Just got a kitten.

Overread · Oct 15, 2011

No that is one old mousetrap - you should have taken a pic!

Also I vote for "Sweet" as the kitty name -- Bitter and Sweet

mishele · Oct 15, 2011

What kitty doesn't go to work w/ you!!

mishele · Oct 15, 2011

Somebody start a "Name Bitter's *****" thread!!!

BlackSheep · Oct 15, 2011

hahahaha I seriously do not know which sentence to answer first! Ugh about the mouse skeleton.

Kittens are masters at hiding, that's what they are supposed to do by instinct - if mom isn't with them, they hide from predators until mom lets them know it's ok to come out. I strongly suggest a dog crate for the kitten if you have the space at home. Toss her in the crate when you aren't around to keep an eye on her, much less stress for you that way.

If she's really young, she might not have any idea about the litter box, but it will come with time and you are doing the right thing by putting her in there as you have been.

Sorry to hear that you actually did get the stinky gas, but glad to hear it seems to have passed. Have you taken her in for a vet check yet? You might want to do it sooner rather than later if you have time, just in case she has fleas/worms.

Looking forward to more photos with the tiny umbrella & lighting setup!

Name suggestion - if she is actually a she - Topaz or Amber? (you are the Jeweler after all)

emoxley · Oct 15, 2011

Bitter Jeweler said:
Not sure of the sex.
Just "adopted" it today, but will take it to the vet soon.

Black Sheep, thanks for the heads up on stinky poo!

Like I said, never had a kitten, but definitely sense some abandonment issues. But it is so cute!

It plays with my beard. LOL

Going by the pic, it's a Calico kitty, so there's a 99.9% probability that it's a female. Some say that all calicos are female, but I think I read somewhere that one in every few thousand would be male. She should be a very lovable kitty as she grows. Get some twine or heavy string, and drag it on the floor. Most kittens love to play with string. Also boxes and paper bags laying on their side. It's funny that they can entertain themselves with almost anything. If you get her chasing a laser pointer dot on the floor, make sure to not let the laser get in her eye.

She will be good company as she grows too. I think cats are much more lovable than dogs. They are cleaner and quieter too. A leaf falling from a tree doesn't get them barking all night!

Keep the litterbox clean, and it shouldn't smell. Also, if the litterbox is clean, she shouldn't go on the floor somewhere else, unless she has a medical problem. Sometime when you can catch it on, watch Cats 101 on the Animal Planet channel. It will usually teach you something about the little kitties. You're in for a fun time for the next few months.

KmH · Oct 16, 2011

Bitter Jeweler said:
In looking for the kitty this morning, I found another mouse trap (thought I got them all), with a mouse skeleton in it. Literally, the skeleton. Kinda disconcerting. Where did the flesh go?

Insects ate it.

Derrel · Oct 16, 2011

Speaking of insects, be a good daddy, and have some fun teaching your new baby to hunt. Start soon. Cats are smart. Since she doesn't have feline parents around, you'll need to teach her the finer points of stalking and capturing prey. Start with house flies or moths. Use a few mouth clicks to signal the beginning of a hunt, then point to a housefly. Stalk it. Try and "get it" a couple times. Stay at it for 5 minutes or so. This time of year, there's always one or two flies that get into the house and buzz around and annoy. Many indoor cats become expert "buggers". We had one cat, Nigel, who caught every moth, every fly, and every preying mantis and crane fly that she (Nigel, yes, a female cat, named for Nigel in the rock and roll satire movie) could. She also loved to catch and eat grasshoppers, as did Little Man.

Overread · Oct 16, 2011

I now have a mental image in my mind of Derrel on his hands and knees stalking and eating moths

:lmao:

mishele · Oct 16, 2011

^^^^^^Great...lol Now so do I! :lol:

Robin Usagani · Oct 16, 2011

Her name is Bitter*****.

Wtf? Pu$$y is censored?

480sparky · Oct 16, 2011

Schwettylens said:
Her name is Bitter*****.

Wtf? Pu$$y is censored?

It's not that hard to type out BitterPùssy.

Bitter Jeweler · Oct 16, 2011

Insects ate it.[/QUOTE]

That's more disconcerting.

Derrel, she is already hunting. It's hilarious.

Black Sheep, thanks for the tips. She'll be going to the Vet on Wednesday, I think.

I think the name we settled on is Meep. It's the sound she makes.

terri · Oct 17, 2011

Congrats on your new baby! You'll get lots of info and free goodies from the vet, so I'm glad you're taking her soon. It sounds like she did indeed "pick" you, which means you're connected forever. :mrgreen: (The absolute best way to be with your critters.) Meep is a great name, btw.

Have fun, and keep up with the pics!

e.rose · Oct 21, 2011

AWWWWWWW KITTTTTTYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:

My baby boy was a stray when I took him in too! He was owned by someone before me I'm sure because he was neutered and declawed, but his leg was busted and we got him all fixed up and he's the sweetest thing ever!

You're kitty is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO adorable! She/He (didn't read through the thread, I just wanted to see a KITTY!) sounds like a sweetheart! (Okay... I skimmed... I saw the part about it not wanting to stay away from your camera and falling asleep on your chest :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: )