Kitten questions

[BirdLegsRed]

2 little kittens were dumped outside my co-workers home. She can't keep them, so I am taking them home. We are guessing they are 6 weeks old or so. They are almost identical - yellow, black and white. They will be indoor cats.

I have never had a kitten before. We got our older cat when he was a "teenager". Is there anything I should know? How old do they need to be before they are fixed? How soon can we tell if they are boys or girls? SOmeone said calico cats are always girls. Is this true?

I am sitting here in my office at work, and they are asleep in their box. So cute! I can't wait to surprise my daughter when I get home. She has been wanting to get a cat, now she gets twins!

 

[jmpurdy]

calicos are girls. They need to be checked asap and tested for leukemia/FIV and then another leukemia test later. Early tests can be false negatives, so if you test very early on, do it again in a couple of months. They will need at least 2 distempers and a rabies a bit later. They may also have ear mites. They can be spayed at about 4 pounds. They will also more than likely have round worms and need a dose of drontal for that as the dormant eggs from mom will become active in the kittens. They need to be checked because if they were outdoors, they may be more susceptible to upper respiratory viruses as their immune systems are not built up yet. They will play with the food and litter box, but instinctively know what the litter box is for. If they are very small, you can start off with the bottom of a soda/beer box and litter as the lid is much lower for them to get into/out of. Scoopable litter is fine. They will be holy terrors for awhile. Keep them away from cords, etc. And start now trimming their nails by just cutting the tips with a regular nail clipper. If you they get used to it now, they won't mind it later and will help keep your curtains/linens from getting shredded. Those kitten nails are SHARP! Feed them a good commercial kitten food and take them in for a checkup and 1st distemper soon. Good luck!

 

[kinntj]

Congratulations on your fur twins! Your daughter will love that.

 

[*BTMRR*]

Little girl kitten twins--my daughter would be squealing with delight! What a fun surprise for your daughter.

You know there is a rule somewhere in the DIS guidelines that says you can't post about new kitties or dogs without posting photos, right?

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

yeah calico's are always girls(weird, isn't it??)

you should wait until they're at least around 8 weeks to get them fixed. but you should get them to the vet asap just for a check-up.

kittens are a lot of fun but a LOT of work. you have to watch them EVERY minute because there's SO MUCH stuff they can get into! you should pretty much keep them confined in one room for a week or so(with food, water, and a litter box, of course) and baby-proof everything. then eventually let them start getting the run of the house.

good luck!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

calicos are girls. They need to be checked asap and tested for leukemia/FIV and then another leukemia test later. Early tests can be false negatives, so if you test very early on, do it again in a couple of months. They will need at least 2 distempers and a rabies a bit later. They may also have ear mites. They can be spayed at about 4 pounds. They will also more than likely have round worms and need a dose of drontal for that as the dormant eggs from mom will become active in the kittens. They need to be checked because if they were outdoors, they may be more susceptible to upper respiratory viruses as their immune systems are not built up yet. They will play with the food and litter box, but instinctively know what the litter box is for. If they are very small, you can start off with the bottom of a soda/beer box and litter as the lid is much lower for them to get into/out of. Scoopable litter is fine. They will be holy terrors for awhile. Keep them away from cords, etc. And start now trimming their nails by just cutting the tips with a regular nail clipper. If you they get used to it now, they won't mind it later and will help keep your curtains/linens from getting shredded. Those kitten nails are SHARP! Feed them a good commercial kitten food and take them in for a checkup and 1st distemper soon. Good luck!

you're not kidding!! and their teeth are like razors, too! i LOVED having kittens, but i'm so glad we're out of the teething/clawing stage.

 

[Magpie]

Congrats! Kittens are fun!

Calicos are always girls. My calico kitty lived to be 18 1/2 years old!

We've always had our cats fixed at about 6 months old, except for one where I put it off until he was a year, because I was short on money.

You should definitely get them in to see a vet ASAP, as they may be carrying worms or other parasites. Also, they'll need their first set of shots.

Your vet can give you a better idea of what kind of care they need, after he's examined them.

 

[Magpie]

calicos are girls. They need to be checked asap and tested for leukemia/FIV and then another leukemia test later. Early tests can be false negatives, so if you test very early on, do it again in a couple of months. They will need at least 2 distempers and a rabies a bit later. They may also have ear mites. They can be spayed at about 4 pounds. They will also more than likely have round worms and need a dose of drontal for that as the dormant eggs from mom will become active in the kittens. They need to be checked because if they were outdoors, they may be more susceptible to upper respiratory viruses as their immune systems are not built up yet. They will play with the food and litter box, but instinctively know what the litter box is for. If they are very small, you can start off with the bottom of a soda/beer box and litter as the lid is much lower for them to get into/out of. Scoopable litter is fine. They will be holy terrors for awhile. Keep them away from cords, etc. And start now trimming their nails by just cutting the tips with a regular nail clipper. If you they get used to it now, they won't mind it later and will help keep your curtains/linens from getting shredded. Those kitten nails are SHARP! Feed them a good commercial kitten food and take them in for a checkup and 1st distemper soon. Good luck!

Depending on how young they were when they were separated from their mom, they may not have all the typical kitty skills.

One of my cats was found abandoned in a garbage can when he was very small. We managed to get the peanut butter out of his fur, but he never did learn to clean himself properly. The vet said he likely hadn't been licked by his mum, so he didn't learn how to do it himself. He had terrible ear mites, but luckily no worms.

He was also a little unclear (at first) on what a litter box is for. When he left a "present" on the floor, we moved it to the litter box, and scraped his little paws in the soil. After that he seemed to understand that this was where he should go.

I always did have to bathe him, though. Or he'd just get stinky after awhile.

He was still a darling kitty!

 

[lisajl]

Let me just say, Thank you!
Bless your heart...that is so nice of you to take them in.
Good luck with those little fur babies.

Lisa

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Cheeto was left outside when he was a few weeks old - we took him to the vet who cleaned him up and looked him over, he was basically just dirty and hungry. He didn't have any long term problems.

I will say though, he can be clingy - I don't know if that is a result of being a stray, but even with two other cats in the house to play with, he doesn't like it when we leave. But he's the most affectionate out of all the cats, he's always waiting by the front door when I get home! I sometimes feel like animals know they've been given a second chance at a home, and they don't forget it

 

[7165red]

You are a really good person for adopting the little kittens. All of the above advice is very good. I'll just add that you should introduce them to their litter box right away. This time is very special so enjoy every minute of it. Let us know their names & pictures if you can.

 

[browneyes106]

Congrats and give yourself a pat on the back for giving two little creatures a home.

 

[sleepydog25]

I've owned many cats over the years and have two now who are barely a year old. The advice above is good, especially the "get them to a vet as quickly as you can." A vet will tell you all you need to know about vaccinations, when to have them fixed, feeding, etc. You sound as if you plan to give these two cats a great home, and that's wonderful. They will consider you their mom in no time at all. . .soon they will come to think they own YOU. lol As for calico cats being female, that is predominantly true, but in rare instances they can be male, though male calicos are sterile. It all has to do with genetics. At any rate, congrats again, and best wishes.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Cheeto was left outside when he was a few weeks old - we took him to the vet who cleaned him up and looked him over, he was basically just dirty and hungry. He didn't have any long term problems.

I will say though, he can be clingy - I don't know if that is a result of being a stray, but even with two other cats in the house to play with, he doesn't like it when we leave. But he's the most affectionate out of all the cats, he's always waiting by the front door when I get home! I sometimes feel like animals know they've been given a second chance at a home, and they don't forget it

i have one like that. i have two girls and one boy and the boy is SO clingy! he doesn't even like it if we're in another room where he can't get into, he'll cry at the door for a while until he gives up.

he also starts crying when he's tired, kind of like a baby. he'll go into another room and just howl away and DH or myself will have to go get him and bring him in the living room with us and put him on our lap to fall asleep.

and he also HATES when we're not paying attention to him. he'll even get into things and knock stuff over so we have to pay attention to him.

i swear he thinks he's a child.....

 

[DMRick]

Congrats on your new kittens. The advice above is good, although our rescue group suggest you not use scoopable litter. The dust can get in young cats (under 6 months) lungs and be a danger. There is one brand that can be used, but I would use regular litter (unscented) to start.

Our group spays at 3 lbs, however the group I am filling in for right now and helping out spays/neuters at 2 pounds. I prefer the 3 pounds, as they seem to come out of the anesthetic better at that size. You can check with your local shelter or rescue groups to see if they have a discount program for that. Ours includes spay or neuter, advantage if fleas are present, rabies vaccine (if over 3 pounds), nail clipping, checking ears for ear mites and treating if needed, as well as testing for feluke and fiv. They sometimes have a false postive, and if so we consider them positive and suggest they be retested at 4-6 months. We give our first vaccine (fvrcp) at 8 weeks and a second at 12. If we still have them, they get a third one at 16 weeks.
We treat all of our kittens with strongid for rounds, every 10 days for three goes, and if we see tapes, either the second or the third and final treatment will be drontal.
Kittens that are between 6-8 weeks are also given a kitten replacement milk to help with their eyes. I water it down a bit, since it can cause loose stools. It's important kittens stay hydrated.
If needed (if we see blood in stools) we start them on a 14 day course of Albon for coccidia.
If they aren't using the litter box yet, a warm wet cotton ball on their hiney's, with a soft rub and then a trip in the litter pan will soon produce results, and it's amazing how quick they catch on. They wll prob start with firm stools, and about day 5 away from the mom and feeding from her, turn soft.

So, as you can see, there are good reasons to make a vet stop first on your list. Kittens can crash fast, so all of the above is important.

 

[Imzadi]

Do keep the kittens quarantined from your other cat. If they have feline leukemia or some other transmittable illness, you want to keep you other kitty protected.

Depending on how young they were when they were separated from their mom, they may not have all the typical kitty skills.
He was also a little unclear (at first) on what a litter box is for. When he left a "present" on the floor, we moved it to the litter box, and scraped his little paws in the soil. After that he seemed to understand that this was where he should go.

Yes, my kitty didn't know what kitty litter was for. She played with it. I had to take her over, about 5 minutes after she ate, set her in the box and gently take her paws to start digging. She was a little confused at first, then a light bulb came on. Then she dug furiously and went poo.

 

[BirdLegsRed]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I will definitly make a vet appointment tomorrow morning.

They have already used the litter box.

DD named them Isabella and Elizabeth.

I will post pics sometime this weekend, if I get a chance. I have a son graduating 8th grade tomorrow, and another graduating high school Saturday. Then a family cookout on Sunday, so busy weekend for me!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

YAY I am sure we would all love to see pics!