New Kitten

ennna

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Hi there.
We have just today brought home a new boy kitten. My daughter saved her pocket money and off we went to the pet store. Now we are home and I'm not really sure we know what we are doing.
Can someone answer a couple of questions.
1. How often should a kitten use its kitty tray. Ours has only been once to urinate. He doesn't seem to like going in it much.
2. Should a kitten feel warm to the touch. The kitten has been active through out the day with short bursts of racing around and then lots of sleeping. It then seems to becom very agitated - running around looking for something. Could this be a place to go to the toilet because he doesn't want to use the litter tray, or just normal. Sometimes the hair on his back stands right up on end!
3. What is the best way of stopping him from jumping on the lounge?
Any ideas would be great!
Regards,
Ennna.
 

hissy

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Here in the United States, the majority of kittens and puppies in pet stores come from deplorable conditions known as Kitty or Puppy Mills. I do not know if that is the case in your country- but this kitten would benefit from a vet visit to be sure it is 100% healthy.

Depending on the age of the kitten, will depend on how well it uses the litter pan. It it is under 10 weeks old, chances are good that it is peeing and pooping in another location that you haven't found yet. Again, it is up to the age of the kitten and if it was with a momcat, or someone had rescued it and hand-raised it. Then you are dependent on the qualifications of that rescuer.
 

tnr1

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Welcome to TCS.

1. How often should a kitten use its kitty tray. Ours has only been once to urinate. He doesn't seem to like going in it much.
It depends on how much water he is drinking as well as whether you are feeding him canned kitten food. One thing that CAN happen with young kittens is that they can miss the litterbox completely...meaning he may be going elsewhere. It's like asking a baby to remember to go to the bathroom.....sometimes they are just into what they are doing that they forget to go back in time. I would recommend that you place several litterboxes around so he has options.

2. Should a kitten feel warm to the touch. The kitten has been active through out the day with short bursts of racing around and then lots of sleeping. It then seems to becom very agitated - running around looking for something. Could this be a place to go to the toilet because he doesn't want to use the litter tray, or just normal. Sometimes the hair on his back stands right up on end!
Kittens are very interesting in that they can run around like mad and then just curl up and fall asleep. Welcome to the world of kitten ownership.
You may want to get your little one a friend later on so he has someone else to play with....kittens are born in litters for a reason and the rescue I volunteer with does place young kittens in pairs. If you do become concerned about his behavior or activity level...a quick trip to the vet is in order. Your kitten may need some shots and he will need to be neutered in a few months.

3. What is the best way of stopping him from jumping on the lounge?
Kittens are naturally curious and want to "climb" and "jump"...best thing to do is buy him some "alternatives" to your lounge. Several cat trees with lots of places to climb as well as places to sit strategically placed around your home is a good thing. Cats do not like the feel of stickiness on their paws...so you can put down double stick tape (tape that is sticky on both side) or even bubblewrap on the lounge...hopefully he will associate the yucky feel with the lounge and decide to use the cat trees instead.

Good Luck with your little one...you will love this site.
 
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ennna

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Dear Hissy
No we don't have Kitty Mills as you describe. The kitten was seen by a vet yesterday when he was also bathed, treated for fleas and generally given a vet check. He hasn't had a moment alone, so I'm positive he hasn't found another spot to go!!
 
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ennna

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Dear TNR1
thanks for the reply.
Nikitti has had several small drinks throughout the day. He has also had a good drink from the fish tank!! He has been watched all day, including when sleeping so I know he hasn't 'been' anywhere else.
We have a vet voucher so he will be off in a few months!
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by Ennna

Dear TNR1
thanks for the reply.
Nikitti has had several small drinks throughout the day. He has also had a good drink from the fish tank!! He has been watched all day, including when sleeping so I know he hasn't 'been' anywhere else.
We have a vet voucher so he will be off in a few months!
Ennna...what about when you are sleeping??? Could he be going elsewhere then? Cats are notoriously nocturnal. I would still purchase some inexpensive aluminum pans (the kind you can cook in and then throw away) and place them around with some litter in them...best to be on the safe side rather than have a kitten that finds a special "spot" outside the litterbox. You could be right and he may not be going elsewhere.

Katie
 
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ennna

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Katie,
I've only had the kitten for about 12 hours, and he is in the bathroom right now while I'm here and this is the first time he has been on his own! I have three children who have been keeping a very close eye on him. But I must say it has just gone midnight here is Australia so I think I'd better get some sleep and check how things have gone in the morning.
Thanks and I'm sure I'm going to find this site fantastic.
So many people with such great knowledge!!
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by Ennna

Katie,
I've only had the kitten for about 12 hours, and he is in the bathroom right now while I'm here and this is the first time he has been on his own! I have three children who have been keeping a very close eye on him. But I must say it has just gone midnight here is Australia so I think I'd better get some sleep and check how things have gone in the morning.
Thanks and I'm sure I'm going to find this site fantastic.
So many people with such great knowledge!!
Ahh....that new.
I didn't realize it was such a short time since you picked him up. Well...he could be nervous (I wouldn't want to go with little kids following me around
) It's good he's going right now....but just remember the aluminum pan idea for later in case you do find an accident.

Katie
 
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ennna

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Thanks for the words of support. I didn't actually mean he was going right now....I mean he is shut in the bathroom so I can limit any disasters!! I hope to go in soon and find many surprises! Well one anyway. But yes I am very new at this and really feel very inadequate. We did have a kitten some years ago and I don't remember it being so nerve wrecking! I don't think I was this anxious with my last child!!
Oh well. As long as we get through the first few days....
I do appreciate the help. It can be very frustrating when so many 'experts' give me different advice. I would much rather come to somewhere like this and get ideas from people who really seem to know.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by Ennna

Thanks for the words of support. I didn't actually mean he was going right now....I mean he is shut in the bathroom so I can limit any disasters!! I hope to go in soon and find many surprises! Well one anyway. But yes I am very new at this and really feel very inadequate. We did have a kitten some years ago and I don't remember it being so nerve wrecking! I don't think I was this anxious with my last child!!
Oh well. As long as we get through the first few days....
I do appreciate the help. It can be very frustrating when so many 'experts' give me different advice. I would much rather come to somewhere like this and get ideas from people who really seem to know.
Ennna...truly, I understand exactly what you are going through...mind you it was 7 years ago that I picked up my 2 buddles of joy from a friend....but I do recall it was a very frustrating time for me and I didn't have this site to come to and ask questions so I made a TON of mistakes along the way (even so, my 2 are now healthy, happy, adjusted, neurotic 7 year olds). Just hang in there and don't be afraid to ask anything....the people here are really great.

Katie
 

captiva

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Welcome to TCS!


Sounds like your kitty is just scared. I'm sure he will settle in.



If you need any help getting around the site, please feel free to click on my user name and send me a private message
 

stampit3d

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WELCOME to TCS
You will get a lot of good advice on here.....even though sometimes it can be frustrating because of different opinions....so i`d say read as much as you can then decide what to try .
I can tell you love this new little one already....so you want to do what is best for him...and you will. (Some things you may try ...then have to retink if it does`nt work and try something else till you figure your little guy out...they are all as different as we are.)
I too found that the bathroom was a good place to put mine when they were small and I need to know that they were safe and the mess would be easily cleaned if an accident happened. (When we were going to be gone ) And if you have children...the baby might need a break from time to time from tooooo much attention when he is tired. JUST BE SURE TO SHUT THE TOILET LID, just as you would with a small child around.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!
 

dawnofsierra

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Hi, Sierra, Serenity and I welcome you to TCS!
So glad you've joined us and look forward to getting to know you better!
Congratulations on your new addition! I would be so happy to help you in any way as you learn your way around the site. Please, simply click on my user name and send me a Private Message!
 

dmcwlvssr

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Congrats & Welcome! I am donna proudly owned by the incredible trio & surrogate mum to a year old shepard mix girl Freesia
 

flisssweetpea

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Hi there Enna
- we're so happy to welcome you and little Nikitti to TCS. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us - we're one great big family and you'll find loads of friends here. If I can help at all while you're finding your way around TCS just click on my username and send me a Personal Message - I'll do what I can to answer your questions


I remember the first night home with our kitties - gee I think we hardly slept wondering whether they needed the litter box. Then, suddenly we fell asleep, woke up in the morning and tore around looking for little "presents". We had no mishaps (more good luck than anything else I think) and after the first couple of nights felt more confident about their ability to find the litter tray.

If you don't keep lights on at night, you might try lighting the way to the litter box with plug in nightlights - that way there is less danger of little kitty getting lost along the way.
 

nebula11

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Welcome to TCS....

You came to the right place for all your kit questions.... these people are brilliant....

Hope you stick around....Id love to see pics of your kit
 
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ennna

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Originally Posted by stampit3d

WELCOME to TCS
You will get a lot of good advice on here.....even though sometimes it can be frustrating because of different opinions....so i`d say read as much as you can then decide what to try .
I can tell you love this new little one already....so you want to do what is best for him...and you will. (Some things you may try ...then have to retink if it does`nt work and try something else till you figure your little guy out...they are all as different as we are.)
I too found that the bathroom was a good place to put mine when they were small and I need to know that they were safe and the mess would be easily cleaned if an accident happened. (When we were going to be gone ) And if you have children...the baby might need a break from time to time from tooooo much attention when he is tired. JUST BE SURE TO SHUT THE TOILET LID, just as you would with a small child around.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks for making me feel so welcome. I'm still learning to use the site, and probable have things a bit back to front, but what a great find I had locating this great site.
Nikitti was very good last night, after he finally settled at about 1:30 am. He did have a little vomit thismorning, and still hasn't used his litter tray other than to do 2 little wees. I don't know if this is normal, but I'll be glad when he shows us how clever he is and can use the little tray properly!!
Thanks for the support.
 
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ennna

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many helpful people have told me I should give my kitten milk to drink. Is this right? I thought milk was bad and we only give water these days...
help!!
 
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