Advice on New Kittens

kingleds

Gold Member
Hello All. Is anyone experience with new kittens?

I have just acquired 2 and have a couple of questions!

Firstly whats the best cat litter to use? I have some 100% clay ultra good at clumping stuff which is speicfically for kittens (it has some herbal in it which attracts them), and they seem to be okay with it, but its a bit expensive and I've also read that clumping cat litter can be bad for kittens.

Second, we are away this weekend (bad timing- we weren't supposed to get the kittens for another week, but they were harrassing their mum so we were asked to take them early) Our friends have offered to look after them at their house, and keep them seperate from their own cats by keeping them in a room on their own. It would be best because they can be fed regularly, but I am a bit hesitant to put them in another new place so soon after we have got them. Plus they have not had their jabs yet. Our other freidns have offered to come round and feed them, but they need feeding 4 times a day at the moment, which is big committment for someone.

What do I do? I can't cancel the weekend away - its been booked for ages and we would loose out on lot of money.
 
We use catsan cat litter but yeah can be expensive but if you've an Asda they do Tiger cat litter which is pretty much the same.

As for your weekend I'd get someone come feed them as:

a) they haven't had jabs & may pick up something
b) it wud really unsettle/scare them being moved again.

Could you possibly split their care between both your friends? Any neighbours you trust?

What have you named them?

Hope you work it out & have a fab weekend away :) xx
 
Thanks BB. Don't mind spending the money on decent stuff if its worth it and want make sure they use the tray, so I will stick with the stuff I've got for the moment untl they are a bit bigger (they are properly teeny tiny at the moment).

Have a firend who is willing to come in & feed them morning and night, so thats what we are gonna do. They don't seem fussy about what they will eat so far so I think I will try to give them dry food for during the day (mashed up in some water) until we leave. That way our friends only need to give them some wet food morning & night & refill the dry food. Now I just needo t tel lthe couple who were gonna have them at their house- I think they might get a bit upset.

Its so pathetic, but I don't really want to leave them :( I'm worried they will get lonely.

I have finally named them today- Socks and Gizmo. I left it up to hubby and he came up with Drum & Bass - they are girls so this was never gonna happen.
 
I've found with cat litter that it's trial and error as some cats act differently to others. My mum had one who shook her feet alot so the litter ended up everywhere so the non clumping one was best.
Another who actually removed the litter by scraping it out of the box, but the clumping one she was ok with. Funny lil girl she was, mum only had her three weeks, she preferred me to anyone else even though I only visited now and then. She had a heart attack she was only 6 months old poor mite. Poor mum was heartbroken, I'd said she didn't look right as her coat was greasy, mum was watching her to see if she was a lazy cat or was Ill and then she died.
Ah made myself all upset now!

Sorry xxx
 
We've always used the clumping litter so I would recommend that!

As for them getting lonely, they'll have each other so don't worry :) Glad you've got someone who can pop in to feed them, without the jabs etc I would say it would be a risk to take them to another home with other cats.

My neighbour used to have two cats called Socks & Gizmo :) I love choosing kitty names.

Hope you don't miss them too much while you're away. Just remember, they'll be there waiting for you when you get home :)
 
Thanks Lisa - I'm sure they will be fine. I'm glad you think the clumping stuff is okay for them as I don't like the faff of having to change it completely on a daily basis. I have to say the clumping stuff is amazing!

They seem to keep each other amused most of the time so they should be okay, and our freinds will play with them for a bit whilst they are there, so that will help.

I can't beleive I am as worried about it as I am! How pathetic am I?
 
My cat is called Gizmo lol xx

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big bear said:
My cat is called Gizmo lol xx

<img src="http://www.minimins.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46566"/>

Mine are tabbies too :)
 

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Cat litter I use non clumping stuff, I just didn't like it, I've also tried sawdust which was fine but stuck to her paws & was all over the house, it is trial & error & you'll find one which suits you & your little kitties.

I'd ask your friend to come & visit for feeding & play, I'd not be too happy having them at another friends house especially as you've just got them & they are so young they may get upset.

Where you off to?
 
I used to use catsan, we don't have cats now. Both lived to their 20's and I didn't think I could cope with the loss again when I'm 80! Miss them tho.
 
I loathe litter trays! Always glad when my cats were old enough to go outside or got well again. :D
My Gizmo (Gizzy) was a fluffy tortie with a baby pink nose. Looked like butter wouldn't melt but was actually more gremlin than Gizmo. I adored her - she was my girl but took no prisoners. We got on because I was about the only one not scared of her. LOL. I was lucky enough to have her for 20 years.

Glad you're leaving them at home. They really won't mind being largely on their own for a couple of days. One point though - how teeny tiny are they? I only ask because I'm not clear why you're mashing their dried food with water? :confused:
 
I use Cat's Best cat litter that I get from Pet Supplies Store: Pet Planet, the UK's #1 Pet Store and find it great. It has pretty much all positive reviews on the website. It's one of the few if not the only clumping wood based litter.

To be honest, it sound like your kittens are on the young side and personally I don't think they should be left on their own if they are very young and in a new environment. Could you get someone to come and stay at your place for the days you are away? Failing that then yes I would cancel my weekend away.
 
I would prefer someone to be there for them as they get up to a lot of mischeif and I do not know how many times I had to 'rescue' them from being stuck or caught on something!!! I woul also invest in a really good scratching post to save the furniture, mine has been a godsend. I have Bambam (split face tortie) & Topsy (tabby) and I would not be without them. We are lucky that we have a Pet Care Business in the area where she comes to the house when we are away but I would not leave them so young as this is when you make the difference to the way they act around you. I can pick my 2 up like babies and they will fall asleep in my arms like that, I can also dance about holding Bambam who just stares at everything. Good luck with it all and I hope you have many years of happiness from them :)
 
Believe it or not, they are very well behaved, despite them being young. They keep each other well occupied & entertained, and have loads of toys & a scratching post that they love. The flat is kitten proofed & they aren't allowed in certain rooms.

They are not the kind of kittens who need to be held or need us to be there to fall asleep - they have a blanket they sleep on. I can't imagine ever holding them to make them go to sleep. They are cats! Not kids!

Cancelling is not an option. My friends have agreed to spend some time playing with them, and we will only be away from late Friday afternoon to lunchtime Sunday so they will be fine.
 
Believe it or not, they are very well behaved, despite them being young. They keep each other well occupied & entertained, and have loads of toys & a scratching post that they love. The flat is kitten proofed & they aren't allowed in certain rooms.

They are not the kind of kittens who need to be held or need us to be there to fall asleep - they have a blanket they sleep on. I can't imagine ever holding them to make them go to sleep. They are cats! Not kids!

Cancelling is not an option. My friends have agreed to spend some time playing with them, and we will only be away from late Friday afternoon to lunchtime Sunday so they will be fine.

Give it time and you will soon be treating them as children!!!! They just like being held like that and are very sooky cats - they sleep on radiator beds at night and their blankets/sctrachting posts when they cannot be bothered with us!!!!
 
Alycyn1980 said:
Give it time and you will soon be treating them as children!!!! They just like being held like that and are very sooky cats - they sleep on radiator beds at night and their blankets/sctrachting posts when they cannot be bothered with us!!!!

:) think hubby would have a heart attack if I started treating them like kids!
 
kingleds said:
:) think hubby would have a heart attack if I started treating them like kids!

These r my 2! Both r taken lying on my knee x

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