Hello
I got bubble and squeak bout 4 weeks ago, i was told they were couple days short of 8 wks. Following week at vets I was told they were 6 wks, so 5 wks old when i got them. Bubble (male) has not given me any concerns at all really. Squeak (female) is a different story. She struggled at bit without her mum i up 3 may be 4 times a night tryin to comfort her and she getting better now, she wanted to suckle and have lots of attention. She suffering with a runny tummy, she had it not long after i got her, i got it sorted and tried a different food and back to square one now, reading on here new food wasnt they way to go. So they both on the chicken and rice until sorted and squeak got medicine from a pervious vets visit so back to that. If not cleared in couple days then back to vet but she ok in herself and drinking ok. What i not sure about is 1) let squeak have a litter before i spay her, and 2) indoor cats or let them see the world? Sorry if posted in wrong place. Hello again and thanks for any advice anyone has got.
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New here and letting you know my story
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Hi Lyns, welcome to TDK Chat! Nice to have another person from the UK, we are growing in number!
You will get an almost unanimous answer to your first question - don't let Squeak have a litter, there's far too many kittens in shelters in every country crying out for homes. She won't feel any the worse for it. They can be spayed from about 5 months, sometimes younger (your vet can advise), and you will need to keep her in until then. Similarly, Bubble ought to be neutered too.
Your second question will get two very different answers. Most of the posters on TDK are in America, where cats face numerous different threats from being let out, such as racoons and coyotes, and the vast majority of cats are kept as indoors only.
Here in the UK, we are lucky not to have such threats, but we still have foxes, and of course roads. If you're away from any busy roads, and can install a cat flap so they can come in any time they want, then I'd say it's OK to let them out. We adopted Pickle & Button from the Cats Protection League, they advise along the same lines, with the added suggestion that cats are brought in overnight, as this is the time that anything untoward is most likely to happen. We bring all of ours in at dusk (they're trained to come to a whistle, knowing there's tuna at the end of it!), and don't let them out again til the morning. You can get lockable cat flaps, so keeping them in should be straightforward.
If you are going to let them out - and it's a personal decision - please make sure they have a collar and are microshipped in case they do stray.
There's probably more I haven't thought of, but that will do for now! Whereabouts in the UK are you? I'm East Midlands, not far from Nottingham.
Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Welcome to the TDK family Lyns, Bubble and Squeak. There are probably not a lot of people on-line today as its Super Bowl Sunday and most are fans of a sort. Personally I would not let Squeak have a litter of little ones, there are so many kittens/cats out there that need homes and its just better for her to be spayed and Bubble to be neutered as soon as they can be. Outside cats, well it depends on where you live and the dangers of the outside world. We have some here who live in NZ and they have no natural predators or lots of dangerous things for kitties. Here in the U.S., we have an abundance of dangers both natural and man-made for all animals outside....in AZ, we have cars, mean people, coyotes, javalinas, raccoons, mountain lions, lynx, and oh just so many things that can hurt, maim or just outright kill them. Then there are the chances of the kitties of your life coming into contact with other kitties who unfortunately have FelV, and other conditions that are passed along by scratching each other, fights which may happen even in play, and just a lot of things. So it really depends on where you live and the conditions along with the quality of the life you want for your furry ones. Indoor kitties are just as happy as those outside, they want the love of their hoomins! And please remember that cats are just like any other living being, some like being socialable, some like to watch from a distance, some can be everlasting grouches (but still loving in their own ways), so its a safe bet they have their very own personality!!!
Posted 3 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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Hi Lyns and welcome,I've had good luck with Iams kitten food. I'm not sure if the chicken and rice you're giving them is a flavor of cat food or something you're making for them. Table scraps are fine at times but kittens need a balanced food and it's hard to do that with home made food.
As for letting Squeak have a litter please don't there is so much pet over population in the world,so many animals don't have homes and are being put to sleep.
As for letting them out,are you in the UK? I don't let mine out here in the states because there are too many dangers and I want to protect them from predators,cars,crazy people etc. They don't tend to live nearly as long if they're let out. Others will have a different opinion.
Please check back for other opinions,Sunday is kind of slow here. -
MCW, afternoon my friend, glad to see that like minds are working this fine day :D
Posted 3 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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Hi Deb, I thought exactly the same thing!! As did Buttercup. Synchronised thinking!! :o)
Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Welcome to TDK LYNS! You posted 'purr'fectly. Bubble and Squeak sound adorable and sometimes when this young some can have a difficult start with their young digestive system. I would definitely stay in close touch with the vet if Squeak continues to display runny tummy. Whatever you do..don't give milk to your kitties as it will definitely cause diarrhea. As to your two questions...1) No..please do not allow Squeak to have a litter of kittens. Have her spayed as soon as she's old enough. Thousands and thousands of kittens and cats are euthanized in our shelters each year because there are just to many kitties being born. Trust me she will he healthier for it as well! 2) Indoor/Outdoor..well we have a great many members who wouldn't consider ever allowing their babies out of doors. Some of us have acquired out babies as ferals who wouldn't live any other way but indoor/outdoor at will. Others will come by and post recommendations to you but please check back today and tomorrow as well since many members aren't around as much on the weekend..Especially Super Bowl Weekend! They will be here like clockwork tomorrow though. Would love to see pics of your babies...I bet they're adorable! =)
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And Karen makes 4!
Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Wow, thanks for your replys. One decision made then, squeak wont be having a litter!!! As for the indoor/outdoor, mmm not sure, i got some kitten harnesses and an enclosed garden, decision to be made at later date and in warmer weather. I on south coast of uk, i cant go any farther south without getting wet feet. Chicken and rice is what i making myself, gonna start slowly mixing it with usual food tom and see how it goes. As she left her mum early she not the best at cleaning herself, i run after with a baby wipe, lol. So defo to vets in week if not cleared. As i have a brother and sister, i take it he wont be too fussy when he comes sexualy mature, any guesses on earliest i can get him done?
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Hi, Lyns and welcome to TDK! The names Bubble and Squeak are adorable! We were in the UK last June (and visited with MCW!) and had our first taste of Bubble and Squeak. Not yours, of course!
The others have said what I would have said as far as not letting little Squeak have a litter. Actually, her personality will be better if you don't do that.
The two kitties who own us are strictly indoor kitties. We live in Texas, on the edge of the desert, and there are way too many predators. Plus, cars, roads and kitties are not a good mix. My girls do go out on a screened in patio but they are very happy, well adjusted, indoor kitties.
We're happy that you have found us!
Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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You're right Lyns, Bubble won't care Squeak's his sister!! but he won't do anything until she comes into heat (and hopefully she'll be done by then too) - you can get him done pretty much anytime, have a chat with your vet about it when you see him/her next week.
Look forward to chatting to you more on TDK, this is a great site for advise, support and general feline based craziness!!
Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Welcome! MCW is one of the best ones on the indoor/outdoor question for the UK. As said, definitely get her spayed when the vet says to-usually by the time she's 6 months old. Also get the male neutered--otherwise letting him out, he will get into fights with other toms, which means many injuries and vet visits. He will be happier & healthier and if he's indoors you don't want him to be spraying--something whole toms do to mark their territory.
Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #
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Hi and welcome Lyns!! I love the name of your kitties! They sound adorable. I am glad you decided against a litter for Squeak. Our kitties are indoor too but as MCW said, we are in the states and too many dangers. I hope you join in our chats and we can get to know you better!
Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #
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*blushes*
Thanks Sheba's Mom! And good point on the tomcat fighting/spraying too.
Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Hi Lyns, As said above, don't let Squeak have a litter. Inside/outside, all depends on your situation. You say you have an enclosed garden which should be fine. Do you have any very busy roads or foxes in you vicinity. I live in NZ and we don't have any predators here so my cat is and indoor/outdoor cat. At the moment she is curled up asleep behind the compost heap in a dappled sunny patch. I love the names you gave your kitties, reminds me of breakfasts when I was younger(commonwealth people will understand). They sound like delightful wee furballs. I hope you can let us see some pics of Bubble & Squeak.
PS, I managed to train Moonshadow(Shadz) to stay away from our road by growling her and chasing her back from it whenever she went near it, it takes a constantly watching eye for a while but she won't go near it now.Posted 3 years ago by Moonshadow_NZ #
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Hi Lyns - I'm another Kiwi (Moonshadow's sister in fact)and my two cats, Spike and Dara, are indoor/outdoor cats. Like MS we also growled and chased them away from the road but Dara was hit by a car as she is a nosey Siamese. She won't go near it now, though! If your garden is enclosed and you're away from busy roads I say let them be indoor/outdoor cats - its fun for all of you. Looking forward to seeing photos of them and I hope Squeak is better soon. Welcome aboard TDK!
Posted 3 years ago by KapitiKats in NZ #
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Welcome, Lyns, I just wanted to put my two cents in about the harnesses - my oldest son moved back home in October with his two cats and I bought harnesses for them - they are both indoor cats but we take one out on his harness regularly - he loves it! the female has only one eye and doesn't like being outside at all - unless she is being held and then she wants down and heads back inside right away. The earlier you start them on the harnesses the better, but even so after figuring out what fun it is outside our cat at almost 2 years old has accepted it quickly. we want to see pictures if possible.
Posted 3 years ago by KarenCentennial #
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It's showing! You may have to do Ctl & F5 to clear your cache.
Posted 3 years ago by KapitiKats in NZ #
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Welcome to the site, Lyns, hope they won't get us confused. You are doing fine, hang in there, those smarter than me will get you through!
Posted 3 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
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Welcome to the Daily Kitten, Lyns! What beautiful kittens you have!
Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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Welcome to TDK Lyns! I just saw you on the 'UK' thread. Your kits are so pretty!!
Posted 3 years ago by SammyandOliversmama #
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