Thinking of adopting a three legged kitty

arunadasi

We once had a three legged cat, and he was just fine!

junkanoo

Well we went to the shelter yesterday to adopt our three legged friend, but as we arrived she was being adopted by another family. We were really gutted, but at the same time we were happy she was going to a good home. So we had to look for another little kitty to adopt. It was such a hard choice, there were so many to choose from. After spending what seemed like hours we came home with a ginger & white 8months old boy. He was so sweet at the shelter, and basically picked him cause when we held him he just wanted lots of kisses and a big cuddle!! Also he was sooo cute!!

We have had our hands full ever since we got him home!! We were told that he probably would be shy when he first got home and would take a while to get used to his surroundings etc, well with this little boy, as soon as he was out of his carrier he was into everything!! I don't think he has a shy bone in his body! Last night he was hanging from the curtains, clawing the furniture, running around in circles scratching and biting us. This went on for hours. Think he was just so excited about his new home, and was over stimulated. When my husband and I went to bed last night we weren't sure what to expect!! But he was an angel. We closed of the living room, so he couldn't get to the furniture! But he slept most of the night, would wake up occasionally and have a wonder, but thankfully remained calm!

This morning he is a lot calmer as well. Still clawing the furniture though and having mad moments, but thats to be expected, afterall he is still a kitten. We have put foil around the bottoms of the furniture and it seems to be working. He hasn't touched the foil parts since. We are off today to buy another scratching post as he has shown no interest in the one we brought him. If anyone has any advice on how to keep cats from clawing furniture it will be appreciated!!

Also he loves attacking us, he is only playing, but we do need to find a way for him to reduce the biting and scratching. He has shredded my husbands hands and feet. He seems to attack my husband a lot harder than me. We are very firm with him, we tell him no, get him off, don't look at him, show no affection etc. Trying not to associate positive with negative. But does anyone have any other ideas? I guess we just need to be consistant and maybe one day he will learn!!

Besides him clawing the furniture and biting and scratching us he is absolutely perfect!! We love him to bits already.

I tried posting some pics but the site won't let me, tells me that I am too new. How long do I have to wait until I can post pics? Would love to share him with everyone.

BitterAndTwisted

I can't wait to see your ginger and white newby. What's the darling boy's name?

I'd encourage him to play with something on a string to distract him from believing hands and feet are pusscat playthings. Have you looked into "Da Bird"? Best cat toy in the whole world, ever.

ETA: I had no idea the familiar name for a feline would be censored

geri1965_2

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Have you looked into "Da Bird"? Best cat toy in the whole world, ever

I've got one of these (well, I think it's a cheaper copy) and my cat (12) goes mental for it - seriously mental! It's provided hours of fun for both of us.

Deep_In_Debt

When I was a child...years ago...we had a 3 legged cat, what he lacked in legs, he made up for in other ways...very feisty and became a bit of a bully!

He had absolutely no problems getting around and patrolling the neighbourhood and lived until the ripe old age of 20.

I love it that you are considering a 3 legged kitty.

picklepick

To stop him clawing the furniture get some double sided tape and stick it where he claws at. They hate the feeling of the stickiness and wont like touching it. Then you need to make the scratching post more attractive to him. Spray it with catnip spray and actually hold his paws and show him what its for by very gently stroking his paws down it. He'll get the idea eventually. You can remove the sticky tape once hes learnt

junkanoo

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I can't wait to see your ginger and white newby. What's the darling boy's name?

I'd encourage him to play with something on a string to distract him from believing hands and feet are pusscat playthings. Have you looked into "Da Bird"? Best cat toy in the whole world, ever.

ETA: I had no idea the familiar name for a feline would be censored

At the moment we have two names and are trying to decide which one to pick. They are Chester and Mango. We are leaning towards Chester.

He is so much calmer today than he was yesterday. When he is having his mad moments(or mad hour!), we are trying to get him to play with his toys and away from the couches. Will look into "Da Bird".

junkanoo

picklepick wrote: »

To stop him clawing the furniture get some double sided tape and stick it where he claws at. They hate the feeling of the stickiness and wont like touching it. Then you need to make the scratching post more attractive to him. Spray it with catnip spray and actually hold his paws and show him what its for by very gently stroking his paws down it. He'll get the idea eventually. You can remove the sticky tape once hes learnt

The double sided tape sounds like a great idea. Will definately give it a go. I just have to be careful as the fabric on the couches have lines of thread (which is decoration) going down them. I know not a very cat friendly fabric!! But we brought them when we brought our flat 2 years ago, we were more into look than practicality back them!! But will test it out and see what happens.

Will also have to get some catnip spray. We have the powdered stuff and have tried rubbing it on his scratching post (not very successful!!), so will give the spray a whirl.

Is there a way of making his claws a little duller? I looked at them today and they are like little needles. Or will they dull down a bit when he starts using his scratching post? He's got three scratching items now. An actual post, a scratching mat and a cardboard scratching box. He has shown little interest, so hopefully with the catnip spray and perserverance!!

Revel

Try the post in a different position.

Our last cat would claw at the side of the sofa. We put a scatching post next to the sofa and she would use that instead. If the post was moved to a different position she would just claw the sofa again and ignore the post.

tealady

Hi. I think Chester is a great name. The thing to remember with cats names is would you be happy standing where the neighbours can hear you when you are calling them?