nativetexan

yep scratching post of pad is a must.
once in a while since they don't go outside you can find them some grass outside and bring them some. i have three cats, mamma and her two kittens and they yell at me if i take mamma out for her walk (on a leash) and don't bring them in some grass from the yard.
then i must feed it to them blade by blade. really! they wont' eat it off the floor or a dish but they love it.

Ramona Byrd

I have two rescue cats, the sweet, shy female came in about two years after the first one, a dominate male, arrived. After a couple of weeks they get along like sister and brother, which means they fight sometimes. And the female starts a lot of it,
even though she was declawed when she got here.

The littler box fight goes on all the time. He won't let her even stick her head in HIS, but he feels free to use hers, which makes her mad and I think it smells worse from her actions. She wants hers cleaned twice a day but will reluctantly agree to once a day, but if forgotten, she will use a throw rug in the bathroom just to let me know. She will even squat down while I'm watching, while I, myself, am squatting on my own throne.

Cats are strong minded critters, but the love they give is well worth the work. I wouldn't take anything for my fur kids.

Bubblegum0077

Tell her to use the bucket of Tidy Cat litter. It clumps and there is no odor in the box. Tell her to clean it out every day or the cat might go somewhere else. If she doesn't comply, then put your foot down and wait till she moves out or you will be doing all the work. I hope that doesn't sound mean.

CarrieAnne

For sure get a scratching post! Rub some yummy cat nip on it. Whe the kitty tries to scratch your nice furniture, put fresh catnip on the post and slowly have the kitty scratch that! I made a post from an old pair of jeans and an old log. Doesnt have to be fancy, but be consistant!
I dont believe in declawing either, and it can change their personality too. Plus, if it ever should escape, it wouldnt be able to defend itself at all!
Good luck, I cant wait to hear when you get one!

anniec55

Figure they will be your kitties, cause you will probably fall in love, and be prepared to be totally entertained!! Male cats (esp if neutered) usually become very "chilled out".... laid back and frequently real lovers! though I have two little girls now they are wonderful and soo much fun, even tho they sometimes "fight" like teenage sisters.They are both within a couple of feet most of the time. I hate the cat box too, but worth it in the long run! Be sure to have them micro-chipped!!

pab58

I have two "girls," and they are the sweetest little things. I specifically wanted females because I didn't like the whole spraying issue with males. YUCK!!! :roll: Whatever you decide, the earlier you start with routines the better. For example, I comb or brush the "girls' quite frequently. I've been doing it right from the get-go so they are used to it and don't mind. Oh, and you don't have to go out and buy fancy toys!! They will play with the most common objects! Mine especially LOVE the plastic rings that break off from milk jugs and juice jugs. They will carry them around and toss them into the air, etc. They really like to take them into the kitchen so they can play with them on the tile floor. It looks like they're playing air-hockey!! Wadded up paper balls are a fun toy, too. They like knocking them around. Save the cash!! They're a lot like kids.....they prefer the box the toy came in instead of the actual toy itself!! :lol: Whenever we get a box in the mail, they just HAVE to play in it and on it!! Too cute!!!

wolfkitty

My cat like ping pong balls. And you definitely should start early, with whatever you want to do with them, like brushing their coat, brushing their teeth, etc.

zyxquilts

A lot of great info for you here!
For my 2 cents worth.... I recommend Feline Pine litter, non-clumping. It starts out looking a bit like feed pellets, but it's basically pellets formed from sawdust. It has the BEST odor control of any I've used - AND it's flushable! The pellets break down into "fluff" as it gets, um, wet. http://www.felinepine.com/. No clay dust, and you don't have any worries about what the clumping stuff might do if they ingest some while grooming.

Beffy_Boo

Please, please, please get them spayed/neutered as soon as possible...they just need to weigh 2 lbs. There are many low cost spay/neuter programs. You can get claw covers (clear or pretty colors) for the kitties. It is very easy to put them on and they stay on for 6 weeks or more.

jacqueck

Jane, great hints and tips. We've recently adopted a pair of kittens (3 months old) and we've confined them to a large dog crate (24x36) at night and when we're not home. Has a small litter box, food and water and couple toys and soft blanket. They don't object, I feel better and they are safer. We put them to bed about 8PM and I'm up and they're out about 6AM. That also keeps the other cats away from the kitten food. They do have access during the day to the adult food but at least I know half the day they are eating kitten food.