Kitten

[Palerider]

I like that idea Pale. Technology today!

its awesome......

[Dr T]

My kid's cat-my kid's job. :)

[Guest MrsS]

When can a cat be spayed (what age)?

For a male, as soon as his testicles drop. (no more fluffy, empty balls)

For a female, after her back teeth come in, which is at about 6 months.

Take her to the Vet at about her 5th month and they can pretty much tell you if it is time, or how much longer you will have to wait.

I have two cats: Brother and Sister, from the same litter. So when Fred's fluffies got hard, off they BOTH went to get their "Christmas Trimmings" as my oldest sister always called it. I really felt for poor Fred. His bottom was all red, Angry Red, and swollen. When he walked he reminded me of the way John Wayne walked. Grandma likened it to walking with a wet and loaded diaper! Woooie, did that cat swagger, and he didn't sit except once! He flopped onto his side. Still does it too. That is how he got his nick name: Fearless, Farting, Fuzzynuts, Flip-Flopping, Feline Fred.

Ethel on the other hand kept working at and worrying her stitches. I took vicks vapor rub and put it on the area around the stitches. The smell was supposed to be icky to her and keep her from tugging the stitches out. Didn't work - both cats LOVE the smell of Vicks (and Deep Heat, Flex All, etc.).So I then took vaseline and mixed tabasco in it. THAT worked. By the time I did that she had 3 of her 5 stitches removed. She healed up fine in spite of that.

Watch the kitten, see what her mannerisms are like, what name pops into your head that describes her. My sister got an all white, long haired yet sleek cat - female. She was one pretty cat - she also had a triple dose of ATTITUDE. Sis named her Vanna. As in Vanna White. She also could flip the pages of a magazine without tearing them or leaving claw marks.

[shanstress70]

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Came home to a kitten today. Wife and children call played the, 'Look how cute she is. Can we keep her, can we keep her, please" card.

Dr T.

Put your foot down NOW! Tell them in absolutely no uncertain terms that cats are of the devil and you won't have one in your house!

They poop inside, they chew string and then hork it everywhere, they lick themselves and their hair and then hork everywhere, they eat and then hork (are you getting the common thread here???).

Yeah, when they are kittens they are SOOOO cute, but then the litter begins, they grow up, and they ###### as a pet.

Give me a dog anytime. I have a cat, and every day wish I could take him out for target practice, but my love for my daughter stops me. I have already told here I am bringing that rotten spawn of Satan and his litter box to her graduation day from BYU and handing him over after she gets her diploma!

I HATE CATS!

Dude, you've got a sick cat who maybe needs to go to the vet. Cats should not 'hork' that much. My cat does it once every year or so. She's a great pet.

[Dr T]

Thank you for your great post MrsS. :) "Christmas Trimmings", "John Wayne" and the nicknames

[Maureen]

...My wife found what I call an automatic cleaning litter box.....plug it in and when the kitty is done it cleanes the box and scoops it into a container....then the lid closes. You do change the cartridge or container as needed....

Pale, what's the name of this lovely sounding contraption?

M.

[shanstress70]

I have seen these before and have thought about buying one, but wondered if they worked.

Is this something similar to what you have, Palerider? http://www.littermaid.com/showproduct.asp?prodID=17

I also saw this cool-looking thing! A bit pricey though: http://www.litter-robot.com/default.aspx?a...CFSQsFQodA3mbbQ

And just browsing, I saw this. Anyone ever use this type of box? It's not exactly automatic, but looks like it would get the job done and it's very reasonably priced: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...ter+box&N=2

[Dr T]

Thank you for those links Shan. :)

[Blessed]

Dr. T... any news on a name yet? If not I will throw one in... since you said she had black spots how about "Pepper?"

[Guest MrsS]

Thank you for your great post MrsS. :) "Christmas Trimmings", "John Wayne" and the nicknames

Actually it is one long nickname, sort of like a title. When I first got them Fred was barely alive, rescued feral kittens. Fred only weighed 8 oz. I had to feed him Gerbers strained turkey and heavy whipping cream constantly throughout the day & night. I would cook up some rice, then whip it up in my blender, add equal parts strained turkey. Fred would eat about 1/2 teaspoonful, then potty, then fall asleep. Every time I picked him up, he would fart.

Even though he was weak he was a tough little bugger. Ethel weighed 1 lb 8 oz, and had no problem eating the softened kitten chow. Ethel would send Fred out ahead to "scout" the area. If nothing happened to him, then she knew that all was well. She is the one who nudged Fred and got him stuck on top of the covered litter pan, and also on top of the med dog sized carrier. Nothing seemed to really deter Fred - he was and still is quite Fearless.

[Dr T]

A title. That's great. :)

===

Blessed,

We watched her and she is rather spunky. We decided to name her Sassy (short Sassafras) because that's what she is. We considered the name Pepper. Thank you for the suggestions. She purrs like crazy except when around my 1 year old daughter. The kids love her.

[pam]

Hey with the name Pepper and a "title". She could be "Dr. Pepper"

[Palerider]

I have seen these before and have thought about buying one, but wondered if they worked.

Is this something similar to what you have, Palerider? http://www.littermaid.com/showproduct.asp?prodID=17

I also saw this cool-looking thing! A bit pricey though: http://www.litter-robot.com/default.aspx?a...CFSQsFQodA3mbbQ

And just browsing, I saw this. Anyone ever use this type of box? It's not exactly automatic, but looks like it would get the job done and it's very reasonably priced: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...ter+box&N=2

Yes....you are correct........thats the name of it......

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I have seen these before and have thought about buying one, but wondered if they worked.

Is this something similar to what you have, Palerider? http://www.littermaid.com/showproduct.asp?prodID=17

I also saw this cool-looking thing! A bit pricey though: http://www.litter-robot.com/default.aspx?a...CFSQsFQodA3mbbQ

And just browsing, I saw this. Anyone ever use this type of box? It's not exactly automatic, but looks like it would get the job done and it's very reasonably priced: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...ter+box&N=2

Yes....you are correct........thats the name of it......

we have the first one.....litter maid.......

[Maureen]

...We decided to name her Sassy (short Sassafras) because that's what she is....

I like your choice. :)

M.

[Sarah]

Meagan

I LOVE that name.

[Dr T]

That's great Pammy. :) Zeus, whom I meantioned earlier was named Dr. Zeus T...

[begood2]

Dr. T,

I like the name Sassy! I'm happy that you decided to allow the family and especially your children to have the cat. Having a real living pet to love and take care of can have so many positive benefits for the child. 1. It will give them a friend that they can love. 2. The pet can return a sense of love and affection to them. 3. It is a great way to start to teach them responsibility, but go easy on them and help them to understand how dependent the animal is on them for its needs, but if they slips up once in awhile on the proper care: (feeding, water, attention, and litter box clean-up) it is very important that you convey the message to them in a loving, caring manner. .......and not one of anger and frustration! :)

[Guest mamacat]

i figure if at 4 he can plan and plot and "show" for a solid yr that he wants and can care for a cat, the boy needs one.

ALmom ~ that's the cutest thing ever. :)

i think we'll be adopting a kitten soon as well. our apartment is rather small, so im trying to think of a good place for the litter box -- i love the idea of the mechanical litter box....

here's our puppy zoe...she'd love having a kitten friend. but cats always take advantage of her lol...

[Dr T]

Thank you Begood

[begood2]

You're welcome! :)

[Dr T]

This darn cat! Sassy, which let me remind you all, is not my cat, loves me, follows me everywhere, climbs up to me, climbs on my clothes, and is scratching the heck out of me!!! I don't want to clip her nails because she will be an outside cat soon. Purr away kitty, PURR AWAY...

[Guest MrsS]

This darn cat! Sassy, which let me remind you all, is not my cat, loves me, follows me everywhere, climbs up to me, climbs on my clothes, and is scratching the heck out of me!!! I don't want to clip her nails because she will be an outside cat soon. Purr away kitty, PURR AWAY...

Aw, that is so sweet. You should be glad that a kitten loves you that much. Cats, kittens especially are very discriminating animales. They will NOT have anything to do with evil, nasty people. So that just proves that you are Good People, Dr.T!!

Also be very thankful that Sassy doesn't dislike you, because then instead of following you everywhere, and climbing up to cuddle and purr on you, she could be attacking you when you are in bed sleeping, and/or shredding your clothes that hang in the closet, peeing and pooping in your shoes, or on your pillow, or under your pillow.

My cat Missy (Main Coon Cat) did that to my Ex. before he was my ex. Ohhh, how she detested him. She would poo & pee in his shoes, then dash under the king size bed and crawl up inside of the box springs. He never could figure out where she was hiding. I also made a hole in the back of a huge wardrobe armoire for her to hide in too. She had every right to detest him, he was so mean to her. Plus he was an evil man, and she knew it!

When she scratches/claws you, catch hold of her, hold her paws together firmly in one hand and bring her face up close to your face and hiss in a very ANGRY tone, then say to her - NO Sassy, no claws, as you gently squeeze her paws. She will eventually learn that clawing is bad behaviour. Make the hiss come from the back of your throat too - and when you tell her NO, say it in an even, normal voice. You don't want to yell, scream, or hurt her sensitive ears. Then just before you put her back down on the floor or on your lap, rub your chin on the top of her head, tell her she is a good girl, and then gently put her down. I have done this with every single cat I have ever had (I have had so many, I can no longer count them or even remember all of their names!) - I also talk to them like they are just four legged, furry, small, adults. Also when she plays with you and keeps her claws in, be sure to reward her with cuddles and positive words. By cuddles I mean rub your face on her face. That is what Alpha cats do to the lesser cats. Purr the words good Sassy, good girl. This lets her know that she has been doing good. Believe me, cats love the positive feed back. Just don't do it for too long.

When I tell my cats to go to bed, they go to the bedroom and get into their basket, or to stop what ever bad behaviour they are doing, they stop the bad stuff. I only have to call once for them to come to me also. It may take a bit for them to come, especially if they are eating or using the litter box, but within 10 minutes of my calling them, they are right there.

[Vanilla]

This darn cat! Sassy, which let me remind you all, is not my cat

me thinks thou doest protest too much! Could it be that someone is a closet feline lover? Not that I would blame you... :-)

[shanstress70]

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This darn cat! Sassy, which let me remind you all, is not my cat

me thinks thou doest protest too much! Could it be that someone is a closet feline lover? Not that I would blame you... :-)

I was thinking the same thing!

[Dr T]

MrsS,

THank you for those words. Good behavioral training. She playfully bites too.

===

Closet feline lover maybe "closet feline owner"