Lots of questions, only 1 thread

[buffalo-mitch]

OK! So you guys have been really helpful with some of the questions I have had so far and thats why I like this place. So here is a bunch more questions I have and you can answer as many or as little as you like because its kind of a long list:

1- I have never really played with a cat before so if I go to the local shelter will they let me play with one of their kittens and show me how to hold her and everything?

2- I am starting off my kitten in one room with a bed, toys, food and a litter box. But I want to eventually spread those things throughout the house (litter box to the laundry room and basement, bed to my room and food to the kitchen). How do I do this without the cat getting confused?

3- Should I get my cat spayed at 8 weeks or just wait?

4- It will be a house cat only, so does it need all the shots like rabies and distemper even though it won't be outside?

5- How can you tell when the cat is happy?

6- How do you know when the cat wants to play?

7- I was told that to litter box train a kitten that you just place it in the litter box and digs its paws around a little bit. Is that true?

8- How well do those "No Scratch" sprays work?

9- What are good cat treats for kittens?

10- Scratch mats, 1 post scratching post or 3 post scratching posts (or a combination)?

11- (Not about cats, about the forum) How do I private message people back?

I'll probably think of more as time goes on more, but I hope you can help me with these

 

[mrblanche]

1- I have never really played with a cat before so if I go to the local shelter will they let me play with one of their kittens and show me how to hold her and everything?

The workers at the shelter should help you, but they may be very busy. Ask specifically for help. But, basically, when you pick up a cat, you should support it under the chest with one hand and under the hind feet with another. This will be secure, and the cat won't be afraid of falling. Kitten play is easy; pull string across the floor, throw a ball of wadded up paper, or watch the kitten play with its imagination.

2- I am starting off my kitten in one room with a bed, toys, food and a litter box. But I want to eventually spread those things throughout the house (litter box to the laundry room and basement, bed to my room and food to the kitchen). How do I do this without the cat getting confused?

Don't move anything suddenly. A kitten is like an infant; it has very little spatial knowledge. But once the litter box has been used, the kitten will be able to find it by smell, if it's not too far away. Toys and bed? A kitten toy is whatever it comes across, and a bed is anywhere it decides to lie down. Don't expect it to love any bed you buy for it; it's likely to prefer a box with a towel in it.

3- Should I get my cat spayed at 8 weeks or just wait?


Follow your vet's advice. Some will do it as soon as the kitten weighs 2 pounds. Some will want to wait a little longer. At any rate, have it done by 16 weeks (4 months); kittens that age can go into heat, and drive you crazy.

4- It will be a house cat only, so does it need all the shots like rabies and distemper even though it won't be outside?

Rabies is required by most states/towns. Your vet can advise you on the others, but distemper is considered a "ubiquitous" virus, which you could bring in on your clothes, shoes, etc.

5- How can you tell when the cat is happy?

When it's purring, softly closing its eyes, cuddling with you, etc., its happy.

6- How do you know when the cat wants to play?

When it's awake, as a kitten.

7- I was told that to litter box train a kitten that you just place it in the litter box and digs its paws around a little bit. Is that true?

Mainly. If it's at least 8 weeks old, put it in a small room (preferably tile floor) with its food, water, and litter box. The odds are good that it will use the litter box from the very first, with no encouragement from you.

8- How well do those "No Scratch" sprays work?


I've never seen them work. Others may have different experiences.

9- What are good cat treats for kittens?

They may not be interested in them. Our ZZ kitten doesn't eat them, but he'll eat almost any people food. Punkin is not interested. Flambe, Sterling, and Ella would kill for them.

Most kittens are also not interested in catnip until they're about 6 months old.

10- Scratch mats, 1 post scratching post or 3 post scratching posts (or a combination)?

We've had really good luck with the Turbo Scratcher. A "cat tree" is a great investment; it provides height (security) for a cat, a place to sleep, and a place to scratch.

 

[buffalo-mitch]

Cool! Thanks for your answers. And I like the expression on your kitten's face

Also, I am either going to start the kitten in a wood floor room or on a carpet room. Should I start on the wood, carpet, or cover the wood with towels, sheets, and rugs?

 

[Willowy]

It would be best to start a kitten off on a hard floor. Towels and blankets can confuse the kitty into going potty there instead of in the litterbox, and it's best to get good litter habits started right away. I usually keep young kittens in the spare bathroom when I can't watch them.

 

[carolina]

Litterbox in the laundry room is really not a good idea, as the kitty can get startled with the W/D machine noise and get traumatized, creating litterbox problems. I know it is probably something you don't want to hear, but it really does happen, so if you can, choose another location... It will save you heartache in the future.

 

[ldg]

Until a kitten is about 4-5 months old, it's best to keep the litter box relatively close. Just like children that are learning to use the toilet, kittens don't always realize their bladder is full until they can't get to the litter box in time.

 

[buffalo-mitch]

Ok! Yeah I understand about the litter box in the laundry room and I don't think it will be easy to just put it somewhere else. And thanks for the tip about the floors, we were just going to cover it

 

[mrblanche]

We kept our litter box in the laundry room when we had just one or two cats. Not enough room for four boxes in there, though. And yes, I've seen them come out of there pretty fast when the washer starts running water in.

 

[buffalo-mitch]

I just figured out some more questions:

How important is dental hygeine in cats and how often if ever should their teeth be brusehed?

How cat you trim their nails with out getting clawed?

How can you get those Soft Paws on w/o angering the cat?

 

[cat person]

Originally Posted by buffalo-mitch

I just figured out some more questions:

How important is dental hygeine in cats and how often if ever should their teeth be brusehed?

I do not brush my cats teeth. They will NOT tolerate it. But they get there teeth cleaned every six months. In other words they are taken to the vet for a scaling and whatever other needs there teeth have twice a year.

How cat you trim their nails with out getting clawed?

When you get your kitten simple handle there feet a lot. So that way the kitten will grow up and be used to having its feet, toes and claws handled/played with. Or more simple put handle your kittens feet, toes, and nails to desensitized him/her to nail trims

How can you get those Soft Paws on w/o angering the cat?

I have never used them but I imagine you can desensitized a kitten to them like nail trims. But I am not sure it is possible

.

***Please note I added the pink part***

 

[northernglow]

One thing to remember when playing with a kitten: do not let him use your hands or feet as 'toys'. If he starts biting or scratching, stop playing, say a very stict 'NO' and direct his attention elsewhere. Try to use some kind of toy instead of your hand. It will be very hard to train a grown cat out of biting habit if he's allowed to do so while growing up.

Kittens usually get their adult teeth around 5 months of age. Before that you can prepare him to teeth cleaning by just rubbing his gums and teeth a bit with your finger, or at least get him used to let you handle his mouth a bit. When he gets his adult teeth, you can start brushing them with a tiny tooth brush and add cat toothpaste (I can't remember if they have some age restriction, some brands do). How often is really up to how often the cat tolerates and ho often he needs it to be done. Some do it everyday, some once a week.

Trimming the nails is quite easy and fast if the kitten gets used to having his paws being handled. You can just touch the paws as much as possible so he gets used to it.
When trimming, I take my cats to my lap, back against my tummy, if they start to wiggle I don't let them go until they've calmed down so they don't learn that they can just leave by giving me hard time. Now they know that if they just sit still, it'll be over in less than a minute. Press the toes so the nails come out and use a nail clipper to clip just the sharpest tip out. They sell pet nail clippers at pet stores. (I think it's easiest to trim kitten's claws when they're all tired after a rough play).

 

[otto]

I brush my cats' teeth every night with c.e.t. enzymatic veterinary toothpaste. It was not difficult to train them to accept it, kitten and adults alike. It helps cut down the time between professional cleanings really well.

Cleanings have to be done under anesthesia which is costly and risky, both. They are necessary, but the c.e.t. paste can help keep them to every few years.

Do not ever use human toothpaste on a cat, it is toxic to them.

Start now putting money away every week toward emergency vet bills. You may not need it, but if you do, you'll be glad it's there.

Just a for instance, Queen Eva, a kitten I rescued last August, has cost me over $1000 already.

 

[odiakkoh]

It's easier to clip their nails when they're in a mellow mood. I always try to catch them as they're just chillin and calmly clip their nails. I don't make a whole production out of it, just laid back, clip clip, all done, pets.

 

[buffalo-mitch]

Those are good tips! I didnt even think about the emergency bills. Now I am getting my kitten from a farm, does it need to be dewormed?

 

[stephanietx]

You will want to immediately take your kitty to the vet, or as immediately as possible, and have it tested for all the "nasties". It will most likely need to be dewormed, have a de-flea treatment, and have a good check over. If it's not had any shots, and it's old enough, the vet will start it on its shots.

As for the litter box, we have one of ours in the laundry room and it doesn't seem to bother the kitties. We also have two in other areas of the house. When we had very young kittens, we used disposable aluminum pans (cake pan size) as litter boxes and had them all over the house so the kitty didn't have to go far to potty. When they have to go, they have to go NOW!

 

[buffalo-mitch]

Yep! I scheduled a vet appointment for sunday afternoon so I'll be taking the cat right from the farm to the vet. Not sure if it will weigh enough yet to be spayed because it'll be 8 1/2 weeks old and it was the runt of the litter. I just hope nothing is terribly wrong or that something happens to it from all of the shots and procedures (like I heard that some csts go blind from spay/neuter surgery).

 

[Willowy]

I wouldn't spay her right away. Have her vaccinated and de-wormed, and let her get a bit bigger before she's spayed. 12-14 weeks is the best age, IMO.

And, yes, all medical procedures can have side effects. But bad reactions are fairly rare, and the chances of an unvaccinated cat getting a disease is higher than the chances of a cat having a very bad reaction to a vaccine. Complications of being unspayed (pyometra, mammary tumors, etc.) are more likely to happen than complications from the anesthetic.

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by buffalo-mitch

Yep! I scheduled a vet appointment for sunday afternoon so I'll be taking the cat right from the farm to the vet. Not sure if it will weigh enough yet to be spayed because it'll be 8 1/2 weeks old and it was the runt of the litter. I just hope nothing is terribly wrong or that something happens to it from all of the shots and procedures (like I heard that some csts go blind from spay/neuter surgery).

buffalo-mitch, since you live with your parents and are still in high school, one thing to consider is having insurance. I have for my three kitties - you will pay less than $20 a month, and it will cover all illnesses, emergencies, tests, surgeries, etc. It can save your kitties life in the case of a serious illness or emergency. It does not pay dental or wellness (vaccinations, warming, etc.) - it is a HUGE peace of mind, and it saved me many times. If it was not for it, I seriously don't know what it would be of me and my kitty... I have PetsBest - I highly recommend them.
As far as vaccinations, since your kitty is going to be inside only, you will not need FIV or FeLV vaccines. Ask them for Purevax vaccines - they do not have adjuvants, reducing the risk of carcinoma greatly. Also, tell then to give the vaccine on the leg, farther from the body as possible.

Get your kitty tested for FIV and FeLV as well....

 

[lunatuna]

One thing about cats they have their own individual personalities. They all like different things, have different habbits, likes and dislikes. It will take a couple of weeks to get to know your kitty after he/she settles in.

Don't spend a lot of money on toys at first, see what toys your cat prefers. The toy I universally recommend is the "fishing pole" kind that has a string attached and something at the end that is fun to chase. You can really give your kitty some exersize with that and not get scratched!

They can have different scratching preferences too. Some like carpet, some like the twine or sisal scratchers and some like cardboard. I think the posts with a toy at the top is good "bait" for a kitten to encourage the use of the scratcher.

Pet insurance is not bad but it might be just as useful to reserve the $30/month you will pay in premiums towards necessary vet expenses.

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by lunatuna

Pet insurance is not bad but it might be just as useful to reserve the $30/month you will pay in premiums towards necessary vet expenses.

Yeah....... this if all goes well and the kitty follows your plan to get sick according to budget - not the case a lot of times. Bugsy has been with me for 2 1/2 years, I spent thousand on him already... $30 a month wouldn't get even close. In an emergency that doesn't cover the e-vet most of times - and that is saving the whole year! ($380 was one tiny emergency with Bugsy for a UTI/e-vet, for example)