New kitten being quite vocal

Hey all,

We purchased a new Himalayan kitten only a few days ago and she is now 9 weeks old (she is not desexed and has just had her first vacinnation). She likes to meow often. She follows us everywhere and constantly meows once we are out of sight and if she wants to get up onto the bed. I try to ignore her when she meows, hoping she will stop, but of a night it seems more constant and its very frustrating as we are in a small unit and I need to lock her into the laundry (which I don't like doing as she sounds very upset). I am very concerned that once I go to work in a couple days that she will meow constantly and disturb the neighbours. I have been reading and all this seems very common along kittens but do they usually stop meowing once they see we are not home? I feel that she may have been taken from her mother too young. What age would they stop feeling so lonely?

Here is some pictures of our new kitten, dispute everything she is still very cute!

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(Please put an extra w in front of the link before you paste it in-doesnt put the full link in for some reason)

Thanks for your help
Amanda

Hi
Welcom to TCS.
It's been along time since I had a kitten, Karma was 2 years old when we got her. 9 weeks does seem too young. There are tons of people who can help you though. I would repost this in the Pregnant cat and Kitten care. The people in there know a ton about little angels like yours. I saw her pictures and all I can say is WOW . She is a cutie

welcome to TCS - your new girl sure is adorable

8 weeks is the standard adoption time here in Australia... your girl has just gone through a major upheaval in her life. She has been taken from her Mum and her littermates so therefore she is more than likely just looking for some attention and reassurance. Both my boys did the exact same thing when I brought them home and they do 'grow' out of it. Sometimes it can be a matter of days but sometimes weeks. When she feels a little more comfortable she will calm down. Its just her whole world has been turned upside down.

I wouldnt be too concerned. If your worried about the neighbours maybe have a chat to them and let them know that you have just brought this girl home and that there might be some 'settling in' time. I am sure they will understand

Thanks for your replies and feedback. I really appreciate it and I will give it time and hope for best. I will move this thread into kitten care but I am not sure how to remove it here.

Thank you both again
Amanda

She was taken away from momma too young. Ideal age is 10-12 weeks. There are a lot of things she needs to learn from the momma in that time.

But it's not the end of the world, it's not like she was only 6 weeks or something. Play soft classical music or talk radio or something to relax her. Keep the lights dim, give her some warm wet food before you lock her in the small room.

She is probably just a little lost and confused without her littermates.

you dont need to post this twice, the mods will move it. now they will just close or delete one.

sorry someone told me to move it and I don't know how to delete it

amanda

oh no you can't do it, the mods have to move it to where it needs to go and there will be a little "moved" sign where the post was. don't worry, just so you know for next time

I might have a little different outlook on this than most, if I anger anyone, I'm sorry, but I'd like to express my opinion.

Although most people like to keep the kittens with their mom a little longer, and it is better, 8 weeks is the minimum time. However, remember, you wanted a kitten, you decided to take that responsibility, and you can't expect the behavior from a kitten you would get from an older cat. She is only a baby. You wouldn't lock a baby in a little room and ignore it if it cried. It's my belief that doing that turns them into adult cats who are difficult to handle, skittish, and difficult to keep trained.

What might help is a small, soft cat bed, preferably one that has a top so she feels warm, safe and protected. And put a wind-up alarm clock in it and cover that with a blanket. Sometimes the ticking reminds them of the mom's heartbeat and that helps. Plus, if she's in the room with you and has that security, she might feel better.

You can also build up a way (maybe with some pillows) for her to get up in bed with you, where she might feel a lot more secure, and down by herself when she needs to go down.

Another solution is get another kitten, especially if you both work and are away all day. Most believe that cats are much happier when there are two of them. They keep each other company, and that relieves a lot of worry and maintenance for you.

I have merged both threads together and left them here in the behaviour forum as this was originally the correct place to post

good luck with your new girl

Ya I didn't mean 9 weeks is like 'oh my god' young, but IDEALLY 10-12 weeks is best. It is not a horrible thing that she is only 9 weeks, that is fine. Talk some of Charmed's suggestions as they are good ones.

no 9 weeks is not too bad. As I said earlier, 8 weeks is the standard time here in australia (and OP is from Australia). Yes 12 weeks would be better, but 8 weeks is okay

9 weeks, I think, is a good age to bring home a kitten. The kitten is absolutely adorable! She reminds me of the little chincilla persians from the Pets Catz computer programs (where you can adopt little kitties and raise them and train them, dress'em up and all that jazz). She's VERY fluffy! She also reminds me of the poster I got for my mom, which had 5 little blue eyed kittens with wings sitting on pedastels, and then this little gray cat with horns sitting amongst them saying "Not everybody's perfect," (the cat, of course, looked exactly like my little gray kitty who was a little angel with me but he was a demon with mom).

Anyways, I think she just wants attention and loves. Usually when they meow like that, they want something, be it food, water, attention, or maybe she wants to play. Also, try talking to her gently, or playfully, like you would to a 6 year old.

I think the ticking clocks sounds like a great idea. Would you get a little hand watch that ticks or a big round one?

I'll definately invest in one and hope she will be content.

Thanks for all your replies!

After her contant meowing on the first night, I put her in laundry and after that she hasn't meowed while sleeping apart from wanting to get on bed - Unfortunately our bed is so high I can't find anything to help her get onto it but I might get a little step ladder.

Amanda

I have always hard 12 weeks - esp for cats like meezers ir Himmies - they need time with their mama. But many ppl have to care for kits younger than that and they seem to do just fine (in rescue for example, that sort f thing or for varioujs reasons). So treat her as a baby - give her the attention she needs. Pls don't lock her alone, she needs assurance and she needs other cats to teach her some things f yoou have access to any but of course she needs to be vaccinated if they are not her mom or siblings!! She has prob had one vaccination by now anyway but she needs one more -0 at least in the US that's how it worls. Not sire about Sydney.

Gd luck!

Originally Posted by Dulcie Riley

I have always hard 12 weeks - esp for cats like meezers ir Himmies - they need time with their mama.
Gd luck!

Click to expand...

Whats meezers? Sorry if its something I should know...

My apologies to everyone. I just returned to the thread and realized that because of how I worded it, it was misunderstood.

I was in no way disagreeing with the issue of the age of the kittens, In fact, I think that I agree with everyone here, that 8 weeks is the acceptable mininmum technically, they will be healthy and can survive successfully at that point, but the longer you keep the kittens with the mother, the better.

My statement about not thinking my opinion would be popular was with how the kitten was being treated. I can't see doing that to baby, especially one that's as young as 9 weeks. If one is going to want the benefits, joys and cuteness of a kitten that young, they need to be ready and willing for the downsides too, and that means messes, and destruction, and crying, and having to go out of your way to make the kitten feel secure, not lock it alone in another room, and teach it what it needs to learn. Especially if one is going to have only one kitten.

If it is too much for one to deal with, that's fine, but then be responsibile and get an older kitten or cat. Or step up to the plate and take care of it correctly.

Although I tried to say it a little nicer in my first post, that's the opinion I thought I'd catch flack on, and I apologize to those who thought I was disagreeing with them about the ages, or anything else.

Originally Posted by aschretzmeyer

I think the ticking clocks sounds like a great idea. Would you get a little hand watch that ticks or a big round one?

I'll definately invest in one and hope she will be content.

Thanks for all your replies!

After her contant meowing on the first night, I put her in laundry and after that she hasn't meowed while sleeping apart from wanting to get on bed - Unfortunately our bed is so high I can't find anything to help her get onto it but I might get a little step ladder.

Amanda

Click to expand...

I think the hand watch is a great idea, because it's a softer sound, and get her her own bed that you can keep in your room with you. If it's warm and comfy, and ticking, she'll probably want to stay there and be happy.

One of the things I've used as "stepladders' is a box that litter came in. I just would tape the top shut so it can hold her weight.

My guys had no problem. They discovered claws early and how well they help pull you up on things. lol

Your little girl is such a cutie!

She's just a little scared and nervous about being on her own so she needs assurance from you. The others here have given you some good advice and I have nothing else to add except to say that I love your little girl!

Was the breeder you got this little cutie from registered? Most breeders don't let their kitten go until at least 12 weeks.

You've recieved some great advice, good luck with her.