Advise on 6 week old kittens in apartment.....

Two weeks ago I took in 2 kittens (4 weeks old at the time) who had been abandoned outside. I've been keeping them shut in the kitchen and thankfully they have been doing great (eating kitten food, using litter tray, boundless energy!!). As they are now 6 weeks, I've been introducing them to my apartment, which seems to be going so well, when I shut them back up in the kitchen for a nap, once of them was not happy and cried for ages (he did settle down eventually). I go back to work in a couple of days and I'm happy to shut them up at night, but should I also keep them in the kitchen during the day, or allow them to roam the apt? This would only be the main living area not bedroom/bathroom. I have made an effort to kitten proof as much as possible and I wonder if they will be OK alone.....

Katharineh said:

Two weeks ago I took in 2 kittens (4 weeks old at the time) who had been abandoned outside. I've been keeping them shut in the kitchen and thankfully they have been doing great (eating kitten food, using litter tray, boundless energy!!). As they are now 6 weeks, I've been introducing them to my apartment, which seems to be going so well, when I shut them back up in the kitchen for a nap, once of them was not happy and cried for ages (he did settle down eventually). I go back to work in a couple of days and I'm happy to shut them up at night, but should I also keep them in the kitchen during the day, or allow them to roam the apt? This would only be the main living area not bedroom/bathroom. I have made an effort to kitten proof as much as possible and I wonder if they will be OK alone.....

Click to expand...

If its kitten proofed, you can let them be in the living room too.   I think.  

The risks does increase somewhat, but also the joys increase much.

Tx for caring!

Thanks StefanZ - appreciate the response - and encouragement! I'm out for a while tomorrow, so will see how they fare for a few hours. They've been

gorgeous today and enjoying the freedom / sofa!

Katharineh said:

 
Thanks StefanZ - appreciate the response - and encouragement! I'm out for a while tomorrow, so will see how they fare for a few hours. They've been

gorgeous today and enjoying the freedom / sofa!

Click to expand...

It may be good idea to have a second litter  there in this living room.  Having tiny bladders, they dont always manage to run back if too long afar.

These accidents is not what you and I fear, but its still unnecessary to take this additional problems...

Thanks for the tip - definitely will sort this as read your response about 30 seconds too late....!

Second @StefanZ's post.  the reason why I don't let ones that little run free unsupervised is mostly for litter box issues.  There are too many couches for them to get behind and find a convenient potty spot when all of a sudden, they gotta go!  Also worried about the dogs, but mostly want to inculcate good litter box habits in them when they're young.

Clean the accident spot with an enzymatic cleaner (Nature's Miracle, Simple Solution, etc) to make sure the smell gets eliminated.  If it was on the floor, try placing a litter box on top of the accident site, especially if it reoccurs.  We are re-training two Siamese girls who came from a hoarding situation and don't see the point in using a litter box.  They go down to the basement and poo wherever they please.  If I find two poos near each other, down goes another litter box!  Eventually they'll get the message.

Thanks Kat for the advise. I was hoping to get away with just 1 as its a small space, but I guess I'll be buying a second! I'm just super pleased how they've been so far, so I can deal with a few little accidents while they get settled! I guess I'll be working from home a couple of afternoons - just to keep an eye on them! I'm so glad I've found this site..I've never had such little kittens before and want to make sure they are happy, content and safe.

You will want at least 2 litter boxes when they are grown as well.  Three is recommended.  Some cats like/need to pee and poop in different places.