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karissima

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I feed a wet, grain-free diet as well, but mine get 100% wet because if I allowed kibble my kibble addicts would never eat their "good" food. My barn cats get dry kibble and some wet food in the mornings. The kibble is because of ants/other animals that might be attracted to the wet food. (They are attracted to the kibble, too, just not as much. Sigh.) I feed Wellness, and... something else I can't remember... I do supplement my cat's diet with some hairball gel once a week, or else Emily hacks up the most awful hairballs.

If your kittens have parasites your adult cat may get them. Usually you treat everyone "just in case" if parasites are found, but your vet will have a recommendation.

Just a reminder: hide your cords. Kittens are chewers!
 
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gatitabonita

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Karissima, I will go to petsmart in the am to see what I will get them. One is going on Friday to his forever home and I already know I Will cry for a week. I get very attache all the time. But I know he's going to a good friend,
 

karissima

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Wilderness Blue is the other one.

Don't go crazy at the store. Transitions should be made gradually, and it's probably wise to wait until one kitten goes to your friend, to avoid dietary upset.

The hairball stuff might not be necessary, depending on the food you choose and the individual cats. I feed it because my cats need it, particularly three of the five need it. I would not give extra things if unneeded. See how your kitten and adult cat adjust before giving extra supplement.

Before giving treatment for worms or other parasites I would definitely have a vet examine the cat. You don't want to stress the new kitten or your adult cat with a bunch of bowel scouring medicines if not needed. Get everyone up to date with vaccines and see what your vet says.

Have fun with your kitties! I know letting one go to their forever home is hard, but they will grow into happy cats!

Best luck!
 
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gatitabonita

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I feed my 5 year old cat Iams pro, he only eats dry food and seems to do very well. I also buy him treats because he loves them. I usually don't like feeding them wet food but the lady who got the kittens said they were eating wet food, but at this point I don't know.

About the worms and parasites, I am waiting at least another week. Just to be safe.

One question, is it okay to leave the kittens in a room by themselves during night time?
 
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gatitabonita

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I hope I'm not spamming too much, but I want to share a picture of my 5 year old Bombi


And this is the pic of the love of my life that passed away almost 4 months ago due to cancer, I called him Baby, because that's what he was for me, he took half of my heart with him. I will never be the same.
 

caralian

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Why don't you like feeding wet food? Wet food is so much better (the worst wet food is better than the best dry food imho), because cats don't have much of a thirst drive an need to get moisture with their food. Even cats that drink water do not drink enough. Also, dry food is bacteria heaven. Just think of how long it's stored in warm places and how long it is sitting in their bowl when you free-feed them. Also, all the cases of cat food recalls due to sickness have been dry food cases.. Just saying. Wet food might be the best way to go, especially for male cats, because they are so at risk of urinary tract issues and getting more water means they pee more, which in turn means their system gets flushed more often!

The kittens are adorable. Why do you give up one, if I may ask? Don't beat yourself up about it. You know he will get a good home and kittens still adapt quite easily. :)
 
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gatitabonita

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Well I tried feeding my cat wet food but every time he gives me attitude.... He will meow in front of the bowl until I pick it up and give him his dry food. Sometimes I do really think he steps all over me because he knows already how to get me lol.

I would love to keep both but my landlord is asking for each pet $350 deposit and I don't have $700 right now... I would love to keep him too since they are brothers. I feel pretty bad already for not being able to keep both... What should I do if the one staying with me cries when his brother is gone?
 

caralian

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Isn't it.possible to set up some kind of payment plan with the landlord? I mean, if you pay half now he will know you are serious and you will pay him later. Explain the situation, he might understand and give you some time. That is, if you truly want to keep both.

But if not, then.. Try to keep him occupied, play with him a lot and give a lot of attention! You also already have another cat which also provides distraction. But remember that cats also experience grief and loss, so he might cry, but it will get better.

Cats can be addicted to dry food and will often be resistant. Your cat knows you will knuckle under anyway, so he takes advantage. You should slowly transition him to wet food. Remember it will also be easier to have all your cats on the same food and your kittens are already on wet food!

I am at work now, so I can't get you the links, but there are surely many topics on transitioning cats to wet food and also Dr. Piersons catinfo.org is very good. If I were you I would read it in full either way. Very educational and it will open your eyes. :) After I showed my friend her site, she went to all-wet instantly. But luckily her cats took to wet food easily. For you it might be harder, but definitely worth it. :)
 
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jennyr

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He will cry - it is natural. But just give him as much attention as you can and he will soon adapt. In nature cats all go their separate ways around 4 months old. As for the food, it will be very difficult to feed different things to two cats living in the same place. You will probably find that eventually they will both eat the same. Wet food is generally better, so you could start trying to get your older cat to adapt by adding a little wet food to his dry and then gradually increasing the amount over a week or two. That often works.
 

caralian

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Oh and concerning the food: what you should really do as soon as possible is to stop letting him free-feed all day.

Cats aren't grazers, you've turned him into one. 


It will make it easier to transition if he knows there will only be a few times a day when he gets food. First, he will know he cannot eat all day long, so he will realize he needs to eat when he can. And second, as long as he can eat all day, he will never experience a hungry feeling. When he's hungry, he'll have more incentive to at least try the food you give him.

What JennyR says is a good way. Add some wet food to his dry. Then over time slowly increase the amount of wet food he gets and decrease the dry. 
 
 
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karissima

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The food question is oft-discussed.

catinfo.org is an interesting read. I have cats that would try to bully me into giving them kibble in the beginning of our wet food switch, even though they'd had wet food as kittens. This is why I cannot allow any kibble in the house, or they will throw tantrums again.

For any cat in a new situation, such as your kittens, I would recommend wet food. The extra moisture can help avoid UTI, which can be aggravated by stress. If you want to continue feeding dry kibble, try to make that transition slowly, beginning in a few weeks when your kitten has really settled in. I feed a grain-free, all wet diet, so I obviously feel that is best, but you would need to do your own research.

What does Bombi think of them?
 
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gatitabonita

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Thank you guys for all the info. I guess I'm weak when it comes about my cats.
 

karissima

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We all are. The furry little buggers have us wrapped around their dew claws.
 
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gatitabonita

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So I talked to my landlord about giving him $450 right now and give 2 more payments to cover the $700. She said She can't be able to do it since I didn't let them know I brought the kitten into my apartment in the first place, she said the pet deposit is $300 but since I didn't let them know I was going to bring them, they will charge me an additional $50, she said next time to let them know first, I told her I didn't even know I was going to bring them until I saw that lady at the store parking lot giving them away or to take them to the pound... Her response was "apartment rules"

I'm very aggravated because we have been living in this apartments for 10+ years and we never got problems, she knows my apartment is probably the most cleanest in the unit, roaches free and always so clean. But I guess they care more for the money...

I'm very torn because I told my friend I might be keeping both and now I can't... If I was rich I'd move out right this second but I can't afford that right now. I know already that I'm gonna be sad when one of my boys goes to the new house.
 

caralian

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Are those rules even real? Did you have to sign a contract that says you have to pay for pets? Can you figure it out? You could always threaten to sue her, or something, citing emotional damage and suffering to your kitty. Our own contract clearly states we are allowed to have a maximum of 3 cats without question and more would perhaps be possible after a negotiation with our landlord. We were adamant about putting it in, exactly to avoid this kind of thing. A pet deposit, does it state it's PER pet? I would be very weary to just give them money without checking.

You could also remind her that if money is so important to her, that she better take the money in seperate payments, because otherwise she will not get it at all. Bad economics.

My god, how can people be so heartless? I mean, even if she isn't making up the rules, she can be a little considerate. 

I know I shouldn't advice you to do things you're not supposed to do, but can't you hide the kitties (maybe in a storage unit?) for like 15 minutes and show your landlord to your appartment and tell her that you were forced to give them up (because of her asshole attitude!) and then just take them back in later. Then keep them a secret and wait until you have ALL the money and give it to her at once?

Pfft, I can't imagine how pissed I would have been, had I been in your shoes.
 
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gatitabonita

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Sadly yes the contract says $300 per pet, I didn't know $50 additional if you don't let them know in advance.

The other kitten will go to my friend I can't risk getting thrown out. They come once a month to spray for bugs so there is no way I can hide them. Plus if there is something ever wrong in my apartment and I'm not home, they are allow to come in. All it says in the contract.

I know the baby will be in good hands I'm not worry about that. It just makes me sad he's not gonna be with me anymore.
 

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 Hello, Gatita Bonita!!! I am so happy that you took in those precious kittens!!

As for the food debate, I feed both canned and kibble.  I simply soak the kibble!!! I have had cats who are very healthy who eat kibble. Additionally, they are inside-outside and since they are all over 12 years of age, I feel that it can be done. Do what is best for your situation. The Great Food Debate is similar to the Working Mom v.Stay at Home Mom scenario, IMO

I also free-feed kittens until they are about 6 months old.

IF you do allow them outside, be sure to provide lots of interesting toys.  I give toys even to my ferals and they are just as happy hunting toys as they are birds. In fact, the birds (healthy ones, anyway) fly off so the kitties prefer the "chirp & cheeps", especially since they are not relying on the birds for food.

As for placing the second kitten with your friend, you are doing the right thing. Do not risk your own situation - things often happen for a good reason.  Your kitten will have your older cat (I LOVE brown tabbies, by the way
 ) and your friend will be able to devote plenty of attention and comfort to HER cat. And what an honor you give her, entrusting her with a little life that you, yourself, treasure so much~~~ those babies certainly have good guardian-angels
 
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gatitabonita

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:wavey:  Hello, Gatita Bonita!!! I am so happy that you took in those precious kittens!!

As for the food debate, I feed both canned and kibble.  I simply soak the kibble!!! I have had cats who are very healthy who eat kibble. Additionally, they are inside-outside and since they are all over 12 years of age, I feel that it can be done. Do what is best for your situation. The Great Food Debate is similar to the Working Mom v.Stay at Home Mom scenario, IMO

I also free-feed kittens until they are about 6 months old.

IF you do allow them outside, be sure to provide lots of interesting toys.  I give toys even to my ferals and they are just as happy hunting toys as they are birds. In fact, the birds (healthy ones, anyway) fly off so the kitties prefer the "chirp & cheeps", especially since they are not relying on the birds for food.

As for placing the second kitten with your friend, you are doing the right thing. Do not risk your own situation - things often happen for a good reason.  Your kitten will have your older cat (I LOVE brown tabbies, by the way :love:  ) and your friend will be able to devote plenty of attention and comfort to HER cat. And what an honor you give her, entrusting her with a little life that you, yourself, treasure so much~~~ those babies certainly have good guardian-angels :angel:
Thanks I was starting to feel guilty.
 
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