FROM CAT TO KITTENS
After the passing of our beloved 16-year-old cat, my husband and I almost immediately became the proud parents of two affectionate and rambunctious 4-month-old kittens. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. No free parking. In fact, let’s donate $200 to the shelter and, as we take our new kids to the car, let’s admire our lovely parting gift — a parking ticket plastered to the windshield in the rain. No worries. Nothing could dampen the spirits of our baby parade. We had just won the kitten lottery.
WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED
Satisfying my biological need to mother and nest, my new family and I have already accomplished a great deal together: dog introductions, two wellness visits, two dewormings, survival of four respiratory infections (my husband and myself included), 28 days of Bartonella treatment (x2), growth spurts of up to a pound a week, trying on several sporty scratching posts, adjusting to wearing collars (the cats, not us), scheduling two neuters (again, the cats) and offering a sundry of toys. Wait. We’ve had these guys just four weeks?
WHAT I HAD YET TO LEARN
“Welcome to fresh, new parenthood!” I said to myself as the little lives of my purring boys rested literally in my hands. Having cat companions since I was 6 (I’m now 39), I thought I had this gig down. As it turns out, I knew nothing-zilch-nada-zero about kittens. You can bet, after a month of full immersion, I do now. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Kittens can carry diseases and still look cute. Very. Cute. Kittens require high-octane food and transition to low-octane food at 5-6 months. No. They will not tell you this. They’ll just pork out and curl up in a food coma. Kittens sleep a lot. Kittens wake up energized — a lot. Kittens lose their teeth, sometimes in each other’s head. When kittens are teething, they chew furniture legs, picture frames, watering cans and toes. To spare household items and personal appendages, we’ve introduced – Tadah! – straws. Kittens get into, onto and under everything. We’re bolting furniture to the walls. And while these practical aspects are good to know, here’s another really important thing. When kittens do something amusing, sweet or downright funny, it’s best to grab your camera then and there. Kittens take on new projects by the minute, outgrowing or rarely repeating what was amusing, sweet or downright funny the moment before. Yes, breaking their mother’s heart, kittens grow from babies to teenagers in less than 60 seconds, or so it seems.
EVERYTHING I ONCE KNEW IS WRONG
Things I thought I knew about cats are unravelling daily. The kittens do everything that my elder cat never did, even when he was 4 months old. Our elder cat preferred the floor to heights. The kittens prefer to sit on your head, while you’re standing, and they’ll climb whatever it takes to get there. Although he was clearly the alpha in this household, our elder cat never harassed the dogs. The kittens swat at dog faces, tails and feet. They walk under dog bellies, over dog backs, and fly across our Newfoundland, as he naps, to attack looming shadows of dust elephants lurking on the other side. Our elder cat never ate house plants. The kittens, on the other hand, constantly graze from my “salad bar,” play in the dirt, and topple pots for fun.
THE DANGERS OF HOUSE PLANTS
This habit of flipping the flora deserved far more attention than I suspected. I admit, when my vet handed me a list of plants toxic to cats, I thoughtlessly filed it with the bill and went on my way. Good thing I glanced through at home. Surprisingly, Aloe topped the list. Really? That beautiful, healing succulent living on my end table is e-vil? I moved the little villain to the mantle and studied more. I was mortified. My whole house was filled with leafy green poison. It was well beyond time to pay close attention.
Moving from room to room, I ripped several varieties of ivy from the base of of every potted tree. I placed family heirloom plants up high. I planted cat grass in pots, bowls and at the base of each tree where my ivy once grew. A big, blue pot of Catnip sits on my end table where the Aloe had been. The cats not only graze freely now, but safely, and I can rest easily — until they tip my tree once more.
PROTECT YOUR PETS
What’s in your planter? The ASPCA has complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants filtered by pet type (cat, dog, horse). To identify plants you don’t know the name of, visit the image gallery. While Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and Devil’s Ivy may sound obviously dangerous, don’t let the Charming Dieffenbachia fool you. It isn’t safe.
PS: While proofing this with my husband, he read the part about the aloe plant, then the ivy, then went back a bit. Thinking he caught a typo, I had to laugh when he said, “Wait. We have an aloe plant?”
I love it! Placid newf naps through the tipping of the tree. Papa Emmett makes sure his kits are okay. Tree lies on floor, gasping for Help!
I just dragged the tree into the living room so I can protect it from harassment. I am determined to win the war on kitty terror!
another great one Kim! More please!
Bethanne, you are a video junkie! And like any good dealer should, I will keep you plied with entertainment for as long as the animals provide.
@BethanneElion @lakesunrise @dremmelqueen A special preview for my favorite Tweeps: http://bit.ly/bihiam class="ubervu_reaction_link">via uberVU
For my animal-loving folowers, check out @KimClune http://bit.ly/bihiam Read and enjoy the antics!<p class="ubervu_reaction_link">via uberVU
RT @KimClune Tks for the heads up on article! Fantastic as usual, & well timed for list of toxic plants w/ Spring here! http://bit.ly/bihiam class="ubervu_reaction_link">via uberVU
That video is so stinkin' cute I could just die! your kittens are ADORABLE!
I grow more and more in love with the beasties every single day. I always was a sucker for laughter and these guys provide gobs of it, times two!
What kittens have taught me (with silly video: house plants – according to cats): http://bit.ly/bihiam class="ubervu_reaction_link">via uberVU
RT @KimClune: What kittens have taught me (with silly video: house plants – according to cats): http://bit.ly/bihiam class="ubervu_reaction_link">via uberVU
Hi Kim,
As someone who fosters kittens, I can tell you, that depending on the shelter/rescue you got them from, it's not a big surprise they were had bartonella and/or worms. If the shelter wasn't careful with protocols and treatments, as it's obvious there was something overlooked, then you should keep a watchful eye out for other issues and fleas! Even if the kittens were treated once, the flea eggs live a long time, beyond the one month protection of spot on flea treatments. If you need any advice, please let me know. I'm happy to help you out. Also, make sure you're giving your new babies the best food you can. I highly recommend, at LEAST feeding a grain-free canned ONLY food diet. If you can swing it, go RAW. there's an awesome resource for raw feeding. I won't plug it here, just email me and I'll help you out!
Congrats. I hope you will have a very happy home with your new furbabies!
Thank you for the information, Robbin, and the congratualtions! We are certainly proud parents. My husband is wearing a lovely scar in the shape of a smiley face on the back of his hand with pride.
Our kittens were born in captivity to a trapped, feral mom in foster care where they remained most of their little lives. The shelter they came from is nothing short of amazing. No fleas. No mites. No worms. They have always had amazing coats and ate great food. I've never seen a shelter promote raw like they do or educate the people browsing people so well. Our vet said these tikes were obviously well cared for. Still, I alerted the shelter of the Bartonella and they treated the foster home's cats to be safe. Everybody is happy and healthy now. It just proves that a wellness visit is in order for any rescue.
Next up? Neuters!
If only everybody respected kitties to the extent we do. Perhaps you have heard concerning the Environmental protection agency and flea control spot-ons? It is quite troublesome what a number of those items are doing to our cats. Unsettling: Flea Products Killing Pets
Hello Neal,
I hadn’t realized the numbers were that high but, really, this does not surprise me. Chemicals of any kind are toxic.
While it’s slightly off topic, I have extreme allergies to formaldehyde and all of it’s derivatives. Formaldehyde is highly toxic yet used to stabilize almost every product on the shelf. I know what it’s like to live with high toxicity and severe reactions to such common products as dish soap, shampoo, body wash and detergent – even those labeled "hypo-allergenic." Our chemical dependence is killing our cells, making them react in unwanted ways. Why should this be any different for our animals?