Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   So Toby darted out of her room today like the little spaz that she is, and ventured downstairs. She crept into the kitchen, through the baby gate I had up to keep Charlie from coming upstairs, and tentatively walked towards my dad and the dog. The dog didn't even NOTICE her for a long time cuz he was distracted by my dad eating, so I was able to get it under control.

   Dad had Charlie on a leash by this point and Toby had left the kitchen, so I took Charlie somewhat close to Toby by the leash/collar and had him sit as best I could (I know up til this point I haven't mentioned that Charlie is deaf... long story but I was worried about being seen as a bad owner. He just had chronic ear infections which eventually got worse and worse despite the treatment from the vet, and Charlie ended up having an operation leaving him deaf after Dad was in the hospital for 9 months... it was HELL! But Charlie and Dad are both MUCH better now!)

   Anyway, Charlie was pulling on the leash/collar initially but pretty much settled down. Toby at first was on edge, but then just lay down on her back and stretched! It was too funny. The dog and kitten were less than two feet from each other! All went really well... I think they'll be fine together eventually! But Toby sure is keeping me on my toes!

   Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

2. 

   Jen, sounds like you have your hands full. It also sounds like they are going to get along fine, just keep letting them see each other with supervision.

   Posted 3 years ago by Crazycatman - CA #

3. 

   This is a great big step forward, Jen!

   Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

4. 

   Thanks CrazyCatMan! It is a lot of work but it's rewarding in a very special way! I knew I was in for a bundle of energy when I took in a kitten... I just try to make sure she has a good, healthy outlet for it all and keep her as closely supervised as I can. She is doing really well! I can't believe I've had her almost a week now... time flies!

   Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

5. 

   Thanks Kitten Whisperer! I have to go get showered and scoop out her litter box (is once a week to change the litter OK? I scoop it out every day but was wondering about a whole cleanout thing...)

   Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

6. 

   Yay, Jen!!!! Don't worry - they will be friends!

   My sister and her husband had a deaf Schnauzer. It did present unique problems but she was the sweetest little dog.

   We scoop out the litter box on an "as needed" basis. Actually, I have frequently thought that some TDK kitties were coming through the wormhole expressly to use Willow and Windi's litter box. How two little kitties can pee and poop so much remains a mystery to us. Anyway, we use the scoopable litter and have a liner in the box. We don't change the litter every week unless it has become really yucky. But we do add litter when it gets too low.

   Your nose will tell you :-)

   Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #

7. 

   Ooh a liner is a good idea... I forgot to get some of them at the store. Thanks for the input and encouragement! I'm sure Charlie and Toby will be fast friends despite him being deaf.

   Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

8. 

   Why does everyone in the world have success with kitty box liners except for poor ole IB? Every time I have tried to use them, the liner was shredded within five minutes. It is almost a badge of honor amongst my kitties -- nothing but poopies and peepees and litter and kitties allowed in the box. What is this liner thing? ----shred---- What was that that Dad was saying about liners?
   .
   Seriously, how do you keep the cats from shredding the liners and making the issue worse?

   Posted 3 years ago by Ivory Bill #

9. 

   IB I don't use a liner either! Never tried one! Depends on the litter you use Jen! I use a high grade of Fresh Steps Crystals litter! It can last up to 20-30 days with one to two cats so long as it is scooped and raked daily! It is pricey but I think it is worth it! I never need to refill though I use a jumbo litter box and put 2 full pags in it! It is about a 1 1/2 inches deep! The pee absorbs into the crystals locking in wetness and odor and the poopies get dried some the longer in the box the harder/dryer the poopy is! I remove the poopies and their is plenty of litter to last the month!

   Posted 3 years ago by Momma to 2 MaineCoons #

10. 

    Oh wow, that's cool! I just bought the cheapest brand possible at the time of litter, but I think I'll splurge next time. I never thought about the fact that she might shred the liners either, IB. Good point.

    Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

11. 

    Je3n forgot to mention the grade of litter dictates how often you do a complete litter and litter pan change! If using no crystal I suggest probably every 2 to 3 weeks! Best advice read the box they usually tell you instructions and if you use it you should follow their suggestons or recommendations!

    How large of a litter pan do you have? It will also tell you how much you need most litters recommend at least 1 inch deep! If you use a medium to large box you might only need 1 bag of the crytals and use half each month or so!

    Oh I buy my litter at walmart or target if you can I recommend walmart they are usually a 1 or 2 less the Target unless litters on sale!

    http://www.freshstep.com/prodcrystals.php

    Posted 3 years ago by Momma to 2 MaineCoons #

12. 

    Thanks LV! I use at least an inch of it, I think it's TidySteps but I could be wrong. It was in a blue bag and was the cheapest, so I grabbed it cuz I was short on $$$ and in a rush at the time. The litter box is somewhat small for the same reason. I will get a bigger one as she grows but this will do for now...

    Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

13. 

    The intros are continuing to go well! Charlie and Toby literally touched noses today, and then they both lay down about a foot from each other. The kitten reached her paw over to Charlie's and touched it... it was SO cute!

    Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

14. 

    Jen, I think I'm losing it! Last night I actually had a dream about Toby on the banister! Only Toby looked like my Willow when she was a baby. I was running along after her screeching, "Don't fall, Toby!!!"

    I may need to take a nap........

    Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #

15. 

    Ahhh! Yes, a nap is in order!

    Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

16. 

    I'm unable to use liners as well, unfortunately. Milo likes to chew on everything - but especially paper and plastic. He's chew the liner, no doubt about it!

    Posted 3 years ago by GreatDane #

17. 

    I do try and use the liners, but my guys usually wind up making a big "poop burrito" out of the whole thing...how they could do such a could job of folding the liner over without thumbs is beyond me!

    Posted 3 years ago by sullis #

18. 

    Yeah I might try the liners too at some point, maybe when she gets a little older and/or when I get her a bigger litterbox. Right now I just don't think it's that big of a deal. Later today I do want to buy her a carpeted cat stand for her to scratch on. I might also look for stuff to deter her from chewing on wires (I have just been supervising her closely thus far). My friend whose son just got a kitten from her ex says to spray her with water when she chews on wires, but I find a firm "No" works best.

    Today the intros continued to go sooooo well, I am so proud of my little ones! Charlie pulled at the leash at first, then stopped and I gave him a bit more slack. Then the kitten came up and even rubbed against him! She really likes playing with his leash... it's funny. She picked up the end of it and tried to run off with it... TOO CUTE! I'm so in love with my furbabies!

    Posted 3 years ago by Jen #

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