NationStates Jolt Archive

I am getting a kitten in the next couple of days.

I have had three cats in the past, but all were at least a couple of years old when I recieved them. Since NSG is filled with cat people, I figured I would come on here and ask for some tips on raising a young feline.

lots of kitty cuddles

Well cute :-)

Just remember that it might be cute now to have him/her walking around on the kitchen table, it won't be when him/her is an 8 kilo cat monster taking your food when you're not watching, but if you let it while young it will never unlearn.
Goes for everything really if there's places in your house you don't want it make sure you teach him/her now :)

(i have gotten used to, lovely pollux, my cat, sleeping on my pillow, still not to happy about it though ;))

I have a lovely Black Cat named Kipper - 'cos he sleeps all the time. So cute! :D

Don't let it get a taste for human blood.

Don't let it get a taste for human blood.

Well, he already does - we go feeding together at night. :D

Awww..... be sure to post pictures when you get her!

As for my advice, find a competent and trustworthy vet ASAP. Sure, she'll be healthy for now, but when vaccine time coems around you'll know you ahve someone dependable to turn to.

And remember that you'll probably want to train her somewhat as soon as you get her (such as gently lifting her off the keyboard right away if she walks on it).

Don't let the Grendels hear this! They'll eat that kitten up faster than you could believe!

Don't buy new curtans, or indeed new furniture until the cat is at least three years old.:D

Enjoy being a slave to the cute.

Be careful about what you use for punishment for misbehaviour.

Example : When we got one of our cats, he would regularly scratch one of my mom's wicker chairs. Every time he did that, my mom would take him and throw him out and made him stay outside for a bit.
Result : Anytime the cat wanted to go outside, he scratched my mom's chairs.

So careful there! ;)

Since NSG is filled with cat people.

Only Katganistan fills that description. :p

Give it love and attention. If it's naughty, don't be harsh. Use firm repetitive words to make a point known. Remember, this kitten will rely on you. Learn to communicate with it. It will try and learn to respond as well. I learned over the years how to communicate with my cat. Sure it's futile when food's involved but it does work.

Never hit the kitty. and for the punishment to be effective, you have to catch them in the act. Because they apparently don't have that long of a short term memory.

...and no growth hormones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rrf3iZvrv0

Don´t feed it too much, or too little. (I know, obvious, yet many fail to even do this)
Give it love and attention, but not to much there either,
as they can get too playful and start biting when you only want to cuddle.
The best ways of deterring it when it does things it shouldn't,
is to either make a shooing noise, or sometimes use a spray can with water.
Create a bond between you. for example, be the only one to give it food, spend many moments playing,cuddling or just be close by.

Oh, and watch those cables just lying around,
they just love to nibble at things or play with them when young. ,)

A laser pointer can provide hours of entertainment for both you and your kitten. Just don't shine it in it's eyes. :D

Kittens up to about 9 weeks show no fear response and are very aggressive in hunting, play, and exploration.

You will not be able to keep it out of things because its exploring impulse will overwhelm all instruction. Cat-proof your belongings. Make sure breakable things are placed where kitty can't knock them over. Move all houseplants to inaccessible places, like hanging from the ceiling (:D). Invest in slipcovers for your upholstered furniture while teaching kitty what not to scratch.

Make sure you get kitty used to being handled while it is still young. Especially make sure kitty gets used to letting you handle its paws, so you can safely trim its claws, for the future sake of your furniture. A cat that does not learn to trust humans with its paws early in life, never will. Getting it used to being brushed early is a good idea, too. So make sure your cuddle time includes some body massage (so it will not freak out so much when getting vet exams), claw grooming, brushing, etc.

If kitty gets rambunctious and claws or bites while playing with you, the best way to train it away from that is, the instant claws or teeth so much as brush your skin or even clothes, make a high-pitched "ow-ow-ow" noise and immediately stop playing and put kitty down/aside. That kind of pain/ignoring response is how kittens learn not to play too rough with their litter mates. It is very effective.

And remember, have fun, because kittens are great. I'm jealous of you -- even though I completely adore my 13-year-old giant bruiser to an unhealthy degree. I remember when he was a baby, though. Such a crazy, wonderful, delightful little beast.

Kittens up to about 9 weeks show no fear response and are very aggressive in hunting, play, and exploration.

You will not be able to keep it out of things because its exploring impulse will overwhelm all instruction. Cat-proof your belongings. Make sure breakable things are placed where kitty can't knock them over. Move all houseplants to inaccessible places, like hanging from the ceiling (:D). Invest in slipcovers for your upholstered furniture while teaching kitty what not to scratch.

Make sure you get kitty used to being handled while it is still young. Especially make sure kitty gets used to letting you handle its paws, so you can safely trim its claws, for the future sake of your furniture. A cat that does not learn to trust humans with its paws early in life, never will. Getting it used to being brushed early is a good idea, too. So make sure your cuddle time includes some body massage (so it will not freak out so much when getting vet exams), claw grooming, brushing, etc.

If kitty gets rambunctious and claws or bites while playing with you, the best way to train it away from that is, the instant claws or teeth so much as brush your skin or even clothes, make a high-pitched "ow-ow-ow" noise and immediately stop playing and put kitty down/aside. That kind of pain/ignoring response is how kittens learn not to play too rough with their litter mates. It is very effective.

And remember, have fun, because kittens are great. I'm jealous of you -- even though I completely adore my 13-year-old giant bruiser to an unhealthy degree. I remember when he was a baby, though. Such a crazy, wonderful, delightful little beast.
Listen to Muravyets. She is a goddess.

Listen to Muravyets. She is a goddess.

It's true. Registered and everything. Operators are now standing by to accept offerings. ;)

It's true. Registered and everything. Operators are now standing by to accept offerings. ;)

*offers self*