Help! I've got a kitten! [Vanity]

Mamma and Daddy cats, i'd guess | 7/25/04 | Me

[Slings and Arrows]

I seem to have adopted a stray kitten as an indoor cat. I've never had a cat in my life! (I do have a Jack Russell Terrier.) What do I do now?!

[Slings and Arrows]

New Zia pics in previous post!

Kitty Ping List alert!

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SAVE AIMEE!

[Barney1995]

I feel for you and understand your panic. I have had many pets, but mostly have adopted older animals, both cats and dogs. They all can make wonderful pets, but those that you adopt as babies are yours for a lifetime. A kitten can be a handful, but, with understanding and good care, can grow up to be a wonderful companion. Just make sure that your dog is okay with this, or keep them separated to begin with. You can ask your vet for advice, but here are a few good websites that you can consult. I have never taken a small kitten, only young cats, but I have friends in animal rescue who I can call on, if you need advice when your vet isn't available. IMHO, kittens are the cutest baby animals. And a lot of fun! Good luck!:-)

http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm

http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/orphans.shtml

http://us.merial.com/pet_owners/cats/kitten_care.asp

http://www.petstation.com/kittencare.html

http://www.cathelp-online.com/health2kittens.html

[Slings and Arrows]

Thank you for the links and the encourage. The kitten is doing fine, and she and the dog were wearing each other out this evening, so I guess that they've both adapted. Zia is a delight to have around, and I'm glad she came into my life.

[A CA Guy]

Bond with the cute kitty.

The bonding should begin with a bath in the kitchen sink.
This is quite traditional and will be something you will never forget.

[A CA Guy]

Oh good, you did do the bath bonding after all.

[Barney1995]

Yes! This is the best cat toy ever! My aunt called it the "kitty torture" and gave me one, saying this was essential. It requires a person at the other end, but there are even holders, now, that will hang on, when you aren't available. LOL! It only costs two or three dollars, but will keep kitty entertained indefinitely!

http://www.catdancer.com/products.htm

[Barney1995]

Ask your vet what would be the best food to introduce. Kittens require special food and need to be fed more often, since they are growing so fast. It is best to change food gradually, if you are aware of the food that your kitten was used to. It can cause stomach distress if changed abruptly.

As for introducing the kitten to the dog, I am clueless, since it all depends on the dog. I have been lucky, as my dogs have been tolerant of or had been brought up with cats, though all of my animals have been rescue. I would keep the dog and kitten separate until you are totally comfortable with them being together. I would definitely not leave them alone together, if you aren't around. A kitten could really annoy a dog who is sure of his/her space. They need time, so take it slow and be sure. Give the dog extra attention and much praise for good behavior around the kitten. Don't hesitate to ask your vet, since he knows them both. I call mine all the time, LOL! But they know me and like my animals and expect it. Congrats on the kitty. My cats have all been indoor and, IMO, considering the dangers outdoors, that's the only way to go.

[Barney1995]

I'm so very sorry. I lost my beloved cat, as well, so I can sympathise. It's been really rough. My cat was only seven, but she was nearly human, LOL, and I appreciated the exceptional cat that I had and sought the best veterinary care for her, which offered alternative, as well as traditional, medicine, but I still lost her, despite everything. I would have done anything. I was given this website by my vet's office. One of the girls who works there had also lost a cat and had found comfort here. I still can't deal with it well, but it may help you. This site was begun for the brave rescue dogs who were lost in the effort to find those who were lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy, but now all are welcome. It is a very special place, but I just can't deal with it yet. I am passing this on, just in case it might help you.

http://www.petloss.com/

[Barney1995]

I'm so very sorry. I lost my beloved cat, as well, so I can sympathise. It's been really rough. My cat was only seven, but she was nearly human, LOL, and I appreciated the exceptional cat that I had and sought the best veterinary care for her, which offered alternative, as well as traditional, medicine, but I still lost her, despite everything. I would have done anything. I was given this website by my vet's office. One of the girls who works there had also lost a cat and had found comfort here. I still can't deal with it well, but it may help you. This site was begun for the brave rescue dogs who were lost in the effort to find those who were lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy, but now all are welcome. It is a very special place, but I just can't deal with it yet. I am passing this on, just in case it might help you. Again, I express my sympathies. I have been there.

http://www.petloss.com/

[stylin_geek]

I like the way Zia ia perched on your computer. She's obviously a cutie.

[alnick]

My dad made a scratching post for his new kitten and attached a cat dancer coming out of the top of it. It keeps her entertained for hours. Plus she takes the other cat dancer and will attack one end of it, which will make the other end move, so she then goes after the other end, which makes the other end move...

[freedomlover]

LOL

I lived next to one of those houses for 6 years. It was unbelievable.

[sweetliberty]

The first thing you need to do is purchase this book and read it. It will make it so much easier for you to cooperate with your kitten's efforts to train you.

[sweetliberty]

"Also, get some cheap catnip toys."

By all means, get the toys, but for that real catnip experience, grow a plant. It is easy to grow and will thrive with minimum care. Your cat will enjoy grazing in it. Of course, once it's had the primo homegrown stuff, it isn't likely to touch that dried, store bought stuff again. Oh, and for the record, kittens are generally not too interested in catnip. It's an attraction that seems to develop a little later, so your kitten and your his catnip plant can grow up together. And the stuff gets pretty thick, so the catnip harvest can pretty fun too....and you can share the excess with all your cat-owned friends.

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[Slings and Arrows]

Thanks; she is indeed a cutie. Sorry for the low quality of the pictures - it's hard to get her to hold still for the few milliseconds required to snap the pic.

[Jet Jaguar]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1188766/posts

[beyond the sea]

Stick a box of gravel in a quiet corner, show it to him/her, feed the little sucker, and give it love. If you're lucky he/she will tolerate you!

Just kidding, cats are coooooooooooool! I've had 'em all my life.

[Barney1995]

This is great news. I got a "cat dancer" for my friend and this kept both her cats and her four-year-old daughter occupied for hours. This sounds like you have this kitty entertained. I just wish that I could see it, LOL! My cat also loved this toy, but I also had to drag it around after me, like the four-year-old. Your Dad sounds like a cat genius.:-)

[Slings and Arrows]

New pics of Zia here! I know they aren't great, but she moves so fast that the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle kicks in.

[Slings and Arrows]

New Zia pics!

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