I just want to reiterate the importance of having your newly adopted seen immediately by your own vet. Just because the shelter says vaccinations and exams were given, doesn't mean they were. Most often, they aren't, and some shelters don't provide new owners with sufficient proof of exam, health or vaccinations. You want your own vet to start new records on your new kittens, and he will then always be able to refer to their health from day one.
And, I always recommend getting them tested for FELV/FIV, ALWAYS (which 9 out of 10 shelters refuse to do)! Especially coming from a shelter environment. Your vet has a snap test that can test both in a single test, only takes 10 minutes for the results. (the kittens must be at least 10-12 weeks of age to be accurately tested, and preferrably, at that age, another test in 4-6 weeks to ensure accuracy).
Kittens - 1 or 2?
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mnwhiterose
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:20 pm
Re: Kittens - 1 or 2?
Here are the pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... f47a370ec4
Now, here's a question - What would you guys recommend so my babies stay away from the Christmas tree and the electrical cords. I don't want them electrocuting themselves.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... f47a370ec4
Now, here's a question - What would you guys recommend so my babies stay away from the Christmas tree and the electrical cords. I don't want them electrocuting themselves.
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slvrwhispr
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 11:48 pm
- Location: Canton, MI
- Contact:
Re: Kittens - 1 or 2?
Um... luck? 
Christmas trees are the bane of cat owners everywhere. Kittens especially consider it a giant toy meant JUST for them. Somewhere in here, there's a thread about holiday decoration safety, but I'll recap most of it for you.
Major tree hazards:
Tinsel: Just forgo the tinsel. If you have tinsel on your tree, please take it off. If the cats eat this, it can wreak absolute havoc on their digestive systems, often leading to death. It's way, way too risky.
Glass ornaments: The cats WILL bat at them, and even the ones up high can be shaken down. If they break, the hazards to the kittens are obvious, especially because cats are so reluctant to show pain. They could have glass in a paw and you'd never know. And heaven forbid they manage to ingest it...
Ornament hangers: Please please PLEASE make sure these are securely fastened (that is, twisted so they cannot slide off either ornament or branch), if not discarded entirely. An alternative option is using a bit of string to hang or tie ornaments to branches.
As for the lights, as long as the plugs are securely fastened, they should be fine. If you see them gnawing on the cords, then... yeah, that's a problem. You could always get foam insulation, the kind that's cut down the side into which you can slide a cord, to keep their teeth off the cord itself. But they'd chew through that pretty quickly so it'd probably have to be replaced often.
I know Tambrey endorses the method of hanging vinegar-soaked cotton balls inside the tree because the smell repels cats. Sadly, many of the multiple cat owners just forgo a tree entirely because of its hazards. Me, I went with a 3' version this year and tied it to the top of one of my end tables. Less to chew on, less to climb, less to get in trouble with. It's not as majestic as a full 8' tree, but it is safer for the cats.
Oh, and don't forget the squirt bottle. A quick spray of water is often enough of a reminder that they shouldn't be in there to keep them out for a little while longer. Just make sure it's a WATER-ONLY squirt bottle that has never been used for anything else.
It's up to you to get to know your critters and how to best deter them. It's a challenge. Good luck.
Christmas trees are the bane of cat owners everywhere. Kittens especially consider it a giant toy meant JUST for them. Somewhere in here, there's a thread about holiday decoration safety, but I'll recap most of it for you.
Major tree hazards:
Tinsel: Just forgo the tinsel. If you have tinsel on your tree, please take it off. If the cats eat this, it can wreak absolute havoc on their digestive systems, often leading to death. It's way, way too risky.
Glass ornaments: The cats WILL bat at them, and even the ones up high can be shaken down. If they break, the hazards to the kittens are obvious, especially because cats are so reluctant to show pain. They could have glass in a paw and you'd never know. And heaven forbid they manage to ingest it...
Ornament hangers: Please please PLEASE make sure these are securely fastened (that is, twisted so they cannot slide off either ornament or branch), if not discarded entirely. An alternative option is using a bit of string to hang or tie ornaments to branches.
As for the lights, as long as the plugs are securely fastened, they should be fine. If you see them gnawing on the cords, then... yeah, that's a problem. You could always get foam insulation, the kind that's cut down the side into which you can slide a cord, to keep their teeth off the cord itself. But they'd chew through that pretty quickly so it'd probably have to be replaced often.
I know Tambrey endorses the method of hanging vinegar-soaked cotton balls inside the tree because the smell repels cats. Sadly, many of the multiple cat owners just forgo a tree entirely because of its hazards. Me, I went with a 3' version this year and tied it to the top of one of my end tables. Less to chew on, less to climb, less to get in trouble with. It's not as majestic as a full 8' tree, but it is safer for the cats.
Oh, and don't forget the squirt bottle. A quick spray of water is often enough of a reminder that they shouldn't be in there to keep them out for a little while longer. Just make sure it's a WATER-ONLY squirt bottle that has never been used for anything else.
It's up to you to get to know your critters and how to best deter them. It's a challenge. Good luck.
That Christmas hazards post is here: http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... php?t=2916
You can (and should) get electrical cord covers at most hardware stores or computer stores, it is flexible, and having them protected means precious pets will not chew on them and face horrible consequences. You should always have all tv/computer and other exposed cords covered, even adult cats can be curious or get themselves in trouble. Case in point, one of my cats was playing with another, they were racing through the house, she ran behind the tv stand (and while I had the cords wrapped up, there was one tiny loop exposed), she was crazy with play excitement and got herself tangled up via that ONE tiny loop. When she got tangled up, since cats thrash about in fear when tangled in somethng, it worked itself around her abdomen, thank god I was right there when it happened, it could have resulted in a bad situation. Now, I have ALL my cords wrapped in cord protectors.
I buy mine here: http://www.cableorganizer.com
(I use "Polyethene Split Loom")
You can (and should) get electrical cord covers at most hardware stores or computer stores, it is flexible, and having them protected means precious pets will not chew on them and face horrible consequences. You should always have all tv/computer and other exposed cords covered, even adult cats can be curious or get themselves in trouble. Case in point, one of my cats was playing with another, they were racing through the house, she ran behind the tv stand (and while I had the cords wrapped up, there was one tiny loop exposed), she was crazy with play excitement and got herself tangled up via that ONE tiny loop. When she got tangled up, since cats thrash about in fear when tangled in somethng, it worked itself around her abdomen, thank god I was right there when it happened, it could have resulted in a bad situation. Now, I have ALL my cords wrapped in cord protectors.
I buy mine here: http://www.cableorganizer.com
(I use "Polyethene Split Loom")
..........Traci
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mnwhiterose
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:20 pm
Re: Kittens - 1 or 2?
You guys are wonderful. Thank you.
Re: Kittens - 1 or 2?
Yes, your kitties are sweet...one of them looks like my Angel
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mnwhiterose
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:20 pm
Re: Kittens - 1 or 2?
Aww....Angel looks like a darker Starsky. They have these big yellow eyes. I can't wait to get home to be with my babies.
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slvrwhispr
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 11:48 pm
- Location: Canton, MI
- Contact:
Re: Kittens - 1 or 2?
Haha, Traci, those are so fancy. I just have mine duct taped to the carpet/back of the entertainment center... 
But they've stayed put!
But they've stayed put!Re: Kittens - 1 or 2?
They were previously wrapped in painter's tape, obviously never thought of duct tape, LOL.
All kidding aside, I really like the cable covers, since the cats can't chew through them and although they're flexible to a point, they are also kind of stiff which keeps them in place.
All kidding aside, I really like the cable covers, since the cats can't chew through them and although they're flexible to a point, they are also kind of stiff which keeps them in place.
..........Traci