matt1215 0 #26 October 11, 2006 QuoteI am a nervous new mommy! She is just freaking me out with all this! Enjoy her kittenhood. Soon they'll want to get outside, meet up with their kitty friends, and do God knows what. I gave Shadow a stern talking to last week after she came home high. Her kitty pupils were horizontal slits instead of vertical ones . Talk to your kitty about drugs early. I gave Shadow some catnip to cut the withdrawl symptoms, but I fear she's going to be an addict for life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaM 0 #27 October 11, 2006 I gave Maya catnip without really knowing what it was. Lisamarie saved her from being locked in the bathroom all night. She was possessed (the kitty, not Lisamarie). Now she has been meowing outside my room for about 10 minutes because apparently it is not HER bedtime. I just hope my kid doesn't decide to get up ... he'll never get her out of his room (she hasn't been allowed in the rooms upstairs yet). Do you see the gray hair? My KID hasn't given me this much grief! Course he's only 10.... ~ Lisa ~ Do you Rigminder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #28 October 11, 2006 LisaM, it wasn't the 'nip that nailed your baby; it was something else...probably just the kitten krazies. Nip is effective on about 70% of cats, but is not effective on 100% of cats until they've reached sexual maturity. It triggers with a gene that is in about 70% of cats, but that gene does not get activated until certain other hormonal changes get made, indicating sexual maturity. Perfect case was Simon. Could just not understand why the other cats loved the nip. He'd sit there, watching them, wondering what and why...and then, at just about 9 months, I gave the cats their usual weekly high. Blammo, he got crazy; very aggressive in getting his nip, and absolutely bonkers while on it. And it's hysterical to watch...But it only happened after he reached sexual maturity, and because he had the gene. Matt, purring is indicative of a content, relaxed kitty. Bear in mind, though, that purring is not the only way contentedness and relatation is shown, and also be aware that not all cats purr. If Shadow isn't purring, it's not because she doesn't like you or isn't content or relaxed...she just isn't purring. So don't worry if Shadow isn't - my Charlotte doesn't purr too much at all, and she's a happy regal feline to be sure. And Lisa, the kitten krazies are an amazing and wonderful time; they are learning, exploring, playing, bonding. Don't push her away when she is trying to play with you. Instead, find another way to play; with a chase mouse, or with some interactive toy. Her hind leg thing is generally called "rabbit kicking", because they use their hind legs like rabbits use theirs. It's a vital skill to develop; it allows a cat to disembowel their prey, killing them and letting them eat. It's also a muscle development thing...she needs her hind legs to be able to jump and run. So let her do it, and don't think it's unusual. It's weird, but it's understandable...and it's completely natural. It will tone down over time, but like a 2 year old child runs awkwardly, your baby will play awkwardly for a while...until she grows a little, and gets more coordinated and sure of herself. Til then, don't buy new furniture, get her a claw post (preferably with a dangly toy she can play with), and realize that her behavior is natural and nothing to freak about. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #29 October 11, 2006 Quotea dangly toy she can play with A dangley toy with a bell and a feather...atleast with my 2 current cats and my last cat. Holy god, the wouldn't rest until they pulled it down, ripped out the feather and the bell was hidden under the sofa.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaM 0 #30 October 11, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteDo they chill out a bit soon??? She's 3 months. In about 3 years Ack! I am gonna go insane by then! Actually the chill out a bit sooner if you have them spayed/neutered... both of mine are fixed and very mellow (if somewhat demanding). It's a rare night when I go to bed and at least one of them isn't curled up next to me nuzzling my arm to be petted. Aloof isn't a word I'd use to describe either Pita or Smokey... Maya is being spayed November 13. I am counting down the days. ~ Lisa ~ Do you Rigminder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaM 0 #31 October 11, 2006 Michele, thank you so much for all of this! Yes, I have given her no catnip but she is just as hyper. My hubby says she is just happy to see us and wants to play. So I played with her some before leaving for work. And I petted her and praised her when she wasn't meowing and when she climbed her post. She did wake both me and my kid up at 5:15 meowing. I was going to put a fan across the hallway to keep her away and to drown out the sound. Good news is that I eat less because I am so busy with her! ~ Lisa ~ Do you Rigminder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #32 October 11, 2006 QuoteShe did wake both me and my kid up at 5:15 meowing. I was going to put a fan across the hallway to keep her away and to drown out the sound. She's just a kitten and wanted you to be awake to give her fresh food, fresh water and some love'n. Don't worry, as she gets older that won't happen as much, BUT expect your cat to learn that when your alarm goes off its time for you to get up and feed them, give them fresh water and love on them. So, don't expect to sleep in very well unless you lock them out of your room.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #33 October 11, 2006 QuoteQuoteShe did wake both me and my kid up at 5:15 meowing. I was going to put a fan across the hallway to keep her away and to drown out the sound. She's just a kitten and wanted you to be awake to give her fresh food, fresh water and some love'n. Don't worry, as she gets older that won't happen as much, BUT expect your cat to learn that when your alarm goes off its time for you to get up and feed them, give them fresh water and love on them. So, don't expect to sleep in very well unless you lock them out of your room. Give them a can opener and show them the tins My cats can actualy open the cupboard where the dry food is, scratch a hole in the bag and eat straight from the source, at least they could until I put a bloody lock on the door Sneaky bastardsYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaM 0 #34 October 11, 2006 She is locked out of the bedroom. I am allergic and it is my safe zone! ~ Lisa ~ Do you Rigminder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #35 October 11, 2006 QuoteMatt, purring is indicative of a content, relaxed kitty. Bear in mind, though, that purring is not the only way contentedness and relatation is shown, and also be aware that not all cats purr. Yeah, Shadow lets me know she's happy in other ways. She'll lick any part of me she can get to. Real nice at night when she poops, licks her butt, then kisses my face . Sometimes when I pet her, her facial expression seems to suggest orgasm-like pleasure. Shadow might not purr, but she's very vocal, much more so than Abby. I don't so much recognize Abby's voice yet, other than recognizing her not to be Shadow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #36 October 11, 2006 Quote expect your cat to learn that when your alarm goes off its time for you to get up and feed them One of my cats' most useful functions is not letting me ride my snooze alarm for too long. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ExAFO 0 #37 October 12, 2006 QuoteSounds like she's just playing. Shadow gets the ghosties all the time, running all over the apartment, pouncing on imaginary prey. Often I hear her slipping and sliding on the kitchen floor at 2am. Scared the hell out of me first few times she did it, but that's just her way of playing and bleeding off extra energy. Neko is doing that right now. Funny, except for the times she bites/claws my feet. . Watching her slide head-first into the wall is the best. Fortunately the squirt gun is loaded, and I'm not afraid to use it...Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #38 October 12, 2006 QuoteFortunately the squirt gun is loaded, and I'm not afraid to use it... How's that work for you? Might be handy with teaching Abby some of the house rules, like keeping her ass off the counter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ExAFO 0 #39 October 12, 2006 QuoteQuoteFortunately the squirt gun is loaded, and I'm not afraid to use it... How's that work for you? Might be handy with teaching Abby some of the house rules, like keeping her ass off the counter. Works like a charm, when combined w/a firm "NO!"Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yamtx73 0 #40 October 12, 2006 I find a can of compressed air (like you use to clean your pc) works nicely...The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #41 October 12, 2006 QuoteI find a can of compressed air (like you use to clean your pc) works nicely... Would spraying kitty with the can inverted be cruel ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yamtx73 0 #42 October 12, 2006 Depends on how close to kitty you get I would guess.... if I'm sitting on the couch and kitty gets on the counter I don't have to get up, just pick up the can and give it a quick blast and off she goes... plus no water to clean up.....The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
