I just got my first cat.. For the second time. Diesel was my first kitty "of my own", and my parents and I shared him. I took care of dispensing snuggles, they did all the work.. Until I moved out of my parents' house about eight months ago, and had to give up custody of my furry babies, 'cause I moved with an anti-cat roommate. I'm finally all on my own, and for the first time, I have a kitty of my own, for real.
Diesel, who's somewhere older than 6 (maybe seven or eight..) has a big thing for getting out of the house. Which I can rationalize by saying that my parents live in the boonies, and he never ever ever leaves the front porch. Apparently, something visited him on the front porch, and left a nasty chunk taken out of him. It looks a lot worse than it is - I can't bear to look at it, Diesel doesn't seem bothered by it in the least, even when the vet was poking and prodding.
The vet gave me some ointment and gave Diez some shots, and said the wound looks pretty good, and it should close up within a month.
So I've brought Diesel to live with me. (Shh, don't tell my landlord. I'll get evicted, but my kitty will live, so it's a risk I'm willing to take, 'cause Diesel doesn't meow very often.) There are no less than four doors between him and outside at all times, locked, bolted, shut.. Suffice it to say, he ain't getting out.
How can I make this transition easier on him? He's coming from a four person, four cat household, where somebody's always home, to a one person home where I work dawn to dusk four days a week. So far, he's secluded in my spare bedroom, which is completely empty.. Litter's in the empty propped open closet, far from his food and water. He has a toy and some empty boxes (cause I know he'd rather play with the wrapping than the gift..) I made him a sleepybox and put a blanket that smells like me in it, but he's preferring to sleep in his carrier.
I left an FM radio in there with him, so he won't feel too lonely. He's in a room without a window, but it does have a skylight, but I wonder.. Should I bring a little light in there for him? He does have a fan, so he'll be fine for ventilation - it isn't too stuffy in there at all.
I'm alternating between playing with him for a minute, then walking away for a few, then coming right back, leaving for a few more, so he can get the idea that yes, this is home, yes Mommy's here, and no, Mommy's never gonna leave him ever again.
I'm working on weaning him off junk food and onto good stuff.. I've mixed his Meow Mix with some healthier yummies, so he gets the flavor, and so it's not too much change all at once.
How long until he's acquainted enough with that room to feel at home, so I can let him roam the house with him remembering that's where food and litter are? I'm deathly afraid of an accident, especially one that happens when I'm not home, 'cause if anything stains or stinks, my landlord's gonna kill me. I'm not sure if that's exactly why it's been recommended to me that I keep kitty in a "safe" all-inclusive room for a while, but that's what we did when my parents first got him, and I guess it worked.
Any help, advice, or suggestions on how to make this work best for my little munchkin would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance!!
Diesel, who's somewhere older than 6 (maybe seven or eight..) has a big thing for getting out of the house. Which I can rationalize by saying that my parents live in the boonies, and he never ever ever leaves the front porch. Apparently, something visited him on the front porch, and left a nasty chunk taken out of him. It looks a lot worse than it is - I can't bear to look at it, Diesel doesn't seem bothered by it in the least, even when the vet was poking and prodding.
The vet gave me some ointment and gave Diez some shots, and said the wound looks pretty good, and it should close up within a month.
So I've brought Diesel to live with me. (Shh, don't tell my landlord. I'll get evicted, but my kitty will live, so it's a risk I'm willing to take, 'cause Diesel doesn't meow very often.) There are no less than four doors between him and outside at all times, locked, bolted, shut.. Suffice it to say, he ain't getting out.
How can I make this transition easier on him? He's coming from a four person, four cat household, where somebody's always home, to a one person home where I work dawn to dusk four days a week. So far, he's secluded in my spare bedroom, which is completely empty.. Litter's in the empty propped open closet, far from his food and water. He has a toy and some empty boxes (cause I know he'd rather play with the wrapping than the gift..) I made him a sleepybox and put a blanket that smells like me in it, but he's preferring to sleep in his carrier.
I left an FM radio in there with him, so he won't feel too lonely. He's in a room without a window, but it does have a skylight, but I wonder.. Should I bring a little light in there for him? He does have a fan, so he'll be fine for ventilation - it isn't too stuffy in there at all.
I'm alternating between playing with him for a minute, then walking away for a few, then coming right back, leaving for a few more, so he can get the idea that yes, this is home, yes Mommy's here, and no, Mommy's never gonna leave him ever again.
I'm working on weaning him off junk food and onto good stuff.. I've mixed his Meow Mix with some healthier yummies, so he gets the flavor, and so it's not too much change all at once.
How long until he's acquainted enough with that room to feel at home, so I can let him roam the house with him remembering that's where food and litter are? I'm deathly afraid of an accident, especially one that happens when I'm not home, 'cause if anything stains or stinks, my landlord's gonna kill me. I'm not sure if that's exactly why it's been recommended to me that I keep kitty in a "safe" all-inclusive room for a while, but that's what we did when my parents first got him, and I guess it worked.
Any help, advice, or suggestions on how to make this work best for my little munchkin would be greatly appreciated
