Brown.Eyed.Girl
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What are the new kitten necessities?
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Brown.Eyed.Girl
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MichelleCarmen
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Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Gypsy
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As you are getting kittens. Make sure you socialize them everyday.
With Frodo I would hold his paws, one at a time until he stopped pulling away, then I'd let go. I did this several times a day. He learned that if he didn't struggle he could go free. I also brushed him everyday. Fidgetted with his collar, his tags. Tugged his tail. Held his tail till he stopped pulling away. Picked him up, and the minute he struggled let him go, so he knew he was safe (Holding a tail is very different from having them in your arms feet off the ground, letting them go when they struggle when picked up is really important). But made sure to pick him put and walk around with him several times a day. I poked in his ears, openned his mouth, played with his claws.
And it made a WORLD of difference as he got older. My Hally was not socialized by me, she was too old when I got her for me to do much-- and she's just ornery and frankly NOT NORMAL. But she was shelter born and Frodo was Feral. Guess which one is easier to groom, clip the nails of, clean the teeth of, clean the ears of.... Frodo. He hides from everyone else but me and John. He bolts at the first sight of trouble, but I can do anything to that cat and he trusts me because I socialized him to. And it comes in handy when something happens and you've got to grab them, save them, clean them... whatever. Hally comes when called, and is always around, but unless you can get her to flop on her back sitting up in your lap (for some reason you can do anything to her if you can get her in this postion, of course getting her there is the problem) she's a TOTAL PITA to do anything to.
BUG the crap out of them several times a day. Make sure bugging time is SUPER short. Don't do it all at once. Tug an ear or hold a tail. Then pet, lots and lots of PETS and snuggles and soothing talk and play or treats. OH, and use pill pockets as treats. Just empty ones. or put a piece of kibble in them and give them to them, makes giving them pills much easier down the line.
Another thing, and I did this with Duncan and despite his age (1 year old) because when we played he'd sometimes use his claws and teeth (typical). So I bought a kitten mitten (glove with tassels and bells on it) and would put it on my right hand and keep my left uncovered. Then I'd play with him, with my right hand (one with the toy on it), and in the middle of him being all riled up I'd stick my uncovered hand in... rub his head, or his belly or whatever. If he didn't attack it he got a "good kitty" if he did he got a firm NO. Then we'd repeat. It only took a few days for him to figure out that mommy's hands when uncovered are OFF LIMITS for claws. And he's NEVER forgotten. BUT it only applies to me. With John, he uses his claws and teeth because John has never minded. But even when John is playing with him bare handed, if mommy sticks her hand in... the claws go away and the teeth do too. I never had to yell at him or anything. Just taught him how to play with me.
I only had to do this with Duncan because Frodo doesn't play with humans (though the other cats get plenty of play) and Hally doesn't play with our hands, only with toys.
On treats. There is only ONE thing I treat trained my cats for. And that's to come when called. When I make a clucking noise and they come, they get a treat. That way if they ever get away from you... you cluck and they come. This has been INVALUABLE the couple of times they've gotten out. After a while you mix it up. Half the time they get a treat, half the time they get pets. So, they always come HOPING for a treat, but don't get pissy if they dont' get one. And if they do get out, chances you have a treat on you are slim. So you cluck, they come, you grab them get them back inside. Then give them a treat. Practice it when they are playing, when they are distracted, in another room. But get them to come to you when you make a particular noise. All of my cats (even my foster Lucy) has been trained to this.
And make sure they are microchipped. With all your current information up to date.
Oh and Noel. Noel HATED being picked up. But he had to at times. So with her, if she yowled (.2 seconds into any pick up) we'd set her immediately down. Eventually we could hold her for minutes at a time in our arms without a yowl. But the minute she yowled, she was free unless there was danger. Both John and I did this with her and we taught him mom this. To this day we are the ONLY three that can pick her up and hold or carry her without getting bloody. Because if you held her past her warning yowl, you got bloody. VERY bloody. She FREAKED and got POINTY if you didn't respect the yowl.
With Frodo I would hold his paws, one at a time until he stopped pulling away, then I'd let go. I did this several times a day. He learned that if he didn't struggle he could go free. I also brushed him everyday. Fidgetted with his collar, his tags. Tugged his tail. Held his tail till he stopped pulling away. Picked him up, and the minute he struggled let him go, so he knew he was safe (Holding a tail is very different from having them in your arms feet off the ground, letting them go when they struggle when picked up is really important). But made sure to pick him put and walk around with him several times a day. I poked in his ears, openned his mouth, played with his claws.
And it made a WORLD of difference as he got older. My Hally was not socialized by me, she was too old when I got her for me to do much-- and she's just ornery and frankly NOT NORMAL. But she was shelter born and Frodo was Feral. Guess which one is easier to groom, clip the nails of, clean the teeth of, clean the ears of.... Frodo. He hides from everyone else but me and John. He bolts at the first sight of trouble, but I can do anything to that cat and he trusts me because I socialized him to. And it comes in handy when something happens and you've got to grab them, save them, clean them... whatever. Hally comes when called, and is always around, but unless you can get her to flop on her back sitting up in your lap (for some reason you can do anything to her if you can get her in this postion, of course getting her there is the problem) she's a TOTAL PITA to do anything to.
BUG the crap out of them several times a day. Make sure bugging time is SUPER short. Don't do it all at once. Tug an ear or hold a tail. Then pet, lots and lots of PETS and snuggles and soothing talk and play or treats. OH, and use pill pockets as treats. Just empty ones. or put a piece of kibble in them and give them to them, makes giving them pills much easier down the line.
Another thing, and I did this with Duncan and despite his age (1 year old) because when we played he'd sometimes use his claws and teeth (typical). So I bought a kitten mitten (glove with tassels and bells on it) and would put it on my right hand and keep my left uncovered. Then I'd play with him, with my right hand (one with the toy on it), and in the middle of him being all riled up I'd stick my uncovered hand in... rub his head, or his belly or whatever. If he didn't attack it he got a "good kitty" if he did he got a firm NO. Then we'd repeat. It only took a few days for him to figure out that mommy's hands when uncovered are OFF LIMITS for claws. And he's NEVER forgotten. BUT it only applies to me. With John, he uses his claws and teeth because John has never minded. But even when John is playing with him bare handed, if mommy sticks her hand in... the claws go away and the teeth do too. I never had to yell at him or anything. Just taught him how to play with me.
I only had to do this with Duncan because Frodo doesn't play with humans (though the other cats get plenty of play) and Hally doesn't play with our hands, only with toys.
On treats. There is only ONE thing I treat trained my cats for. And that's to come when called. When I make a clucking noise and they come, they get a treat. That way if they ever get away from you... you cluck and they come. This has been INVALUABLE the couple of times they've gotten out. After a while you mix it up. Half the time they get a treat, half the time they get pets. So, they always come HOPING for a treat, but don't get pissy if they dont' get one. And if they do get out, chances you have a treat on you are slim. So you cluck, they come, you grab them get them back inside. Then give them a treat. Practice it when they are playing, when they are distracted, in another room. But get them to come to you when you make a particular noise. All of my cats (even my foster Lucy) has been trained to this.
And make sure they are microchipped. With all your current information up to date.
Oh and Noel. Noel HATED being picked up. But he had to at times. So with her, if she yowled (.2 seconds into any pick up) we'd set her immediately down. Eventually we could hold her for minutes at a time in our arms without a yowl. But the minute she yowled, she was free unless there was danger. Both John and I did this with her and we taught him mom this. To this day we are the ONLY three that can pick her up and hold or carry her without getting bloody. Because if you held her past her warning yowl, you got bloody. VERY bloody. She FREAKED and got POINTY if you didn't respect the yowl.
Hi Everyone, I cant belive there are so many cat owners here! I just adopted a cat (or it adopted us!). I have fallen in love with our now little 4 month old bundle. She is getting very spoilt considering she was a dumped in the street kitten when she was found. How lucky did she turn out.....however in return for saving her....she is saving us in many special ways! eg kids get such a theraputical benefit from loving a pet and she has brough so much fun and happiness into our home!
Anyway, our kitten does have a bed which we placed up high just below a street facing window. She chooses to sleep there all day because its comfortable and in her fav. spot. It is a velvety type donut shape, very soft and plush. We also have a very soft blanket over this. The kids sometimes carry her in her bed and she seems to love it. We dont let her sleep or roam around in any carpeted rooms or upstairs. (Although sometimes she gets through a left open door). We`re not too strict but just want to keep the mess (smells/ fur etc) confined to downstairs if possible.
We have an open kitty litter tray because I want it to always be easy for her to access it. I also dont want her to go in a covered litter tray incase she doesnt like it or it smells etc. So far she is perfectly toilet trained so I dont want to rock the boat.
Finally, scratching is almost a full time job for cats and the more options you give them the better. We are going to get a carpeted tree with 3 levels and a cubbie spot in the middle. Its about $150 which is middle priced. I think it could be a waste to get one that is too small, and a cardboard one might get shreaded in no time.
The one I really fell in love with is from this site....but it`s really expensive. The medium hollow is over $600....but it might be money well spent? Who knows....
http://www.funkycat.com.au
check out the funky hollows!!! They are cat heaven!!!!
Plus, I really appreciate the info here about socialising your cat. There are many times that you will have to handle them, give them pills, clean them etc and its great to get them used to this from early on.
I would like to add my vote for ceramic plates....easy to wash. Plus, I sprinkle parmesson cheese over my cats food because I know she loves it!!!! They love the smell. I also think its great to give them raw chicken/ meat some of the time as its good for them.
Anyway, our kitten does have a bed which we placed up high just below a street facing window. She chooses to sleep there all day because its comfortable and in her fav. spot. It is a velvety type donut shape, very soft and plush. We also have a very soft blanket over this. The kids sometimes carry her in her bed and she seems to love it. We dont let her sleep or roam around in any carpeted rooms or upstairs. (Although sometimes she gets through a left open door). We`re not too strict but just want to keep the mess (smells/ fur etc) confined to downstairs if possible.
We have an open kitty litter tray because I want it to always be easy for her to access it. I also dont want her to go in a covered litter tray incase she doesnt like it or it smells etc. So far she is perfectly toilet trained so I dont want to rock the boat.
Finally, scratching is almost a full time job for cats and the more options you give them the better. We are going to get a carpeted tree with 3 levels and a cubbie spot in the middle. Its about $150 which is middle priced. I think it could be a waste to get one that is too small, and a cardboard one might get shreaded in no time.
The one I really fell in love with is from this site....but it`s really expensive. The medium hollow is over $600....but it might be money well spent? Who knows....
http://www.funkycat.com.au
check out the funky hollows!!! They are cat heaven!!!!
Plus, I really appreciate the info here about socialising your cat. There are many times that you will have to handle them, give them pills, clean them etc and its great to get them used to this from early on.
I would like to add my vote for ceramic plates....easy to wash. Plus, I sprinkle parmesson cheese over my cats food because I know she loves it!!!! They love the smell. I also think its great to give them raw chicken/ meat some of the time as its good for them.
Hudson_Hawk
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Hudson_Hawk
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Callisto
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I agree about the kitty pyramid, mine really likes that since its covered and she''s a bit shy so its a good refuge for her.
Also you won''t need it right away but you''ll need a brush eventually. I have something like http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752784&lmdn=Product+Typelink and it seems to work the best.
This is another one of those things that you can start conditioning the kitty on early so he/she gets used to it and likes it. The metal brissles will probably be to harsh for it for a few months but you could gently run the brush over it to get it used to the idea.
Also refrain from spending too much on toys right away until you see what kind of things the kitten likes/is afraid of. My cat hates anything that makes noise (bells etc) and honestly rarely plays with anything I buy for her. Her favorite toys include corks from wine bottles, water bottle caps, this little stuffed heart that came with a pair of socks, and anything else that accidently falls on the floor. I''ve long since stopped buying her toys.
Also you won''t need it right away but you''ll need a brush eventually. I have something like http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752784&lmdn=Product+Typelink and it seems to work the best.
This is another one of those things that you can start conditioning the kitty on early so he/she gets used to it and likes it. The metal brissles will probably be to harsh for it for a few months but you could gently run the brush over it to get it used to the idea.
Also refrain from spending too much on toys right away until you see what kind of things the kitten likes/is afraid of. My cat hates anything that makes noise (bells etc) and honestly rarely plays with anything I buy for her. Her favorite toys include corks from wine bottles, water bottle caps, this little stuffed heart that came with a pair of socks, and anything else that accidently falls on the floor. I''ve long since stopped buying her toys.
Just want to agree about the ridiculous price of cat tree furniture. What is going on with this!!!! And also will agree that cats probably find a new place to sleep for as many rooms as you let them roam! Our cat has about 10 spots she currently likes, depending on where the sun is!
And word of warning.....cats can swallow small things like rubber bands and this can be fatal. Our little kitten actually ate a rubber band but luckily it came out. When I googled this it was a common occurance with cats! They will eat the weirest things even though with food they may be fussy!
And word of warning.....cats can swallow small things like rubber bands and this can be fatal. Our little kitten actually ate a rubber band but luckily it came out. When I googled this it was a common occurance with cats! They will eat the weirest things even though with food they may be fussy!
Gypsy
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Cat bowls are my pet peeve. You can get perfectly great bowls for so much less. But the minute they stick "cat or dog" on the label the price goes up 5 bucks each. Plus, even if you can get them on sale, most of the time they are ceramic and chip before you get a few good uses out of them. You can get great quality human bowls for so much less, and almost always on sale.
For your kittens I'd get four of these http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=385&f=11997 or these http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=385&f=810 for wet food (if you are feeding wet)
And then tthe medium or large ones of these for their water and dry food: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=230&f=1440
I have four of these personally (two sets of two)... one for their dry food one for their water. Works perfectly. Looks clean and modern and not 'kitchy'. Doesn't chip. http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=230&f=2769
I also have two sets of these for my cat's wet food. The tray I use as a serving platter. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=385&f=10932&q=bowl&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1
I also have 4 of these (for some color, in green), bought when they were on sale.
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Dining/Dining/tabid/493/CategoryID/111/List/0/catpagesize/25/Level/a/ProductID/4159/ProductName/Assorted-Lotus-Crackle-Dishes/Default.aspx
I don't buy cat bowls anymore. They're junk. Either human small bowls (or large for the dry food and water) in porcelein, fine china (yes, I have fine china bowls for the cats... Tuesday Morning and Marshalls) or glass. Ramekins are great too, as long as they aren't cheap ceramic.
Key is to have enough to keep them clean. I have two sets for the dry and water for my three and another two for Lucy (since she's kept separate). I switch them out and pop them in the dishwasher. And I have something like 8 sets (a set is four for me cause I've got four cats) of wet food bowls.
I don't like stainless steel (too light or it has plastic stuff on the bottom that gets dirty or nasty looking) and I hate ceramic.
As for cat furniture. Put up an ad in Craigslist and have a carpenter or handy person make you some. Get REALLY HIGH QUALITY carpet remanent from your local carpet store. Make sure the glue they use is animal safe, and NO NAILS OR STAPLES. Will cost you much less, and last you much longer. I've gone this route and it's just fabulous. Designed the cat tree myself. Would have cost me hundreds to buy ready made. I paid 60 bucks (and that included the carpet).
Oh, and find out if you cats prefer berber or plush. Duncan prefers berber for his scratching, and he only scratches horizonal, and the others scratch vertical and like plush. So we customized the type of carpet for the tree too (I kid you not, I am the crazy cat lady). But honestly... that Scratch Lounge is my cat's favorite. And unlike most cardboard scratchers the cardboard scratching part is REALLY DENSE. Plus it's double sided. With my three I have two of them in the house and they've lasted for over two years. I kid you not. 20 bucks each and they are great.
Lucy prefers sisal (my others hate it) so I have a sisal one for her.
For your kittens I'd get four of these http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=385&f=11997 or these http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=385&f=810 for wet food (if you are feeding wet)
And then tthe medium or large ones of these for their water and dry food: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=230&f=1440
I have four of these personally (two sets of two)... one for their dry food one for their water. Works perfectly. Looks clean and modern and not 'kitchy'. Doesn't chip. http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=230&f=2769
I also have two sets of these for my cat's wet food. The tray I use as a serving platter. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=385&f=10932&q=bowl&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1
I also have 4 of these (for some color, in green), bought when they were on sale.
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Dining/Dining/tabid/493/CategoryID/111/List/0/catpagesize/25/Level/a/ProductID/4159/ProductName/Assorted-Lotus-Crackle-Dishes/Default.aspx
I don't buy cat bowls anymore. They're junk. Either human small bowls (or large for the dry food and water) in porcelein, fine china (yes, I have fine china bowls for the cats... Tuesday Morning and Marshalls) or glass. Ramekins are great too, as long as they aren't cheap ceramic.
Key is to have enough to keep them clean. I have two sets for the dry and water for my three and another two for Lucy (since she's kept separate). I switch them out and pop them in the dishwasher. And I have something like 8 sets (a set is four for me cause I've got four cats) of wet food bowls.
I don't like stainless steel (too light or it has plastic stuff on the bottom that gets dirty or nasty looking) and I hate ceramic.
As for cat furniture. Put up an ad in Craigslist and have a carpenter or handy person make you some. Get REALLY HIGH QUALITY carpet remanent from your local carpet store. Make sure the glue they use is animal safe, and NO NAILS OR STAPLES. Will cost you much less, and last you much longer. I've gone this route and it's just fabulous. Designed the cat tree myself. Would have cost me hundreds to buy ready made. I paid 60 bucks (and that included the carpet).
Oh, and find out if you cats prefer berber or plush. Duncan prefers berber for his scratching, and he only scratches horizonal, and the others scratch vertical and like plush. So we customized the type of carpet for the tree too (I kid you not, I am the crazy cat lady). But honestly... that Scratch Lounge is my cat's favorite. And unlike most cardboard scratchers the cardboard scratching part is REALLY DENSE. Plus it's double sided. With my three I have two of them in the house and they've lasted for over two years. I kid you not. 20 bucks each and they are great.
Lucy prefers sisal (my others hate it) so I have a sisal one for her.
Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Date: 8/13/2009 3:40:10 AM
Author: Sharon101
Hi Everyone, I cant belive there are so many cat owners here! I just adopted a cat (or it adopted us!). I have fallen in love with our now little 4 month old bundle. She is getting very spoilt considering she was a dumped in the street kitten when she was found. How lucky did she turn out.....however in return for saving her....she is saving us in many special ways! eg kids get such a theraputical benefit from loving a pet and she has brough so much fun and happiness into our home!
Anyway, our kitten does have a bed which we placed up high just below a street facing window. She chooses to sleep there all day because its comfortable and in her fav. spot. It is a velvety type donut shape, very soft and plush. We also have a very soft blanket over this. The kids sometimes carry her in her bed and she seems to love it. We dont let her sleep or roam around in any carpeted rooms or upstairs. (Although sometimes she gets through a left open door). We`re not too strict but just want to keep the mess (smells/ fur etc) confined to downstairs if possible.
We have an open kitty litter tray because I want it to always be easy for her to access it. I also dont want her to go in a covered litter tray incase she doesnt like it or it smells etc. So far she is perfectly toilet trained so I dont want to rock the boat.
Finally, scratching is almost a full time job for cats and the more options you give them the better. We are going to get a carpeted tree with 3 levels and a cubbie spot in the middle. Its about $150 which is middle priced. I think it could be a waste to get one that is too small, and a cardboard one might get shreaded in no time.
The one I really fell in love with is from this site....but it`s really expensive. The medium hollow is over $600....but it might be money well spent? Who knows....
http://www.funkycat.com.au
check out the funky hollows!!! They are cat heaven!!!!
Plus, I really appreciate the info here about socialising your cat. There are many times that you will have to handle them, give them pills, clean them etc and its great to get them used to this from early on.
I would like to add my vote for ceramic plates....easy to wash. Plus, I sprinkle parmesson cheese over my cats food because I know she loves it!!!! They love the smell. I also think its great to give them raw chicken/ meat some of the time as its good for them.
Those are awesome trees - how fun! I want to play with them myself
Glad to hear your new kitten is settling in well! Pictures?
Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Good call on the toys. My breeder recommended two that her cats universally like - the laser pointer and this thing, and I was going to grab a few "standard" toys - feather wands and little balls. But maybe I''ll wait on a couple
Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Gypsy
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YAY, happy to help!
With the socialization, the picking up and walking around, the mouth, the ears, etc very key. In fact I have a little scratch on my hand from Hally right now trying to see one of her teeth (I thought I saw some inflamation when she yawned), and yet I discharged Frodo's anal glands this morning (oh, the glamour of cat ownership) without a mark. A lot of wiggling and "mommy no, not again." dirty looks but no marks. Oh, and BTW you don't normally have to express male cat's anal glands, Frodo's just get impacted (the way he's made) so with him I have to every couple of months. That socialization comes in handy. He'll slink off afterwards and hide for a few hours. But then it's as if nothing has happened. Next week I get to clean his ears (he doesn't have dense guard hairs in front of his ears so they get really dirty, have to clean them once a month.... again, only him the others ears are fine and he never scratchs me, just suffers through it. Hally swats every time I want to do something, it's half hearted for the most part but unless we double team her you get scratched. Frodo and Duncan we can do as 1 person jobs).
As for the bowls. Like I said, huge pet peeve. Glad I was able to help you find some nice bowls.
With the socialization, the picking up and walking around, the mouth, the ears, etc very key. In fact I have a little scratch on my hand from Hally right now trying to see one of her teeth (I thought I saw some inflamation when she yawned), and yet I discharged Frodo's anal glands this morning (oh, the glamour of cat ownership) without a mark. A lot of wiggling and "mommy no, not again." dirty looks but no marks. Oh, and BTW you don't normally have to express male cat's anal glands, Frodo's just get impacted (the way he's made) so with him I have to every couple of months. That socialization comes in handy. He'll slink off afterwards and hide for a few hours. But then it's as if nothing has happened. Next week I get to clean his ears (he doesn't have dense guard hairs in front of his ears so they get really dirty, have to clean them once a month.... again, only him the others ears are fine and he never scratchs me, just suffers through it. Hally swats every time I want to do something, it's half hearted for the most part but unless we double team her you get scratched. Frodo and Duncan we can do as 1 person jobs).
As for the bowls. Like I said, huge pet peeve. Glad I was able to help you find some nice bowls.
Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Date: 8/15/2009 7:07:48 PM
Author: Gypsy
YAY, happy to help!
With the socialization, the picking up and walking around, the mouth, the ears, etc very key. In fact I have a little scratch on my hand from Hally right now trying to see one of her teeth (I thought I saw some inflamation when she yawned), and yet I discharged Frodo''s anal glands this morning (oh, the glamour of cat ownership) without a mark. A lot of wiggling and ''mommy no, not again.'' dirty looks but no marks. Oh, and BTW you don''t normally have to express male cat''s anal glands, Frodo''s just get impacted (the way he''s made) so with him I have to every couple of months. That socialization comes in handy. He''ll slink off afterwards and hide for a few hours. But then it''s as if nothing has happened. Next week I get to clean his ears (he doesn''t have dense guard hairs in front of his ears so they get really dirty, have to clean them once a month.... again, only him the others ears are fine and he never scratchs me, just suffers through it. Hally swats every time I want to do something, it''s half hearted for the most part but unless we double team her you get scratched. Frodo and Duncan we can do as 1 person jobs).
As for the bowls. Like I said, huge pet peeve. Glad I was able to help you find some nice bowls.
LOL Gypsy, I have to say, my eyes popped out a bit at first, thinking what have I gotten myself into?! It''s great that Frodo is so well-socialized - I''m definitely keeping up with the socializing (and making BF do so too) when we get the boys. I laughed at the mental image of Frodo''s dirty looks though
Yeah, it''s ridiculous how marked up the bowls are on Petsmart and Petco. I definitely like the simple white human ones MUCH better - just need to remember to keep them separate or next thing I know, BF will be eating ravioli out of them....
MichelleCarmen
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Hey, Gypsy. . .my fish is named Frodo. lol (We had a Sam, too, for a short time. . .)Date: 8/15/2009 7:07:48 PM
Author: Gypsy
YAY, happy to help!
With the socialization, the picking up and walking around, the mouth, the ears, etc very key. In fact I have a little scratch on my hand from Hally right now trying to see one of her teeth (I thought I saw some inflamation when she yawned), and yet I discharged Frodo''s anal glands this morning (oh, the glamour of cat ownership) without a mark. A lot of wiggling and ''mommy no, not again.'' dirty looks but no marks. Oh, and BTW you don''t normally have to express male cat''s anal glands, Frodo''s just get impacted (the way he''s made) so with him I have to every couple of months. That socialization comes in handy. He''ll slink off afterwards and hide for a few hours. But then it''s as if nothing has happened. Next week I get to clean his ears (he doesn''t have dense guard hairs in front of his ears so they get really dirty, have to clean them once a month.... again, only him the others ears are fine and he never scratchs me, just suffers through it. Hally swats every time I want to do something, it''s half hearted for the most part but unless we double team her you get scratched. Frodo and Duncan we can do as 1 person jobs).
As for the bowls. Like I said, huge pet peeve. Glad I was able to help you find some nice bowls.
MichelleCarmen
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Just a comment. .. I find my cats are picky about shapes of food & water bowls and will consistantly eat all the food out of one of the bowls before switching to the other ones of another shape! lol Cats are so weird. Anyway, for that reason, I stocked up on a bunch of ones they love from World Market/Cost Plus. I keep one water inside and two outside (my cats go in the back yard, but do not roam around outside of there.) I think I paid $2.99 each. I kinda like to keep the cat and human bowls seperate, but my DH still uses the (clean) cat water bowls for his salsa!Date: 8/15/2009 8:42:31 PM
Author: Brown.Eyed.Girl
LOL Gypsy, I have to say, my eyes popped out a bit at first, thinking what have I gotten myself into?! It''s great that Frodo is so well-socialized - I''m definitely keeping up with the socializing (and making BF do so too) when we get the boys. I laughed at the mental image of Frodo''s dirty looks though
Yeah, it''s ridiculous how marked up the bowls are on Petsmart and Petco. I definitely like the simple white human ones MUCH better - just need to remember to keep them separate or next thing I know, BF will be eating ravioli out of them....
Gypsy
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BEG... you get used to it. You are their parent, so you just watch out for them. Hally's got allegies that cause her to shoot snot rockets out of her head that turn into Gorilla Glue type consistency when dry... so I asked around and found a wonderful product called Poop Off for bird droppings, and miraculously it is the only thing that works on her snot.
Frodo's got his ear and gland issues. Plus he's very allergic to fleas so even though we live in a hotel style apartment complex and they never go outside... he's on frontline all year round. Lucy's has hte same allergy so same thing (costco carries frontline now...YAY).
Duncan's got teeth and eye issues.
But that's not what I think about when I see them, or think of them. They're just my babies. John and I have issues too, and they put up with us, so we put up with them. Family.
MC... that's so funny. Mine are a little picky about their bowls sometimes. Just their water bowls though. If I have two out for some reason and one is clear and the other is opaque, the clear one is the mover. So I do have some clear water bowls for them.
As for keeping the cat stuff separate. My pantry has a cat shelf. ALL of their stuff goes in there. Except the vet records and so forth, which are in the "cat drawer" in the office. Keeps everything separate.
Frodo's got his ear and gland issues. Plus he's very allergic to fleas so even though we live in a hotel style apartment complex and they never go outside... he's on frontline all year round. Lucy's has hte same allergy so same thing (costco carries frontline now...YAY).
Duncan's got teeth and eye issues.
But that's not what I think about when I see them, or think of them. They're just my babies. John and I have issues too, and they put up with us, so we put up with them. Family.
MC... that's so funny. Mine are a little picky about their bowls sometimes. Just their water bowls though. If I have two out for some reason and one is clear and the other is opaque, the clear one is the mover. So I do have some clear water bowls for them.
As for keeping the cat stuff separate. My pantry has a cat shelf. ALL of their stuff goes in there. Except the vet records and so forth, which are in the "cat drawer" in the office. Keeps everything separate.
MonkeyPie
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Omg, my firstborn Cleo did this the FIRST NIGHT we brought her home. She did it about ten minutes before I got up for the day, and when I went to get her, she puked it right back up and then FREAKED OUT. Spiky fur, pouncing away, Halloween-kitty dance. It was hilarious but I felt so bad! After that she didn''t do it again, ever. She got scared I think.
I second Gypsy''s suggestion about making your own cat trees/scratching posts - my brother makes all of ours and it''s so easy and cheap. He even has one he leaves outside that''s half carpet, half tree trunk. The kitties adore it!
Gypsy
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We named his Mom (TNR) Arwyn. He was VERY adventerous and intrepid as a kitten. Truth to tell he gets called by his nickname (cause it fits better) now than he does his real name. His nickname is Dodo.
BEG, you definitely might have to adapt the socialization to you, and it's FUN, truly. Bu then again, you might not have to adapt it to you either. Duncan we got when he was a little under a year and he's been an angel since day 1. Except for the playing training and teaching him to come to treats (both specific to my preferences) I never had any issue with how he was socialized. Whoever socialized him did it very well. But with Frodo (and with Noel) it's person specific socialization. Frodo will let me do A LOT more to him than he will with anyone else. Simply because I sat outside with him for weeks to coax him to my hand, and finally got him inside and I'd sit with him for hours rubbing his belly and and his chin, fiddling with his paws and everything. So he's SUPER socialized with me. Loves belly rubs, flops when he's got me where he wants me. And he does all of that for Daddy but there is a slight hesitation sometimes, that's absent with me. And he absolutley will NOT do it for anyone else (except sometimes John's mom). Doesn't matter who they are or how long they stay at our house.
It's funny when people complain that cat's aren't loyal, cause I can tell you...all the cat's I've had have been very loyal.
Duncan even beat the crap out of Noel once when she freaked and got pointy and hurt me pretty badly (we had only had her for a short while and I didn't realize how easily freaked she was when she was off her feet). I yelped, dropped Noel, and he came running sniffed me, found the blood and then went over to Noel (who had my blood on her too), and I guess he figured out what happened because next thing I knew he was smacking Noel around (he's a VERY placid cat, and generally ignores the other cats) and dominating her. Then he came over to me and wouldn't leave my side.
They are amazing creatures and I can't imagine my life without them. You are really embarking on a great journey. And I know you are gonna love having those two boys running about.
Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Hey Gypsy, I thought you''d be happy to hear - my breeder got back to me. She said that they start clipping nails from 5 weeks (which the kittens passed last Thursday), and they are regularly picked, held, carried around, and have their ears and paws touched. She also told me that she''ll send me the kittens with a couple small towels she''ll put in a week or two before they leave, so it''ll be familiar
Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Date: 8/15/2009 9:14:50 PM
Author: MC
Date: 8/15/2009 8:42:31 PM
Author: Brown.Eyed.Girl
LOL Gypsy, I have to say, my eyes popped out a bit at first, thinking what have I gotten myself into?! It''s great that Frodo is so well-socialized - I''m definitely keeping up with the socializing (and making BF do so too) when we get the boys. I laughed at the mental image of Frodo''s dirty looks though
Yeah, it''s ridiculous how marked up the bowls are on Petsmart and Petco. I definitely like the simple white human ones MUCH better - just need to remember to keep them separate or next thing I know, BF will be eating ravioli out of them....
Just a comment. .. I find my cats are picky about shapes of food & water bowls and will consistantly eat all the food out of one of the bowls before switching to the other ones of another shape! lol Cats are so weird. Anyway, for that reason, I stocked up on a bunch of ones they love from World Market/Cost Plus. I keep one water inside and two outside (my cats go in the back yard, but do not roam around outside of there.) I think I paid $2.99 each. I kinda like to keep the cat and human bowls seperate, but my DH still uses the (clean) cat water bowls for his salsa!
lol MC! leave it to cats to be picky about the shape of their bowls!
Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Brown.Eyed.Girl
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Ok, so with all of your guys' excellent advice in my mind, here is what I have in my carts now:
Crate & Barrel:
Gypsy's set of four bowls with the tray ($9.95). Two for the kittens' wet food, two for the dry food. I may use an old ceramic bowl we have if they decide they don't like the water fountain.
I'm bored by the way, so I'm just putting pictures up, to save you guys the trouble of clicking links
Crate & Barrel:
Gypsy's set of four bowls with the tray ($9.95). Two for the kittens' wet food, two for the dry food. I may use an old ceramic bowl we have if they decide they don't like the water fountain.
I'm bored by the way, so I'm just putting pictures up, to save you guys the trouble of clicking links
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