Adopting a cat - what else do I need?

boomerang

She may never have been picked up OP. And I agree, she is in a very stressful environment right now - to the point that she peed herself. You really won't know what kind of cat you're getting until you take her home and she has time to settle in. All cats find shelter life stressful to one extent or another, even the outgoing, gregarious ones.

I adopted two six month old kittens in October 2013. They'd been outside kittens without much handling. Certainly they'd never been picked up. So I would start by putting my hands under the belly as if I was going to pick them up, but I'd only lift them an inch, and then let them go on. I used to say "One two three and... lift." And put them down again. I progressed to lifting them to knee level, and then holding them in my arms properly, but only for a minute. Gradually they warmed to the idea and now is one is a complete snuggle bug that lets me walk around the house or garden with him in my arms. The other lad is more fidgety, I can pick him up but he's usually squirming out of my arms saying "Mommmmmm! Stoppit!" like an embarrassed teenager.

Give her a chance, she could turn out to be the most amazing cat you'll ever own. And you know if she is timid in the shelter, she's going to be passed over and the longer her torment there.

MrWalsh

Poor little thing, it must be absolutely terrifying for her. Even being subjected to petting and kindness for 4 hours is probably very stressful for her. Being in a rescue is so hard for her. You won't see her true personality until you have her home. I urge you not to give up, this little scrap needs you!

on_my_oe

So we now own a very frightened, timid wee thing which is currently hiding in our storage room. We decided if we thought about it too much more, we might lose all confidence in our abilities as fur parents.

We have put her in our storage room which is about 2m by 2.5m. It's warm, we removed the carpet 'just in case', which was wise as she pooped herself straight away when we opened the cat carrier, and she has since peed two cat beds (good thing I brought four). She has now climbed on top of one of the shelves (lower level, about 1m high) and is hiding at the back. She has a kitty litter tray, kitten biscuits, water, wet food, a(nother) bed, some toys, plus the cat carrier with a fresh blanket in it. The light is on and the door is ajar, we have given her a pet, and are now leaving her to settle.

on_my_oe

MrWalsh wrote: »

Even being subjected to petting and kindness for 4 hours is probably very stressful for her.

We are 'equal opportunity' animal lovers we spent lots of time with the other cats too, just returning to her periodically, so we didn't overwhelm her nor forget her.

I'd be annoyed if my OH stroked me for 4hrs, so I'm sure our wee friend wouldn't appreciate it either

It was hard saying goodbye to the other cats too... The rescue do an amazing job and I'd love to give homes to all of the cats. Dangerous idea

MrWalsh

Aw, poor thing.

Leave her to it and Im sure she will be fine. Youre so good to rescue her

Pumpkinseeds

Just leave her alone to settle in tonight. She'll explore the room and have a good sniff of everything. Our cats were always more relaxed when we sat on the floor with them til they got to know us well. We must seem like giants to them. As someone else said, if you can sit on the floor and read a book or talk/play with her each day she will gradually come over to you. It could be a slow process or she could just come around very fast. They can surprise you.:)

boomerang

And sit on the floor chuck slivers of ham at her, gradually decreasing the distance away from you until she is at your lap, and eventually eating it out of your hands. A dab of Philadelphia on your fingers works a treat too! The key thing is not to push her or overwhelm her with attention - let her come to you on her terms.

Ever2010

We have a three year old girl we got at 9 weeks - she was tiny & petrified, it took about 6 weeks for her to not mind us - now she is the neediest cat ever - but is petrified of anyone but myself & my husband!

We also had a 3 month old feral - a hissy little ball. We were patient, very patient, and she got used to us - it was 5 months before she jumped on my knee for a cuddle. Two months later she approached my mother who was visiting, a couple of months later she was our friendliest cat!!! We lost her in August, she was knocked down, just two years old - but I am soooo glad that we took the risk with her - she was the happiest little soul ever.

With patience it will definitely be worth it!

on_my_oe

She came back to her cat carrier late last night, and we spent about 20 minutes talking to her. She licked a little bit of meat and jelly off the OHs finger, but otherwise hadn't eaten. She showed interest in her feather toy (which we know was her favourite toy in the home), in that she watched its movements but she didn't chase it. We tried a couple of Dreamies but she didn't take them.
This morning she is back up on the shelf. We can see paw marks in the kitty litter tray, but she has wet herself again. Is this her still getting used to the changes, or a sign she doesn't like the kitty litter? She used a wood pellet looking litter in the home, and we have gotten the Cats Best Oko litter that was recommended.
She doesn't appear to have touched her wet food (Bovita from zooplus), but has possibly had a few cat biscuits.
I've sat on the floor talking to her for half an hour, and am leaving her in peace for the moment.

MrWalsh

Is she wetting herself when left alone? Or is it when someone is there?

on_my_oe

Yesterday it was a combination; she wet herself when we first arrived home, then she pooped on the floor and wet a bed when we left her alone.
This morning she wet herself when the OH was there. She had buried herself further into the storage room behind a suitcase, and I think he was trying a bit too enthusiastically to encourage her out, so that's probably why.
I've refreshed her food to Whiskas, both wet and dry as that's what she was eating at the home. I've counted out her cat biscuits so we can check later and see if she has eaten any.

MrWalsh

on_my_oe wrote: »

Yesterday it was a combination; she wet herself when we first arrived home, then she pooped on the floor and wet a bed when we left her alone.
This morning she wet herself when the OH was there. She had buried herself further into the storage room behind a suitcase, and I think he was trying a bit too enthusiastically to encourage her out, so that's probably why.
I've refreshed her food to Whiskas, both wet and dry as that's what she was eating at the home. I've counted out her cat biscuits so we can check later and see if she has eaten any.

Ah, I wouldnt be too worried about that.

The trip home would have been terrifying. So she would have been totally out of sorts from that. Wetting herself when someone is there is only fear too.

I would suggest you more or less ignore her except to go in and give food, water, change litter etc, murmur gently to her but dont try to encourage her out at all - just leave her alone completely except to make soothing noises when you are in there. Dont be trying to encourage her out at all, just let her come out on her own terms in her own time.

We rescued some kittens from the street before xmas and one of them was a lot like your new one, pooped in the cat basket, wet himself when he was put into his new bed - but after a few days of hiding he came out of himself and he is a total head booping playful dote now.

Pumpkinseeds

Travelling home in the car plus all the overwhelming sounds and scents of new people in her new home will be very scary for her. Cats often like to be up high, so her climbing up on the shelf makes sense. Let her have the food that she had at the rescue and you can gradually change it down the line. Giving her treats of chicken and ham also help, it's associating positive things with you. It's a shame she's not liking the litter, I think that Tesco do a wood pellet type litter, although wood pellets for fires are the same thing and would be a lot cheaper to buy. We used to leave a lamp on at night for our foster kitten and the radio on very low, just loud enough to be company for her.

Alun

When we got our previous two adult cats, both of them shot upstairs and hid for two days before coming out. We put a litter tray nearby, which they thankfully used, and some food that disappeared while we weren't anywhere near them. Possibly the worst thing to do is to try and coax them out, just leave them and they'll come out in their own time.

Shivi111

When we got the first cat he hid away for about two days and pee'd on the carpet/ my coat/ the cushions etc, etc. I was very worried that he wasn't eating or drinking enough
Day three/ four was like a switch had flipped in his head and he was much more comfortable, so I wouldn't worry yet!

We did have some difficulty with litter, we were told he had been using a particular brand, but he wouldn't go near it. We got a clumping litter in Tesco and he used it straight away so might be worth giving another litter a try if the litter problems continue.

(Aside: A foster kitten we once had was a different story! He marched in like he owned the place, ate his food and everyone elses, chased the resident cats out of their beds and claimed all litter trays as his own! Resident cats were not best pleased!)

Rancid

on_my_oe wrote: »

Yesterday it was a combination; she wet herself when we first arrived home, then she pooped on the floor and wet a bed when we left her alone.
This morning she wet herself when the OH was there. She had buried herself further into the storage room behind a suitcase, and I think he was trying a bit too enthusiastically to encourage her out, so that's probably why.
I've refreshed her food to Whiskas, both wet and dry as that's what she was eating at the home. I've counted out her cat biscuits so we can check later and see if she has eaten any.

Ok, she's seriously stressed out. Take that into account with everything you do over the next couple of weeks.
Provide some kind of low level sound, a radio or some such during your normal waking hours. (Thereby when you enter the room the sound is a bit muffled, less startling to her.)

For a few days at least don't even try to interact with her, other than chatting away while you remove food dishes, replace them, clean litter trays (a good idea to have 2, with different types of litter in each).
Get her used to you entering and leaving the room without the fear that you'll approach her.

She'll not settle down for a few weeks, by the sound of it, so plan ahead. She WILL settle eventually, you just have to be patient.
Be prepared that she'll be happier to eat when she's alone. That's normal.
I think for now you're better to NOT try to interact with her, let her settle, and part of that settling is surrounding herself with her own scent. Cats by nature spray to mark and maintain their territory so if you like to think of it as a "comfort" thing for her, she's ensuring the room is "hers".

After a few days, spend a bit more time in there with her, sit on the floor and chat to her or read, don't try to entice her out of her safe corner.
Oh...and if you can provide more higher places for her to sit, all the better.

She'll come around eventually, right now she's just plain scared and stressed.

aonb

all good advice here OP
Patience and time will sort it out for you
When I found Tux - feral kitten - we had her in our shed for 2 weeks - only came out to eat when there was no-one there - I didnt see her during that 2 weeks!
I gave her warm baby milk many times/day - thats the only way I knew there was a kitten in there - the milk was gone!
Then we moved her to a work room in the house. Same thing - a couple of weeks before she was brave enough to come out from hiding places.
I used to sit on the floor every evening, reading my book, or talking on the telephone. Then when she was brave enough to come out while I was there, I started to play with her - moving string/balls of newspaper/ribbons etc etc - as someone said earlier, it all seemed to come right one day, and since then we havent looked back. Lovely little Tux is a huge part of our house now, even the dog loves her to bits!!

Good luck! Keep us posted!

on_my_oe

Left the house, came back and minor panic attack as she wasn't on the shelf in the bed any longer. Crisis adverted - she had returned to her cat carrier, which I take as a good sign as it's more open and exposed. I sat there for an hour reading and talking to her, and then braved a stroke. She started purring, and when I stopped, she gave a look as if to say "I didn't give you permission to stop". She also stretched out long, like she would if she was sunning herself, and rolled onto her back exposing her tummy, which again I'm taking as a good omen as it's an open position.

While I've been gone she was touched her cat biscuits (different arrangement), and her wet food (piece of it has fallen onto the ground). I think it's possible she has urinated in her litter tray too, but I picked up a new tray and different litter just in case.

PS and now she is chowing down on the chicken Dreamies!

And here she is...

aonb

now that is a very pretty cat!
sounds like progress being made today OP!
More photos please!

Pumpkinseeds

What a gorgeous cat. Is she ginger? Ginger female cats are very unusual, they're mostly males.:) She looks very snug and cosy.

Rancid

Excellent news!
Keep up the good work, this is a real sign that she's relaxing.

And... she's beautiful!

(Are you sure she is not a he? :eek:)

OP, it takes patience, but your cat can come round to being the best little pet! I adopted two adult, "semi-wild" cats from a rescue. George became tame in a matter of days. He wasn't wild, just not socialised. Blackie was older, and it took him six months. In fact, we couldn't get close to him, until George became sick and died. Blackie got lonely and started to come into the house looking for us. Within a month he was sleeping on the bed. My mother has him now, he's the most affectionate big lump, but he still is and always will be a bit nervous. But he was a year old before he warmed up to people, and it was treats and patience that got him there!

on_my_oe

She is a ginger, with a white bib and nose, and white on her paws, and definitely a lady as she has had 'the op'.

OH came home and went to visit his princess, and she had another feast of Dreamies and was rolling on her back looking for a belly rub.

Tonight we are very hopeful it's all going to be alright

MrWalsh

Aw, the rare ginger female, she is gorgeous!

It's going to be fine, it's just very scary at first, but Dreamies and love will help.

I'd say it's nice being away from the rescue with all the other cats smells and sounds.

Dandelion6

That's great progress - your rescue cat is ahead of mine and I've had him over a month now! She's gorgeous too

on_my_oe

We had left the door to her safe room ajar, but kept all the other doors off the hallway closed. OH panicked at 10pm as he came out of the living room and detoured to the safe room, but no sign of his princess in her Kingdom. Little did he know she had decided to redraw her borders, as she was sleeping on the landing. Then this morning she was asleep outside our bedroom door...

She has now retreated to her safe space, hiding inside a rolled up rug but not before a pat and a small morning feast of Dreamies and roast chicken.

We don't know where she is toileting; neither of her trays appear overly disturbed, and definitely no clumping. She is eating now, but trying to guess her liquid intake is a challenge. I've given her water and cats milk. There aren't any puddles or smells on the stairs or landing, so at worst she is going somewhere at the back of the shelves. It's not ideal but we don't want to disturb her safe space yet, so we will investigate and solve it on the weekend. Her sense of safety is more important.

Papa is excited about coming home and finishing off the cat tree. I picked up a tunnel and a scratch post in Lidl yesterday to add to the list... It's a good thing we don't have a human baby - the stress would kill us.

MrWalsh

What a lovely update!! Asleep outside your bedroom door - so cute!

If you can, and only if you can, quickly pick her up and put her into her litter tray - thats what the vet told us to do so our girl would know what the litter tray was.

aonb

MrWalsh wrote: »

What a lovely update!! Asleep outside your bedroom door - so cute!

If you can, and only if you can, quickly pick her up and put her into her litter tray - thats what the vet told us to do so our girl would know what the litter tray was.

Once I got to the stage where I could pick up our kitten, I would routinely dump her (!) in the litter tray after she had eaten. She uses the litter tray to pee about 4 times/day I reckon, if she doesnt cover it up by scratching the litter, there is a sizeable puddle there, so you would know if shes peeing in the tray. She also poo's - sizeable ones for such a tiny cat! - once/day, and if she doesnt hide it under the litter, you would def know its there

As you say, to be sorted out when she's settled a bit more.
Great that shes settling.

MrWalsh

aonb wrote: »

She also poo's - sizeable ones for such a tiny cat! -

Im constantly amazed at the amount of poo that can come out of one small cat

Pumpkinseeds

That is brilliant news.:) About the toileting, she may be holding it in. One of our chaps was used to toileting outdoors, but he had to wear a buster collar after surgery and refused to use the litter tray for 2 days. He held it in that long before he just couldn't hold it any longer and had to use the tray.

Pumpkinseeds

I forgot to ask you her name.:)

Alun

Litter wise, could you ask the rescue, or wherever you got her, what type they were using? Cats hate change, and if she's used to one particular type (clumping or non-clumping, clay or wood pellet, etc.) it might be best to use that, at least for the time being until she's settled.

holyhead

I have just adopted two kittens. Really lovely 4 month old kittens. The problem is on taking them on is that I didn't realise one had an eye infection. She is much the more timid of the two and I nearly got my hand ripped to shreds trying to get her into a carrier to get her to the vet. Managed to get a picture and the vet, he gave me antibiotics to put in her food. I managed to get the other more outgoing cat into another room so I can be sure its the timid one eating the food. Will the outgoing cat cope with being in another room without his sister, albeit temporarily.
I have never owned kittens before. Am worried about the timid one's eye infection. She closes the eye a good bit. When it oozes its clear colour.
What's the best way to bond with them. I will put them in a room together again once the eye infection clears up. Both are rescue cats.

MrWalsh

holyhead wrote: »

What's the best way to bond with them. I will put them in a room together again once the eye infection clears up. Both are rescue cats.

Feeding them, playing with them, taking care of them. Handling them loads.

I would let them see each other a bit so they don't forget each other.

On the cat carrier, we got one that opens from the top, much easier to get an anxious puss into.

holyhead

Thank you for your reply. As I only have them four days handling seems out of the question. They just find a dark corner and go into it. One is more up for adventure but the poor guy with the eye infection just hides.

MrWalsh

holyhead wrote: »

Thank you for your reply. As I only have them four days handling seems out of the question. They just find a dark corner and go into it. One is more up for adventure but the poor guy with the eye infection just hides.

Have they been socialised at all?

I took 2 kittens off the street in December, they were 8-10 weeks old, one of them tolerated being touched reluctantly, the other became a whirling dervish of teeth and claw if you tried to touch him. They went to a foster home with a patient lady.

Over the next month the nice one became a full blown cuddle monster, the other followed more slowly but he now allows touching, although he will never be as cuddly as number 1. But cats are copy cats so if one is responsive the other will follow.

One tip cats aid gave us was to hand feed them tiny delicious treats, bits of chicken, bits of smelly tuna, and slowly make it that they have to climb over your legs, onto your lap, to get to the treats.

Our newest rescue isn't too interested in food though, but can be bribed with toys!

Ever2010

When we had our little feral girl it was a nightmare trying to get ear & eye drops into her - or get her to the vets. I watched the vets give her anti-biotics and they too k her and wrapped her in a towel so she couldn't move - she was quite calm actually. Could you try that with the little one. Another thing to do is try it when they are asleep - at least you can get hold of them then.

on_my_oe

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I forgot to ask you her name.:)

Foxy, because she looks like a fox that's the OHs contribution... But she also gets called 'princess' frequently

Alun wrote: »

Litter wise, could you ask the rescue, or wherever you got her, what type they were using? Cats hate change, and if she's used to one particular type (clumping or non-clumping, clay or wood pellet, etc.) it might be best to use that, at least for the time being until she's settled.

She was using a wood pellet version, but she doesn't seem to like it at our place... Maybe she is becoming royally fussy

MrWalsh wrote: »

If you can, and only if you can, quickly pick her up and put her into her litter tray - thats what the vet told us to do so our girl would know what the litter tray was.

I left that task for the OH on my way out the door. She wet herself in fright, then sat on litter for half an hour. OH was traumatised and sat there patting her and reassuring her in case she hates him. Apparently she was purring. She then moved to her bed, where he spent an hour handfeeding her roast chicken, Dreamies, and the jelly off the cat food (she isn't interested in the actual 'meat'!), alternating with more pats which was received with appreciatory purrs. She then went back and sat in the litter box for five minutes then returned to her bed, looking for more pats. (All breathlessly reported by SMS by OH). The net result, no litter box usage but hopefully she knows where it is now.

Seriously, good thing we chose a cat and not a baby.

MrWalsh

I love this thread!!

Rancid

on_my_oe wrote: »

Foxy, because she looks like a fox that's the OHs contribution... But she also gets called 'princess' frequently

...then sat on litter for half an hour.
... She then went back and sat in the litter box for five minutes then returned to her bed, looking for more pats. .... The net result, no litter box usage but hopefully she knows where it is now.

Just in case you haven't thought of this:
Is it possible she has a Urinary tract infection (UTI)?

When she was sitting in the littler box for 5 mins or longer, did she look like she was "trying to go" all the time?
Or was she sitting there comfortably the way a cat sits on a cushion or other comfortable place?
And... any sign of blood in her urine, even a hint of pinkness would indicate an infection.

If you suspect anything like that, get her checked by a vet right away.
Stress regularly causes cystitis in cats.

Btw, love the name Foxy. And Princess!

Flint skirmish

Best of luck with the new additions. They're fantastic pets and despite what some may say very rewarding and affectionate.

Pumpkinseeds

holyhead wrote: »

I have just adopted two kittens. Really lovely 4 month old kittens. The problem is on taking them on is that I didn't realise one had an eye infection. She is much the more timid of the two and I nearly got my hand ripped to shreds trying to get her into a carrier to get her to the vet. Managed to get a picture and the vet, he gave me antibiotics to put in her food. I managed to get the other more outgoing cat into another room so I can be sure its the timid one eating the food. Will the outgoing cat cope with being in another room without his sister, albeit temporarily.
I have never owned kittens before. Am worried about the timid one's eye infection. She closes the eye a good bit. When it oozes its clear colour.
What's the best way to bond with them. I will put them in a room together again once the eye infection clears up. Both are rescue cats.

We have 4 cats, 1 was a tiny feral kitten when he started showing up in our garden, he's 6 now.:) I found toys like dangler poles or even long pieces of string worked well for getting him used to coming a little bit closer to me. Sitting on the floor makes humans less threatening, since we're smaller and not towering over them. Of course treats of cooked chicken and ham work really well too.

I used to dip a cotton wool ball in cold black tea and wipe any gunk away from the eyes when any of ours had any discharge. Some cats will never like being handled but can be extremely affectionate. None of ours like being picked up but they all like snuggling up with us. That being said, we never did force the issue with handling, maybe we should have, but 3 of them were adults when they arrived.

There are some posters who are very experienced with kittens and I'm sure they'll give you some great practical advice. Well done for taking them on and best of luck with it. Enjoy being under the paw.:)

holyhead

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

We have 4 cats, 1 was a tiny feral kitten when he started showing up in our garden, he's 6 now.:) I found toys like dangler poles or even long pieces of string worked well for getting him used to coming a little bit closer to me. Sitting on the floor makes humans less threatening, since we're smaller and not towering over them. Of course treats of cooked chicken and ham work really well too.

I used to dip a cotton wool ball in cold black tea and wipe any gunk away from the eyes when any of ours had any discharge. Some cats will never like being handled but can be extremely affectionate. None of ours like being picked up but they all like snuggling up with us. That being said, we never did force the issue with handling, maybe we should have, but 3 of them were adults when they arrived.

There are some posters who are very experienced with kittens and I'm sure they'll give you some great practical advice. Well done for taking them on and best of luck with it. Enjoy being under the paw.:)

Thank you Pumkinseeds. The thing is because I have never had a kitten before never mind two the eye issue is freaking me out. Left food out with drops about four hours ago. Not touched. I managed to clean the gunk from her eye the last two days but only after she climb on top the curtain rail. I took the curtains down. I have to chase the kitten around the place to try and dab the gunk away. Getting very down about it. The kitten must think I'm some kind of nut When I'm out of the house the ill kitten will sit on the window sill. Perfectly normal for cats to do. I know its extremely early days but if the kitten wasn't ill I wouldn't be half as stressed.

The other kitten is fine. Quiet. Now in my room a seperate room to the other kitten. They are siblings but since I can't be sure the ill kitten has eaten the med unless only she could have eaten the food.

What is also bothering me is I wanted that one room to be their at least initial bedding in place but that plan is, hopefully temporarily out the window. Any advice offered is very welcome and to those who have thrown their tuppence worth in all ready thank you.

holyhead

MrWalsh wrote: »

Have they been socialised at all?

I took 2 kittens off the street in December, they were 8-10 weeks old, one of them tolerated being touched reluctantly, the other became a whirling dervish of teeth and claw if you tried to touch him. They went to a foster home with a patient lady.

Over the next month the nice one became a full blown cuddle monster, the other followed more slowly but he now allows touching, although he will never be as cuddly as number 1. But cats are copy cats so if one is responsive the other will follow.

One tip cats aid gave us was to hand feed them tiny delicious treats, bits of chicken, bits of smelly tuna, and slowly make it that they have to climb over your legs, onto your lap, to get to the treats.

Our newest rescue isn't too interested in food though, but can be bribed with toys!

They are rescue kittens. One girl is your usual curious cat the other poor mitt with the weeping eye just hides by the leg of the bed or under a locker. I feel so bad that I can't help her to the extent she may need help because she is terrified of me. Because I had to play mouse with her in order to dab her eye clear of gunk she is even more terrified than normal. I'm at a loss as to what to do.

MrWalsh

holyhead wrote: »

They are rescue kittens. One girl is your usual curious cat the other poor mitt with the weeping eye just hides by the leg of the bed or under a locker. I feel so bad that I can't help her to the extent she may need help because she is terrified of me. Because I had to play mouse with her in order to dab her eye clear of gunk she is even more terrified than normal. I'm at a loss as to what to do.

The best you can do is ensure she gets the medicine into her.

If you gain a bit more trust over the next few days then make a kitten burrito with her wrapped in a blanket to clean the eye.

holyhead

MrWalsh wrote: »

The best you can do is ensure she gets the medicine into her.

If you gain a bit more trust over the next few days then make a kitten burrito with her wrapped in a blanket to clean the eye.

Cheers. Yeah the best thing I can do is as you say with the medicine. Keep getting it into her. I will have to try the med with ham etc if the tuna doesn't work. She hasn't touched in and its there at least 4 hours. Hope she has appetite and I wake to find it cleared.

Pumpkinseeds

MrWalsh wrote: »

The best you can do is ensure she gets the medicine into her.

If you gain a bit more trust over the next few days then make a kitten burrito with her wrapped in a blanket to clean the eye.

If it's any consolation most people find it very hard to get medicine into cats, it's like they have a 6th sense about hidden medicine. I find it easier to hide the medicine in the juice of tuna/tinned salmon. If it's a pill I crush it up into a fine powder between 2 spoons and mix it in to the juice until it more or less dissolves, liquid is less messy but can be stinkier. Some people swear by microwaving food, just until it is luke warm not hot. With cats it's a case of the stinkier the food the better for hiding medicine.

You are being tough to be kind, I know it's hard but persevere. You don't need to focus on anything other than getting the kittens eye problem sorted out, socialising can wait.:)

Nody

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

If it's any consolation most people find it very hard to get medicine into cats, it's like they have a 6th sense about hidden medicine.

Tell me about it; we need to give three pills a day (twice a day total) to one of our cats who used to accept it in Malt paste but suddenly stopped and learned to lick it down by layers rather than take a full swallow of it all. Since then we've had to switch to force feeding the pill and while it was difficult at the start with much trial and error we're now become experts on it and interesting enough Lizzy is much more accepting to the fact (of course it helps she gets a bit of malt paste directly after so force feed pill = treat).

Alun

Been there, etc. We had a cat that had hyperthyroidism and had to have a pill regularly, 2 or 3 times a day. It was a bit of a struggle for the first week or so, but after that he just started to accept it. I suppose it just got to be a part of the daily routine for him.

on_my_oe

Rancid wrote: »

Just in case you haven't thought of this:
Is it possible she has a Urinary tract infection (UTI)?

When she was sitting in the littler box for 5 mins or longer, did she look like she was "trying to go" all the time?
Or was she sitting there comfortably the way a cat sits on a cushion or other comfortable place?
And... any sign of blood in her urine, even a hint of pinkness would indicate an infection.

If you suspect anything like that, get her checked by a vet right away.
Stress regularly causes cystitis in cats.

She was sitting like it was a cushion, and over the the night she has been into both boxes (each with a different litter), and done a bit of walking - lots of paw marks but no actual business.

I don't think she has a UTI, I think it's more like she is still getting her bearings and still isn't confident of the facilities. She is very much a little lady in her behaviour, so is probably crossing her legs. The rug she wet is dark charcoal so I can't check for blood marks. If she hasn't used a litter tray today, I'll take her to the vets but the vet didn't seem that concerned when I called yesterday; he said any bladder release, even in an inconvenient place, is good news.

Rancid wrote: »

Btw, love the name Foxy. And Princess!

She is becoming more bold; woke up this morning and she was again on the landing outside our bedroom door, then she followed the OH into the bathroom while he brushed his teeth, and decided to stretch out in the bath. She has had a good feast of biscuits and jelly over the night too.