Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   When do I know its OK to leave them unattended? They have a kitten sitter some days, but there are days when they are all alone for a couple of hours, and then get put into their dog crate.

   In the past they have chewed wires for the stereo and Wii ....and have also crawled inside of my boyfriends new sub woofer..... have to say the boyfriend was less than pleased when he had to take it apart to get Foo Foo out!

   So because of this they are supervised, we both understand that they didn't intend any harm they are just babies and didn't know any better, and as meow parents we should have better kitten proofed the room.

   This morning was harsh !! I needed to leave for school and they all ran from me knowing they were going to be put in the crate. They are getting big and they crate is to small for them now - I feel guilty and sad when I put them in their cage. They also let me know just how unhappy they are by spilling their food and water as soon as I shut the gate because they know I will not leave them in a mess and with out water!

   So I have been stressed about it all morning - I feel like a horrible mom .....So I ask you all this, when can I confidently leave them out unattended and not worry that they are going to get into trouble or god forbid chew the plasma or a/c cords .......... :( spanky_mouse

   Posted 3 months ago by spanky_mouse #

2. 

   I would get the cord covers--you can put several into one holder---even when they are older they might be chewers.

   Posted 3 months ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

3. 

   It's easier to kitten-proof a single room (like the bedroom or the bathroom if it's big enough) than to kitten-proof the whole house. Then you can leave them in just that room when you leave. Some things to look for are:
   - cords on window blinds;
   - small openings in the bottom of furniture (cats love to tear the fabric off the bottom on box springs and crawl into the bed);
   - yarn or string (they eat it);
   - attractive things hanging down that could be pulled off a table or counter top;
   - plants;
   - things that could be pushed off a counter (lotion bottles, sugar bowls, etc)

   Basically you have to consider everything you wouldn't leave out for a three year old toddler to get into, except you have to pretend the toddler is only 6 inches high.

   Some cats never get over their desire to chew cords - then you have to figure out a way to make them taste bad (bitter apple or lemon juice). But they should be okay to leave alone in a single room now and with the run of the whole house by the time they are 4 or 5 months old.

   Posted 3 months ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

4. 

   I remember when we were all watching the KittenCam posted by one or another shelter and one of the things they were using that impressed me was the playpen to keep the kittens in while they were being weaned - do you think you could do that with them? I don't know how much they would cost but you could probably get a used one somewhere and rig a net over the top to keep them from climbing out.

   Posted 3 months ago by KarenCentennial #

5. 

   When thinking about kitten-proofing, remember they are like toddlers except they can CLIMB AND JUMP ;-) So, things you would not worry about for a toddler because they can't reach them ~ worry about them for kittens because they will find a way to climb, jump, claw their way into trouble.... but, that's part of their 'charm', and why we love them to bits!!!

   If they are outgrowing their crate, a single room (totally kitten-proofed) like CBM suggested, and/or Karen's idea of the playpen with a net to keep them confined, are your next best solutions....

   Posted 3 months ago by kittymom #

6. 

   Update - I left them home alone today !! Mike ( boyfriend ) checked in on them at noon and he said they were so happy and excited to be out and playing they attacked him and climbed his pant leg!! lol

   We will see when I get home if they were good little fur babies. I said a little prayer this morning and asked that they don't do anything to bad or get themselves into trouble !

   Posted 3 months ago by spanky_mouse #

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