First time handling a kitty. Need advice and help :)

[aman ruzaini]

Hello cat lovers,

I've been reading on a lot of articles and opinion regarding on how to take care of your kitten, but then i guess i still need to ask the opinion directly, rather than reading an article and apply it.

Few month back, i found this little cat, around 2-3 weeks somewhere around my house. And knowing that there's no sign ofnher mom or any sibligs around, i decide to take her home and take a goood care of like a baby. I already bring her to vet and the vet tell me that this lovely kitten looks fine and its all good. Nothigng nneded to be serious about.

And so at this moment, she's already around 2 to 3 month old and been living with me ever since. Even thought she's been with me for quite a time, she still afraid of noises (like when im sneezing, moving the cair around, etc),she'll be shock. She also refuse to sleep with me everynight, which make my heart break. I wonder whether she still feel insecure with me.

As a kitten,mshe's very energetic, especially when it comes to bitting my hand. Even though it just a lovely affections bite, but i know that i must restrain her from doing that. Most of my housemates have become her victim when they wanted to pet her on the head. It feels so frustated. Im the one to blame =.=" But then again, i've tried many method, ignore her when she do that, put her up by her scruff, blow air on her face, touch her nose, but none seems working. Sometimes when she bite my hand and i hold her scruff, she seems more aggresive toward my action.

I really love her, even sometimes i just dont care about all of this matter and want to love her, but when things involving other people, i need to act. This is my first time handling a kitten. Never ever before i raised a kitten by myself. Hope you guys can give me advice on this situation.

Thanks in advance and thanks alot, god bless you all

 

[mrblanche]

Don't let her use your hand for a toy.  Get other toys that she can be more aggressive with.  A string is very good.  A "wand toy," like Da Bird, is extremely popular and can use up the aggression she is taking out on your hand. 

Don't leave a string on the floor when you're not there; cats can swallow them, and that is very serious.

Not all cats like to sleep with humans.  We have a wide variety, from the permanent cuddler to the "never on a bed" type.  The cat will do what she wants; with any luck, as she gets a little older, she will get more "clingy."
 

 

[jennyr]

I agree totally. You have to socialise this kitten as you are all she has, no mama to teach her manners. So she sees your hands as things to play with and that will grow to biting if you are not careful. Get a wand toy with a mouse or some feathers on the end, or make one yourself and redirect her to it each time she tries to take your hand, saying 'no' firmly as you do it. Tell your housemates to do the same - sometimes people think it is funny to teach a kitten to 'hunt the hand' and it ends in tears for everyone when the kitten becomes a cat and still thinks it is OK. Whatever you do, do not punish her by slapping or hitting, even gently - she will think it is OK to do that. You can say 'ouch!' loudly or even hiss as another cat would do. Good luck with your little one, I am sure she will grow to be more affectionate as she gets older and bonds even more with you.

 

[blueyedgirl5946]

Give your house guests instructions to leave your cat alone.  Your cat needs some time to adjust to you, your house, the room where you sleep.

You might be scaring the cat when you try to punish.  Get toys, try letting the cat warm up to you at its own pace rather than you trying to make the moves.  Good luck
 

 

[aman ruzaini]

thanks for the tips and advice as i really need them

Ive bought a few toys for her. some of the toys she didnt like it because they have a bell on it, and somehow it makes her scared. she doesnt really like loud noises. so i have to make a few D.I.Y toys for her. hahaha.

thanks again lovely people!

 

[mrblanche]

Did you know that by actual survey, the most popular kitten/cat toy in the U.S. is the plastic ring from a milk jug?  You may not have them where you are, but such small things are often favorites.  Another favorite is a ping-pong ball, and a wadded up piece of paper is high on the list, too!
 

 

[glenman12]

yes the milk rings are good..ever buy something with a cord..the plastic tie is great for them..just take it and coil it around a pencil or something similar and throw it down the hallway..they go nuts..do you smoke or know someone that does?..take the cellophane from the pack and crimp it into your fingers as small as you can get it and put it on the floor...when it starts expanding they go crazy..take a 6"x6" piece of aluminum foil and crush it in your fingers and throw that down the hall and watch the cat go nuts..my cats have tons of fun with these things and Im sure there are some Im forgetting..

 

[catspaw66]

The roll out of paper towels or TP works good.  Look around your house at things and ask yourself 'If I were my kitten's size, would I like playing with this?  then ask yourself if there would be any danger in playing with the item.  Use your judgement.  I am sure you will discover many DIY cat toys in your home.

 

[eb24]

Another thing to try when she bites your hand is to push into her mouth. When you pull your hand away it makes her think it's prey that is moving and that triggers the instinct to attack it. Pushing back creates a feeling they don't like. Also, make a loud cry when she does it- that will signal to her that she's playing too hard. 

Some cats are attracted to sound, others are terrified of it. It sounds like your little girl is like mine and any noise scares the living daylights out of her. As she gets older she will learn some noises are normal (sneezing, the TV, ect) and won't be so panicky about those. I think you got some great ideas on making your own sound free cat toys- just make sure to pick them up when your done so she doesn't choke on them. 

Also, hopefully over time she will start sleeping with you more but it just depends on the cat. I read your post as you feel like she isn't sleeping with you because she doesn't trust you or is fearful of you. Don't think that way at all! Some cats are just more independent than others. You saved her- trust that she knows that. Keep encouraging her onto the bed but never force her. In time you will learn her habits and she will learn yours. 

Thank you for saving this little girl and doing everything you can for her. It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job- a lot of the "problems" you are describing are just normal kitten/cat behaviors. Work on the ones you can change (like her biting) and accept the ones you can't. 

 

[aman ruzaini]

Thanks guys for all the lovely inputs. I really appreciate it

My kitty now have a fever went to the vet and the vet gave me antibiotic and a vitamin for her. Really sad to see her just sleep, doing nothing. She just look like a zombie. It is so sad to see her like this. Didnt know what cause the fever..

Now, somehow she prefer to sit alone at the corner, sometimes at the back of curtain. Shud i like take her and pet her, u know like shower some love to her, or shud i just leave her alone? Because i assume she need her own time and space to recover from that fever. Any comments?

Thanks..

 

[pippen]

Sorry to hear she's not feeling well.  I'd take my cues from her and right now it sounds like she's telling you she needs rest.  If she's hiding out I'd leave her there, but check her often and see if she's wanting a bit of  petting.  She'll let you know if she doesn't.

I rescued an orphan kitten in our backyard and he's now 6.  My husband was very firm about biting and regretably I wasn't.  To this day even if if my cat is irritated, he won't bite at my husband.

 

[rubberboots]

If you don't have the milk rings what I've also found that works just as well is taking a zip tie or cable tie. Zip it partially so it makes a circle about the size of a silver dollar and cut off the excess tail. Ours go nuts for these. If your friends want to pet your kitten tell them they need to hold out their hand and let the cat sniff it. Your kitten will respond by either rubbing up against it or walking away. If it rubs the hand then tell them it's ok to pet it but move slowly. Obviously if it walks away it doesn't want to be touched.