Living With Kitten...how To Cope

Hi, I’m not sure if this is the right forum to post this. If not I apologize. Does anyone have any advice about living with a kitten. My cat Lucy passed in November and she was 13. She was just old, and very lazy. She would seek me out when she wanted attention but was content to just hang out in her cat tree watching birds from the window. I have two small dogs, one is almost 9 and sort of indifferent to the kitten. The other is 4 and wants to play, but can be a bit rough. We’re definitely working on that and they’re time together is monitored. Anyway, I’m beginning to think I have an anxiety disorder because I haven’t been able to just relax since the kitten came to live with me. I’m constantly worried about everything and nothing. He’s a very sweet kitten, he plays with his toys and then will climb into my lap to sleep. One of my coworkers told me how lucky I was to have a kitten and he wished they could stay that small because in a couple of years they just get fat and lazy. I really wish he already was!!! Sorry for the long post.

The cause of all of my stress!

Hi again
Kittens are like little children, they're into everything and everything is new to them. Are you worried about your dogs, the kitten, or just the situation being different and stressful, or all of the above?
Picture your life without one or both of your dogs and how empty and different it would feel. In a few weeks, you'll more than likely feel that way about this new little chap. When they come home, we think "what did I get myself into" but once they settle and we get accustomed to one another, we think "what would I ever do without you?"
It might be fun (and maybe helpful) if you started keeping things like pictures and a scrapbook type thing. You could jot down dates and funny things he did, in a year, or 10 years, or long after he's had a good, long life you'll really treasure that.
Try to relax and enjoy him. Kittens are nuts, but they're the best and most fun kind of nuts you could want.

I know it’s just anxiety. When I brought my dog Bodie home 4 years ago, he was a foster through the local SPCA who ended up being a foster failure, I had major regret and anxiety. But yes, now I can’t imagine my life without him. It’s really just being around a kitten again. Lucy was the last kitten I had. Everything is so new and different, haha! I’ve been reading this site religiously the last few days.

Looking that cute your kitten could probably get away with anything no matter how naughty.
I reckon with kittens the best strategy is to set a number of times aside that suit you and your routine so you get them to play hard until they tire out. That way hopefully you can then get little breaks when you can rest or get things done. That and to get to know the warning signs of when your kitten is about to get in to what you don't want or start naughty attention seeking behaviour: if you can give them attention before they're up to no good you can usually divert them, avoid the unwanted behaviour starting and therefor avoid reinforcing it in any way. Sneaky.

It's so hard to completely kitten-proof your home so worry is normal. Some good articles on this site for advice on home safety but I'll have to try and log in from my computer to share links.

coriejo24 said:

I know it’s just anxiety. When I brought my dog Bodie home 4 years ago, he was a foster through the local SPCA who ended up being a foster failure, I had major regret and anxiety. But yes, now I can’t imagine my life without him. It’s really just being around a kitten again. Lucy was the last kitten I had. Everything is so new and different, haha! I’ve been reading this site religiously the last few days.

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You're among friends here
When we brought home our last little kitten, this mangy little thing we scooped off the side of the road, she was weak, skinny, dirty but was strong enough to climb things like a genetically modified monkey. On the way home she was this little gecko climbing all over, getting her claws stuck on everything.
We kept her in a dog exercise pen so she had room to move around and food and water, and one hour twice a day we'd bring her out and play with her.
Our eldest girl, Queen Bee, wasn't happy about this new little girl and for weeks she'd walk by the exercise pen and slap it as hard as she could. Later, the kitten (Baby Girl) would slap back. I figured they'd never get along, but they do.
I'd love to have another kitten. They're a lot of work and take up a lot of time but they're just so fun. When they play, it's like a big monster is on their tails all the time and they rush around like they're mighty leopards leaping from one mountain to the next when really they're just hopping all over the rug for no reason at all
We used to foster kittens and cats, several litters at a time. They made a horrible mess (spilled food, spilled water, litter flung all over) but they sure were a lot of fun. I know it's an adjustment but please don't allow yourself to shortchange how much fun they are at this age. Things will probably get broken or chewed up but it's really not a big thing.
One of our young cats scratched a brand new china hutch up pretty good. We were so mad at him. After he died, we see those scratch marks and remember the funny little cat he was and are actually glad for those marks.

I live in a one bedroom apartment but it has a little room, like a mini den, I keep him in there when I’m at work and at night. There’s not a window, but he has a cat tree, his litter box, a cave cat bed, and all the necessities. I don’t like keeping him locked away but I would rather know that he’s safe until he’s big enough stay out in his own and until I know my dogs will be ok with him. He’s so tiny. He only weighed 9 ounces when he saw the vet last Friday.

coriejo24 said:

View attachment 286179 The cause of all of my stress!

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OMG what a beautiful kitten

coriejo24 said:

I live in a one bedroom apartment but it has a little room, like a mini den, I keep him in there when I’m at work and at night. There’s not a window, but he has a cat tree, his litter box, a cave cat bed, and all the necessities. I don’t like keeping him locked away but I would rather know that he’s safe until he’s big enough stay out in his own and until I know my dogs will be ok with him. He’s so tiny. He only weighed 9 ounces when he saw the vet last Friday.

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At 9 ounces you're right, keeping him safe is top priority and I think you've done an excellent job at setting up his "Little-man cave"
Our most out of the way place for people or commotion is our sunroom, so the cats have always been shut in there if they have to be. Even with the door open to the rest of the place they prefer that room, because we went out of our way to make it "theirs".
Even the gentlest dog can accidentally hurt a tiny kitten that size, even a gentle playful paw on their back can hurt them or send them flying.
He sure is a cute little tiger isn't he

I too have had to adjust after losing my almost 16 year old Oliver. I am so glad I got another even tho I was still in pain from the loss. This little guy makes me smile a lot and laugh out loud with his clumsiness and watching his experience things for the first time. I find that no 2 cats I have had are the same and this one is no exception. He is a little wild man! And I think he is very smart. He learns fast! Just like we are individuals, so are cats. They each have their distinct personalities.