Getting a kitten used to her "room"

matea · Nov 27, 2016

Hello, I got a 3 months old kitten 2 days ago and she is adjusting so well! When I am around she is playful and cuddly and overall she is not scared of people or sounds or her environment. I prepared a small room for her with litter box, food and water, bed and some toys. However, every time I leave her in her room she meows incessantly (basically all night long) and she just won't stop.

I think the reason might be that I let her wander around living room and kitchen so she sees her room more of a punishment than comfort zone.

I really have to leave her in her room because she is not quite getting the litter thing yet and she is too small to be left alone in a big apartment while I'm at work.

Any advice to make her more comfortable while she's alone in her room would be appreciated. * I tried toys and heating pad. Doesn't help. She wants to be around me.

Thank you!

orientals · Nov 28, 2016

Hi Matea, leaving a kitten on its own in a room is bordering on abuse. Cats are very social beings, she needs to be with other cats or at least be with you, especially since you describe her as social and friendly. Why would you do such a cruel thing?

If she is "not getting the litter thing" (I don't know what that means) then address that problem. Don't solve it this way, it will not work. All you are doing is making this cat miserable to the point where her behaviour will become unwanted and then you will have to get rid of her. But it is you who are making her sick this way. Please stop doing this, it is very hurtful for such a young kitten. Cats need the warmth and reassurance of another being to sleep against, groom with, play with all the time.

You are hurting her. Solve the problem. Don't create more problems by making this little one sad and miserable. Please do it right or find a loving home for the kitten.

matea · Nov 28, 2016

Hi Orientals. No need for all the rudeness for someone who is trying to make the kitten as comfortable as possible. Save your hate for someone who cares.

To give you more details, I work shorter hours and I have been spending all my non work time with her. I read on numerous websites that a kitten should have it's own space that she can claim hers and get comfortable in it as much as possible.

I wrote this post hoping someone will be kind to help me make her comfortable not bash at me.... have a good day.

orientals · Nov 28, 2016

Sorry Matea that I'm not saying what you would like to hear. Calling it bashing is way out of line. You are hurting the kitten, and if you don't want to acknowledge that, then don't, but I am not bashing you, I am simply telling you the truth what you are doing to this kitten. Someone needs to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. So I can only repreat what I said previously, please don't solve your problem with this kitten by hurting it. It can not understand why you are doing this and it will learn nothing from it. Find another way to teach her that does not involve making her so miserable. I'm sure if you let us know what the problem is, it will be possible to help you find a workable answer. There are many very knowledgable people on this site who can help.

tabbytom · Nov 28, 2016

Hello mates, welcome to you and your kitten to TCS

Your 3 months old kitten is still young but old enough to be left alone for a few hours. Since you have all her stuffs like litter box, food and water and toys and bed, it's ok for her to roam the apartment. But the important thing is that you must catify your apartment and make it catsafe.
Let her roam and explore the apartment and let her own the space. Don't coop her up in the room.
As long as she knows where the litter box is and not hidden and she is comfortable to use it, there's not much worry.
You have to let her get use to the surroundings of the apartment and build up her confidence. You can leave a unwashed t-shirt and leave it in her room and other parts of the apartment so that there's a familiar smell to make her to feel secure. Don't confine her to just a room.
Bond with her when you come back from work by playing and talking to her. Better still to let her sleep with you on your bed in the night.
Do post photos of her for us to see and browse around for the many interesting articles and threads

matea · Nov 28, 2016

Hi. Thank you so much for your kind words of reassurance. As I mentioned, I leave her in her room for 5-6 hrs at a time while away and spend the rest of my time with her. The only reason I put her there to begin with is so she can feel comfortable in a space of her own which is not the case.

I'd really like to let her roam around and explore on her own (which she does under my supervision) but she's just so tiny. Yesterday she was meowing because she couldn't get off the couch herself. Also, my apartment is pretty big (open space) so i don't think she knows how to get back.

Also, she pooped like 2m away from the litter box and then peed on my bag earlier today. Don't take this as a complaint, 8 just want to see how to make her comfy with the space

matea · Nov 28, 2016

Orientals said:
Sorry Matea that I'm not saying what you would like to hear. Calling it bashing is way out of line. You are hurting the kitten, and if you don't want to acknowledge that, then don't, but I am not bashing you, I am simply telling you the truth what you are doing to this kitten. Someone needs to stand up for those who cannot stand of for themselves. So I can only repreat what I said previously, please don't solve your problem with this kitten by hurting it. It can not understand why you are doing this and it will learn nothing from it. Find another way to teach her that does not involve making her so miserable. I'm sure if you let us know what the problem is, it will be possible to help you find a workable answer. There are many very knowledgable people on this site who can help.

Hi Orientals. Do you think a person who does not care would ask for advice on a forum? It's my day two owning a kitten ever and I do want the best for her. To sum up: My apartment is open space and is very big so she can't learn easily to come back to her own room, she did not use the litter box two times she pooped, she is tiny so I'm afraid if she's roaming around she will get stuck like she already did on a couch. Your (friendly) advice on how to make her comfy will be appreciated.

tabbytom · Nov 28, 2016

matea said:
Hi. Thank you so much for your kind words of reassurance. As I mentioned, I leave her in her room for 5-6 hrs at a time while away and spend the rest of my time with her. The only reason I put her there to begin with is so she can feel comfortable in a space of her own which is not the case.

I'd really like to let her roam around and explore on her own (which she does under my supervision) but she's just so tiny. Yesterday she was meowing because she couldn't get off the couch herself. Also, my apartment is pretty big (open space) so i don't think she knows how to get back.

Also, she pooped like 2m away from the litter box and then peed on my bag earlier today. Don't take this as a complaint, 8 just want to see how to make her comfy with the space

You are welcomed. Sometimes when we think its comfortable for the cat, the cat don't think of it that way. I bought a cat bed for my boy thinking it's comfortable for him but he doesn't like it and only slept in it once and he rather sleep on the floor in my wardrobe. Of course now he sleep anywhere he likes and l let him do it.
Best is let her get use to and free roam the apartment but make sure it's catsafe. Don't worry if she can't get off the couch. 3 months old knows how to jump already. Only maybe she lacks confidence that's all.
If you are afraid that she does not know how to get back, close all the doors do that she don't wander in but leave her room open. Open those rooms when you are at home with her. Closed when you go to work. Until such as she grows older, then open those doors when you are not around but if you don't have confidence in her, then just shut the doors, especially all the windows.
Is her litter box too high for her to get in? If it is, for now get a lower lip box till she is bigger and can climb in. But is this the 1st time she poop outside the box nand peed on your bag?

matea · Nov 28, 2016

Ha

TabbyTom said:
You are welcomed. Sometimes when we think its comfortable for the cat, the cat don't think of it that way. I bought a cat bed for my boy thinking it's comfortable for him but he doesn't like it and only slept in it once and he rather sleep on the floor in my wardrobe. Of course now he sleep anywhere he likes and l let him do it.
Best is let her get use to and free roam the apartment but make sure it's catsafe. Don't worry if she can't get off the couch. 3 months old knows how to jump already. Only maybe she lacks confidence that's all.
If you are afraid that she does not know how to get back, close all the doors do that she don't wander in but leave her room open. Open those rooms when you are at home with her. Closed when you go to work. Until such as she grows older, then open those doors when you are not around but if you don't have confidence in her, then just shut the doors, especially all the windows.
Is her litter box too high for her to get in? If it is, for now get a lower lip box till she is bigger and can climb in. But is this the 1st time she poop outside the box nand peed on your bag?

Thanks so much! Well it's actuality only been 48 hrs since I had her (also my first pet ever). Since then she's pooped twice - both times 1-2m away from her litter box. The first time she did it I put a small piece of toilet paper I used to clean it in the litter box hoping she would smell that but no luck. This morning she was "observing" from a tall table that had a bag on it and she just peed there

Unfortnately I didn't realize in time to take her to litter box before she was done.

Yes, I bought a shallow litter box and I've been putting her in it from time to time but no luck yet.

moorspede · Nov 28, 2016

Hi Matea, do you know what litter the people/place who had your kitten before used? It's better to continue with the same thing in the short term.

tabbytom · Nov 28, 2016

Oh, you only had her for such a short period. Definitely she is not use to the place. You have to give her lots of assurance and build up her confidence so that she don't feel that she's being dumped. Good to leave your smell around.
Remember not to shout or beat her. Cats don't understand punishments and it'll only stress her out and make her loose trust in you.

Some articles for you to read -:

[article="32402"][/article]

[article="22426"][/article]

[article="29642"][/article]

[article="29824"][/article]

[article="22304"][/article]

[article="22410"][/article]

[article="32366"][/article]

I'll not swamp you with too much reading for now but you can find the important and valuable articles on the red bar on the top of the page under Articles.
Remember, don't feed her human food.

matea · Nov 28, 2016

moorspede said:
Hi Matea, do you know what litter the people/place who had your kitten before used? It's better to continue with the same thing in the short term.

Hi. I wouldn't know but will try and find out. Thank you!

matea · Nov 28, 2016

TabbyTom said:
Oh, you only had her for such a short period. Definitely she is not use to the place. You have to give her lots of assurance and build up her confidence so that she don't feel that she's being dumped. Good to leave your smell around.
Remember not to shout or beat her. Cats don't understand punishments and it'll only stress her out and make her loose trust in you.

Some articles for you to read -:

[article="32402"][/article]

[article="22426"][/article]

[article="29642"][/article]

[article="29824"][/article]

[article="22304"][/article]

[article="22410"][/article]

[article="32366"][/article]

I'll not swamp you with too much reading for now but you can find the important and valuable articles on the red bar on the top of the page under Articles.
Remember, don't feed her human food.

Yes it's only been short time but I'm still concerned not to stress her out and make her move from a small cage to a nice loving home as comfortable as possible.

So far it's been cuddles and love

Thank you so much. Will read more.

tabbytom · Nov 28, 2016

Great to hear that. Give her all your love and attention.

Do post her photos for us to see

matea · Nov 28, 2016

TabbyTom said:
Great to hear that. Give her all your love and attention.

Do post her photos for us to see

IMG_6091.JPG

matea
Nov 28, 2016

Here she is enjoying some TV time

tabbytom · Nov 28, 2016

She's lovely! [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ What's her name?

Do post more! And select medium size for your photos before submitting. So that your photo will be bigger

matea · Nov 28, 2016

TabbyTom said:
She's lovely! [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ What's her name?

Do post more! And select medium size for your photos before submitting. So that your photo will be bigger

Thank you

She doesn't have a name yet! Hahaha

tabbytom · Nov 28, 2016

Quickly get her a name and start calling her by name so that she'll get use to her name and she'll response to you.

matea · Nov 28, 2016

TabbyTom said:
Quickly get her a name and start calling her by name so that she'll get use to her name and she'll response to you.

I call her kitty in my native tongue [emoji]128568[/emoji] Thanks for the advice

matea · Nov 28, 2016

TabbyTom said:
Quickly get her a name and start calling her by name so that she'll get use to her name and she'll response to you.

Hello. Wanted to give you a quick update. She is fully litter trained since yesterday! [emoji]128570[/emoji][emoji]128570[/emoji][emoji]128570[/emoji] I didn't want to leave her in her room so I slept in the living room (didn't introduce her to my bedroom yet). However, she goes through short bursts of energy then sleep and so on so she kept waking me up throughout night. Is it a wise thing to get her used to being around me while asleep or should I be closing myself in the bedroom because eventually I'll need a full nights sleep. Or is there a way to teach her not to disturb me?

Also I was told by the vet to only feed her one type of food for a while and not to mix it up. What would be the best treat for a kitten to encourage her to do well?

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