Update on Nermal

4theloveofkitty

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Nerm has taken a turn... For the better!!! He is doing the best I have ever seen so far. I was concerned that he hasn't been urinating much, but I found out he has been secretly peeing in the crate I put him in at night. He has made a certain towel his bathroom. Now I have moved that towel to the coolest part of his crate so that he will sleep where it is warmer, and it worked! He also pooped on his own in the same spot this a.m. He has been super playful again, and is jumping out if his crate and wandering the room if I don't keep an eye on him. He is acting like a big cat and it is so funny to see because he is still sooo tiny. His weight gain is slow but steady. I am keeping him on his special mix since it seems to be working so well for him. I am going to up the high cal stuff again now that he is no longer constipated. He is getting a bath in Dawn every third day to fight the fleas. I am really hopeful for little Nermal today. Seeing the change in him is so awesome. The vet who told me there was nothing I could do... I hope that I can take him back some day when he is big and strong. Maybe then she will learn not be so negative. :)
 

maewkaew

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 that is really good to hear.    

Sounds like it's time to set up litter trays!   

 I will paste what I just wrote for someone else and change "she" to "he":

  It may take him a while to get the hang of it,  but you do want to try because you don't want to actually encourage the habit of going in the wrong places.    

I start out using the cardboard boxes from cases of cat food because those have very low sides that is easy for a kitten to get into.  Then within a few weeks ( depending on kittens size)  graduate to some plastic boxes with sides about 2 inches high.   

 Make sure to start with non-clumping litter since it is normal for a kitten under 6 weeks to explore things with their mouth and they may try tasting some litter and you don't want them eating litter that will clump.    I wouldn't use clumping clay litter  for kittens under 8 weeks. 

Clean up any messes as soon as possible.  Use an enzyme based cleaner to get rid of the odor.    Check his bedding often and wash as needed.

 Also put a little of his poop and a little piece of paper towel soaked in his urine in the litter box(es),  so  he will smell that and learn that is where that waste belongs.   

If  confined to a cage  he is fine with one litter tray  but if  he has a whole room ,  provide multiple litter boxes with low sides and put them in corners of the room,  or somewhere else Nerm seems to be attracted to use for that.   

Keep an eye on him and if you see him sniffing around in corners or squat or get in position to defecate ,  try putting him in the litter tray.      Also  a few minutes after eating , try putting him in it..  

    As  he gets bigger,  keep him in one room until he is using the boxes well in that room.  When you do let him out in more of the house,  you will at first need more boxes than for an adult cat,  since kittens can't hold it long once they realize they need to go.  
 
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4theloveofkitty

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I have been trying Nerm with a little litter tray, but I haven't been able to leave him alone with it because all he wants to do is gobble up the litter.  Yes, the kitten who still won't eat or drink out of a dish thinks cat litter is the tatiest thing ever. How can I discourage this behavior? 
 

maewkaew

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Don't use clumping litter for young kittens because it is not unusual that they DO eat some at first.  You can try the regular clay litter,  or actually if he is really gobbling it 
,   i would try   just shredded newspaper to start with.   
 
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4theloveofkitty

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Unfortunately he wants to eat the paper too. I love it that he feels well enough to be a trouble maker! :)
 
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