sister, and I guess she is, just not in the way I thought!!!! LOL! I'm exhilarated and nervous at the same time.
Funny, funny!


Obviously, this was meant to be. Congrats on your new family member!!!


I have six cats and have had fosters in and out of the house. I would say you're likely to have few to no problems at all with cats as young as these three. Nor would I expect any change in your boys' attitudes towards you. You'll just have three furballs in your lap instead of two!


Let us know when you've brought her home, ok? I'd love to see new pics.


AC
 
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parsleysage

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I took the plunge!!!!! and told my friend I wanted to take Angel. Called my apartment complex and set up to pay the pet deposit. I pushed up the boys' neuter surgery to next weekend so they'll have time to heal and readjust. I should,
, be able to get her the next Friday or Saturday night! Woo-hooooooo!!!!


I'm going to visit her on Sunday and plan to take lots of pictures so you'll get to see her!!!


Originally Posted by Rosiemac

It's definitely just kitten play. She needs educated in how to direct the kitten away with toys when she goes to bite or scratch.
Yeah... she asked me for advice several times but never seemed to listen to any of it because when I'd follow up she'd just shake her head and say, "That kitten is so WILD! I can't wait till she calms down!" I was thinking to myself... you have a long 10 months (or more!) ahead of you. I'm not sure what she expected out of the kitten. I don't think she read a single word of research on how to raise a kitten, and she's had that Yorkie for 18 years! Definitely not a cat person to start off with, then this.


Originally Posted by otto

People like your friends make me sick. Who ever heard of and "aggressive" 3 month old baby?

How is it that people don't seem to understand what kittens are? I am seeing threads like this all over the internet. "my kitten is a maniac" "my kitten is evil" "my kitten is destructive". "The kitten has got to go"

What do these people think, that they've acquired a stuffed animal? However I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, people really are just ignorant (as in uneducated) about how to take care of a living animal.

I expend a lot of energy and time giving advice and suggestions on how to raise a kitten and hope for the best. (I also sometimes advise them if they do not want to do the work to please find another home for the kitten NOW, before she or he is ruined and gets dumped from one home to another and ultimately ends up tossed into the street, all because they couldn't be bothered to put in the time and work)

Most you never hear from again. Now and then someone really really wants to make it work, so sticks around and follows the advice, and lo and behold ends up with a nice well adjusted happy healthy cat.

Sorry to turn your thread into a vent, I guess this story was just the last straw.

I'm sure Joni will be very happy at your house, and the boys will love her too, after they adjust.
No worries - I don't mind the rant! I completely agree with you. I considered myself a cat person before I got the kittens, but was and am astounded by what I didn't and don't know. As I mentioned above, she's asked for advice a few times, mostly about how to get some sleep, but nothing seemed to improve when I would ask her how Angel was doing the next time.

Originally Posted by Kailie

I agree with otto 100%. I'm sure she'll do great with the boys. they're all young and will grow up together.
She is absolutely precious, and her current "owner" doesn't deserve her. Some people were just NOT meant to be pet owners.
Thank you
She is too beautiful and has too much personality to be left to grow up and play alone. I think she is going to fit in with my feisty, wild boys just fine! I have two older brothers, too.
as the only girl and the baby, I already empathize with her! lol!

Originally Posted by Susan_Marie

She is a beautiful little baby! I love her markings... I actually got my Lucy (10weeks) in almost the same way. One of my fifth grade students found her and took her home. Her parents kept her for a week, decided they didn't want her, and were going to take her to a shelter. The thought of her being put to sleep scared me so I took her in and have already fallen in love with her.


Lucy bites me, scratches me, and smacks me in the face every day. lol She is being a kitten... My 9 year old cat is still not happy, but he gives her a swat on the head when she annoys him...


Keep us posted on what you decide to do!
What a sweet story! I'm glad you took her in. This kitten would have to be really, REALLY wild to compete with Simon and Garfunkel at her age, lol, especially Garfunkel. I wanted to tear my hair out at times! Young kittens are so crazy! But nature is smart and made them heart-melting-ly cute so you wouldn't give up on them


Originally Posted by stephanietx

I think you're right. She's young, needs kitten playmates to teach her what's appropriate and what's not, and a human who understands kitten behavior. She was probably bored and acting out at your friend's house.

So when are you bringing her home?
I completely agree - she was bored! The dog, whom I've met before, is very elderly and slow. Definitely not a playmate for a kitten. The kids were at daycare all day and my gf at work all day, so it makes sense.

And,
!!! Y'all knew it from the first post, didn't you??? Yes - I'm bringing her home! Hopefully two weeks from tomorrow!

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

Funny, funny!


Obviously, this was meant to be. Congrats on your new family member!!!


I have six cats and have had fosters in and out of the house. I would say you're likely to have few to no problems at all with cats as young as these three. Nor would I expect any change in your boys' attitudes towards you. You'll just have three furballs in your lap instead of two!


Let us know when you've brought her home, ok? I'd love to see new pics.


AC
Thanks AC
I can't wait to get pictures of her. I see some color on the side the camera isn't showing and I can't wait to see what she looks like!!!!!!!!
 

otto

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Hurray!

Too many people don't want to work at it, they want a magic fix. When I come home at night I'm very tired. But the cats need attention, and the KITTEN needs to be played with. It doesn't matter how tired I am, or whether she has played with the other cats, she needs my one on one attention every night, or she gets into mischief. It's just the way babies are, of every species!

Preaching to the choir I know, but why is it so difficult for people to understand this? It's no wonder the shelters and streets are full of dumped cats. They start out as cute kittens, but people don't want to put in the time and work to teach them to be nice cats. So when the antics aren't "cute" any more, out they go.

Oh dear, there I go again.


Congratulations to you and Joni and Simon and Garfunkel.


PS now that she's yours it's going to be agony for you to know she is in a home that you know is not ideal, until you take her home. I've been in that situation, with Queen Eva. Hang in there.
 
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parsleysage

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Originally Posted by otto

PS now that she's yours it's going to be agony for you to know she is in a home that you know is not ideal, until you take her home. I've been in that situation, with Queen Eva. Hang in there.
You got it. On the nose.
 
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