New kitten!

SillyMangoX

So many regular forum posters will know I rescued. Four 3 day old kittens that were handed in to the vet to be put to sleep. I bottle fed them for a few days then handed them to an amazing fosterer who has been doing the hard work since! Unfortunately one kitty (the runt) passed away, I suspect something like a liver shunt but who knows!

So anyway, they are starting to wean now, and the fosterer can hold onto them for another 2 weeks then they will hopefully be off to new homes. The foster is keeping little tux, and will be handing Shelley and dude over to me until they get new homes (or I can convince the parents to let me keep one!).

When i had them here first, my two resident cats were less than happy, cream in particular was very growly and just and put out with all of us, I would imagine because of the sudden appearance of these fluff bundles taking over all my time. So I was wondering what would be the best way to introduce the kittens into the house hold without too much upset? I'm planning on topping up the feliway diffuser and cordoning off part of the upstairs sitting room as ''kitten zone" and won't be along my cats unsupervised access up there. I plan on swapping beddings for a few days before actually letting them are each other again. Kittens are in a foster home with 3 adult cats so are used to being hissed at and hissing back!

mymo

Sounds like a good plan so far!
We have one older cat that seems unfazed by kittens or dogs coming into the house (he was a nervous cat until first dog came along that seems to have given him more confidence) the other cat growls at the kittens or cats but not dogs.
As you may know I have taken in a few last summer and Mouse stayed, but even now 6 months later One adult cat still grows if she tries to play (at first he growled if he even caught sight of her).
We resorted to feeding and petting him up on a windowsill she couldn't reach anytime she was annoying him, small bits of food and allowing him places to escape, never leaving them alone etc. We used a dog crate when she first arrived (but then she was only about 4 weeks and 250g so tiny), later if she annoyed him we removed her for a while. Now we just ignore it, he's only ever slapped her, never really tried to get at her, more avoid her and warn her to stay away.

Strangely the other cat who is 13 next month didn't bat an eyelid, isn't keen on her overly affectionate ways at times but does tolerate with a disdainful look and even joins in the play sometimes (likes to sit until a small table in a corner to reduce angles of attack ).

I think you are going about it right, watch for signs of stress in older two, or aggression, but it will take time.

Good luck, with persuading your mother, my daughter managed with me even though we now have 9 pets!

SillyMangoX

And how exactly did your daughter get around you? :P

I've won around my mom now that she's seen they are amazingly cute, but she knows my dad won't agree! Spent the day cleaning the house and cooking dinner to soften him up

mymo

You don't seriously think your dad has any say do you? :P

(I'm too soft it was easy persuade me)

SillyMangoX

mymo wrote: »

You don't seriously think your dad has any say do you? :P

(I'm too soft it was easy persuade me)

Oh unfortunately my Dad is the boss in the house (after the cats!). He comes from a farming backround and would have no problem.. lets say'disposing' of the kittens

Nody

Well for starters keep the kittens closed away in an area that is not a primary used area today (bedroom is a no go for example) that can be closed of completely (i.e. door). Secondly start to feed your existing cats outside the door (and the kittens on the other side) to make them start to smell each others scent. This will usually take a couple of days depending on your cats use to change (our first foster cat took 2 weeks to introduce and 2 months before accepted; our latest took 2 days to introduce and less then a week to be accepted). Then you need to start to let the kittens roam around a bit; now normally the kittens are the once who don't care and your existing cats are the once that will run and hide (may look funny but your cats are the once who're losing territory and routine here which upset them) for a few hours a day. If you can make it around the same time it will help (basically time sharing the area which cats do normally). You can then slowly extend the time they roam and share and start letting them see each other (if you can have a baby gate or similar to stop physical contact but allow sight and smell that's perfect) and slowly work it through. It can take months and if you try to rush it you're likely to have to start over from square one again so take your time.

tk123

SillyMangoX wrote: »

He comes from a farming backround and would have no problem.. lets say'disposing' of the kittens

OT but we had an older teacher in school who wold tell us anecdotes.. one of them went....
"I remember me Mammy saying to me and I was drowning the kittens in the river, you've the makings of a teacher in you!" :eek:

It sounds like your halfway there now to reuinting the kittens with their Mama... ...ie you lol :P

SillyMangoX

I'm just so happy I decided to start a thread on this, if its okay with the mods!!

So my little boy will be 6 weeks on Wednesday. He came into my life when he was 3 days old, handed into the vets with his 3 siblings in a paper bag to be put to sleep. The vets just said right well these guys are going to be put down, any volunteers to hand raise? And I jumped at the chance! So I kept them for 3 days but unfortunately I had to move away from home for a new placement so they couldn't come with me, so they went off to a foster. I initially said no way would I want to keep any, but when I next went to visit they has open eyes and had started to purr. I fed my little guy and instead of crying to get back to his siblings he started purring and fell asleep in my hand. Then I just knew I couldn't part with him!
So then the convincing of the parents started, which started out as a firm and definite NO! from my mother. I didn't want to risk asking my dad because my mom said she asked him if I had tried him yet and he said that he would have no problem getting rid of the kitten! But I just kept bringing it up in casual conversation with my mom on how things will be when he gets here and all that, to the point where I was really starting to annoy her When we went to visit the babies on Friday, I could just tell that she would give in, once she saw them as fun cute kittens and now screaming furry fragile blobs! So I just said to her 'look he likes you, we'll have to keep him' (he was playing with her shoe laces) to which she said your father will never agree. Which meant that she had given in as it was no longer a no
And how wrong she was about my father! Just today I was in the car with him for 2 hours as he was dropping my to my placement for the week, and I just said 'if I ask you something will you hear be out before you say no', and went on a big speech of all the preparations and everything I had been thinking about for if we got him, and how he would cost no extra as we had all the stuff from our own two cats and all that. I was expecting him to just say a straight out no, but he said 'we'll see' which is a yes in my mind! So we just sat in silence for a few minutes, then he said that the kitten can be my birthday present!!! (what a present for a 21st!!)

So that is the story of the newest addition that will be coming to our house He should be here in 3 weeks time when I finish my placement. At the moment, he is named Dude, as he was the chunkiest and best feeder of all the kittens when we first got them. The name really suits him, but I think I would like to rename him something that matches with my current 2 cats names, Peach and Cream! Has anyone any suggestions?

I'll add photos to this thread of him as he grows up





Being beaten up by his sister!!

ABajaninCork

He's cute! I'd stick with the name Dude. It does suit him...

anniehoo

Sorry Silly but i've merged your new thread with your one from yesterday as it's on the same topic.

Delighted that your Dad said yes, he's one lucky kitty. Dude is a brilliant name for him i'd stick with it too.

SillyMangoX

anniehoo wrote: »

Sorry Silly but i've merged your new thread with your one from yesterday as it's on the same topic.

Delighted that your Dad said yes, he's one lucky kitty. Dude is a brilliant name for him i'd stick with it too.

No problem, I actually forgot about this thread, doh!!

bluecherry74

Congrats Silly. I think Dude is a fab name, he's bound to grow up with plenty of attitude with a name like that.

mymo

All I have to say is awwww, and yay!

hdowney

Yer dad rox. Dude is sososo cute I want another one now

SillyMangoX

I asked my mother today did dad say anything to her, she said he was feeling sorry for me and wanted to make my day! Still have no idea why he was feeling sorry for me, I was hungover though so if being hungover and looking miserable gets me kittens, I should drink more often

keaves

I just put "peach cream" into Google and the first search option it gave me was peaches cream and Jam!!!

my votes for dude to become Jam!

SillyMangoX

Haha jam is cute! My mom thinks we should keep his name seperate from peach and cream cos he isn't their sibling so I think dude shall remain dude! Unless he turns out to be a girl, then we may have problems!!

Themadhouse

SillyMangoX wrote: »

Haha jam is cute! My mom thinks we should keep his name seperate from peach and cream cos he isn't their sibling so I think dude shall remain dude! Unless he turns out to be a girl, then we may have problems!!

He's not sexed yet?! lol! Stick up some pics and we'll do it.

SillyMangoX

He is, we are almost 100% dude is indeed a dude, but kitten balls are so tiny it's hard to tell!! It looked like 2 boys and 2 girls in the litter, but one boy passed away so dude has been bullied by his sisters

Themadhouse

Slit for girl, dot for boy. Bigger distance between bum and wee hole for boy. But his scrotum should be developing now. Also boys have bigger heads in general as they grow.:)
Generally first instinct is right.

SillyMangoX

I should be visiting them again this weekend so ill have another peek under the tail now he's a bit bigger! I don't even have him yet and I already love him

Themadhouse

He should be bigger than the girls, they tend to take off at about 5 weeks old and over take the girls in weight.

SillyMangoX

He was always the biggest in the litter from the beginning, but it doesn't stop Shelley and Tux beating him up!

sparkle_23

Pumpkin is a pretty cat name Can't wait to see more pics of the lil dude! :cool:

SillyMangoX

The foster just sent me this picture and a message saying Hi Mom!!

This made me so so happy

SillyMangoX

5 days until my baby comes home, this week is going to drag so much!!!

snowgal

the cuteeeness! I wanna squeeze her! Im sure you cant wait, I was the same when Tigger was a kitten. She is big and bold now, nearly one, it went so fast! enjoy the madness, its class...

SillyMangoX

Tomorrow is the big day can't wait to bring my new bundle of fluff home, tomorrow at work is just going to absolutely drag!!

mymo

Look forward to lots of cute pics tonight!

SillyMangoX

Dude is home! Peach gave him a great sniffing but otherwise un reactive, cream is very upset, all growles and hissed

SillyMangoX

Having an explore







Concked!

SillyMangoX

Our first night went brilliantly, only crying for a small little while then concked for the rest if the night, had one little accident outside the tray and has been perfect since! Got on great with the vet for vaccines today, they were all delighted to see him so big since they last saw him! He drinks an unreal amount though, is that normal for a kitten?

mymo

Mouse drinks loads too, we can't turn a tap on without her charging over for a drink, I figure its a good thing.
Is he peeing a lot?
How much do you mean?
I know when mouse was spayed and confined alone it was about half a ramekin of water a day, plus wet food with added water. It's more when she's loose and on the rampage!

SillyMangoX

mymo wrote: »

Mouse drinks loads too, we can't turn a tap on without her charging over for a drink, I figure its a good thing.
Is he peeing a lot?
How much do you mean?
I know when mouse was spayed and confined alone it was about half a ramekin of water a day, plus wet food with added water. It's more when she's loose and on the rampage!

He's peed 3 times since we got him, once in the carrier on the way home, once in a toy tunnel and this morning in the carrier again! He drank an entire small ceramic bowl of water since bringing him home yesterday plus a pouch of wet food and a quarter of a cup of tea he stole! Actually when I type it out it does seem pretty normal, I'm just not used to having good drinkers!!

mymo

Sounds pretty normal alright, lol'd at the tea, I don't drink coffee but had a visitor over that does, made him a cup and half way through it Toby jumped up and stuck his paw in then began drinking it!
Obvious he's done it before as he knew to check temp first, we had him over a year at that stage, now he's here 5 years and will still try and steal coffee, not gone on tea though!

SillyMangoX

This thread is just going to be so full of pictures, I cant help showing him off!!





He adores feather toys!



having a wrestle!



snuggled with my mam!



looking sleepy



at bedtime last night!!



I had forgotten what little whirlwinds of energy kittens are! I'm covered in little scratches and he is currently running in circles chasing his tail!

Madam

Awww He's beautiful - your going to have your hands full with that mischievous looking wee fella.

toadfly

He is soooooooo adorable. I love kittens

anniehoo

Love his little belly spots Regarding the water it doesnt sound too much. Beanie is a massive water drinker, but pees a normal amount in his litter box except when he's not spraying my curtains :rolleyes::o

Layinghen

Congratulations on the new arrival. He is the cutest little thing.

thalia_13

Oh my god he is adorable! And has found an amazing home! You are making me clucky for another baby!!!
Enjoy and keep taking photos, in a few weeks you wont believe he was ever that small!!

SillyMangoX

He has absolutely no fear, which is good in a way but also earned him a slap in the head from Peach!!

Pumpkinseeds

Ahh he is one handsome pussy cat. He looks well settled in.

boomerang

He's delicious! I LOVE spotty tabby bellies!

Laughing at him drinking the tea - minx!

He's gonna be such a handsome big lad when he's fully grown. ((((envious)))

SillyMangoX

Thanks everyone! You know, I never liked the look of tabbies, now I love all cats but tabby pattern was just something that didn't appeal to me, but since this little man cam along I'm fascinated by all his markings and colourings, he is almost a beige/yellow colour on his belly and the underside of his tail, he has race stripes down his back and a 'batman' type marking across his shoulders

boomerang

I'm like that with ginger cats. People go doolally for them, but me, I'm meh. Guess it depends on what cats you grew up with! I love tuxies as well.

SillyMangoX

I'm getting really worried about the 2 resident cats, they are getting really hissy. I know there is a new intruder in their space and really considering it was our first full day they are doing really well (as in they havent killed him) they are only together under the strictest supervision, and times they arent together im rubbing one cat then going to the room and rubbing the kitten and back again to intermingle their smells, but my 2 just look so miserable I'm beginning to question was it the right decision to bring him into the house at all

Nody

SillyMangoX wrote: »

I'm getting really worried about the 2 resident cats, they are getting really hissy. I know there is a new intruder in their space and really considering it was our first full day they are doing really well (as in they havent killed him) they are only together under the strictest supervision, and times they arent together im rubbing one cat then going to the room and rubbing the kitten and back again to intermingle their smells, but my 2 just look so miserable I'm beginning to question was it the right decision to bring him into the house at all

I think you may have pushed the meet and greet to early; a kitten will be very much "in your face" which for obvious reasons will upset your resident cats. Having said that give them a bit more time; hissing is normal and our cats still hiss occasionally at our foster kittens to let them know they've gone over the line.

mymo

As said above, give it time, hissing is normal.
We have Mouse since mid September and Toby still gives a warning growl if she gets too friendly or playful. I actually saw the two of the sitting touching bums on the sofa yesterday, no growling just The Look, from Toby.

Keep interactions short, when kitten is tired or full, less likely to pounce on them. I used to hand feed Toby treats like chicken or cheese when Mouse was exploring, up on a high spot mouse couldn't reach.
Strange thing here is Jake, who was once afraid of his shadow and is 13 , didn't mind her so much, never growled, did give her a few slaps and after a couple of weeks would let her curl up with him.

Cats are all different, and once you keep an eye out for signs of stress in peach and cream you should be ok.

SillyMangoX

Thanks for the reassurance guys I was just feeling really stressed last night! We had a good interaction between dude and Cream today, dude was playing away with a hazel nut, cream was sitting under the table just watching him, no hissing huffing or growling, so while he was quiet i plied him with cheese

SillyMangoX

Having a fight in bed this morning!



He likes using chairs as an obstacle course!



De-magneting the fridge!



Up to mischief



What is that yoke!?