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KeriVit · 11:41 PM

I know there are cat lovers out there. What should I know and do? She has a vet appt. Moonday, but until then, I'm unsure.

She is young and underweight. Bony and dirty. I think she rode in on an engine block.

I have 2 dogs and she is fine with them, but they have forgotten their manners. They have lived with cats before, but I think one thinks the cat is a squirrel. She tried to get her. So the cat is living in the bathroom for now.

How can I get her healthy? How much and how often do I feed her?

Anything else?

Rumor · Apr 21, 2007, 08:17 PM

At first, just put a bowl of food out for her and observe her eating habits. If she tries to eat it all in one sitting, then you should ration her food. Otherwise, just having her eat when she feels like it works well. That's what I do with my cats.

Make sure it's a quality food. I use Felidae, though Wellness is my preference, just the local place adds too much to the price.

Railroader · Apr 21, 2007, 08:18 PM

Cats are so much easier than dog.

You can leave cat food out all the time and most of the time they will only eat what they need and not over-eat.

Fill a tub with cat litter, show them where it is, walk away and change the litter in a couple days.

Done.

Don't need to walk, exercise, feed regularly, pet constantly, keep entertained, wash ...

But I still like dogs better.

Railroader · Apr 21, 2007, 08:21 PM

And this thread is not complete until I post a caturday picture.

Here it is:

This thread is complete now.

KeriVit · Apr 21, 2007, 08:27 PM

Thank you RR, I feel better already.

KeriVit · Apr 21, 2007, 08:30 PM

I'm also curious, what am I looking at for a first vet bill? I assume shots, de-worming, Leukemia, HIV tests, etc.

Then eventually get her spayed.

Railroader · Apr 21, 2007, 08:35 PM

If I remember correctly, shouldn't be too expensive. Maybe $100-$120. Cheaper than dogs, that's for sure.

design219 · Apr 21, 2007, 08:35 PM

Cats are great. I agree with the other posts, cats are very easy to care for. Make sure she always has fresh water. I feed my cats Iams dry exclusively.

Take of picture of her now, and another when she is healthy. You'll feel good about what you've done later.

iMOTOR · Apr 21, 2007, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I'm pretty sure that those cats, in reality, are actually fighting with each other.

Rumor · Apr 21, 2007, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by design219

Cats are great. I agree with the other posts, cats are very easy to care for. Make sure she always has fresh water. I feed my cats Iams dry exclusively.

Take of picture of her now, and another when she is healthy. You'll feel good about what you've done later.

I would not recommened Iams as dog or cat food. Take a look at the ingredients, it's a lot of corn and chicken by-products.

Comparison of Ingredients in Dry Cat Food Brands

TheoCryst · Apr 21, 2007, 09:30 PM

Pics are an absolute must, both for yourself and for us.

And don't forget: cats > dogs.

Railroader · Apr 21, 2007, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by iMOTOR

I'm pretty sure that those cats, in reality, are actually fighting with each other.

Hug?

Jawbone54 · Apr 21, 2007, 11:06 PM

I wish I could have a cat, but my wife is allergic. Her throat closes up on her.

KeriVit · Apr 21, 2007, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by TheoCryst

Pics are an absolute must, both for yourself and for us.

Here's the little Twig.

Hawkeye_a · Apr 21, 2007, 11:15 PM

what now ?.... barbecue sause maybe ? Teriyaki is good as well

KeriVit · Apr 21, 2007, 11:17 PM

Ohhhhhh! Gawd that was so funny and original! Congrats Hawkeye!

OwlBoy · Apr 21, 2007, 11:25 PM

Your kitten looks a bit hungover

. Anyway, good luck, and its cool your taking care of him!

-Owl

nerd · Apr 21, 2007, 11:52 PM

Your kitten looks fine and even happy. One of my cats came off the street skinnier then that and she's fine, nothing to worry about.

Rumor · Apr 22, 2007, 12:02 AM

I'll post my gem again. Her name is Tugs. She is a pure bred Bengal born on 6/6/06 (truly a demon).

KeriVit · Apr 22, 2007, 12:10 AM

One of those domesticated cats or a real bengal?

BTW- Beautiful Cat.

Buckaroo · Apr 22, 2007, 12:43 AM

C.A.T.S. CEO · Apr 22, 2007, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Here's the little Twig.

awwwwwwwwwwww, so cute

Brien · Apr 22, 2007, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by Rumor

I'll post my gem again. Her name is Tugs. She is a pure bred Bengal born on 6/6/06 (truly a demon).

Lucky.

(Cute kitten BTW.)

Hawkeye_a · Apr 22, 2007, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Ohhhhhh! Gawd that was so funny and original! Congrats Hawkeye!

Do i detect a hint of sarcasm ?

Cool cat tho.

Tiresias · Apr 22, 2007, 05:03 AM

What is it with the MacNN lounge and stupid cutesy pictures of cats?

OwlBoy · Apr 22, 2007, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by toothpick_charlie

What is it with the MacNN lounge and stupid cutesy pictures of cats?

It is a full-on internet trend actually. Many call them "lolcats".

Don't go to this website if you don't like em:

I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?

-Owl

andreas_g4 · Apr 22, 2007, 07:21 AM

KeriVit, cats are awesome pets. You did a good thing in keeping him/her. Give her a name early and call her with that name when you refresh food/water. This way she'll remember that it's A Good Thing™ to hear her name.

Also, don't put water and food right next to each other, put it on different sides of the room. Fresh water is the most important thing for a cat, they tend to drink too little.

Hug her regularly.

Give her stuff to play with, like a bag of wool. Watch her, you'll now why when you do.

Hug her regularly.

Hug her regularly.

That's it.

vexborg · Apr 22, 2007, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Here's the little Twig.

Aaaawwww.... What a cutie!

Your wee thing looks a bit like our Bengal cat (pure breed), same face, size of ears and marking on the belly.

Thanks for taking in a kitten

riley46 · Apr 22, 2007, 08:22 AM

You did the right thing by adopting the cat and taking care of her. Cats love to eat, so it's better to give her food often.

residentEvil · Apr 22, 2007, 09:58 AM

here is my little guy...

3 months old or so:

almost 10 months:

KeriVit · Apr 22, 2007, 11:51 AM

Since we have 2 dogs, I was told to keep the kitten in her own place for a while. (The spare bathroom) They haven't lived with a cat in years. Then they said introduce them slowly. With the dogs on a leash and allowing her (could be him, I guess) to approach if she wants. So that will be tricky for the first week.

Also, how should I wash her? She seems to have no interest in doing it herself yet. She is quite dirty though. If you hold her, she leave your shirt black.

medicineman · Apr 22, 2007, 12:00 PM

Cats are taught by their mothers to groom. She hasn't had that. Give it time, she'll figure it out. As for the litter, there's really no need to constantly change it. Use a good brand, such as Fresh Step. Use a slotted spoon to rake it out, morning and night. Add fresh litter as needed. That'll keep kitten happy and your home odor free.

The dogs will soon learn that a kitten's paw swipe is something to stay away from. We've raised them together.

Give her love, and you'll get it back thousand fold.

BlueSky · Apr 22, 2007, 12:27 PM

Seems to me that leaving the dirtiness you describe to letting her do it herself eventually is gonna be a long wait. And not pleasant for her to live with meanwhile.

Just give her a bath, it's not like she's going to melt. Mild detergent or shampoo. Our previous cats got monthly baths at the groomer.

medicineman · Apr 22, 2007, 12:40 PM

I assumed a bath to bring everything up to snuff. Everyday grooming is what she will eventually learn. For *all* the pets we've raised, no vet has ever recommened monthly baths, for either our cats or dogs. (we've gone through 8, 4 dogs and 4 cats, 2 other cats still with us). Regular bathing removes essential skin oils, they've all said. The other consideration is whether it is an indoor or outdoor cat. All ours have been of the indoor variety.

BlueSky · Apr 22, 2007, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by medicineman

For *all* the pets we've raised, no vet has ever recommened monthly baths, for either our cats or dogs.

It was near the beach in Summer...lots of fleas and one had a skin condition as a result, so it was necessary. Just making the point that it's OK to bathe a cat.

KeriVit · 08:08 PM

UPDATE!

How I get myself into this ... Ida know.

ZADA is now 16 wks. I came home to a 10 week old kitten today. So now 2 kittens. Plus, 2 dogs...

here's the kids now...

KeriVit · 08:08 PM

UPDATE!

How I get myself into this ... Ida know.

ZADA is now 16 wks. I came home to a 10 week old kitten today. So now 2 kittens. Plus, 2 dogs...

here's the kids now...

JoshuaZ · Jun 27, 2007, 10:59 PM

Man... I wish I had a kitten...

I found 4 halfway dead ones, under two months old, this past fall. I took them in. One died right away. The others I bottle fed for several weeks. Sadly they all died one right after the other. Suddenly. Poor little guys were never very healthy to begin with. Not even a trip to the vet could save the two healthiest ones.

I miss having cats around...

KeriVit · 10:21 AM

what happened to auto-sizing pics?!? sorry,,,

fixed em now.

Buckaroo · Jun 28, 2007, 12:45 AM

Nice new kitty.

LegendaryPinkOx · Jun 29, 2007, 01:29 AM

"So what are we going to do tomarrow night?"
"The same thing we do every night KeriVit... Try to take over the World!"

irunat2am · Jun 29, 2007, 02:22 AM

No matter what you do, just make sure you take good kerivit.

Couldn't help myself...so sorry.

lpkmckenna · Jun 29, 2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

I wish I could have a cat, but my wife is allergic. Her throat closes up on her.

Divorce. Or hire a hit-man, whichever is cheaper.

finboy · Jun 29, 2007, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Here's the little Twig.

Those are some big ears. You may have one of them bobcats on your hands. Or one of those cats that looks like a bobcat (a breed I can't remember, Maine something).

vexborg · Jun 29, 2007, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by finboy

Those are some big ears. You may have one of them bobcats on your hands. Or one of those cats that looks like a bobcat (a breed I can't remember, Maine something).

I think you're thinking of a Maine Coon?

KeriVit · Jun 29, 2007, 03:33 PM

She's a tiger/savannah look. She's got spots and stripes. Tall and thin cat.

Dakarʒ · Jun 29, 2007, 04:27 PM

Hitler Cat!

Demonhood · Jun 29, 2007, 04:27 PM

cute kitten.
i had almost forgotten what the proper outline of a cat looks like. my kitten is so furry that his shape is completely lost.

4 months old:

wide-angle:

9 months old:

osiris · Jun 29, 2007, 04:50 PM

Beautiful cat Demonhood - I've never seen eyes like that.
I miss my cat.

BlueSky · Jun 29, 2007, 04:53 PM

That last one is really cool. All elegant and stuff.