Beginner Kitten Tips?

Question

Hello you guys! Well, I have received a new kitten that is about 10 wks old. Her mom lived under the barber shop and this little girl was a little unhealthy and dirty. We took her home and naturally, she hid for a couple of hours, but now is is day 2 and she is very affectionate, eats and drinks properly, and is becoming a very good kitten!

I am concerned though, because I am new to cats all-together and she keeps going *mew, mew* until I get on the floor and pet her. Is this a sign of pain or is she just wanting attention? She is a Siamese Cat.

Also, I am not sure what to do with the littler box. It's clean, but she has to go to the bathroom (she has not went in the floor yet) but when I put her in it she jumps out! Any idea what to do?

She also is biting my fingers sometimes and digging her claws into my legs to climb up when I am sitting in my chair. Is that natural for a baby kitten?

Also, any other cat tips I should know to let my kitten grow up to be happy and healthy?

THANKS!

Legend

Answer 1

That is completely common, i have a 12 week old kitten ans she does exactly the same. Remember to give her nots of love, and she won't want to be alone.

To get hyer to use the litter tray, put some of her urine scent into the tray, this will get her to use it.

x

Kittens will climb everything so watch your curtains.

I am taking my kitten to be vacinated next week, she will then need another in about 3 weeks and then the snip and micro-chipping when she is 6 months old.

Answer 2

Welcome to the world of meezers (that's what we call siamese kitties)! Meezers are some of the best companions, but also some of the most vocal. They want what they want when they want it and usually they want it now. My Mila is a snowshoe siamese and she is very affectionate, but also very demanding. Also, they won't stop mewing just because you ignore them. Your little one will definitely need a scratching post if she is not aloud outside.She seems perfectly happy, however, if she preens too much with her claws, you can gently squeeze her paws or blow in her face (they don't like that). This will make her stop preening and eventually she will learn not to do it as much. Make sure you pick her up a lot and get her used to being handled while she is young so that when she gets older, she won't lash out at someone who tries to pick her up or rub her tummy. You are going to have a lot of fun with this one but I am serious about the scratching post; meezers like to climb. and scratch. Oh and get some toys with ribbons or feathers because she will go crazy pouncing on them.

Answer 3

I am so glad that the statement made above about 10 weeks being "too old" to train is SO inaccurate.

Cats are like any other living thing, they can always learn new things, that is how nature helps them to survive.  The problem is that some folks, probably like the poster who made that statement, only consider one training method.  With cats, the more creative you are, the better your chances are!  Some cats are motivated by food and easy to train, some have a favorite toy, etc...

Never, ever, ever hit a cat or any animal.  Rolled up newspapers are something people used to use on animals, but that does not make it right - especially in these times when we know that positive reinforcement works far better than abuse and physical punishment.  Cats, more than even dogs, become afraid of being hit and you never want your cat to fear your hand or whatever you may have in it.  

Siamese are unique in so many ways.  As kittens they are almost always wild and crazy, they needs extra socialization as they grow to become solid adult cats.  I've met a lot of Siamese kittens in shelters given up as "feral" and they are just very spirited.

Learn to trim the nails frequently, kittens nails grow faster than adults.  Teach him other ways to get near to you, maybe ask to be picked up - sit like a dog and meow (yup, they can learn).  Kittens love to climb and it helps their muscles grow and their bones develop, so make sure he has some climbing stuff that he can use to exercise on.

As someone else mentioned, Siamese cats ("meezers") are often very, very talkative.  You have to enjoy conversation when you adopt a Siamese or one adopts you.

Answer 4

Your kitten is probably mewing to get attention because she is feeling scared or wants to play or be pet. As for the litter box, sometimes it helps to put the cat in front of the box or just put the front paws in so that it has a choice to go in or out on its own. It should begin to use it regularly, but if not you may need to get her checked out by a vet. Also some cats don't like their litter box to be near their food/water, so make sure they are somewhat separated. The clawing and biting is probably meant in play and she is still figuring out how to play and climb. You can try trimming her nails and getting some cat toys and a scratching post to claw on.

Answer 5

cats are pretty smart, she probably has the litter box figured out and will use it if it is kept reasonably clean (scooped daily changed weekly).

and she already has you well trained, (i get down on the floor and play with my cats too)

yes, they bite some and their sharp little claws are the only way they have to grasp.

take her to the vet for her shots and spaying, regular vet visits are important.  and a good diet is important, i feed my cats some canned catfood 2 times a day and some dry food is left down for them to snack on, they need the kibble for their teeth, they need the wet food for the moisture.

i know you will love that cat and spoil her totoaly rotten.

this is a good thing.

Answer 6

Hey legend!

Well i have a kitten that i got that is 9 1/2 weeks old! her name is Heidi; so i feel your pain. But since i've had kittens before; i'll try to answer your questions individually. (A pat on the back for rescuing her!)

Siamese Cats are naturally talkative. It way be that she just wants attention; but more than likely it's just that she likes the sound of her own voice.

On litter pans:

Cats are finicky. My older Cat; Maddie; WILL NOT go to the bathroom until we leave the room. Don't set her in it; just take a spoon and dig in it; and be sure to make enough noise that she sees it and knows where to find it. She'll go when she's ready.

On the biting/scratching:

This is TOTALLY natural for a kitty. She wants to play really bad. Here's some ideas for toys you can make at home:

Take aluminum foil and loosely ball it up. Make sure it is about the size of her head so she won't ingest it. Set it on the ground and hit it towards her. Works best on a hardwood floor.

Take a little beanie baby... a rubber toy, or something along those lines and tie it on a long piece of string. Pull it around and let her chase it. She'll love you forever.

Have a remote control car? Tape a piece of chicken on the top and let 'er go. Your kitty will be scared at first: but stop it; let her smell the chicken; and then take off again. When she starts chasing it; let her catch it before she gives up. Give her the chicken; and soon she'll chase the car for hours. It's amazing exercise.

About clawing you to get up: your leg looks like a different colored piece of chair to her. She doesn't know she's hurting you; and wouldn't purposefully. But it happens. And it's normal. Try setting a box she can get on top of next to the chair. Show her how to get up there; and she should quit clawing her way up.

By the way; if you haven't already; take her to see a vet. She may seem perfectly healthy; but she may have an underlying disease such as Feline Leukemia or distemper. These could infect other cats in your neighborhood; and would be taking more than just one life that way. She may also be wormy; which isn't a big deal.

God Bless you for helping her!

I'll answer anymore questions you have!

~Shelby~  

Answer 7

Big tip number one - dont change her diet.  I had a terrible experience where i nearly lost my kitten due to the breeder weaning her on pure tuna fish and telling me it was blah blah cat food brand.  

Siamese cats are generally more vocal than others.  I'm sure she just wants attention, shes probably missing her mum and siblings.  I gave my kitten one of my child's teddies to cuddly up to.  He now, at the age of 2, carries it round and chews it!

Kittens will dig their claws in when climbing.  They do stop climbing up legs as they grow up!  Once she is big enough to jump onto your lap, that problem will stop.  Dont allow her to bite your fingers.  Its the same with puppies.  If you dont like it, dont let her do it.  Withdraw your hand quickly and say a sharp NO.  Make sure you hve lots of kitten toys for her to play with then she wont need to play with your fingers (or toes!)

And please please please get her spayed (neautered) before you let her out into the big wide world.  Good luck and enjoy your kitten x

Answer 8

well, i love cats and i took care of them for 2 years so if i were you id just leave the baby kitten with it MOTHER!!!  if the mother cat is not there then give it milk by using an injection BUT without the neddle     ( remove the needle okey ).  but please ont give it a bath they'll die okay

Answer 9

Everything you've mentioned is normal.  I got two kittens at once and was so overwhelmed by their behavior.  I thought they would never learn, but they did.

It's compared to raising a baby through the first year.  You have to be extremely patience.  Don't yell.  

She is using her claws instead of her foot pads for now.  My kitten used to climb up my back with his claws and that really hurt.  He doesn't do it anymore.

Just keep putting her into the litter box, she get it soon.  Also, maybe she doesn't like scented if that's what your using.

I had to put away all my nicknack's and valuable plants, etc. for about 6 months because they would chase each other around the house.

Don't buy anything that would get broken for now and expect your shower curtain to have holes in it.  Get a cheap one for now.

She's needing a lot of security and attention and that's why she meow's.

Just roll with it, and don't worry it's just a kitten thing.

Answer 10

Kittens are easily trained when very young.  Ten weeks makes training more difficult but not impossible.  The mew, mew is for attention if she is in pain it will be louder or more of a howl.  Her mother should have shown her how to use the litter box by example..but under the barber shop the whole world is a litter box.  scoop up the "deposit" and put it in the litter box  I am not sure how to do this as my cats have all been litter trained by example.  Do not let her scratch or bite you the very first time (now the next time) tell her in a loud voice...NO and gently swat her with a rolled up newspaper (not a large newspaper just several sheets rolled and fastened with tape or a rubber band)

be consistent and do this every time she does something you do not want her to do...like get on the kitchen table.  Kittens learn fast but you have to be consistent and valuable time has been lost.  Bad habits are harder to stop than it would have been to teacher her good habits.

Soon start to clip her claws...just the very tip "sharp claw) get a special clipper for this at a pet store it should cost less than $10

Sit down  with your legs together an place the kitten on her back on your legs.  Pet and talk to her until she is calm. Gently hold one paw and clip the very end of the claw.  Work slowly and confidently. Just do the front nails.   Good luck with your cat! soon you will be pleasant companions!     don c

Answer 11

First step...vet.

Your kitty likely needs vaccinations and wormings.

Kittens learn proper behavior from mom and their siblings, she is biting either because she does not know how to play well or because she is teething (usually starts at about 16 weeks).  

Climbing is what kitties do.  Provide her with something else to climb on and reward her when she uses it.  She wants to be near you, that is why she is climbing your leg to get closer.  Trim those nails...a LOT...kitten nails grow fast.

Answer 12

The meowing thing is normal. Siamese cats are very vocal cats. The biting is actually playing. Leave your cat alone when it needs to go to the bathroom and see what happens. Climbing is normal. Get a scratch post.

Answer 13

well if she has siamese in her you are in for a very loyal cat in the future.

For day two and her still meowing, this is natural. Don't worry about it. If you are worried buy a book. Books are great:)

Keep placing her in the litter box and she will eventually figure it out, it's natural for cats and kittens to go in soft sandy places so they can bury their excrement.

The kitten I am taking care of right now does the same thing, he climbs my legs and biting my fingers and toes, again a normal kitten thing to do. If it hurts just say "Ouch!" loudly and usually they let go.

Don't forget to take her to the vet to get her boosters. They help keep a kitten healthy and also help you have some professional input on your kitten. Your vet would be happy to answer any questions you have about the breed your kitten is and what health problems occur or may occur with that breed. They can also help with any food and behaviour questions you may have about the little kitty.

Good Luck and Please contact a vet and make an appointment.