The Chronicles of Samson: Olympic Diver

[Morgan87]

About 2 years ago our grandpa wanted farm cats so we took our cats kittens out there when they were about 8 weeks old at the time. Last year one of them had kittens and we suspect that in the middle of her moving them, she was attacked by a dog (that his ex-wife had taken out there because she didn't want it anymore..?!?) and killed, leaving her kittens orphaned. Our aunts cat had had kittens about 4 weeks before that and she had just weaned hers, so we traded kittens and took our aunts home with us and left our grandpas there, her momma cat ended up running out of milk and 2 of the kittens had died for some reason, so we traded again and brought the 2 that were left with us, they were maybe 3 weeks old then, my mom had been looking around the internet trying to find how/what to feed kittens that young, and came across this recipe..

One envelope knox unflavored gelatin mixed in 12 oz. boiling water.
Then add the following ingredients-
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 12 oz. can evaporated canned milk

They loved this stuff and it worked great! They turned 1 this February

 

[canesisters]

Soo - How did he do over the weekend?

 

[ChicknThief]

He is doing very well! Getting bigger, and louder, by the minute lol.

In fact, I am afraid I have created a monster, a cute one be that as it may. See, I was under the assumption that when he cries, it means he is hungry and I should feed him. But now he just screams all the time. Not just mewling, screaming. He has been sleeping through the night until last night. Last night he woke up at midnight and screamed for twenty minutes before I finally gave in and made him a bottle and pottied him. I put him back in his box, expecting to get to go back to sleep. Noooo. He just kept screaming. And screaming. Until I finally picked him up and put him in bed with us. He quieted down then and when he started getting sleepy I put him back in his box. He slept until his usual wake up time at six, and I fed and pottied him. But he didn't stop screaming. Every once in a while he would quiet down, so I would put my hand in there to pet him and sort of reward him, but the minute he saw my hand he would start screaming with renewed vigor.

I don't know what to do. He is sleeping now, but I am afraid to put my hand in his box to pet him because if I do I just know he will get loud again. Did I spoil him? Or does he just want attention and will grow out of the screaming stage? Help! Haha

On another note, he is learning to walk! Slowly but surely his little legs are getting stronger. Also, what age do you guy think is the best age to neuter? We really don't want a spraying problem, but I have heard conflicting opinions on what the best age is. Some have said 6-8 weeks, some have said as late as 6 months. What is your experience/opinion on this? If he starts spraying, Jamison will have a fit and we will not be able to keep him, so this really is imperative.

 

[Imp]

All kittens are screaming monsters, completely narcissistic and self centered. That's why we like them so much.

I think the screaming is normal. Spoil away. It should stop as he gets older. He's used to sleeping in a pile with other kittens and mom.

If he's just starting to walk, rather than crawl, I'd think he's closer to 3 weeks than 4 weeks.

I think the spaying age will depend on what your vet says. Old school is 6 months, now I hear as young as 6 weeks too. Be aware that now a days boy kitties are often left open to heal on its own.

The spraying is not much of an issue, for a kitten. I just wouldn't put off the spaying too late. Check with your vet and don't delay too much. I've never had a healthy indoor cat spray. Outdoor cats, both spayed and intact, occasionally Yes. Overall, my impression is that spraying is somewhat rare. Who would keep them if it was that much hassle.

Imp

 

[ChicknThief]

All kittens are screaming monsters, completely narcissistic and self centered. That's why we like them so much.

I think the screaming is normal. Spoil away. It should stop as he gets older. He's used to sleeping in a pile with other kittens and mom.

If he's just starting to walk, rather than crawl, I'd think he's closer to 3 weeks than 4 weeks.

I think the spaying age will depend on what your vet says. Old school is 6 months, now I hear as young as 6 weeks too. Be aware that now a days boy kitties are often left open to heal on its own.

The spraying is not much of an issue, for a kitten. I just wouldn't put off the spaying too late. Check with your vet and don't delay too much. I've never had a healthy indoor cat spray. Outdoor cats, both spayed and intact, occasionally Yes. Overall, my impression is that spraying is somewhat rare. Who would keep them if it was that much hassle.

Imp

I keep thinking I should have named him after the seagulls on Finding Nemo. Just look at him crossways and MINE MINE MINE MINE!! Hahaha

As for his age, I think you may be right. And he still isn't walking all, or even most, of the time. He just pushes himself up enough to take a couple steps and then starts crawling again.

I am trying to get him on a feeding schedule of every three hours. That way I can better moniter his eating habits. He tends to eat between 1 and 2 tablespoons per feeding. He is getting FAT too! Quite the little tubby lumpkin

His hurt ear is looking really good. I stopped putting the ointment on it because it is almost all healed. You can just barely tell there was ever anything wrong.

And lastly, good news! He had his first little poop today! A lovely, gooey, redish substance which left him requiring a bath. I have been getting some interesting looks lately. I have become the office cat-lady, washing kittens in the sink

 

[Bunnylady]

I've heard that the # 1 reason for a cat to be turned over to Animal Control or a shelter is "potty problems." Spraying, or other kinds of eliminating outside the litter pan, can be a sign of stress or illness (like a urinary tract infection), but it is most often seen in unaltered cats.

I've had one or more cats virtually all of my adult life. I've had males done as early as 12 weeks, or as late as 10 months (Squeaky and Tiger). Squeaky (who thinks his name really should be Ninja) was definitely spraying in the house during the couple of weeks just before his surgery. That stopped immediately when we got him neutered. We had another cat that sprayed in the house, but he had been an outside cat, and was neutered well after adulthood. Fortunately, he only did it on rare occasions, when he smelled a strange cat and felt the need to reinforce his territorial boundaries.

Some shelters and rescues will do them as early as 6-8 weeks, but I think that's just to make sure it gets done. My vet prefers to let them get a good bit older. I like the idea of waiting, just don't wait as long as I did!

 

[Imp]

I like the new title on the thread.

Lawnmowers first, dragons next.

I'm glad his ear is doing better, and healing. Sounds like you are doing a fantastic job.

Funny how we can be so proud of a little poop. Lol!
My "Blimp" a few years ago had a large bowel issue, which resulted in no elasticity in his bowel. Poor guy was completely backed up with large hard as rock poop. I was taking him into the vet every other day for digital removal. (poor vet

& Blimp) I eventually had his large intestine removed. Now I got obese, smelly cat. Doesn't that sound like Pheobe's song on "Friends"

I'd be changing his name to lumpkin.

Imp



Quote:
This is another one of those urban legends, mostly based on the fibs told to shelter workers; and often repeated.
More accurate facts:


Quote:

And, of course this list leaves out the 800 lb gorilla in the room- Unwanted or unintended litters.

Imp

 

[leadwolf1]

Myself, I wouldn't neuter before 6 months. Neutered male cats have a tendency towards kidney problems and the earlier neutered the higher the risk. I have never had a problem with a healthy cat spraying in the house before I had them neutered.

 

[ChicknThief]

Funny how we can be so proud of a little poop. Lol!
My "Blimp" a few years ago had a large bowel issue, which resulted in no elasticity in his bowel. Poor guy was completely backed up with large hard as rock poop. I was taking him into the vet every other day for digital removal. (poor vet

& Blimp) I eventually had his large intestine removed. Now I got obese, smelly cat. Doesn't that sound like Pheobe's song on "Friends"

Imp

Oh my gosh this reminds me of my first cat Eva. I had noticed that she hadn't passed anything in a while so I took her to the vet. Well, the very minute I left the room so she could get some x-rays, Eva flipped out. Apparently Eva is scared of x-ray machines, as evidenced by the four days worth of fecal matter all over the table, the wall, and the vet

I've heard that the # 1 reason for a cat to be turned over to Animal Control or a shelter is "potty problems." Spraying, or other kinds of eliminating outside the litter pan, can be a sign of stress or illness (like a urinary tract infection), but it is most often seen in unaltered cats.

I've had one or more cats virtually all of my adult life. I've had males done as early as 12 weeks, or as late as 10 months (Squeaky and Tiger). Squeaky (who thinks his name really should be Ninja) was definitely spraying in the house during the couple of weeks just before his surgery. That stopped immediately when we got him neutered. We had another cat that sprayed in the house, but he had been an outside cat, and was neutered well after adulthood. Fortunately, he only did it on rare occasions, when he smelled a strange cat and felt the need to reinforce his territorial boundaries.

Some shelters and rescues will do them as early as 6-8 weeks, but I think that's just to make sure it gets done. My vet prefers to let them get a good bit older. I like the idea of waiting, just don't wait as long as I did!

Hmm... Well Samson is destined to be an indoor/outdoor cat. Is that going to make him more likely to spray? Jamison and I both work all day, and he absolutely despises cat boxes. So our plan is to have him outside when we are working during the day, and inside when we are home. We hope to train him to only potty outside, thus eliminating the need for a catbox.

 

[ChicknThief]

On another note, I may have to change his name to Piggie!! In the last three days he has doubled his formula intake from 1 Tb every three hours, to 2 Tb every three hours. I will have to try to get a pic of his fat little belly after his next feeding. It looks like he swallowed a tennis ball