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?!

[GovernmentShrinker]

Try to avoid declawing -- it's really cruel -- read up on it. If you can't convince her not to claw furniture, they now have some little blunt claw tips that you can glue onto the cat's claws; they last at least a month before it's time for another manicure.

A word about upholstery: cats will generally leave smooth, damask/satin type upholstery fabric alone, with just a wee bit of training. The rough textured fabrics are really difficult -- kitties can't seem to get over how much they feel like tree bark. The smooth ones are also a lot easier to keep fur-free.

[GovernmentShrinker]

If it's going to be outside at all, don't declaw it -- it's a death sentence.

I don't advocate the barbaric practice of declawing, but lack of claws isn't a reason not to let a cat outdoors. My 18 year old Hamilton has been an outdoor declawed cat all his life. I didn't declaw him -- he was a dumped cat who turned up in the parking lot of my apartment building when I was in law school, 16 years ago. I also had another declawed cat, which I adopted from a shelter when he was 15-16; he'd apparently never been outdoors before, but took to it quickly and enjoyed the outdoors daily for 4 years, before succumbing to old age/heart failure.

The only cat I ever had that was injured in an outdoor altercation had all his claws. Somebody's Shar-pei got loose and turned up in my yard, chasing all three of my cats around (including Hamilton, who was about 6 at the time), but it was one of the 2 with claws that got caught (dog's owner had some hefty vet bills to pay, but kitty lived happily, largely outdoors, for another 10+ years). The other clawed cat in the trio was seriously obese, and amazed us all by scaling a tree in record time (getting him back down was my job).

[PetroniDE]

I have six cats. My husband calls me the cat woman. If there are any cat questions I can't answer, I know whom to ask. fire away.

I am going to use that for the kitty thread tonight. Cat woman, eh? --- RRREEEOOOWWW!!!!! FFFTTTTT!!!

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Feed it cat food, keep the litterbox clean and rub it once in awhile. Cat's take care of themselves.

[Slings and Arrows]

Ladies and Gentlemen and Liberals, I present to you...Zia!

Zia Domestic Shorthaired Cat
Black and White
Female
Weight: 0.8 lbs
Cruising Speed: Warp 9
DOB: Appx. 6/25/04 8:30 AM
Acquired: 7/25/04 @ 8:30 AM
Likes: Food; petting; pouncing on small objects; playing with my JRT; chaos; mayhem
Dislikes: Being bathed, being licked dry by my JRT

Here are some pictures of Zia. I apologize for the poor quality; all I had was a webcam, and immobility is not her strong point.

Here are some pictures of Janey, my JRT:

No pics of them together yet; I don't think that my poor cam can handle relativistic speeds.

I took Zia to the vet today for a checkup and shots, and found that she is a) female (thus eliminating my other name choice, "Ogden"), b) about 6 weeks old, and c) Healthy except for some fleas. Zia's too young for meds or dip; thus, I had to bathe her. Without going into detail, the bath helped. Also, I think that cat bathing has great potential as an all-purpose workout. Or possibly as a martial art.

Except for a certain JRT who's already much too full of herself, Zia is the most wonderful creature I've ever known, and her eyes are absolutely amazing.

Thank you all for your help and encouragement. Updates as events and consciousness permit.

[OSHA]

RE: Pic #1

Do you know a good exorcist? I know that look and you are now possessed by a possessed cat!

[Slings and Arrows]

RE: Pic #1

Do you know a good exorcist? I know that look and you are now possessed by a possessed cat!

Ah, I see the confusion. That's not me in Pic #1. That's the cat.

I'm in Pic #7.

[.38sw]

Awwwwww. Thanks for the pics. You are going to have a blast! 6 weeks! That's really young. Nice dog, too. Jack Russells are very charming.

[OSHA]

LOL! In that case you are ready for CAT TORTURE 101.

1. The newspaper "bridge". Place a newspaper between the couch and coffee table. Cat WILL attempt to cross. Most never learn.

2. Laser pointer or flashlight. No instructions necessary. Wing it and enjoy. Bonus points for wall crashes.

3. The slippery floor. Throw an object from a carpeted area into a linoleum or tiled area.

4. Tape on the bottom of one paw. Not too sticky and not too often. Great for false impression that you are the boss.

5. Paper grocery sacks. Just lay one open on its side and cat will sack itself quicker than any grocery boy could.

6. Cardboard boxes. An empty cardboard box is only empty because it doesn't have a cat in it yet. Every now and then put a shallow tray of water in the bottom of the box.

7. Rubber bands and balloons. Some cats go crazy. I had one that would grab a rubber band in his mouth and back up. He was weird though. He loved pizza and potato chips.

Food, water, love and VENGANCE!

[Slings and Arrows]

You have a truly sick mind. I hate competition.

In the unlikely event that you haven't seen this video before, you owe me BIG TIME.

[Slings and Arrows]

You're welcome; I am; sure is; thanks!; they are. :-)

It's been less than two days, and those two are inseparable. When the JRT chased Zia under my dresser, and she stayed there for four hours until I coaxed it out, I thought Janey had traumatized her. I got her out, snuggled her, and after some petting and scritching she began mewing. She didn't want food, water, the litterbox, just kept on mewing...until I let her and Janey go at it again. Right now they're both under my desk, half-asleep.

Life is interesting.

[OSHA]

LMFAO!

I have never seen it before. Yes I am sick! I predict that you will need a double wide recliner!

[Bahbah]

LOL over the cat bath. You are brave and have my admiration.

[asgardshill]

Congratulations on a gorgeous little girl! And, the best part is that she is already dressed for formal occasions in that little white bib and stockings.

I'm glad to hear that she's getting along with the JRT. Now all you need to do is let her grow a little bit then teach her to sit on top of your monitor. She'll use her tail to keep the dust off the screen (trust me, it works).

[angcat]

You have adorable little critters! I'm glad Zia has found you and she will be cared for and have a nice life with you. I have a 12-year-old cat and he has been through so much with us, it is really strange when they start to age and you realize how they have gone through good and bad times in your life.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Thanks for the pics!

[Slings and Arrows]

LOL over the cat bath. You are brave and have my admiration.

I adopted the "Palestinian" ethic: My hatred of fleas was greater than my love of life. (Also, the vet trimmed her nails.)

[Slings and Arrows]

What a darling kitty. Nice dog too! Makes me want to get another one!

Uh oh - no-one told me the furry little boogers were habit-forming! (Thanks!)

[Slings and Arrows]

Congratulations on a gorgeous little girl!

Thanks!

And, the best part is that she is already dressed for formal occasions in that little white bib and stockings.

Hmmm...how does she accessorize?

I'm glad to hear that she's getting along with the JRT. Now all you need to do is let her grow a little bit then teach her to sit on top of your monitor. She'll use her tail to keep the dust off the screen (trust me, it works).

That'll be a good trick - I use a laptop. :-) She's already learned that keyboards are fun to walk on$%^&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&*FGGHHJL