I'm new and need some help!

Good morning,
I'm bring home my new kitten tomorrow! She's 3 months old and we are adopting her from a local shelter. It's been awhile since I've had cats so Im very nervous!

She and her mom were rescued about a month ago from a dump. Her mom is very sweet and playful. She, on the other hand, is very, very scared. She was not aggressive at all, she just seemed very frightened.

Now a little background on me...I have three kids and a dog. Luckily, the house is big enough to separate her from the dog (and kids!) for as long as I need to. I have a pretty sizable bathroom which Im going to use as her safe place for now. I don't plan on rushing the process, but any advice for welcoming this baby into our home would be appreciated.

AND, I have another question. Her momma is up for adoption too. The shelter has a 2 for 1 special this month so adopting her would not cost anything. She is a very sweet and playful 2 year old. Now, I am already oust the limits of my husband's generosity :lol3: by bringing one home. But I'm working in him for a second. Having had multiple cats in the past as well as a single, I remember the multiple being a much better experience. Would you agree? Any reason why I shouldn't bring her home too? Other than divorce? :lol3:

Thanks for any and all advice you can offer- I'm glad to have found this site!

Hi Christine,

I LOVED your post.  

(This also reminded me of a mistake I made.)

Some time (more than 6 years ago) we have adopted from a shelter a 6 weeks old kitten.

There was a mom-cat with two kittens - a ginger boy and my May (a tortie girl).

Mom was also very sweet, and the boy was just taken by another lady.

We loved the girl and took her.  We only wanted one cat in the house then.

Little did I know that I will have 7 cats in our home right now.

If this will help you in any way - I cursed myself that we didn't take May's mom with her.

I don't even know what happened to that lovely cat-mother after all her kids were taken away.

So, if you only can - please take the mom with your kitten, especially that you are experienced in having more than one cat in the house.

And please, could you share some pics of your lovely new addition?

Thank you! The baby is in my avatar- she's gorgeous! Momma is all black. I will get pictures tomorrow if we bring her home too. The baby will be Ruby.

ChristineLA said:

Thank you! The baby is in my avatar- she's gorgeous! Momma is all black. I will get pictures tomorrow if we bring her home too. The baby will be Ruby.

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Truly beautiful baby!!! (I love black cats!, even though the blackest in our home is my May)

RUBY!  Such a lovely name!

Welcome to this site, and glad to meet more people like you who adopt from a shelter!!!

BTW - Pic of my May is also my avatar.

I'd agree with the other posters, do take both if you can persuade your husband. They'll keep one another company and since the mum is still young she'll still play a bit with her baby. A shy kitten like you describe may find it really difficult to settle into a home with no other cats. Two cats are always better than one :-D

Also wanted to say that when I begged of my husband to adopt a kitten ("Just one, please?"  I'm very much a cat person.)   He was very against it.

At that time we had two vicious dogs on the property - guard dogs.

Well, they were old, and my husband agreed as long as we adopted a puppy along...

So, we did adopt a puppy-girl.

It happened that by now the 2 dogs no longer with us, and the puppy is a great help, and as she grew up with cats - she is kind of a cat herself!

She played with that one kitten, and when others came - she mothered each and every one.  She still protects them all the way.

But speaking of my husband now - he is so in-love with all our 7 cats!!!

The two 3-month-old boy-kittens we adopted recently.  I only wanted to foster them, but when my husband picked them up - there was no way he'd give them away.  Mean while - I advertised the 2 ginger kittens at work.  So far no-one responded, but if they will - I'll have to get 2 other gingers for them.

No way we are giving away our Leo & Shumba now!!!

Cats are such a joy!!!  No matter how many.  (That depends only on the size of the property and one's income to feed them properly, vets, toys, treats, etc...)

Can you imagine what your kids will feel when they have more than one feline friend?!

And cats a known to be no worse protectors then dogs...

Your husband should be told that really, two are company and playmates for each other and truly are no more bother to have then one. My husband wasn't a cat lover when I met him either, but now he sure is!

I also have to agree. Adopt both. In fact, if this baby was part of our rescue, I simply wouldn't adopt her out as a singleton

Having a very outgoing, social mom will help instill this behavior in the kitten as she matures. The mom will also be a good distraction for the kids so that baby can get attention from you in the beginning...and then get in the mix with the others on her own terms.

I would keep mom and baby together during the adjustment period. Baby needs to watch mom interact with everyone to see that all is safe.

Di and Bob said:

 
Your husband should be told that really, two are company and playmates for each other and truly are no more bother to have then one. My husband wasn't a cat lover when I met him either, but now he sure is!

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So very true what you said Di and Bob 'No Bother'  is so true.  Where is one - there is another.

I can only imagine what'd happen to either of the boys if we adopted just one.  My girls for example are all around 6 year old and into their own business.  The new babies are playing so well together, and find the time to just sit with girls at times.

I can see that in about 1.5 months, when boys are neutered - them and my 5 girls will become best of friends too.

I'd have no time to entertain only one boy.  Kittens, to grow strong, need play-mates, even if it's a young mother!

And as we know - Christine already knows all that - she said she has an experience.   It's the matter to convince her husband.

Christine - How did it go?  Please tell us!

Well darn it...he DID agree to a second, but when I called the shelter (we weren't picing up until today for a variety of reasons) to give a heads up, momma was adopted yesterday! I'm so sad!

But, I still plan on bringing two home...I know it will help and he did agree to a second.

Luckily, my kids will be coming with me this afternoon and I'll be able to let them see all of the kitties and who might be the best fit.

I'll come back and post the results this afternoon!!

ChristineLA said:

Well darn it...he DID agree to a second, but when I called the shelter (we weren't picing up until today for a variety of reasons) to give a heads up, momma was adopted yesterday! I'm so sad!

But, I still plan on bringing two home...I know it will help and he did agree to a second.

Luckily, my kids will be coming with me this afternoon and I'll be able to let them see all of the kitties and who might be the best fit.

I'll come back and post the results this afternoon!!

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Aww, I am sorry you could not get the mama too but I am glad she got a home anyway ..  Awesome that you are bringing home two kitties . It will be lots of fun .. .

Can't wait for the update ..

The kids and I brought home the gray girl (3 months, Ruby) and also found Bonnie, a black and white 7 month old girl. Ironically, Bonnie was returned to the shelter yesterday because her owners were tired of cleaning the litterbox- can you believe it?!? Anyway, Bonnie is PRECIOUS. She has made herself right at home. Ruby is still a little timid (currently hiding in the shower) but she gets really mellow with brushing. She may always be like that but I'll work on her.

I'll upload pictures soon!!

Here is Bonnie:

And the two on my lap. I had them AND the dog with me on the couch last night. Ruby was hissing at the dog and Bonnie was hissing at Ruby. :lol3:



Rubys still warming up. Once I have her, she's fine. But right now she's hiding in the shower and will hiss when I try to get her out. I'm not sure how much I should bring her out anyway, or just give her time?

Definitely don't try to grab her. You could try a trail of kitten treats or a toy, or you could just sit quietly with her or read something out loud. Depends how you feel.