Drumroll Please!!!

[SarahK]

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Introducing...

Magpie (boy) and Raven (girl) (working titles!)

Both are spayed/neutered and have they're first vacc, they go back for more this week or after xmas.

They are not littermates, but we're in the same pen when we got them - Raven is a week or so older, she wasn't born in the shelter, so no exact birthday for her, just September. Magpie was born on 6th Oct.

It seemed like Magpie was gonna be the trouble maker at first, Raven was very quiet in the shelter, but since she's been home she's been hunting everything that moves! And Magpie is gonna be a mommas boy, I think - but then, he wasn't feeling very well, so we'll see.

Both have been purring like motorbikes and I Raven even kneaded me this morning. Magpie had a bit of Diahorrea(sp) last night but was drinking and eating fine and using the litterbox - we had one accident, Raven I suspect, but I think thats because Magpie made the box a bit nasty - so they've got a box each now.

They will probably get to explore the house later on, once we know that Magpies stomach has sorted itself out - he ate a good kitten sized meal this morning and had a good drink - just waiting for a poo!







Um, how do I stop them trying to eat my toes? I've just been redirecting them to a toy, is that ok?

[LKTraz]

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Redirecting their attentions is exactly the thing to do.

Cute kitties!

[Twitchin Kitten]

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They are gorgeous! I just want to pick them up and kiss their little faces.

Poor Magpie and his loose poopies.

Just keep an eye on him. If a kitty does not feel too well sometimes they will go outside the box to let you know they are out of sorts. It's hard to tell who is sick with that method if you have multiple cats though.

One box should be fine. Just use the biggest one you can get because they do not like tiny ones. Inside of a week they'll settle down and the poops should level out.

They'll need kitten food for another 18 months or so and as for the toes.... LK is correct. Just redirect.

Boy cats tend to be the snugglers and "momma's boys" compared to the girls. I've also found the boys to be more mellow in personality and are more likely to be friendly with house guests than the females although there ARE exceptions.

My Thing 1 is constantly on top of my lap and all my cats invade the house guests for pets and belly rubs.

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Oh one more thing!

If they are going to be always indoor cats please take the collars off them. I am so against collars of any sort on cats. I've seen too many of them get hung up and die with them due to the climbing and crawling into small places.

Even the stretchie collars are dangerous.

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Ahhh another thing....

If they start to get snotty noses or runny goopy eyes (green goop and snot) get to the vet ASAP!

Cats DO NOT get 'colds' - these would be the beginnings of URI (upper respiratory infections) and are very, very tough to treat if you don't start antibiotics right away. Sometimes just bringing a new cat home will do this and if one gets it you should watch the other because this is VERY contagious.

Stress is the leading cause of URI and exposure is the second. Once a cat does have it and is cured, it's chances of getting it again is very slim even if you bring home a sick cat or a new cat comes down with it.

I don't mean to alarm you but these things do happen.

[LKTraz]

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Also watch their ears for signs of infection.

Look into the ear canals for goop. This is a problem that can easily be cured with antibiotics but if left go for too long can spread and be potentially fatal.

Should you find dark, almost black deposits in the ears they have ear mites. There are very good treatments available at most any good pet store.

I agree with Twitchy on the collars. Cats like to explore tight spaces and collars are not a good idea for indoor cats.

[SarahK]

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Ok, I will take the collars off - the lady in the shelter put them on them. The tags are far too big anyway.
I had to sign a disclaimer saying that Magpie wouldn't be allowed out because he has a pink nose and could get skin cancer - but they weren't going out anyway.

I will keep an eye on they're ears and stuff - they have a two week health guarantee, so if anything goes wrong they'll be treated by the animal welfare people.

[SarahK]

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Magpie still has an upset tummy - he's poo is still runny and he was sick just now. He is still bright and ate some food - they were out around the house, so I put them back in they're room - thinking over stimulation.

They're on the crappy Whiskas wet and dry food that the shelter was giving them, I am going to change that once they're settled, but for now thats what they've got. Raven is fine - not eating alot, but some, and drinking.

Oh and while we were playing earlier - I have a feather on a string which seems to be a favorite - don't worry, only for interactive play with me. Magpie would catch the feather and kindof growl - didn't seem to be at anyone, just growling - is this ok?

[LKTraz]

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Sounds like a very normal kitten to me.

Start giving Magpie a bit more dry food than he gets wet. This should help stiffen his movements up a bit.

You had to sign a paper because he has a pink nose and "could get skin cancer" if he went out? What a bunch of shit!!!!! I've had many cats in my life and not one developed melanoma from being outside, and a great majority of them had pink noses.

That would be like saying "Well Mr/Mrs Everyman, since the child you're adopting is Swedish and therefore light complected, you may never let him outside because he might get skin cancer. Just sign here testifying that you will keep him a shut in the basement with no windows and you can take your new son home!"
*Astonished rant over*

If you have a laser pointer it can be a fun interactive toy. Cats will chase the red dot for hours on end if you let them.

[SarahK]

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Well, I guess if he can't go outside, me and my Irish complection shouldn't either! Should have signed a waiver on the visa!

They both ate well tonight, so I'm happier now. Magpie is bright and playing, so obviously not too bothered.

I'm definately getting a lazer pointer - they are already starting to show their hunting styles, Magpie goes straight for the kill, Raven hunts by stealth!

I got some of the litter the shelter was using, but its just awful - its very dusty, and does nothing for the smell - especially with an upset tummy. I've got the baking soda out, which is helping, and I know it will improve when I put them on better food, but at the moment it ain't smellin of roses!

[LKTraz]

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Are Arm and Hammer products available to you? If so, they make an excellent cat litter deodorizer which is based on baking soda but with a few more additives.

As far as "better" food, remember, just because it costs more doesn't mean it's better. Read the ingredients list. The more meat/meat byproducts and protein the better. I use what is considered to be a "cheap" food but it is filled with good stuff for my cats and dogs.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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OK Sarah, I'm going to go against LK on the food.

Start to wean your cats off that Whiska's crap and if you're going to insist on dry food, feed them the Iams and preferably the Iams Hairball formula. I've been using that one now for 20 years and my cats average 15+ years old with Smitty going all the way to 21 last year.

Wet food is the absolute way to go though. You will have less hawking up of hairballs, less constipation and less complications of everything.

Dry food does NOT benefit the teeth.

I also almost lost Thing 1 earlier this year due to switching to a "better" brand of dry food. She jaundiced on me, got very skinny and I noticed the other cats were actually shitting out hair balls! I brush my cats daily!

I have no idea what was in that food but I threw it out and went on straight canned food from here on out. I will buy a bag of dry Iams once a month now (5 pound bag) and fill the feeder and they will use that as a snack station instead of their main meal.

Their coats are shinier, they have a better digestive system and I will never use dry food alone again. NEVER.

Litter - toss that dusty crap! It could be part of Magpie's problem. Get yourself a GOOD clumping litter - there are several brands out there and you'll have to play around until you find the one that you are most happy with.
Dr. Elsey's is the best but very expensive.
I found Fresh 4 Less at around $10 / 50# bag and it clumps and keeps odor down as good as Dr. Elsey's.

A good clumping litter will not need baking soda treatments. It will clump hard enough so you can scoop it out right away and take the smell with you.

I also found you get what you pay for. Buy cheap you'll use more of it.

Don't use hooded boxes. Cats hate them. Just get a good BIG box that is roomy. Fill it deep and they'll be fine and the stink will stay to a minimum.

As for Magpie's poopies - you can make him some boiled chop meat and rice and it will help tighten him up. Or you can mix a little rice in with his wet food instead. But switch them to the better wet food and dry. You should do that now while you still have some of what they're used to - just start blending the new into the old and little by little, give less of the old and more of the new until they are fully switched.