Raising a Singleton?

cprcheetah

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So I have a singleton foster kitty (pretty sure she's a foster failure).  She is 5 weeks old and is starting to get really playful, explore things (my hubby) with her teeth etc.  What do I need to do to ensure she grows up to be a good kitty?  She had littermates up until 4 weeks old, when she was brought in to the vet I work for almost dead.  She is a tiny little mite of a thing (10oz), and is super tiny for her age. 
 

midnightkitty

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If you want her to not bite or scratch, you need to teach her that it is not good behavior.  Treat her like a child.  If she starts biting a hand or skin, etc. remove her from that item and give her something else to play with.  Never let her play with your hands.  Always give positive reinforcement, no yelling or hitting unless for her safety, like chewing on wires.  Over time she will outgrow the playful kitten phase and be a well behaved cat.
 

mani

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What a gorgeous little failed foster...


I recommend loads of love and playtime and a great diet  - but you know that already..


And lots of Mou Mou photos for us as she grows...
 

mservant

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Browsing and passing my time coz  I woke up way too early today and look what I found!  Another little Mouse. 
    How could I miss her. 
   Mou Mou is too adorable for any other name.  She looks double the size of the first cute picture in the paw action shot on your shoulder.  You would just have to offer that little one a loving and safe home to stay warm.  


Mouse is in great hands to learn how to be a 'good' kitty so just make sure you spend every minute you have playing and being adopted parent for her. Nice soft  toys that are the same size and bigger than she is to use to wrestle with her in place of your hands - so you can let her practice all those cat moves she needs to learn and to wrestle back with her a little to show her she isn't always allowed to win her tussles. 
   This is your chance to play all the chasing and hunting games with her her mom and siblings would and teach her what happens if she gets too rough or doesn't stop being a pest when she is told to:  getting pinned down on her back and gently petted like mom licking her and bathing her or on her front and licking and petting her head and neck and shoulders in a similar way - let her go after about 30 seconds and repeat if she keeps pestering.  If she tried biting and scratching when you do this simply push in to her a little and position yourself so she can't hurt you but continue to hold her down gently for a little longer.  Save the 'no' and 'ouch' type words and sounds for when you need them - if she hurts you with teeth or claws or is going to do something dangerous!  Enjoy being momma cat to Mouse -  I did with my Mouse (all be it he was bigger by the time I took over from his fur mom), and we still play in this way and use the same kinds of messages for when enough is enough.  It is far more fun that shouting. 


Can't wait for those updates and photos of the latest single kitty Mouse on TCS.  Loads and loads of good wishes for her growing in to a healthy and happy big kitten and young cat.  
 
 
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