New kitten (and first ever cat)

Today I picked up my little 8 week old girl Luna. We had her in a cat box on my lap for the car ride home and she cried the whole way home. I honestly felt like I was being such a horrible person for taking her from her 2 brothers and her mum. I was starting to worry that I'd have to take her back. My boyfriend assured me that it's normal for kittens to cry when they're first taken from their family though.

She has seemed to settle in pretty well and is currently sleeping. She ate a fair amount of food too so she must feel pretty safe. One thing I am concerned about is using the litter tray. She's been here for 3 hours and hasn't used it yet. She knows where it is but apparently the kittens were still having the odd accident outside the litter tray at her previous home. How can I ensure that she does use the tray and how often can I expect her to need to use it?

I'm such a newbie to owning cats! I know practically everything there is to know about owning dogs but cats are a new one!

Also, she's currently confined to one spare room that has everything in there for her. I've been sitting in the room with her since I she came home. She's sleeping so I've left a couple of times to do things but I don't want her to wake up and suddenly discover she's alone and get scared. But I also don't want to end up with a needy cat that can't be left alone! Any advice?

And of course, here's a picture cos she's adorable!

How often the litterbox will be used really depends on the cat.  3 hours without using it is normal though.  It's also normal when cats or kittens first get to a place for them to hold off on using litterbox, eating, fill in the blank. I would not seriously become concerned about this unless it is a full 24 hours (this is not as a usual rule though- it is as a one-time rule with her move).  Normally cats will defecate about once every 24 hours; kittens will usually go more than this, perhaps 2 or even 3 times in 24 hours. Cats tend urinate anywhere from 2 to about 4 times per day, but it can be more depending on the cat.  With kittens, again, it may tend to veer toward the higher side. 

As for advice on how often to be with her- really, it's just however much you can. 8 weeks is the absolute minimum age at which she should have been taken from mom and siblings- honestly, it would have been ideal if it could have waited until 12 or at least 10 weeks. So yes, there may be some minor to moderate behavioral issues you'll have to work through due to this, but they are unlikely to be impacted much by you spending too much time with her... I'd spend all the time with her that you can at this point, especially since I expect at least some of the time you'll have to be at work, sleeping, etc and unable to do so.

Good luck with your new addition!! Does she have a name? 

What a cutie!

You can place her in the litter box once in a while. Young kittens often start digging and doing their business when they feel the litter under their feet. I have very young kittens in foster care and I do this frequently, helps a lot with getting them potty trained.

If you have the resources, you might consider adopting one of her siblings or another cat. In that age it should be easier than later in life.

Adorable!  IA, she just needs to get used to the big wide world away from her mom.

Put her in the litter box, and use her foot to scratch it - giving her the idea. 

Maybe put a turned on radio or tv in the room with her for a few days for company ?

I've tried putting her in the litter box a few times during the afternoon but she just seems to want to eat it! Hoping she will get the hang of it soon

I've also found a flea on her. I was stroking her earlier and though I'd found a little bit of flea dirt but couldn't see any fleas so thought maybe it was just actual dirt. Until I was tickling her belly and saw one run across it. Didn't manage to get it though and she won't let me check her properly to find it. Going to have to buy some flea stuff for her tomorrow!

Will be turning on a radio or TV when we're out to give her some company. She cries if I leave the room for more than 10 minutes!

Just a quick comment. Even when she "gets it," a kitten taken this young still has a good chance of "missing" the litter box a few times. I got my Ragdoll at about 9 weeks (which I now know is really too early, 12 recommended, 8 minimum) and he was totally litter trained. But even keeping him restricted to a single room and low litter box was not enough. He had about 4 or 5 misses (along with successes) over the first week. So don't fret too much over misses right now. Odds are there will be much more successes!

At this young an age, the task of teaching her manners will fall on you. Remember, HANDS ARE NOT TOYS! Start reading up on play and positive reinforcement strategies. Negative/punitive "training" does not work on a kitten, it only makes them afraid. I say this because it is highly likely that as she grows and plays, she will see you as a big, clumsy cat and play with you like one... i.e. bunny kicking, gentle biting. You are going to have to learn how to be the momma cat (the lessons of what is acceptable cat behavior are usually learned around weeks 9-12, taught by the momma and/or siblings).

That much being said, she is adorable and everything should be fine if you keep the above in mind.

NBrazil said:

Just a quick comment. Even when she "gets it," a kitten taken this young still has a good chance of "missing" the litter box a few times. I got my Ragdoll at about 9 weeks (which I now know is really too early, 12 recommended, 8 minimum) and he was totally litter trained. But even keeping him restricted to a single room and low litter box was not enough. He had about 4 or 5 misses (along with successes) over the first week. So don't fret too much over misses right now. Odds are there will be much more successes!

At this young an age, the task of teaching her manners will fall on you. Remember, HANDS ARE NOT TOYS! Start reading up on play and positive reinforcement strategies. Negative/punitive "training" does not work on a kitten, it only makes them afraid. I say this because it is highly likely that as she grows and plays, she will see you as a big, clumsy cat and play with you like one... i.e. bunny kicking, gentle biting. You are going to have to learn how to be the momma cat (the lessons of what is acceptable cat behavior are usually learned around weeks 9-12, taught by the momma and/or siblings).

That much being said, she is adorable and everything should be fine if you keep the above in mind.

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Thanks for the advice! I wish she could have been kept with her mum until 12 weeks but it was either I take her at 8 weeks, or someone else takes her at 8 weeks. I've already been trying to teach her that hands aren't toys today. I've always said that when I had a cat, it would not be one of those that likes to bite and claw at your hands and try and chase them! She's actually been doing pretty well. Every time she tries to bite or claw me, I've been removing my hand and ignoring her for a few minutes, even if it doesn't hurt right now. I know when she's bigger those claws and teeth will be a lot more painful! I've also been playing with toys. I've got a couple of those feather things on wands and she's got a mouse that she can pounce on.

I just hope I can be a good enough substitute mum and teach her everything she needs to know to be a happy, balanced and well behaved cat!

Yes. she is adorable, I hope she gives you many years of love and happiness.  I would not worry to much I am sure she will settle down with your love and care.