I read the article you wrote about kitten season. It came at a good time. My cat, Sam, died last year and now I believe I’m ready for another cat. What I’m thinking is that I will adopt two kittens so they can keep each other company while I’m at work. Is that a good idea? Also, Sam was already grown when I got him (I “inherited” him from an aunt) so I really don’t know anything about kittens. I still have Sam’s litter box, dishes and some toys. What else do I need?
Two kittens? Get ready to be entertained. Kittens are playful, energetic and mischievous. They run, jump and climb onto anything and everything as they explore their world. One kitten will keep you busy with his antics, but two kittens keep each other occupied and wear themselves out doing so. Tired kitties are good kitties.
You’re correct in your assumption that they’ll keep each other company while you’re at work. In fact, many animal shelters and rescue organizations recommend adopting two compatible kittens or kittens from the same litter for that reason. Plus, by adopting two kittens, you save two lives, ease crowding in an animal shelter and benefit from double the fun and cuteness. You’ll also have a little more to deal with in terms of keeping your house clean - more litter to scoop and cat hair to vacuum - but that’s easily manageable.
Since you’ve kept Sam’s supplies, you have a good start on preparing for your kittens’ arrival. Conventional cat-care wisdom, however, requires that you provide one litter box per cat (even an extra box if space permits) so you’ll need to get another box. If your home is large or spread out, then you may want to position litter boxes on opposite sides of the house.
Here are some other suggestions for preparing for your new housemates, based on information from I Just Got a Kitten: What Do I Do? by Mordecai Siegal, Complete Kitten Care by Amy Shojai, The Kitten Owner’s Manual by Arden Moore and Cat Fancy magazine.
Litter box training: If you’re lucky, your kittens mother will have already taught them how to use a litter box, but it’s still a good idea to confine your kittens’ to a small area while you’re unable to supervise them. You might set them up in an extra bedroom or large bathroom with a litter box, food, water, toys and beds. After a few days, they should be used to the litter box and you can expand their roaming and living space.
Scratch, scratch, scratch: A few sturdy scratching posts will keep you and your kittens happy. They need to scratch to shed worn claw coverings, stretch and mark territory. If you don’t provide scratch-worthy surfaces for them, they’ll choose their own - perhaps your sofa or antique love seat. Get vertical and horizontal scratch posts and pads made of different materials (anything but carpet or fabric) and place them in high-traffic, visible areas so your kittens can find them easily.
If a kitten scratches something off limits, ring a bell, clap your hands or make some other noise to interrupt him. Then take him over to his scratching surface and gently rub his feet on it so he’ll know what it’s for. When you see your kittens using the scratching surface, praise them.
Playtime: Your kittens will play with each other, but you also need to spend time with them. That helps you bond with them, plus it’s part of the joy of having kittens. Get them to jump and pounce by using teaser toys, kitty-size balls or catnip-scented toys.
The kittens will nip at and wrestle with each other, but make sure you don’t let them get too rough when playing with you. If the kittens scratch or bite you while playing, let them know it’s inappropriate by stopping immediately and ignoring them. If your kittens attack your ankles when you walk past, stop in your tracks and stand still. If you try to shake off the kittens or shoo them away, they’ll think you’re playing.
Neuter or spay: Most likely,the organization from which you adopt your kittens will require them to be sterilized before you can take them home. If not, have them spayed or neutered before they’re 6 months old.
Stimulate their senses: When not sleeping, eating or playing, your kittens will be exploring their world. You can make it more interesting by creating an indoor cat garden with large terra cotta pots of fresh catnip and cat grass as well as by providing cat trees for climbing and window seats for watching birds and other outdoor activities.
Do you have a question about pets? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Rhonda Owen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail
askcreature@att.net
Family, Pages 34 on 03/12/2014