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i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute little ... - 1/24/2008 10:25:10 PM   
winterlight


Posts: 1319
Joined: 2/18/2006
Status: offline 		help and advice. I bring her home next week and i have never had a cat before. Any advice would be appreciated.

thanks!
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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/24/2008 10:32:37 PM   
GreedyTop


Posts: 52100
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Savannah, GA
Status: offline 		congrats on becoming a kitty mom!

get her spayed (unless you plan to breed her for bloodlines). Get her to the vet for shots and all.  MICROCHIP! The litterbox training is easy... get her home, drop her into the box first thing. She'll remember.  KEEP THE BOX CLEANED!  at least once a day.  Dont put food and water near the litter box.  DONT DECLAW. even if she's so be strictly an indoor cat, in the event she gets out, she may need the protection of her claws.  If she starts clawing furniture a squirt bottle of water is good (but don't let her SEE you aim it at her).
DO NOT use your hands as toys... it'll make her think that clawing and biting your hands is ok.

Have fun!

(in reply to winterlight)
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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 1:49:55 AM   
Zensee


Posts: 1564
Joined: 9/4/2004
Status: offline 		Litter box? Naw - teach her how to use the search function first and she'll never be bored while you are at work. ;)

http://www.collarchat.com/m_1551263/mpage_1/key_kitten/tm.htm#1551309

Lots of helpful stuff there.

Congratulations.

Z




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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 3:29:23 AM   
LadyEllen


Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
Status: offline 		Brilliant! The only thing better than one kitten is of course........ two kittens!

No cows' milk - unless you want puddles of kitty diarrhea everywhere (and I mean everywhere)
Lots of toys - table tennis balls, catnip filled toy mice, anything that can be dangled or dragged or thrown or rolled (though mine like screwed up paper too, which is cheap!)
Lots of love and cuddles - you might find that at first the kitten will want to hide, but she'll come out in time and make you her new mom!
Somewhere warm, quiet and safe to sleep - ideally the kitten will want to be in bed with you (which I love, but some dont) once he/she has accepted you as mom. He/she may miss mom, remember.

E

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 6:15:03 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		congrats hun.  enjoy.

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 7:28:55 AM   
sub4hire


Posts: 6775
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline 		Get this kitty box...then let us know how it works out.

http://www.catgenie.com/

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 7:29:30 AM   
soul2share


Posts: 7084
Joined: 12/18/2007
From: somewhere out there.....
Status: offline 		I second the second kitten idea....I have a total of 3!

Just bring her home, let her feel the place out.  Show her where her litter box is, at 4 months old, she will understand the concept.  Toys are easy....plastic milk rings from the top, pony tail holders.....cats will make a toy out of anything....one of mine plays with pistachio nuts....he likes the little "tink" noise they make when beating one around the tub at 3am.....you'd never think something like that could be so NOISY!  Catnip is always fun, I also grow kitty grass for mine.....the greens are helpful to their diet. 

Get her spayed, if she already isn't.  The sound a female makes when she comes into heat sounds like moaning from the grave...literally.  Breeding is a full time job in and of itself, and not for the uninitiated.  Also, if she figures out how to get into cupboards, and she will, make sure that there isn't anthing she can eat under there that will hurt her...they are picky eaters, but will lick anything off their fur just as habit.  What smells awful to us can smell totally different to animals.

She will be fine....in a week, everything in the house will be hers.....and that includes YOU!  The only other piece of advice not mentioned....get a KING sized bed....it's the only way you and she will be able to sleep together!  You'd be amazed at how much room a 10 lb cat can take up! 

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 7:38:43 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I was told this when I was a kid. I thought it was so mean... the old timers didnt have money to put an animal under- so they would put a batch of kittens in a sack with a rock and toss into river.

If I become old and cratchety with 13 cats- and you cant sit where the cat sits- and each cat has a name - and I consider them human-superhuman; shoot me.

--a long tailed cat is nervous in a room full of rocking chairs.

(in reply to soul2share)
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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 8:12:17 AM   
SugarMyChurro


Posts: 1912
Joined: 4/26/2007
Status: offline 		A squirt bottle seems a bit much - I use a can with a lid filled with metal stuff like coins, slugs, what have you. If the animal does anything you don't like - clawing furniture, climbing or laying anywhere it shouldn't, jumping you, etc - shake the can violently and it makes this tremendous noise that is sure to get the attention of your cat. Usually they will stare at you with big eyes and then you can shout something like: "Get off the sofa, motherfucker!!!"


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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 8:15:03 AM   
laurell3


Posts: 6577
Joined: 5/5/2005
Status: offline 		My vet actually recommended  a squirt bottle but he also recommended I do it when the cat wasn't looking so that he didn't develop detachment issues from me.  I found this advice odd as moving makes the cat LOOK AT ME, what the hell, I'm not houdini!

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 10:00:47 AM   
DomKen


Posts: 19457
Joined: 7/4/2004
From: Chicago, IL
Status: offline 		I've found that a good stable scratching post that is tall enough for the cat to get a good stretch will end the scratching furniture stuff with only a few lessons of the squirt bottle sort.

I'm not so sure about the automated multi hundred dollar litter box. I just have the ones with trays with slots that go different directions. I scoop every day and lift the top pan out and put it on the bottom every week. I add litter as needed with a complete change once a month and my cat is fine with it.

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 10:51:20 AM   
soul2share


Posts: 7084
Joined: 12/18/2007
From: somewhere out there.....
Status: offline 		I am also an advocate of the squirt bottle....and they know it's coming from me whether they are looking at me or not.....the coins in a can thing works for dogs, but I have found over the years that cats are extremely sensitive to noise, and it just makes them even more jumpy.    I don't even HAVE to squirt them....they know what it is now, and all I have to do is pick it up and shake it....I've even had it empty and they run. 

Wal-Mart has these corrugated cardboard scratchy things that are cheap, and my cats absolutely love them!  Other places have them too, but for twice the price.  And if you don't have a preference for litter, the Wal-mart stuff in the brown bag is just as effective as the name brand stuff, and only cost $7.  It's a 30 lb bag, so it lasts, even with 3 cats using one box.  (Space is limited).  I've looked at the genie cat box.....it's a bit pricey for me, even tho the idea sounds good.  Actually, I've thought of just ordering the reusable litter and the sterile cleaning stuff, and putting it in the box I have.

Good luck....you are about to become owned!

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 4:14:33 PM   
ThinkingKitten


Posts: 447
Joined: 6/15/2006
From: Ontari-ari-o
Status: offline 		I don't want to make this a "stop cat scratching furniture" thread - mine have never done it, until recently when one came back from a vet visit with her claws severely trimmed back. She stopped using her post, and started on the sofa. I lightly applied strips of packing tape in the areas she was trying to scratch, and she quickly gave it up and went back to her post..... they like rough surfaces to scratch and hook at so make it smooth.... not so much!

Oh and remove the packing tape once they have the message

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Thinking Kitten

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 4:41:15 PM   
bipolarber


Posts: 2792
Joined: 9/25/2004
Status: offline 		Once you have your cat settled, pop $5 for a laser pointer. Best cat toy ever! Gives the cat a good cardio workout, and will give you cheap entertainment for hours and hours...

Spay and nuter = yes
Decalw = no
Shots = yes
Flea collar = yes
milk = no
cream = yes (Check at Petco for cat formulated. Better for their digestive tracts)
Food = alternate the wet meat with dry vittles.


(in reply to ThinkingKitten)
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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 4:45:13 PM   
faerytattoodgirl


Posts: 5824
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ThinkingKitten

I don't want to make this a "stop cat scratching furniture" thread - mine have never done it, until recently when one came back from a vet visit with her claws severely trimmed back. She stopped using her post, and started on the sofa. I lightly applied strips of packing tape in the areas she was trying to scratch, and she quickly gave it up and went back to her post..... they like rough surfaces to scratch and hook at so make it smooth.... not so much!

Oh and remove the packing tape once they have the message


they also ruin mattresses.  mine likes to run along mine from side to side scratching at the same time.


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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 6:04:13 PM   
ThinkingKitten


Posts: 447
Joined: 6/15/2006
From: Ontari-ari-o
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: faerytattoodgirl

they also ruin mattresses.  mine likes to run along mine from side to side scratching at the same time.



Ah yes - the old "wall of death" routine. I've had packing tape on the boxspring before now too.... (another cat).

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Thinking Kitten

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

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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 8:01:45 PM   
petdave


Posts: 2479
Status: offline 		Some cats like to scratch vertically, some prefer horizontal (in other words, tearing up the carpet in the corner of the room). Buying a different style of scratching post is cheaper than a new couch/carpet- don't expect the cat to change to suit you.
Cats will ignore any fancy bedding/housing you buy for them in favor of a discarded item of clothing left on the floor, or your favorite spot on the couch the moment you get up to use the bathroom.
Likewise, the wire ties that secured the cat toy to the packaging are generally far more interesting than the cat toy itself. 
Some cats will prefer an empty box (shoebox, or cardboard box just big enough to climb into) to ALL of the above.
Don't leave a partially-full drink on the coffee table overnight if you like your carpet.
Keep a close eye on your tuna-fish sandwich.

Give her head-scratches for me


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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 8:11:52 PM   
winterlight


Posts: 1319
Joined: 2/18/2006
Status: offline 		thanks for the advice. i had lost my mom months ago. lately my brain is just mush and i had forgotten i posted another thread about the kittens/cats.

Sorry!

(in reply to petdave)
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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/25/2008 11:04:48 PM   
GreedyTop


Posts: 52100
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Savannah, GA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ThinkingKitten

quote:

ORIGINAL: faerytattoodgirl

they also ruin mattresses.  mine likes to run along mine from side to side scratching at the same time.


try aluminum foil.... :)
Ah yes - the old "wall of death" routine. I've had packing tape on the boxspring before now too.... (another cat).

(in reply to ThinkingKitten)
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RE: i have bought my first pet ever... i got a cute lit... - 1/26/2008 12:29:05 PM   
Vendaval


Posts: 10297
Joined: 1/15/2005
Status: offline 		Congratulations, you are now the proud owned.
 
Have you picked out a name for her yet?


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So in this gray haze we'll be meating again, and on that
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(in reply to winterlight)
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