Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 7:58:25 PM   
MissMagnolia


Posts: 3636
Status: offline
Don't forget a bell for his/her collar. Unless you want heaps of mice/rats/birds/wildlife "gifts" from your kitty. My cat, when a kitten, also brought in live butterflies and snails, so keep an eye open for freaky stuff.

A nice, raw chicken wing is good for a cats teeth and gums too. Get the kitten used to it early.

_____________________________

if at first you dont succeed..then skydiving isnt for you

Resident Whip Cracker AND Resident Orbs Of Joy.


(in reply to SimplySubmissive)
Profile   Post #: 21
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 8:10:54 PM   
faerytattoodgirl


Posts: 5824
Status: offline
awww my 8 lb baby siamese...k he's 6 yrs old now...but still baby sized.

http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=juniorcz7.jpg


_____________________________

I did not reply to your cmail.
I am flawed.
Imperfect.
MUST SPANK!!!
SPAAAAAAAANK!!!

(in reply to MissMagnolia)
Profile   Post #: 22
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 8:10:56 PM   
SimplySubmissive


Posts: 216
Joined: 1/2/2004
Status: offline
ORIGINAL: Griswold


[/quote]

Get a Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, glue a 2 foot long string with a feather attached to it, charge it up, turn it on and go have a nice relaxing cup of coffee.

Your floors will be spotless...and you'll laugh your ass off for well over 90 minutes.
[/quote]

omg!  I knew I wanted a Roomba.. now I need one!!  Not for me, of course, for the cat!

grr messed up the quote thingy!

< Message edited by SimplySubmissive -- 1/19/2008 8:12:35 PM >

(in reply to Griswold)
Profile   Post #: 23
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 8:11:05 PM   
christine1


Posts: 6155
Joined: 12/15/2007
From: i'm headed to HIM...
Status: offline
i've had several cats, (not at once),  and have never been covered with cat hair or cat pee.  (it's called brushing your cat and using your vacuum and changing the litter box regularly.)    simple house cleaning and cat hygeine thwarts the effects of evil cat hair and pee!

_____________________________

i am woman! er, godzilla! hear me roar!

http://wavcentral.com/cgi-bin/log/log.cgi?id=2856&sound=/sounds/movies/godzilla/roar.mp3


He's the "boom" overwhelming...

He is my Master, my lover, my best friend my everything.

(in reply to MissMagnolia)
Profile   Post #: 24
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 8:22:30 PM   
FangsNfeet


Posts: 3758
Joined: 12/3/2004
Status: offline
Are you sure that you really ready for this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8S-2XxNkQA&feature=related

_____________________________

I'm Godzilla and you're Japan

(in reply to winterlight)
Profile   Post #: 25
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 8:39:16 PM   
ThinkingKitten


Posts: 447
Joined: 6/15/2006
From: Ontari-ari-o
Status: offline
1. Understand and accept that you are now OWNED, and that ownership could last for the next 20 years.
2. Don't think that cats are happy being solitary animals and OK with being left on their own for long periods of time. They are in fact quite social. I strongly recommend "The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats" by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson for gaining some insight into cat behaviour (if you are new to it).
3. This is a commitment. It means good food, clean, fresh water, frequent litter box cleaning, time and attention and potentially, vet bills. None of these things can be shelved or put off because its inconvenient to you.
 
Other than that - enjoy your new buddy and I wish the two of you long life, health and happiness!
 

_____________________________

Thinking Kitten

If you can't stand the heat... tell the chef to get out of the kitchen.

(in reply to winterlight)
Profile   Post #: 26
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 8:47:39 PM   
DesertRat


Posts: 2774
Joined: 11/29/2004
From: NM/USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: lauren0221
quote:

don't declaw! very cruel process. 

I second that.


I'm thirding it...VERY strongly.

Bob

_____________________________

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro--Hunter S. Thompson
It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide!--Chief Dead St. Knockout, 1933, Liverpool
Damn the crops. I'll only find peace at the end of a rope.--Winston Van Loo, 1911

(in reply to lauren0221)
Profile   Post #: 27
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 8:57:15 PM   
bipolarber


Posts: 2792
Joined: 9/25/2004
Status: offline
Okay...
1. Yes to spay/neutering. (Cats breed like tribbles)
2. NO to declawing, especially if they will be indoor/outdoor cats. They might need to defend themselves.
3. Your cat should eat primarily dry food, with a small amount of wet meat each week. The best way to purchase this food is in the larger cans, and pick up a set of snap on lids so you can keep the remainder in the fridge for them.
4. Best cat toy on Earth... a $5 laser pointer. (good cardio for your cat too. And they NEVER tire of it.)
5. Remember, you are entering a relationship. This is going to take some work on your part.

(in reply to DesertRat)
Profile   Post #: 28
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 10:06:32 PM   
DomKen


Posts: 19457
Joined: 7/4/2004
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline
Ok, you've gotten a kitten and virtually everything said above is very good advice.

Do spay/neuter. Don't declaw.

But onto my pet peeve of cat owners. Do socialize your cat. Start as soon as you get it and hold it for a few minutes a couple of times a day. It has to learn to do more than tolerate your presence.

My big Maine Coon kitten, got her this spring and she's already 14 lbs., is completely content being held. I don't have any trouble getting er to stay put for brushing or even trimming her claws. This only happens if you hold the kitten for a minutes fairly frequently and teach it that it is a safe and not scary experience.

Trust me on this, it will make a huge difference.

BTW if you work outside the home or are otherwise not around for most of the day most days you should think long and hard about getting two kittens.

(in reply to bipolarber)
Profile   Post #: 29
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 10:27:38 PM   
brainiacsub


Posts: 1209
Joined: 11/11/2007
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen
BTW if you work outside the home or are otherwise not around for most of the day most days you should think long and hard about getting two kittens.


I will second this one strongly. As others have already said, don't underestimate how social cats actually are. All of the play that young kittens do is crucial to their mental development. If they spend alot of time alone, you may notice strange behaviors and 'personality' quirks as they get older. This is not true for every cat, of course, but the effects of raising puppies/kittens in near isolation is well documented. Get him a playmate.

(in reply to DomKen)
Profile   Post #: 30
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 10:39:47 PM   
marieToo


Posts: 3595
Joined: 5/21/2006
From: Jersey
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

Are you sure that you really ready for this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8S-2XxNkQA&feature=related


Oh, too damn cute!!

_____________________________

marie.


I give good agita.









(in reply to FangsNfeet)
Profile   Post #: 31
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 10:44:18 PM   
Arpig


Posts: 9930
Joined: 1/3/2006
From: Increasingly further from reality
Status: offline
When you first bring it home, have a bed & litterbox in a quiet spot, and then put some butter on its front paws (it makes them groom themselves which will relax them). As a rule I try to leave a new kitten alone for a while, let it explore without being picked up all the time.

_____________________________

Big man! Pig Man!
Ha Ha...Charade you are!


Why do they leave out the letter b on "Garage Sale" signs?

CM's #1 All-Time Also-Ran


(in reply to winterlight)
Profile   Post #: 32
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/19/2008 11:32:38 PM   
Owner59


Posts: 17033
Joined: 3/14/2006
From: Dirty Jersey
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

Spay/nutter, declaw, have toys and cat nip on hand.

Clear counters of breakable items.


ALARM!!

Do not declaw,repeat,...Do not declaw!

It is the equivalent of cutting off your 1st knuckle(finger tip),on each of your fingers. It also leaves them completely defenseless and unable to escape or climb a tree when in danger.

My 2 cents.

(in reply to FangsNfeet)
Profile   Post #: 33
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/20/2008 12:16:16 AM   
winterlight


Posts: 1319
Joined: 2/18/2006
Status: offline
well for one thing i would never get a dog or cat except from the ASPCA! I would not declaw the poor thing. I have seen some cats at the ASPCA whose previous owners had them declawed. I have wanted an animal for a long time and yes i have considered very carefully all the pro's and con's. I just wanted advice from those that already have an animal.
Thanks for all the advice!

(in reply to Owner59)
Profile   Post #: 34
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/20/2008 12:28:10 AM   
DisenchantedLife


Posts: 193
Status: offline
quote:

Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seventh
Eight
Nineth
Tenth
Eleventh
(etc.)


ect. x2 on the declaw thing.  Bad bad bad.  I also second the getting a play mate for your kitty and spending more then just a "few minutes" holding your cat a day.    Spend lots of time doing it!  A second kitten is usually a good idea because as human beings with lives it is difficult to be able to be the only source of love and attention.  They have feelings, they get bored too.  You're busy for the evening, whats a kitty going to do?  Get him a friend, they tend to be happier and less demanding.  Try and keep the claws trimmed, because no matter what you have for them to scratch on - they will find the most expensive thing you have to work their claws.  LOL

Arpig has a good point too.  Don't overwhelm your kitty when he/she comes home.  Its will most likely be frightened and a bit insecure of the new enviroment, ect.   

(in reply to winterlight)
Profile   Post #: 35
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/20/2008 4:59:58 AM   
Griswold


Posts: 2739
Joined: 2/12/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: DisenchantedLife I also second the getting a play mate for your kitty and spending more then just a "few minutes" holding your cat a day.    Spend lots of time doing it!  A second kitten is usually a good idea because as human beings with lives it is difficult to be able to be the only source of love and attention.  They have feelings, they get bored too.  You're busy for the evening, whats a kitty going to do?  Get him a friend, they tend to be happier and less demanding.  Try and keep the claws trimmed, because no matter what you have for them to scratch on - they will find the most expensive thing you have to work their claws.  LOL

Arpig has a good point too.  Don't overwhelm your kitty when he/she comes home.  Its will most likely be frightened and a bit insecure of the new enviroment, ect.   


Good point on the buddy thing.  I've always done that.  Very important.  And feeding two cats ain't that much more costly.

Interesting idea on the butter on the paws thing...never heard that one before but I'd imagine it works.  I'd add at this juncture...if a Domme ever adopts me...please put Crown Royal on my paws.  It calms me as well.

Oh...and on the buddy pet;  A Rotweiller or Pit Bull would not be an optimum choice for a buddy pet for your cat.

(Just a thought).

(in reply to DisenchantedLife)
Profile   Post #: 36
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/20/2008 7:55:42 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline
Dude, I hope you arent paying for a cat. Find one that is giving away. Only pay if a cat had shots, etc.  many state of a low cost nueter program. i had my dog spayed for $30. do a search for your state...

(in reply to Griswold)
Profile   Post #: 37
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/20/2008 9:31:58 AM   
kyraofMists


Posts: 3292
Joined: 7/29/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: faerytattoodgirl

awww my 8 lb baby siamese...k he's 6 yrs old now...but still baby sized.

http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=juniorcz7.jpg



Awww... he looks like my "baby" siamese.  He is 5, 16 pounds and not fat!!  He is very tall and when he stands on his hind legs his paws rest comfortably on the counter.

Knight's Kyra

_____________________________

"Passion... it lies in all of us. Sleeping, waiting, and though unbidden, it will stir, open its jaws, and howl. It speaks to us, guides us... passion rules us all. And we obey..." ~Angelus

(in reply to faerytattoodgirl)
Profile   Post #: 38
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/20/2008 9:58:59 AM   
Maya2001


Posts: 1656
Joined: 8/22/2007
From: Woodstock ONT,CANADA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SimplySubmissive

quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

Spay/nutter, declaw, have toys and cat nip on hand.

Clear counters of breakable items.

don't declaw! very cruel process. 
get  a scratching post of some kind.
Science Diet cat food is best, it's what most vets will tell you they feed their own pets.
kittens are so fun!
Only reason vets recommend is because hills puts together their nutritional classes and then offers to supply them with foods for their practice, but the stuff is crap it is mostly just grain , cats are not cows they are true carnivores they need meat and lots of it to be healthy , even dogs need more meat than what is most dog foods that is they reason increasing number of dogs and cats are suffering with problems such a kidney disease as they age and diabetes and immune system problems .

Hills is still ignoring the new research about protein needs, and still twisting facts, yes grain proteins lack certain enzymes  so too high an amount of "grain" protein can be harmful, but that is not true of "meat" protein,   they also still argue that dogs anc cat should be put on low protein diets  around 10%   when they have early stage kidney disease yet studies are showing that at that low the animals kidney will decline  whereas if given 45% "meat" protein can extend their lives as long as still caught in the early stages of renal failure.

As a result I choose to feed kibbles similiarly formulated to match natural diets.for example the EVO line of foods
http://www.evopet.com/


Wellness Core http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/cat_wellness_dry_core.html

orijen
http://www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/orijen/

http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1172

I have had 2 dogs that I adopted with Lupus 18 years apart, the first I was told by the vet to feed Science Diet he progressively got worse, with open weeping sores had to go on daily cortisone died within 3 years.  Current dog diagnosed over 4 years ago I choose EVO for her her skin has improved one would barely know she has Lupus, only vitamin are used for treatment and she is healthy and bouncy  after 4 years  with a gorgeous shiny coat,  even my senior dogs are despeite my vets objections at first they have maintained muscle mass and early blood work show ones thyroid function improved while on instead of the normal decline, all other values are excellent even those related to kidney and liver function ,  the vet did  full  xrays and was shocked that there was no signs of arthritis, he is still strggling to understand because his classes taught him it was wrong to feed high protein, he has performed some of the testing for free on my dogs and he is starting to slowly coming around by the test results he is seeing with his own eyes












_____________________________

Lead me not into temptation - I can find the way myself

(in reply to SimplySubmissive)
Profile   Post #: 39
RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care - 1/20/2008 10:19:07 AM   
winterlight


Posts: 1319
Joined: 2/18/2006
Status: offline
anybody heard of Jumpos? they keep the cat off of furniture, counters etc..

(in reply to Maya2001)
Profile   Post #: 40
Page:   <<   < prev  1 [2] 3   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: Advice for adopting a kitten and its care Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.094