Im new to this!

kovo

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Hi everyone. Im new to the cat owning world. I just recently (MAy 27 2006) adopted a tabby cat from a local pet store. He is only 4 weeks old (born april 26 2006) and VERY CUTE. I am the only person home for most of the day as Im on summer break. I have come to know his characteristics and his habits. I have quickly been attached to him. I will post pictures soon.

I have a few questions tht concern me. First off, I know he's young. Very young, in his 5th week of life. I have an appoint. next wednesday with my vet for an initial check up and possible vaccination. He quickly took to the litter however the past two nights have been puzzeling. Although he uses the litter to pee and poo, he's also been doing a little pee in one of the rooms that he spends most of his time in. I live in a condo and he knows exactly how to get to his litter box and food, but he has peed in the same spot the past two nights. Im wondering if this is normal. Its in a secluded spot which makes it hard to clean, but it is also hard to believe that its an accident since he dsnt spend much time at that spot. Is this normal? Is there a way to stop it? He did it againt today and I yelled at him. I felt bad but he'sk with me now. I dont resort to violence with him ever. Does Feliway actually work in this situation? He's very young and he meows when he wants attention (and hes extremely energetic).

Second concern is sneezing. He does it a lot. My best geuss is that its just dust. Is sneezing attached to any other causes or problems that I can notice? He eats a lot and drinks quite a bit so i dont think he is sick.

Sorry that I typed so much, its just that Im very excited for him and very worried about him. I find myself checking up on him constantly even if he's sleeping. And I spend close to 2 hrs if not more playing with him(since he comes and meows at me
) Does this playing craze settle down anytime soon? Once I start my next semester No one will be home for the day and people will only show up around 4 in the afternoon. I fear he will be scarred, bored etc...

Thanks for anyone who takes the time to respond!
 

junior67

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ok first at 4 weeks he should still be with his mom. They are JUST learning how to eat "big" food (kitten food), and just learning how to use a litter box. They haven't quite learned the "hold it and get to the box on time" so that is probably why. I would set up a few litter boxes around to make sure he can get to one.

The sneezing could be an URI which they can get VERY sick very fast at that age.


GL with your new kitty and hope someone else has more of an answer.
 

momof3rugratz

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I have nothing to offer... I am glad he has you because you seem like a very carring owner...

I will say I am stunned a pet store had a kitten 4-5 weeks and gave it to you... DO ya know what happened to mommy...
 
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kovo

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I am not sure what happened toh is mother or why the pet store had such a young kitten. To tell you the truth, he seems just fine to me, apart from a little meowing when he does number 2(poop).

I will call the pet store tmorrow and ask why they had him so young. I know he has already been dewormed and such.
Is there any precautions I should take since he is still only 5 weeks old?
He is VERY playfull and very affectionate.
 

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He more than likely came from a kitty mill they often do in pet stores. 4 weeks old is to young to be away from mom. He is peeing because that is what young kittens do, in the nest, they pee, mom takes care of it. They poo, mom eats it. He really should be with mom. Please don't yell at him. Keep him in an area where he has several small litter pans (i use cake pans) after he eats, gently put him into the litter box. He will more than likely just lay down and go to sleep, but you can try it. When he poops, put the stool into the litter pan and leave it there. Dab up the pee and put that in the litter pan. He will get the idea, but 4 weeks is to young for this youngster to "get with the program." Have patience with him and allow for mistakes because they will happen. Also get him to a vet, it is likely he is ill as well especially if he is sneezing.
 
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kovo

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Like I said he does got o the litter pan and does his business, but he also does it in this particular spot. I will inquire firther why he was taken away so young tmorrow. Thanks everyone.
 
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kovo

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BTW: Is 5-6 weeks too young to get a vaccination?
 

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At 4-5 weeks, if he is peeing in one corner, that is just his way of trying to be a good kitty and pee in the same spot. I would restrict him to a smaller area, like one room, until he gets a little older.

I have fostered several litters, and some of them have set up their own pee or poo spot, in addition to where I put the litter boxes. It was always contained in one or two areas...silly babies! Mine were already restricted to one room, so I added a litter box in their poo area, or restricted them from that area.
 

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Usually vaccinations are started in kittens at the age of 6 to 7 weeks, depending on other health factors. If your kitten is sneezing, then your vet may want to hold off on vaccinating until a little later on.

Right now, it is best that he see your vet as soon as possible so he can get to know your new baby, give him a thorough examination and treatment if he is ill, and to discuss nutrition, vaccination schedules, treatment options for fleas and other parasites and if you are a smart cookie, you will also want to ask him about pediatric neutering.
 

jayme&jackson

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CONGRATULATION ON YOUR NEW BABES


Just a quick suggestion, I would get another litter box and put it where he is peeing in the other room!!!!

4Weeks is young to my away from moms, but you've got him now and you just do the best you can!
You'll do great!

As far as Sneezing, I got Jackson from a shelter, I signed a form stating URI Are VERY widely spread through kitties. It does cause sneezing and runny eyes. Jackson was sneezing when My boyfriend and I brought him home.

luckily...It wasen't a URI, But just that he was getting used to his new surrounding...Stress can cause a kitty to get a little cold (Sneeze) Or just the new smells of your condo!

I hope everything goes well at your Appt on Wednesday! Please keep us posted!

What is your baby's name?

Jayme and Jackson!
 
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kovo

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I want everything to be done for him. I want him healthy and I have many questions for my vet. As soon as possible is next wednesday which is the 7th june. I have a cage for him alreay. I have my own fears about that cuz I know he is going to cry a lot.
If I put him in there and he cries it is ok right? If i igonore it a bit and just give him attention? I knw he will be crying cuz he gets nervous when he travels.

What is KMR? And he only has meowed a little bit today, the other days it was much louder. I think he is just getting used to pooping. I examned the stool as directed from the pet store owner and the stool is soft. She said that when he had come with the rest of the kitties they all where eating a lot of food. And he still eats a lot. That might be why.

His name is Tobi, but full name is Tobias. Very cute grey and white kity and I will post pictures soon. He has a scrathing and climbing problem with some expensive furniture but we try to getting him down by saying "No!" "down!" etc.. and if he dsnt go down we just lift him off and put him on the floor. Do those no-scratch sprays work? Or does citrus smells like orange or lemon work?

I know im asking a lot, but you guys are the sole line of support untill I visit my vet. Thanks.
 

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Originally Posted by Kovo

I want everything to be done for him. I want him healthy and I have many questions for my vet. As soon as possible is next wednesday which is the 7th june. I have a cage for him alreay. I have my own fears about that cuz I know he is going to cry a lot.
If I put him in there and he cries it is ok right? If i igonore it a bit and just give him attention? I knw he will be crying cuz he gets nervous when he travels.
You're just putting him in the cage to go to the vet, right? BTW, that is an EXCELLENT thing - a loose cat in the car is bad. You might just put the cage in a room he spends time in with the door open so he gets used to seeing it, and doesn't freak out every time you get it out.

Originally Posted by Kovo

What is KMR? And he only has meowed a little bit today, the other days it was much louder. I think he is just getting used to pooping. I examned the stool as directed from the pet store owner and the stool is soft. She said that when he had come with the rest of the kitties they all where eating a lot of food. And he still eats a lot. That might be why.
Kitten milk replacement, you get it at the pet store. At the age Tobi is, he would still be nursing some, and could use the extra nutrition. He is eating kitten - and not cat - food, right?

Originally Posted by Kovo

His name is Tobi, but full name is Tobias. Very cute grey and white kity and I will post pictures soon. He has a scrathing and climbing problem with some expensive furniture but we try to getting him down by saying "No!" "down!" etc.. and if he dsnt go down we just lift him off and put him on the floor. Do those no-scratch sprays work? Or does citrus smells like orange or lemon work?
Citrus usually works pretty well to repel cats. What works best is to buy a scratching post - they seem to like either the carpet or sisal the best. Most people recommend that there is an upright scratching surface and a horizontal surface to scratch. Be sure it's tall enough for him to stretch his full adult length, because that's all a part of the scratching behavior. So, get your scratching post, and set it RIGHT beside the piece of furniture he's scratching. When he scratches, say "no" (not enough to scare him, just firmly) and place him at his scratching post. Even move his little paws so he gets the idea. Then, if the post is in a really inconvenient location, you can gradually move it away, but restart if he starts clawing the couch again.

Originally Posted by Kovo

I know im asking a lot, but you guys are the sole line of support untill I visit my vet. Thanks.
Since he's so young, you're going to have to act as his mom, which means discipline as well as feeding. Don't let him get into the habit of playing with your hands or feet - only toys. Otherwise he will bite and scratch at your hands and chase your ankles when you walk.

Oh, and as for being gone for classes and such - you should really consider getting him a playmate. It's more of an expense, at least as far as vet bills go - but most cats like someone to play with when their human isn't home!
 

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Everyones suggestions have been great so far, I would just like to add that he should be getting KMR and wet high quality kitten food (what are you currently feeding him?) and leave dry high quality kitten food out for him to snack on inbetween.

as far as scratching, try the cardboard scratchers that sit right on the floor and the ones that are slanten upwards. They work wonderfully, even a declawed cat that lived with me once loved to "scratch" on them!

Good luck with your new baby!
 

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I was pretty adverse to using the pet carrier around the house but one day my daughter put my kitten's favorite blanket in it and then put the kitten in without shutting the door. He loved it in there--it was dark and cozy with his blanket and he often went in by himself and slept in there...until he figured out how to climb the barricade that closed him in the kitchen and then he discovered dark nooks everywhere to snooze and hide in. When it came time to go to the vet it made it much easier because I just put him in there with his blanket and it wasn't a strange place to him.

I put disposable tin pans of litter in the places where out kitten went most of the time and that took care of the problem very quickly.
 
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kovo

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Thanks everyone. Yes he is eating kitten food which was suggested by the pet store.

I will get that scratch post soon. As for feeding. He pretty much has that covered. He goes by himself during the day, several times, to eat and drink. But I always follow him to make sure he is actually eating and drinking.

I dont knw about the wet food, since I was advised that wet food might give him diarrhea. And he dsnt seemt o mind the dry food at all. \\like I said, he eats a lot.
 

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I have raised over the years 7 cats and I got them young to very young (4 weeks) My 1st cat lived 20 years. And I was not at all experienced. With the others I remember well. There is no difference of male or female in raising up and learning to be clean. When they were 4 or 6 weeks old and it happened that they went elsewhere to pee, then I took him or she and talked to him/her in a severe voice and put it back on the litterbox. When that didn't help I had bought a water pistol
and each time the kitten forgot himself elsewhere I shot from far. You can't believe how efficient this was ! She didn't know from where the water came and sofar couldn't be angry with me. After a few times it stopped. I have also a cat who preferred my plants to the litter box. After a few shots, it was finished. So all my cats got clean with a waterpistol except one, but that is another story. First of all go to the vet and have a general check up. All babies, human or animal have to learn to be clean but not with shouting or slapping. Be patient and buy a water pistiol ..
 
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kovo

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Id also like to say that there is this black/brown crust the forms at the corner of his eyes towards the nose. Its part dry part pussy and when I removed it it didnt seem to bother him. Is this just like the crust that forms around our eyes at night?
 

kluchetta

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Originally Posted by Kovo

Id also like to say that there is this black/brown crust the forms at the corner of his eyes towards the nose. Its part dry part pussy and when I removed it it didnt seem to bother him. Is this just like the crust that forms around our eyes at night?
Yes, I notice it with my cats too - more so with the light haired cats.
 
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kovo

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Good News!
After I told my mom about the conversation I have had here with you guys, she called our pet store concerned about why they sold a 4 week old kitten.

Their answer "We dont sell kittens that young". They said it must have been a mistake since Tobi came with a litter of 5 brothers and sisters all of which were the same size and obviously had the same birthdays. However on his record it stated April 26 as his birth day.

They assured us it was a mistake and that we would have witnessed many problems if he was actually 4 weeks old.

I am very happy to learn that little Tobi is actually 7-8 weeks old.

They also addressed the peeing issue and said that its common in males to pee a little to mark their territory. And that he will stop once he gets neutered.
 
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