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Post by shannoots on Oct 1, 2017 1:23:23 GMT
We are getting a kitten in a couple of weeks. I haven't had a cat since I was in early elementary school and am lost as to what we need. Obviously, food and a litter box. But what kind of litter should we use? What else is a must have with a kitten?
Second question is....we have a dog (a sweet Goldendoodle) and I want to know if anyone has advice on how to introduce the two? I read online that you should keep them separate for many days and keep the cat in a small room. Feed them on opposite sides of the door so they start to associate good things with the other animal. I will do this if absolutely necessary but I am not sure if it would really work.
So, help! We are very excited but have so many questions. Any other info that you think will be helpful is welcome too. We are getting a ragdoll because they are supposed to be family and dog friendly. Crossing my fingers that this is true.
ETA: I changed my profile pic to our kitten because I don't know how to add a picture to the thread. LOL
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Post by Skellinton on Oct 1, 2017 1:36:21 GMT
No suggestions on litter, we have different litter boxes with different litter for our cats as they each have their own preference.
Lots of different toys for her to play with, a nice little bed, a cardboard box and a cat climbing toy is about all they need. Some of our cats like toys on a string, some prefer the wands, they all like the little toys stuffed with cat nip or catnip puffs. There is one toy that is made with deer fur that looks like a mouse on a wire string they all go nuts for. We have to keep it up and make sure we only have one cat around at a time when we play with it or they get vicious over it and start fighting each other! They sell it at both Petsmart and
Petco.
Our cats really like the cheap fleece blankets at petco, they aren't really fleece, more like soft faux lamb loooking fabric, they are 4.99 and we have several, they all love them.
Kitten will want a climbing toy to climb, cats like to be high and will be a safe place for her to get away and feel superior.
You know, we will all need pictures, right?
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Post by Skellinton on Oct 1, 2017 1:36:53 GMT
Oh my goodness, I just saw your change. She is ADORABLE! So fluffy!
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Post by shannoots on Oct 1, 2017 1:39:00 GMT
No suggestions on litter, we have different litter boxes with different litter for our cats as they each have their own preference. Lots of different toys for her to play with, a nice little bed, a cardboard box and a cat climbing toy is about all they need. Some of our cats like toys on a string, some prefer the wands, they all like the little toys stuffed with cat nip or catnip puffs. There is one toy that is made with deer fur that looks like a mouse on a wire string they all go nuts for. We have to keep it up and make sure we only have one cat around at a time when we play with it or they get vicious over it and start fighting each other! They sell it at both Petsmart and Petco. Our cats really like the cheap fleece blankets at petco, they aren't really fleece, more like soft faux lamb loooking fabric, they are 4.99 and we have several, they all love them. Kitten will want a climbing toy to climb, cats like to be high and will be a safe place for her to get away and feel superior. You know, we will all need pictures, right? Thanks for the info! My son wanted to go today to buy things but I didn't feel prepared at all. This is very helpful!! |
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Post by leannec on Oct 1, 2017 2:01:47 GMT
Animals are very adaptable ... you shouldn't have any problem introducing your kitten to your dog ... they will probably end up being best friends like mine are  I do feed them in different rooms ... mainly because the dog will eat all of the cat food  The BEST cat litter is at Costco ... it's called Litter Purrfect and I love it because it clumps the pee as well as the poo  It's in a big green container ... if you don't have a Costco then I would choose Arm and Hammer ... it really keeps the smell down ... Your kitten looks sooooo cute  |
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Post by shannoots on Oct 1, 2017 2:15:55 GMT
Animals are very adaptable ... you shouldn't have any problem introducing your kitten to your dog ... they will probably end up being best friends like mine are I do feed them in different rooms ... mainly because the dog will eat all of the cat food The BEST cat litter is at Costco ... it's called Litter Purrfect and I love it because it clumps the pee as well as the poo It's in a big green container ... if you don't have a Costco then I would choose Arm and Hammer ... it really keeps the smell down ... Your kitten looks sooooo cute Thank you! |
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Post by buddysmom on Oct 1, 2017 2:18:46 GMT
We have never had a problem with our cats vs dogs--except as others say, dogs will gobble the cat's food in no time.
Now cat vs cat in our house--WW3
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Post by zztop11 on Oct 1, 2017 2:19:23 GMT
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Post by Zee on Oct 1, 2017 2:41:19 GMT
Congrats! I've added two kittens to our home in the last year. Kittens are generally more adaptable than cats so you shouldn't really have to wait days to introduce her to your dog. For a few days I would keep them separated if you're not there to supervise or at night, just to be sure your dog is OK with the kitten and won't harm her.
Get a scratching post or two, a sturdy one that won't tip when she tries to use it.
As for litter, I prefer a lightweight low dust scoopable litter that's not too strongly scented. I like Cat's Pride Fresh & Light.
For food, wet food is best for cats. Give her very little dry food. More and more vets are realizing this.
You can clip her claws with a small pair of nail Clippers if she's too sharp at first (lol, kittens are very sharp!). Just be careful not to hit the quick, easy enough if you're careful and make sure the lighting is good. I do it as needed. They eventually learn not to scratch and bite when playing but as you know kittens are really wild for at least the first year, with the leaping and playing and attacking everything.
I've had cats all my life but before this year it had been quite a while since I'd had a kitten. They're so entertaining and so much fun, enjoy the cute!
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Post by smokeynspike on Oct 1, 2017 6:26:28 GMT
I will agree with the others. One of the best purchases that we have ever made for our cats was the tallest cat tree that PetSmart makes! It was over a hundred bucks but it was so worth it. We need to recarpet ours since they have loved it so much! Ours has four levels with rest spots. The top 3 levels are the ones they sleep on, so we have all of their toys in the bottom spot. I would imagine that this would be a must with a dog in the house as well.
We use the Walmart clumping cat litter. It is 40 pounds for $10. I can't stand the smell of most clumping scented cat litters so this one is best for me.
We use the indoor formula of the Purina cat food.
My ragdoll is the only one who really hocks up hairballs. We think she was abused or something by a man in the house that raised her too. Her tail was broken so we aren't sure if a man did that to her, but she doesn't like men. She is pretty chill. She also has a rough time keeping her rear end clean with her long hair so she ends up with a lion cut every 6 months or so. I think this is where her chillness comes most in handy because she will sit unrestrained and purr while I cut it for her. Silly girl.
Enjoy your new kitten! Do you have a name picked out yet?
Melissa
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Post by nlwilkins on Oct 1, 2017 8:45:40 GMT
We had always adopted adult cats until this last one who was about 3 months old when we got her. I found that our kitten needed supervision at first or a safe place to be put up when we were out of the house or sleeping. Our bathroom was her safe place. I put the litter box in the tub and cleaned off the counters and kept toys in there for her. Then she graduated to one of the bedrooms for night time until she was about a year old. She is still very active at 17 months and we have to shut our bedroom door at night in order to get some sleep. But she has free range of the rest of the house. Some kittens will chew anything, knock anything off counters and tables and can tear through a roll of toilet paper in minutes. But, they are also so sweet and will fall asleep in your lap for hours. Our poor baby was fostered by a family with four kids under four who would not leave her alone, picking her up in awkward ways, etc. She learned to bite to get away and we have not been able to cure her of the biting habit. Though she is not as bad at it as she was.
Your baby looks so sweet and fluffy! All ragdoll owners I have talked to back up what you have heard about them. They say they are so laid back and are very gentle. As far as toys go, be prepared for your kitten to love the packaging more than the toy LOL.
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Post by peasapie on Oct 1, 2017 11:39:25 GMT
 We are a rag doll family. Hope you love yours as we do ours! Use the litter your breeder uses, and then if you switch over, do it gradually. I use the clumping kind from Costco. You will need a brush, and start the brushing early so kitty is used to it. Raggie’s shed quite a bit at certain times. When you go to the vet, request one shot at a time— no multiple-load shots, because rag dolls can be sensitive to that. And they cannot be outdoor cats. They just are so compliant and sweet that they would be in danger as an outdoor cat. We we love our boy so much, and he is our second rag doll. I swear he is friendlier than our dog and he loves to play fetch! |
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Post by flgirlatheart on Oct 1, 2017 12:02:46 GMT
Congratulations on your new kitten! We recently switched to the Beeze litter system. It's dust free pellets- solid waste is buried in the pellets while liquid waste goes through to a pee pad that is changed as needed.
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Post by shannoots on Oct 1, 2017 13:18:19 GMT
I will agree with the others. One of the best purchases that we have ever made for our cats was the tallest cat tree that PetSmart makes! It was over a hundred bucks but it was so worth it. We need to recarpet ours since they have loved it so much! Ours has four levels with rest spots. The top 3 levels are the ones they sleep on, so we have all of their toys in the bottom spot. I would imagine that this would be a must with a dog in the house as well. We use the Walmart clumping cat litter. It is 40 pounds for $10. I can't stand the smell of most clumping scented cat litters so this one is best for me. We use the indoor formula of the Purina cat food. My ragdoll is the only one who really hocks up hairballs. We think she was abused or something by a man in the house that raised her too. Her tail was broken so we aren't sure if a man did that to her, but she doesn't like men. She is pretty chill. She also has a rough time keeping her rear end clean with her long hair so she ends up with a lion cut every 6 months or so. I think this is where her chillness comes most in handy because she will sit unrestrained and purr while I cut it for her. Silly girl. Enjoy your new kitten! Do you have a name picked out yet? Melissa No name yet. There are 5 of us trying to decide. She will technically be my son's cat because he has asked for a cat for years but we still all have a say. I love the name Poppy but he doesn't. I threw out the name Mila yesterday and thought he liked it but now he says no. We have a couple of weeks so hopefully we can agree. |
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Post by Zee on Oct 1, 2017 13:19:27 GMT
She looks like a Mischa to me. or Pearl. |
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Post by shannoots on Oct 1, 2017 13:20:30 GMT
We are a rag doll family. Hope you love yours as we do ours! Use the litter your breeder uses, and then if you switch over, do it gradually. I use the clumping kind from Costco. You will need a brush, and start the brushing early so kitty is used to it. Raggie’s shed quite a bit at certain times. When you go to the vet, request one shot at a time— no multiple-load shots, because rag dolls can be sensitive to that. And they cannot be outdoor cats. They just are so compliant and sweet that they would be in danger as an outdoor cat. We we love our boy so much, and he is our second rag doll. I swear he is friendlier than our dog and he loves to play fetch! Glad to hear your ragdoll is exactly as the breeder described them. We have a very sweet Goldendoodle so I'm hoping they will get along and be friends. |
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955 
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Oct 1, 2017 13:40:18 GMT
My kitten advice is always the same. Get 2 at once. It isn't really twice the work, and much easier to add 2 at once than to decide down the road that kitty needs company. Because kitty does need company. Without a second kitten, all the burning off of kitten energy will be your responsibility!
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332
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Post by gloryjoy on Oct 1, 2017 13:53:34 GMT
She looks like a Mischa to me. or Pearl. My cat's name is Pearl, so I think she looks like a Mischa  . |
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332
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Post by gloryjoy on Oct 1, 2017 13:54:39 GMT
Animals are very adaptable ... you shouldn't have any problem introducing your kitten to your dog ... they will probably end up being best friends like mine are I do feed them in different rooms ... mainly because the dog will eat all of the cat food The BEST cat litter is at Costco ... it's called Litter Purrfect and I love it because it clumps the pee as well as the poo It's in a big green container ... if you don't have a Costco then I would choose Arm and Hammer ... it really keeps the smell down ... Your kitten looks sooooo cute And the cat litter at Costco is a good buy too. That's what we use. |
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Post by rrp23 on Oct 1, 2017 15:22:24 GMT
We have always used tidy cats 4 in 1 (black lid) and have been happy with it.
We put our kitten in a crate with his food, and our dog next to the crate whule we fed her favorite treats. They would see each other eat and can sniff each other without getting too invasive too quickly. We did this for about a week with the shared meal times. Then our kitten let us know he was ready by pushing the door open. He hid for about a week as he got used to his new surroundings. Now, they are the best of friends, playing and cuddling together.
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Post by rrp23 on Oct 1, 2017 15:29:10 GMT
We gave the cat a blanket that we and the dog slept with so the cat could get used to the dogs scent. I believe its comforting to the cat to familiarise itself with it's new home.
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Post by reedina on Oct 1, 2017 16:00:27 GMT
My kitten advice is always the same. Get 2 at once. It isn't really twice the work, and much easier to add 2 at once than to decide down the road that kitty needs company. Because kitty does need company. Without a second kitten, all the burning off of kitten energy will be your responsibility! We got 2 instead of one, partly in response to advice from this board (maybe even you!). We are SOOOOO glad we got two. They are two years old now. I tried soooo many litters and ended up with Dr. Easley's. Seems to have the least amount of smell and least amount of dust for me. I buy it from Amazon. Save |
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Post by reedina on Oct 1, 2017 16:01:56 GMT
Also, your kitty is adorable!! We have Ragamuffins.
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Post by shannoots on Oct 1, 2017 18:11:48 GMT
Also, your kitty is adorable!! We have Ragamuffins. How cute is that? Ragamuffins! |
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Post by birukitty on Oct 1, 2017 18:42:23 GMT
I've had cats since I was 8 so it's been um, 49 years for me. I got Jesse (a Traditional Siamese) as a kitten a year and a half ago and I wish we'd gotten two at that time but it wasn't possible. I've always had two at a time and do agree it works best. Still trying to talk DH into a sister or brother for Jesse before he gets much older. Anyway, my advice is to not forget a cat tree of some sort. I think someone above might have mentioned it. It's a climbing structure and the higher you can get it the better, especially with a Golden Doodle in the house. My favorite place to shop for pet supplies is chewy.com They ship for free above a certain amount and they have so many great selections-far better than Pet Smart or Pet Co. They've got a lot of cat trees to choose from too. Our Jesse loves his cat tree, for your cat it would be a place to go up high to get away from your dog to chill out where the dog wouldn't be able to get to her. As far as litter goes I agree-start out with the same litter the breeder was using and then gradually switch. We use Tidy Cat Lightweight Litter-so much easier to deal with since it's lighter weight. Don't get the kind with Glade fragrance-much too powerful a smell! What I like about this litter also is that it clumps really well. Play-don't let kitten play with your hands and make that decision firm with everyone right now. Hands and body parts are not play toys. When the kitten starts to play with hands take them away and replace them with toys. What may be cute now won't be when kitten grows into a full size cat with sharp claws and even sharper teeth. What you permit now will be even harder to break as a habit later. Different cats prefer different toys. Jesse loves feathers and string toys. He also loves what we used to call (when I was growing up) super balls. Those really small rubber balls that bounce like crazy. I found a package of 120 of them on Amazon for $12.00. He's already lost all 120 under the sofa and furniture on the main floor so I just order the second 120. And yes, I did look for them with a broom handle under the furniture-nothing. Maybe the Borrowers took them? They'd be just about the right size. Food-for the first few days stick with the food the breeder has been feeding your kitten and then slowly change over to what you want to feed. The current thinking is that dry food only leads to kidney disease because nature designed cats to get a percentage of their daily water intake from their food. Then we came along with our commercial dry cat food and they simply cannot drink enough water (it's physically not possible) to counter act what nature designed them to do. Eventually that lack of water leads to kidney disease in many cats in their later years. So a canned diet or a raw food diet is what is now considered best. A traditional vet will not tell you this. They get only a few hours in vet school on animal nutrition and that covers all animals (cows, horses, cats, dogs, etc). I learned this when my Siamese cat Biru came down with stage 3 kidney disease at the age of 14 and I did a ton of research. Sorry, didn't really mean to get into all of that. But I do like to share what I've learned with other pet parents to help them. I was able to completely reverse Biru's kidney disease with a raw food diet from this company www.felineinstincts.com They also sell a healthy cat food diet (they sell the an organic, human grade powder formula and you make the food yourself at home) and Jesse has been on it since he came home to us from the breeder at 9 weeks. Biru lived an additional 3 years and passed away from a blood clot at 17. I now believe cat nutrition is the same as it is with us. Feed them McDonald's every day and they are going to be sick a lot. Feed them a natural, extremely healthy diet and they will be a lot less sick, less allergies and hopefully live longer. Just my theory. Oh, I also believe in treating cats very differently from dogs. Dogs need a master. They need an alpha. I've raised a German Shepherd so I know the difference and I've been around dogs my whole life. Cats are the opposite. Cats are regal. If you treat them with respect and love, talking to them as though they can understand every word, it will come back to you tenfold. Always remember the respect part. It's worked for me for 49 years. Your kitten is gorgeous! I wish you many years of happiness together!!! |
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It's in a big green container ... if you don't have a Costco then I would choose Arm and Hammer ... it really keeps the smell down ...
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