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penny_pincha wrote: »

You won't need a cat flap yet as you shouldn't allow your kitten out until it is much older. Definitely not before 6 months old and preferably wait until it is 8 or 9 months. Kittens are very curious and will end up being hurt falling off or out of something. Also you should neuter your kitten before it goes out.:)

Yes I realise that but to me a cat flap is important a few months down the line, you will likely be tearing your hair out by the time 6 months is up, dont see the need to wait any longer after the jabs etc and having to keep opening the door for the cat is a pain

Fridaycat

I've had eight cats in my adult life (have 5 now) and have never had a cat flap: I want to control when my cats are in, especially at night, and just as importantly, I don't want any neighbourhood cats coming into my cats' internal territory with all the potential spraying and behavioural problems that can bring.

Opening the door is not a pain as it's open anyway when it's warm, and when it's cold, they're not exactly in and out every 5 minutes...

In terms of the cat coming into season at 4 months - it is possible but not usual, I've always had my females done at 6 months and not one of them (4 of the 8) have ever called.

Good on you for not smacking - cats have no idea what it means, or how to change their behaviour as a result. There are other ways to teach them right from wrong (though they will inevitably make mistakes from time to time, but if people can't tolerate that, they shouldn't have a cat :eek:).

I have a few scratching posts around the house and have never had a problem with any fur coming out - I'd struggle showing the two pedigrees at cat shows if I did!

theoldcynic

NewKittenHelp wrote: »

If you remove the space between the two ts, it should come up. Won't let me for some reasons so if someone could do it for me, that would be wonderful.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/575270_310180112407886_125058577_n.jpg

She's beautiful and it sounds like she's going to be one pampered kitty!
For some reason I heard that black and white cats are the hardest to find homes for, so well done you!

Do get pet insurance, one of our young cats got so ill the total vets bill came to nearly £2000. We could not have afforded him the treatment he deserved without it, you never know what is round the corner.

I agree with not smacking cats, the most extreme deterrent I would use is water, but even then i'm reluctant to use that.

She's fortunate to have such a considerate and caring owner, I wish you both all the best

NewKittenHelp

theoldcynic wrote: »

She's beautiful and it sounds like she's going to be one pampered kitty!
For some reason I heard that black and white cats are the hardest to find homes for, so well done you!

Do get pet insurance, one of our young cats got so ill the total vets bill came to nearly £2000. We could not have afforded him the treatment he deserved without it, you never know what is round the corner.

I agree with not smacking cats, the most extreme deterrent I would use is water, but even then i'm reluctant to use that.

She's fortunate to have such a considerate and caring owner, I wish you both all the best

It's funny, we originally decided to avoid black and white cats because our neighbour has them and we wanted something a bit different to them, but she was the first kitten they showed us and there was no point looking at any of the others because she was perfect.

Thank you for fixing the link and for what you've said.:) Even though it won't let me post the fixed link. Grrrrr!

NewKittenHelp

Fridaycat wrote: »

I've had eight cats in my adult life (have 5 now) and have never had a cat flap: I want to control when my cats are in, especially at night, and just as importantly, I don't want any neighbourhood cats coming into my cats' internal territory with all the potential spraying and behavioural problems that can bring.

Opening the door is not a pain as it's open anyway when it's warm, and when it's cold, they're not exactly in and out every 5 minutes...

In terms of the cat coming into season at 4 months - it is possible but not usual, I've always had my females done at 6 months and not one of them (4 of the 8) have ever called.

Good on you for not smacking - cats have no idea what it means, or how to change their behaviour as a result. There are other ways to teach them right from wrong (though they will inevitably make mistakes from time to time, but if people can't tolerate that, they shouldn't have a cat :eek:).

I have a few scratching posts around the house and have never had a problem with any fur coming out - I'd struggle showing the two pedigrees at cat shows if I did!

That's a bit of a worry - next door's cats are always wandering into our house - one of them anyway - will that cause problems for our cat now? They won't be able to get in for ages now anyway, but I don't want her to feel threatened and start spraying up the walls or anything.

Fridaycat

NewKittenHelp wrote: »

That's a bit of a worry - next door's cats are always wandering into our house - one of them anyway - will that cause problems for our cat now? They won't be able to get in for ages now anyway, but I don't want her to feel threatened and start spraying up the walls or anything.

Cats are very territorial and they need to have a safe haven where they can feel... ummm... safe It's not always a problem when other cats come into your home, a lot will depend on the temperament of each of the cats and how well they get on with each other.

If, however, they feel threatened in any way, one form of releasing the tension is to mark their territory which they generally do by spraying - females will do this as well as males.

penny_pincha

Fridaycat wrote: »

I've had eight cats in my adult life (have 5 now) and have never had a cat flap: I want to control when my cats are in, especially at night, and just as importantly, I don't want any neighbourhood cats coming into my cats' internal territory with all the potential spraying and behavioural problems that can bring.

I have had a fair number of cats in my adult life too. 12 adult cats plus kittens. Some neuters and some entire. I have never had had a cat flap either as I want to control who is in and who is out and keep out undesirables and their unwelcome visitors.

Fridaycat wrote: »

Opening the door is not a pain as it's open anyway when it's warm, and when it's cold, they're not exactly in and out every 5 minutes...

they soon get the idea that you don't play 'wrong side of the door'. LOL

Fridaycat wrote: »

In terms of the cat coming into season at 4 months - it is possible but not usual, I've always had my females done at 6 months and not one of them (4 of the 8) have ever called.

All my entire girls have come into first call at around 12 months but I have had one as young as 7 months. Orientals can come into season early but not heard of as young as 4 months.

Fridaycat wrote: »

Good on you for not smacking - cats have no idea what it means, or how to change their behaviour as a result. There are other ways to teach them right from wrong (though they will inevitably make mistakes from time to time, but if people can't tolerate that, they shouldn't have a cat :eek:).

Cats which are physically smacked will associate the violence with the perpetrator ie you. If you use a water spray or I use a slipper thrown close by to make a noise they associate it with the place and not you. This discourages them from scratching the sofa for example. In my experience young kittens are open to train ing in this way until at least 6 months old though. In the mean time I find moving them to where they can do something is better.

Fridaycat wrote: »

I have a few scratching posts around the house and have never had a problem with any fur coming out - I'd struggle showing the two pedigrees at cat shows if I did!

I have had fur coming off on scratching posts when they are moulting but this assists grooming.

Well said Friday :T

val_84

NewKittenHelp wrote: »

It's funny, we originally decided to avoid black and white cats because our neighbour has them and we wanted something a bit different to them, but she was the first kitten they showed us and there was no point looking at any of the others because she was perfect.

Thank you for fixing the link and for what you've said.:) Even though it won't let me post the fixed link. Grrrrr!

I never went out to chose most of my cats but I have ended up with all black and white ones (I have 4) I remember reading somewhere years ago that black and white cats are usually the ones left as people favour the 'prettier' cats. I cant remember where I read it but seems a bit like rubbish to me.

When I first got my cats I spent an absolute fortune on toys and they pretty much ignore them! They favour scrunched up paper (especially the front of envelopes with the windows in, My blind cat loves these as she can hear them better)

The only toy I do get them is a £1.99 cat nip mouse from pets at home. Ive had to replace this about 20times as they rip him to shreds and the puppy has decided he likes it too!

I would recommend a scratching post and put it where they mostly eat and sleep as after that is when they do most of their scratching!

loobylou2

She's beautiful and looks like my cat Angel.

NewKittenHelp

An update for you all - we went to collect her today but she's developed cat flu. We couldn't take the chance because she was very lethargic. So we made the decision, with the rescue to who were very supportive to pick a more robust kitten.

I feel so guilty, especially because the rescue had updated their facebook page with the 'good news' of her finding a home after all she's been through, but none of us could take the risk.

Sooooo - they (unfortunately) had lots of others to choose from which gives me the rage because it's so unnecessary, but we found the perfect cat. She's the complete opposite of Honey (that's the name the rescue gave the original kitten), she's very outgoing and confident and ran up me. Literally. She was the last of her siblings and we also met her mum, who is just beautiful and so friendly.

We got her home at about 3ish, let her out into the kitchen/family room, and she stayed in the basket huddled next to a toy dog, for about half an hour when she ran out and went off exploring and promptly went to sleep in the only place I'd forgotten to cat proof. The inside of a mechanical chair, below the arm rest, treating it as a hammock.

She's just emerged and is now throwing herself around the room as if she owns the place, doesn't seem the least bit fazed that our neighbour's cats are lined up at the back door meowing at her.

She's also got an insane fascination with dust, which she finds everywhere and shames the cleaning. And because the Zooplus order hasn't arrived yet, we're using a cheapo litter tray, which she used, and then promptly kicked in my face. All in all, she's kind of awesome.