Kitten Dilemma
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22386
Printed Date: 23 December 2025 at 7:12pm
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Topic: Kitten Dilemma
Posted By: Paws
Subject: Kitten Dilemma
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 5:12pm
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Ok I have a dilemma.
We are currently a rather happy 4 cat household. Well that is us humans are happy and now the older 3 cats have settled down with the arrival of our kitten Riley. However…Riley appears to be miserable when we are away!!! He spends a lot of time at home alone while we are work and he seems to get more miserable by the moment as he realises that we are going to work. He is happy as anything in the evenings when we are around and when the big cats come in he has someone to play with. He is horribly spoilt with plenty of cool toys so there is not much more we can give him there. He has the run of the house also. We’re tossing up if it would be totally nuts to get a 5th cat as a companion for Riley or if we just stick it out until he is old enough to go out on his own? Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 5:19pm
He's probably fine when you can't see him, just moping for attention when he knows you're about to leave. Is he being destructive when you're gone? If not he's probably not too miserable. Yup IMHO 5 cats would be nuts, but then I think 4 is too! 
(Says she with a cat, a dog, two pigs and three cows...) Sorry if abrupt - typing onehanded! ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 5:20pm
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How long does he have to be inside for? If it's still a while I'd be tempted to get another kitten. After all the adult cats will probably not be as willing to play as another kitten would be. But would the adult cats handle another one? -------------  
 
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 5:23pm
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As the owner of only 1 very spoilt cat, having 5 seems crazy, but then hey if it really much more work than 4! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 5:27pm
We figure he'll be inside for at least another 4 weeks or longer. If we get a girl then intros should be easy...they accepted Riley after a week so that should be ok. And we can't leave an adult in with him as even though Ellie likes him a lot she will NOT tolerate being locked in for 5+ weeks. *sigh* You'd be surprised how not nuts 4 is! The 3 adults are all outdoors...it only gets manic in winter when they joustle for heater space. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Bobbie wrote:Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 5:56pm
hehehehe you think that is nuts....I met someone with 7!!! Plus her daughter who lives with her has another 2 and they are getting another one at the end of the year!!!!  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: NeoshasMummy
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 6:20pm
Ahhh we made this mistake, the problem was that the kittens became attached to eachother and didn't want a bar of me when I got home from work. I went froma loving but sad kitten and 2 older cats to 2 older cats and 2 kittens who only wanted me when it came time for food. Personally I would wait... well that's just my experience anyway. Plus it would all get very hectic come immunisation time?? and other one to fix up, extra food but of course you know all that hehe
------------- https://secure.fertilityfriend.com/home/30c4ec/" rel="nofollow">  Mrs Te Kani ❤️ Neosha 26/5/2007 |
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 7:19pm
Be careful not to end up 'cat hoarding'... apparently aquiring cats is actually addictive. Its that whole " Well we already have 2, another 1 wont change anything" Next thing you know you have 12!!! 
Ive been procrastinating getting 1!!! lol ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: Danaj
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 7:25pm
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Young kittens often feel more secure when kept in a confined area like the bathroom or bedroom while they are alone.
Cats should not be left unattended outside before 6 months old. They don't have the fear instinct to keep them selves safe. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/"> 
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Posted By: Mimii
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 8:17pm
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Just thought i would add, if kitten is really stressed you could look at feliway spray, it reduces stress and anxiety in cats. You can get a diffuser to go in the room they are in most. Or a spray that you can apply to a favourite blanket etc. You can get it from most vets.
I wouldnt let the cat out until all vaccinations were done, just to make sure. 
Good luck with your kitty |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 8:25pm
Get another, why not We have four cats and 2 dogs, animals are cool
Following on from Mimiis post you could also give one of you old worn jumpers to kitty so that he has something that smells like you guys to cuddle up with when you are out. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 8:55pm
Thanks for all the advice guys!! We finally have a solution to the problem...Riley's new sister Kaylee is my lap as I type and Riley already loves her!
Mimii - good call with the vaccinations...we have never let a newbie outside until around 12 weeks at least! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 9:54pm
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Yay post photos of the furbabies -------------
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 9:59pm
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Oh Paws! My DH would die, he wont let me get another kitty unless I get rid of both of my adult cats. Apparently 2 cats and a dog is plenty... boo to that. I still think my woofer needs a friend.
Lucky Riley, newest member of the family and already getting spoilt! Sheesh, 5 cats and 2 rabbits.... where do you all sleep? -------------   
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 10:01pm
*cough*9 rabbits*cough* ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mimii
Date Posted: 12 November 2008 at 7:13am
| Wow paws you have a big fur baby family! Congrats on your new addition! |