We're getting kittens :D

[aqua]

Congratulations! As mum isn't around to teach them the cat things they need to learn 8 weeks is not too young, and having 2 is great

I prefer biodegradable litter from sustainable sources - cats are pretty much the least environmentally friendly choice of pet so I try to salvage a shred of conscience by using green litter. The 3 main options are pellets made from newspapers, pine pellets, and corn husk granules. I have tried all 3 at various times and here are my reviews:

Paper pellets - there are various brands around, the ones I've tried have been ok for absorbancy, but not good for odour control, and you end up with soggy bits of paper stuck to the litterbox and sometimes tracked onto the floor. 5/10

Pine pellets - OKO Cat's Best (from sustainable fast-growth pine) has a nice natural woody pine smell which is quite good at covering odours, it does form clumps but the clumps stay wet for a long time so it's not really feasible to just scoop out the clumps and it can be a bit messy to clean sodden wood pulp off the bottom of the litter tray when you change the litter. It is better IMO than the paper pellets though, and a bag doesn't weigh very much so is easy to carry. Some tracking, but only dry sawdust like bits of litter so easy to hoover up. 8/10

Corn husk - World's Best Cat Litter - this stuff is the dog's bollocks. It's made from the fibrous parts of corn cob and is a by-product of food and animal feed production. It is hugely absorbant and forms small rock hard clumps very quickly, with very little odour apart from a slight corn smell. At first glance it looks really really expensive - but it is so efficient that it works out a lot cheaper. You don't throw out the old litter every time you scoop out the box or even once a week, because any of it that urine touches clumps straight away and keeps the rest of the litter dry and unused, you just scoop out the lumps and the solids and top up if need be, it only needs to be completely changed about once every 6 weeks, so with longterm use it works out cheaper than the cheapest of economy litters. It really is amazing stuff and I can't recommend it highly enough. It can be a little difficult to get hold of but Pets@Home stock it and it is worth the effort and the initial heart palpitations at the cost of a bag. 10/10

Litters that get a thumbs down from me - anything that isn't biodegradable such as fullers earth, clay, silica etc. They are also not ingestible and can cause problems if kittens eat it. I am undecided on chicken feed - it works well as a litter and is biodegradable, but it is also a food source so it seems a bit wasteful to be using it as a toilet!

As for diet, they need a kitten food which is higher in calories and calcium for growth - I like Hi-Life and Nature's Menu as they are high meat content. I am sure I have made my views on low meat content brands such as Whiskas and Felix plain on many threads - it's poor quality cheaply produced junk food.

We will need photos though

thank you

 

[Epona]

I've heard interesting stuff re diets too high in protein and fat being more responsible for kiddly problems than feeding dry food. Since cats will generally drink more water if fed dry food, and less if fed moist because their food then contains the water. What do you know about that? Cause I want to stay with my current food (see my 1st post on this thread) as it's recommended by BUAV.

I have heard theories that high protein DRY foood can strain the kidneys, but this is due to the lack of moisture which makes it difficult for the cat to deal with the waste products. Also once a cat has kidney problems it is necessary to restrict the protein in the diet, because the kidneys are already damaged. But for a cat with normal kidney function, there is no evidence at all that a high protein WET diet causes any problems, quite the reverse in fact.

Yes cats will drink more water on a dry diet, but will still only take in about HALF the moisture of a cat on a wet diet - which puts a strain on the kidneys and urinary tract. The only way to ensure that a cat with its low thirst drive gets sufficient moisture going through the kidneys and urinary tract is by feeding wet food.

I've posted this link before but I'll do it again - this is written by a vet with a specialism in feline nutrition, it does take a bit of a preachy tone but is worth reading. http://www.catinfo.org/

 

[Bakunin]

yes you do!

Don't name them in the first 5 mins either.

Indeed.

It helps if you get to know them a bit and then choose names based on their individual personalities, for they will surely have them.

 

[_pH_]

KITTEHS!!!!! Yay x 1,000,000

*refrains from saying 'pics or GTFO'......yet*

 

[secretsquirrel]

Awwww congratulations hon xxx

 

[blues]

I have heard theories that high protein DRY foood can strain the kidneys, but this is due to the lack of moisture which makes it difficult for the cat to deal with the waste products. Also once a cat has kidney problems it is necessary to restrict the protein in the diet, because the kidneys are already damaged. But for a cat with normal kidney function, there is no evidence at all that a high protein WET diet causes any problems, quite the reverse in fact.

Yes cats will drink more water on a dry diet, but will still only take in about HALF the moisture of a cat on a wet diet - which puts a strain on the kidneys and urinary tract. The only way to ensure that a cat with its low thirst drive gets sufficient moisture going through the kidneys and urinary tract is by feeding wet food.

I've posted this link before but I'll do it again - this is written by a vet with a specialism in feline nutrition, it does take a bit of a preachy tone but is worth reading. http://www.catinfo.org/

Agree with all this, I'd never feed a kitten on dry food alone, but no problem with feeding them wet and having a bowl of dry there for "snacking"

Aqua - many congrat's, and the fighting/spraying issues are easily avoided by neutering so you can safely ignore the jealous ones above

However, whether male or female or mixed, someone will want to be top cat! It's months away, and they'll probably sort it out without bloodshed but if they both decide to contend for the position, seriously, don't interfere. It'll be decided much more quickly if you let them sort it out for themselves.

 

[aqua]

they will definiteluy be neutered no worries there

 

[JTG]

and how exactly do you propose to get me out of the house when I next visit then hmm?

 

[blues]

and how exactly do you propose to get me out of the house when I next visit then hmm?

They don't have to get you out of it if they don't let you in in the first place. These are KITTENS - TWO of them. You lose big-time

 

[aqua]

yay to kittens

so what do I need to buy before Monday?

litter tray (looking at this one http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=46&pf_id=1591 will it be OK?), cat litter (the one epona suggested), food and water bowls (and food ), a carry thingy (they can share for a bit!)

anything else? my old cat used to have a cat bed too, I'm guessing they're not actually any use though? (hers used to be an old cardboard box )

what have I forgotten? what are peoples views on collars?

 

[moomoo]

When people get kittens do you have to buy them a gift like you do when someone gets a new baby?

Shame they're not girls, could have got them pink diamante collars.

Still could, no one would know......

 

[aqua]

I'd know

 

[Tank Girl]

nothing to say but -YAY!!!!

 

[JTG]

you need lots of little things for them to chase around the house when you throw them

 

[aqua]

I'm going to train then to chase bees' feet and eat his cables

 

[Tank Girl]

what, like shelley or me?

 

[moomoo]

I'd know

Blue diamante then.

 

[blues]

Everyone would know re the ginger one cos they're always boys!

Toys are good, lots of wiggly soft toys as well as balls. No collar at this age, leave that until they're going out in the world all by themselves.

They *might* use a bed if one's available, and they *might* use a scratching post if one's available and you show them what it's for.

But they pretty well will decide they're gonna sleep on the bed or sofa depending what limitations they've got, and they're a bit little for a scratching post yet.

 

[Tank Girl]

gingers aren't always boys, though most of them are.

 

[blues]

gingers aren't always boys, though most of them are.

They're tortoiseshells with the brown bits missing

 

[aqua]

so my list is OK for essentials?

 

[aqua]

just had a little photo, they're more white than coloured, they're GORGEOUS

 

[moomoo]

Can you train them to call me 'Auntie moomoo' please?

 

[blues]

so my list is OK for essentials?

I'd say so, so long as you added toys. And if you're confining them to the kitchen at night, some sort of bed (a cardboard box is fine)

 

[JTG]

will they fit into my bag together?

no reason like

 

[aqua]

no not in the kitchen because of my cake stuff, so the dining room/stairs/spare room

 

[Bakunin]

no not in the kitchen because of my cake stuff, so the dining room/stairs/spare room

Um, yes.

You do know that they'll end up getting everywhere, irrespective of where you try to keep them, don't you.

And when cats take ownership of a house, they like to have all the internal doors kept open so they can mooch about as they please.

 

[aqua]

they may like to but they will have a fight on their hands

the way the door goes to the kitchen they won't be able to open it (for a while ) and we managed to keep my old cat out of specific places

if it doesn't work then it doesn't but I'm going to try

 

[Mogden]

Yay for kittens

I fed our motley crew on Whiskas and Felix kitten stuff cos we have no car and it's tricky getting any of the more nutritious stuff. Whatever you get, don't get it in epic quantities cos that assures that they'll hate it and you'll be stuck with it then.

As far as things to provide amusement and comfort I'd say:

• A carrier bag or newspaper for them to sit on.
• A cardboard box for them to sit in, preferably with small holes in the sides and flaps so you can close it with one in it and have them leap out and surprise the other one.
• A fluffy blanket or fleecy thing for them to snuggle up on. That shouldn't be too hard to find!
• Some scrunched up tin foil or wine cork for them to play football with.
• And a bucket load of patience for the first 3 days when they'll hide under something when all you want them to do is to come out and play.

Might venture to a scratching post and extra thick socks (for you and bees) because their claws are super sharp before they go outside.

I wouldn't get too many toys to start with cos they tend to ignore them and go for simple pleasures like the foil ball.

 

[JTG]

I wouldn't get too many toys to start with cos they tend to ignore them and go for simple pleasures like the foil ball.

sweet wrappers tied in knots ftw!

and yes, leave boxes lying around, endless win