Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   I just got a new kitten a week ago. Since then it has been constant work. He's peed on our (dry clean only) Comforter and when I put a new one on the bed... he peed on that too, I washed it, he peed again. If he's not in the room with us at night, he crys an unbearable cry that can be heard from anywhere in the house and keeps us up constantly. And if I'm sitting in a chair that isn't the couch, he climbs up my legs. I yell "NO" at him every time... but nothing works. We don't know what to do and it's becoming unbearable. I feel so helpless I am in tears. Having NO sleep doesn't help either...
   ps- keeping us up at night is not because I don't play with him... I play with him every chance I get during the day and we're together almost all the time.

   I just don't know what to do... my eyes are bloodshot and my legs are burning with claw marks... I guess I just need some comforting right now... we're getting rid of kitty in 1 week if this doesn't stop.

   Posted 2 years ago by Merry #

2. 

   I'm not the expert on kitten-raising, Merry, but hopefully some others will chime in.

   You might try giving him a stuffed animal to cuddle up with. I've heard that helps. And maybe a towel that you've used that has your scent on it.

   I would try to give it more time than a week, though. And get him checked out with a vet to make sure he doesn't have any urinary tract problems (which could explain his peeing on something soft, as opposed to gritty kitty litter).

   Things will get better, though. I can tell you that much!

   Posted 2 years ago by Cats4Cats #

3. 

   I don't have a lot to offer other than patience and repetition. And give everyone more time. No 2 kittens are alike; some take more time to adjust than others. I did a little foot-shuffle when I had Leela for just a short time and she got scared and looked at me like she didn't know me, and I realized that we didn't know each other too well yet.
   Of course, a vet checkup is in order too and if you've got a good vet, they will help advise you too.
   I agree with C4C, it will get better! Like children, the "terrible 2's" are longer for some than others, go figure.

   Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

4. 

   bump

   Posted 2 years ago by Cats4Cats #

5. 

   Kitty is going to the vet tomorrow to make sure there aren't any problems. Until then, kitty is NOT sleeping in our bedroom... hopefully we can deal with everything until the vet appointment!

   Posted 2 years ago by Merry #

6. 

   Welcome to TDK. Kittens are babies. They take a lot of work and patience. They do mature much faster than most babies however. First you need to litter train him. Think about getting an area--many use the bathroom and shut him in there with his box at night. That may help your comforter. I would get the door to your bedroom closed now and do not let him in you room. Sounds like you have a talker and if ignored it seems to become less over time. This is easier said than done, I know. Time will help and you must be patient. I would get him a scratching post and rub it with catnip. He scratches because it is natural and a way to scent. I understand you are frustrated, but this is a living and breathing animal that has to be cared for and taught--not unlike a human baby. It is a huge committment. This kitten is doing what is natural to him and he is just a kitten.

   Posted 2 years ago by SoxsMom #

7. 

   Hi Merry, I'm sorry I didn't see your message until now. I wanted to add to everyone else's assurances that things will get better. I don't know how old your baby is, but it takes a cat of any age time to get used to a new environment and new people. I think that's even truer for little kittens. My George was a year old when we got him, and we still had some of the same problems you're having. I'll say it again, it will get better. It's no fun until it does, but if you're patient you'll find yourself with a best friend for life. You're doing a good thing taking him to the vet, just to make sure there are no physical problems, and the vet can probably give you some suggestions on how to deal with the behavioral issues, too, so don't hesitate to tell the vet what's been going on.

   Is that your baby in your avatar? He's adorable. What's his name?

   Posted 2 years ago by Kilroy #

8. 

   He's about 9 weeks old (maybe 10?) And yes, that's him in my avatar, asleep in my shirt. (Sleeping is rare around these parts!) He doesn't officially have a name yet... we've been racking our brains trying to come up with a good one for him. I've been calling him Crinkle Cat because his favorite toys are anything that makes a "CRINKLE" noise... like paper, plastic packages or those little shiny crinkley mylar balls, but isn't crinkle a weird name? I'm not sure! Maybe he's peeing on the comforter and rebelling since he doesn't have a name! (just kidding!)

   Posted 2 years ago by Merry #

9. 

   Hmmm, Crinkle is a cool name!

   Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

10. 

    My cat is Deuter Bug and he was a terror for about 6-9 months. He has a special degree in interior decorating! I also have an eight month old basset and he is quite skilled at landscapping!! It gets better, but it takes time. Now Deuter is 16 pounds of muscle and he still has those occassions when he feels the need to redecorate, but not as often. Now if only I can convince Sherlock to stop relocating the wood pile....

    Posted 2 years ago by SoxsMom #

11. 

    I think Crinkle is a cool name too! Definitely one of a kind, just like your baby. If you're anything like most of us, he'll end up with a bunch of silly nicknames anyway (George is aka Boodlebug, Boodle for short)

    Posted 2 years ago by Kilroy #

12. 

    As far as weird cat names go, I have one named Rattlesnake because of his striated tail. And he's the biggest sweetie in my house! Crinkle's a cool name -- and Kilroy makes a good point about nicknames!

    Posted 2 years ago by Cats4Cats #

13. 

    Crinkle could be a surname as well. And to go with the season his first name would have to be Cris.

    Posted 2 years ago by ailuromaniac #

14. 

    Ailuromaniac--Cris Crinkle??? Now that is a nickname that would stick!

    Posted 2 years ago by SoxsMom #

15. 

    He could be CC in the off season.

    Posted 2 years ago by ailuromaniac #

16. 

    Haha, when I told my dad... he said the same thing "Chris Crinkle?". Lol. Well, Crinkle cat and I just woke up from the best nap EVER! Kitten naps are the best! The only reason I woke up was from his purring!???????????(those question marks were crinkle cat's way of saying hello to all the TDKers out there!) He has the loudest little purr box out there! Sooooooo cute! Kitty purrs make all the work worth while!

    Posted 2 years ago by Merry #

17. 

    Oh, you sound like one of us already! :) Enjoy your little sweetie, he'll be big before you know it.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kilroy #

18. 

    If it helps conceptualize, a 9-10 week old kitten is as developed as a 5 year old child. They have accidents, especially when in a new environment and the don't know the rules. Fortunately cats mature much faster then humans and in a few months, you kitten will be a (hopefully well-behaved) adolescent. I hope that makes since.

    As for the peeing on your comforter, we didn't have this issue with our kitten, but I know that a kitten needs to be near the litterbox(es) at all times otherwise they might forget where it is, so if your home is large, then confining him to area with the litterbox would help. And do get him checked for a UTI. Also after drinking and playing, place the kitten in the litter box. When he pees, give him a treat. Also for now, keep him out of your bedroom. Litter training is natural for a cat, so he should get it soon (and it might just be a UTI or getting lost issue). I have read on here that "cat attract" litter or something like that helps, but I haven't used that.

    For scratching, have you trimmed his nails? For best results wait until he's resting (and not in a playful mood). He need special nail clippers you can get at a pet store. This is good to do anyway, and if you start trimming their nails as a kitten, it will be easier later on. Just don't trim the nails too much (don't touch the "quick" or nail bed".). Also, obviously get a scratching post (the cheap cardboard ones are fine) and you might have to wear jeans or other think pants for awhile. The kitten is just being playful and trying to climb up your leg like it would a tree (also it can't jump high yet, so he climbs to get places). Also, if the kitten starts to climb or scratch your leg, pick up the kitten by the "scruff of the neck" and hold down on the ground for a few secs (what the kitten's mama would do) or put them on a scratching post. Shouting "No" might help, but you don't want the kitten to be afraid of you. This has to be done while the kitten is doing the "bad behavior."

    -Unfortunately, cats are predisposed to "hunt" at night. But eventually the kitten will learn that their humans go to sleep at night. We fortunately have another cat that our kitten plays with at night (along with lots of stuffed toys).

    Posted 2 years ago by ladysky61 #

19. 

    I didn't think it would get better at first (3 months ago) but once they were 100% litter trained and I was 100% sure my place was safe for them ALL is well. I did put a littler box in my bedroom for a while for them and my place isn't big by any means. I also had some sleepless nights and scratches up and down my legs and back. Everyone is right it will get better and easier.

    Hopefully the vet will rule out any medical problems. He's a cutie pie, by the way. I also think Crinkle is a great unique name.

    Posted 2 years ago by wolcar #

20. 

    I had this problem with the comforter. They used to go into one of the rooms and everytime they were on the comforter they peed, it was like automatic reaction!! A friend told me that once a new kitten goes on the carpet they will pee!! But they way I got around was strictly not letting them near a bed until they were litter trained. Everytime anyone saw them lifting their tails about to go, we'd stick them in the litter box. Really it doesn't take long at all.
    Also re the kitten screaming.. is there no where you can put him that you won't hear so loudly? You have to be firm and not let them into your room, they get over it!
    As for the climbing, my 3 month old stopped doing that on his own don't know if it was him growing out of it or if he got sick of being told no!! but as the last poster has said why not try the nail clipper?
    Good luck!!

    Posted 2 years ago by amc18 #

21. 

    If he checks out OK at the vet, confine him in a small area with his food, water and litter box (don't put the food close to the box). Use "Kitten Attract" litter, it's available at PetSmart. He'll get the idea. Keep him out of the bedroom until he's trained. If any urine smell remains on the comforter he will keep using it. An enzyme cleaner will remove the urine, but test it on a small area since it's dry-clean only. And have patience.

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #

22. 

    It's really strange though because he's always using the litter box. The only place he's gone to the bathroom besides the litter box is the comforter. Otherwise, he always goes in the litter box. I'm going out tonight to get a nail trimmer, a scratch post and an enzyme cleaner. We're keeping him out of the bedroom tonight most definitely though. Thank you all sooo much for the helpful advice. The no-sleeping thing is just really getting to me right now...

    Posted 2 years ago by Merry #

23. 

    ANother weird and random thought from me - I have found with my foster babies that they sometimes come to associate a certain texture of fabric with safety/comfort/warmth. I've seen it quite a few times, in cases where they had a momma, and for whatever reason had to come to me, if momma had them on carpet, for the first while it would be much easier to get them to toilet on carpet. My friend who'se cat just recently had babies put an old comforter in the nest box, and now, whenever the babies are on her bed (with a comforter), the pee and poo on it. These reactions are usually spontaneous and not something the kitty wanted to do, so dont get mad at him? Just mop up the pee with some paper towels and leave the soiled paper towels in his litterbox, so he can learn that that is the place where pee is supposed to go.

    Posted 2 years ago by Skyron #

24. 

    GREAT NEWS EVERYONE!!!!! Oh my goodness! First off, let me say a quick "Thank you" to all of you for your kind and knowledgable suggestions!

    I decided to implement a new system with Crinkle since he just HAS to be around me at all times... (not that I mind because the little furball is soooo cute!) But I put him on the pillow with me, because I can't bare to lock him out. If he moved from the pillow (to the comforter) then he was going to get shut out like last night.

    Here's the good news though. Crinkle slept through the whole night! The only time he woke up was to give himself a quick little bath (well, a 1/2 hour bath) but I didn't mind, because that was no where near as annoying as clawing me or peeing on the comforter! When we woke up, he went straight for the food bowl and then a quick little meow then it was off to the litter box. What a sweet baby! I'm so proud of him! I just wanted to update all of you with the good news!

    Thanks again! Crinkle and I are off to the vet as soon as mommy gets ready!

    Posted 2 years ago by Merry #

25. 

    I'm so glad you had a good night with Crinkle. At first I found it hard to sleep through the playing and bathing in the middle of the night. Now it doesn't wake me up at all while they are jumping around on the bed. :-)

    Good luck at the vet!!!!

    Posted 2 years ago by wolcar #

26. 

    Yay! Good boy, Crinkle!

    Posted 2 years ago by Kilroy #

27. 

    Yay Crinkle!!! Get a clean bill of health and remember, he is a baby and babies do tend to sometimes takes steps backwards but all in all this sounds like wonderful news! Let us know how the vet visit goes :)

    Posted 2 years ago by Jetta and Boo Boo's Mom #

28. 

    Yea Crinkle!!! Just remember he may 'forget' sometimes and mistakes can happen...just love and cuddle him.

    Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

29. 

    Yay, Crinckle! Good luck at the vet :)

    Posted 2 years ago by ESVA #

30. 

    Welcome to TDK-land,Merry! I almost didn't read this thread as I was afraid of what I would read. I love your new kitten, Crinkle. Good luck at the Vet. I know when we first got Sammy, he could terrorize me by jumping out and 'playing'. Once we got Oliver, he had a new friend to play with and life was easier. Good luck with Crinkle. I know he is a keeper. Merry Christmas too, to you and yours.

    Posted 2 years ago by SammyandOliversmama #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply »

You must log in to post.