Cat Owners! I need some advice!

KittKattize · July 2011

So my husband (Still getting used to saying that!) and I were originally going to get another puppy, but have opted for a kitten instead. What I would like to know, is advice on training to use the litterbox and anything we need to know about them. We've never been a cat owner before, but have several family members who own cats.

TuffGirl · July 2011

My cats always kind of picked it up on their own.

KittKattize · July 2011

That's good to know. Lol.

Alabama · July 2011

Cats are usually pretty clean animals and prefer to use a certain spot rather than defecating/peeing all over and they like to bury it, so a little box is perfect. Generally, if you start a kitten in a room with a little box, if it does happen to poop outside the box, put the poop in the box and it'll start going there. Always make sure litter boxes are clean because if they get too dirty, the cat may decide it'd be better to find a new spot to go. The only exceptions to this are intact males marking territory and intact females advertising they are in heat, so be sure to spay or neuter them. Cleaning litter boxes is not recommended for expectant moms, so keep that in mind if you decide to expand your family. Make sure your kitty has something with which to sharpen its claws on, or it may decide that furniture is fair game. Likewise, lots of toys to entertain it and places to hide and climb and pounce from or again, your furniture may become a victim. A playmate is always an excellent source of entertainment, so if you can get two kittens and let them grow up together, they may be happier, though lone cats do fine too.

Shibagirl · July 2011

I have 5 cats right now, I've had up to 7 at one time though XD Mine always just seemed to learn about the litter box on their own somehow. But you always have to show them where it is, and try not to move it around your house or they get confused. Definitely get the cat spayed/neutered before they go into heat or, for males, become mature.... It's a pain... Trust me. Females can get so annoying if they're not spayed XD You might also want to consider a scratching posts, that way the kitty won't decide to sharpen it's claws on the couch... Or get a spray bottle for when that does happen. Cats are great other than that

lovefrompaige · July 2011

same as Tuff. Mine just picked it up. I got both of mine as kittens from my local pound and we just sorta put the box where they slept and semi close to their food and they got the idea lol ^^ what's your kitty's name? How old? I wanna see him/her! (:

TuffGirl · July 2011

One of my cats that we got from the pound lived under the stove for awhile as a kitten. ^.^ She's shy. She's a bit too big now. xD

Simm · July 2011

Outside cats are great! L'e is 4 now, and since she was about 6 months old she's been an outside/inside cat. Sometimes at night she comes in (courtesy of my second storey window) but other than that, she hasn't needed a litter tray since she was a wee-wittle-kitty. I had her spayed as soon as she was old enough, because I adopted her from a Vet, so the spaying fee was including in the adoption price. We've never had any trouble with her in heat. I agree with everyone else about the scratching post. My poor bed paid for it before we got one, and she still sometimes uses it.. and the speakers. ;D

lovefrompaige · July 2011

SimStar wrote:

Outside cats are great! L'e is 4 now, and since she was about 6 months old she's been an outside/inside cat. Sometimes at night she comes in (courtesy of my second storey window) but other than that, she hasn't needed a litter tray since she was a wee-wittle-kitty. I had her spayed as soon as she was old enough, because I adopted her from a Vet, so the spaying fee was including in the adoption price. We've never had any trouble with her in heat. I agree with everyone else about the scratching post. My poor bed paid for it before we got one, and she still sometimes uses it.. and the speakers. ;D

lol mine are indoor/outdoor too XD gotta love indoor/outdoor!

KittKattize · July 2011

This one will be completely indoor, but here is her pic. <a href="http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/110712/877r3/38156fl_19.jpeg"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/110 ... fl_19.jpeg</a> She's so sweet, I get her tomorrow! As for a name... I don't really know yet.

TuffGirl · July 2011

She. Is. Adorable!(:

Shibagirl · July 2011

She looks like an L name... Like Lydia or Lulu XD

KittKattize · July 2011

Lola?

lovefrompaige · July 2011

She is super cute!! XD

Trianna · July 2011

Aw Lola is a cute name. Not nearly as cute as that kitten though XD As for litter training, I'd have to agree with everyone, cats do seem to pick it up quite quickly. When our 2 year old male cat who's been an outdoor cat his whole life had to become an indoor cat he didn't have a single accident, and he'd never seen a litter box before. One word of caution though, don't let anyone scare the cat when it's in the box... My nephew chased one of our female cats away from the litterbox, and it traumatized her. She won't use a box anywhere but one back room of the house... for a while though, she wouldn't even go near a litterbox.

KittKattize · July 2011

Thanks for all the advice everyone! We've narrowed it down to two names, Lily & Orchid. Please vote for which you like best here: <a href="http://virtualpups.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=75747"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">viewtopic.php?f=44&t=75747</a>

FlyTM · July 2011

-cough- Have owned almost 20 in my short life so far >.>. I have over 8 right now ;F... Litter Training seems to come easy to cats ;D, as they like to dig and do whatever in their little dig out hole. (though its rare but I'v seen cats do it in the open with making a little hole o.O messy little guys xD. I would say get him/her a post for claws ;P.. and water bottle sprayed at them if they try the chairs. <.< Fixing is done at about 6 months, I was told at the vets I have been working at. My boss (one of the Vets.) told me also though people say its best to let them have their own litter and such, its a messyer job to fix them after they have had kittens, and cleaning if they have never had any xD. (But maybes that just him not sure.) The only different I picked up on was letting a cat have a litter than getting her fixed was she was nicer to the kittens of my other cat, than her sister was who got fixed before she had any kittens. I didn't read any of the other posts so may of posted what everyone esle has said. Also can always ask the vet or a breeder if you need help with anything, from feeding to health wise.

KittKattize · July 2011

We've had her for some hours now and she hasn't come out of hiding. I put her litterbox in the bathroom, but she hasn't gone yet and she hasn't eaten anything. She hisses if anyone goes near her, but she's easily petted. She hasn't tried scratching any of us yet, including the dog. Is she just frightened? How long should it take for her to adjust?

Alabama · July 2011

I would say very frightened and that's pretty normal. Once everyone goes to bed/get quiet, she'll start exploring. We had a cat once who hid for a week beneath our bed, but she came out and ate/drank/used the litterbox during the night. During her nighttime ramblings, she got to know the lay of the place and it was probably a couple weeks before she felt comfortable enough to wander around during the day. She was an exception. Most of our new cats, if they were scared at first, usually came around within a couple of days. Just make sure she has easy access to food, drink and litter box and try to leave her alone for a couple days.

KittKattize · July 2011

Thanks for the advice Bama. I went out for about an hour and during that time she did use the litter box and moved around a bit. Hopefully she comes around, Clover just wants to play with her. Clover is adjusting pretty well though, we keep telling her to be gentle and she's doing great.

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Cat Owners! I need some advice!

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