A kitten jumped in my car and came home with me - help!

[Robin]

A stray kitten came charging up to me in the parking lot (at A Fabric Place, go figure).
It was so cute and friendly, I went in and asked Michael about it.  He told me it's a stray that needs a home and seems to be a good cat.

So, I brought the kitty home, set up a litter box.  I bought some cat food in a convenience store and kitty has eaten a little bit.

I have no idea if a litter box makes sense to this cat (I don't know if it's a boy or a girl).
I've set the kitten in there a few times (told it "go to the bathroom here please")

Any other ideas on how to domesticate this creature?
I have never taught a cat how to use a litter box.

I also want to bathe him, but I figure that might be too much excitement right off the bat.
Ideas, anybody?

I am trying to find a home for this cat.  (not really trying that hard, I kinda like this cat)

[BetsyV]

Robin
it's been a long time since I had a kitten, but I bet you keep him/her. They make me sneeze, but cats can be OK pets. I am really a dog person.

Litterbox training: cats generally take to a litterbox pretty easily. Probably a direct method, when you see him/her squatting (her or #2) or lifting a leg (him), pick the kitten up and put him in the box. It won't take long for him to get the hint.

You can lift up his tail and look for the key features to determine gender. So I don't get "moderated" I will refrain from using either slang or precise terminology. I did find a photo page comparing the two views, male and female, here. Female is more of a straightforward, upside down !. The male has a bit more going on.

Since he is a kitten, you probably won't have any problem domesticating him, just by feeding and sheltering him. He will get used to you and your DH pretty quickly. Then, take him to the vet. He will need shots and neutering. Actually, you might want to take him to the vet sooner rather than later, in case he has worms, fleas, or something else unpleasant. The vet will tell you which gender if you haven't figured it out by then.

Congratulations 

My DBIL and his GF adopted a subway cat in NYC a few years ago. An adult who followed my DBIL home one evening. Cat is a little jumpy from time to time, but otherwise is an OK pet.

[Kathleen C.]

I've yet to have a cat who didn't just know to use the box. Without prompting or explanation. In fact they prefer a box to any hard surface (including standard carpet) and will usually only go outside the box if something is wrong with them.

BetsyV is right... take him/her to a vet as soon as you can to make sure it's healthy. And to get a better idea of its age... important since it determines when they can wear flea collars, get certain shots and things like that.

I am a cat person through and through. I like dogs, and have lived with/owned a few... but cats just melt me. They're easy to take care of, requiring less supervision than a dog (like... less walks, you can leave them alone for a long day or even two, and that kind of thing), and they will love you so much... purring and curling up on you and nuzzling you with their pointy little heads...
Gotta go home and nuzzle my kitties now... 

And good luck whichever you decide (keep or another home).

Kathleen C.

[vtmartha]

I also want to bathe him, but I figure that might be too much excitement right off the bat.
Ideas, anybody?

Congratulations on your new roomie!  I'd just let him bathe himself, Robin.  He'll like that much better. 

[karent]

Agreed, cats are easy.  If you just sit him in the litter box a few times he/she'll get it.  They do prefer the box, unless it's dirty or they have a UTI.  Kittens are very teachable.  Sounds like this one saw a good thing and ran after you, you can't get a more motivated pet than that!  They do their own bathing, just give him/her a little time and you'll have a clean cat.  Remember water, and you're set to go.  BTW, milk is not great, cats are frequently lactose intolerant!  Water and cat food and they are good to go.  Mine come and go out the dog door as they please, and bring me presents (like birds and squirrels.)  But a cat can live inside for years and never go anywhere but the vet.  Do be sure it gets a checkup soon, especially for worms and things like feline leukemia, for which you'll need shots even for an indoor cat. 

Ah, kittens and puppies are such fun!  Don't leave balls of yarn around, obviously, unless you want a mess.  I find kittens can play endlessly with an empty box, or a big open paper bag (watch the plastic though.)  You seem the cat sort, I think you've got a good companion!  K

ETA:  you'll also save money on pattern weights.  My cat Jet likes to lie on the fabric, pins and all, presumably to help me keep it from flying away.  She does seem to enjoy eating pattern envelopes, though.  K

[Karla]

I agree with others about the litter box.  As long as you show them where it is, they'll use it; they just know - explaining their disdain for dogs, who must read the manual and see a demonstration.  Since this kitty picked you out, we can assume it's a smart little critter who will have you trained in no time.  Congratulations!

[SuziQz]

IMPORTANT WARNING:  Do NOT use clumping litter.  There is something in it that can make kittens sick, although it seems fine for adult cats.  I cannot remember how old the kitten should be before you use it.  A vet can probably tell you.  The vet should be able to estimate the kitten's age based on his/her teeth.

Do keep yarn and string away from kittens - they can swallow it and end up with intestinal obstruction.  Crumple up a piece of paper, a great cat toy. 

Enjoy your new friend.

[Zoubida]

Did you check him for fleas ? We rescued a tiny, tiny black baby cat two years ago and realised he was flea infested only after a week, when they started to bit us when we were sitting on the living room sofa (he used to sleep on it constantly). No need to tell you the horror tale of getting rid of them. A total nightmare. And our dog (a Great Pyr with a very thick furr) wasn't spared.

Yes, bathe him right away. And check for the fleas ASAP.

Our little black cat had diarrhea too. Close your bedroom doors until you know he's not ill. Because you don't want to throw a 300$ feather comforter into the garbage bin like we did after going to bed and asking ourselves what was that slime on the comforter.

Our little black cat was anemic, sick, flea-infested. He died at the vet's two months after we found him despite all the care the kids and I gave him. He was too weak to survive the loss of his mother and who knows how many days outdoors on his own. I suppose yours is in better shape. So just check for the fleas. You DON'T want fleas in your home.

[Carole]

Kittens...well, you know I believe cats and dogs guard the door to heaven.  You may have just gotten a free pass thru the Pearly Gates, Robin.

[Sparafucile]

Glad to see that you have a new friend!
First off, you should bring him/her to a vet ASAP for a general checkup; as for the litterbox, they need no training.
Buy some toys now, kittens LOVE to play - the more you play with him/her, the more he will bond to you.
Here are some links for you on general cat care: http://www.cfa.org/caring.html  and http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=1+2137 they should give you some general help. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask me.
Do everything you can to turn the cat into an "indoor-only" cat; they will be healthier and live longer; danger and disease are part of the "outside"
While well intentioned, the advice about the clumping litter is a myth; it is absolutely safe (I've used it for kittens/cats for years), and probably the easiest for the human to deal with.
A bath is a good idea, after the vet visit; if you bathe them young, they will get used to it (I bathe and blow-dry mine weekly while showing, monthly when not).
Other than that, enjoy your new friend, you will have a loving companion for many years!

[Robin]

Thank you everyone for all the great advice and well wishes- and your assumption that I will keep this cat.  I love her already.  I have feelers out to my sister, my mom and my former husband's current wife (her beloved cat died about a month ago).  I wish there was a better word for "my first husband's second wife".  Over the years she and I developed a good bond probably because we both care for my DD.

Anyhow... kitty used the litter box just fine.  I use a clumping litter called S'wheat S'coop because it is the best smelling litter I ever encountered.  It is easy enoug to scoop out the clumps regularly and, voila, no bad smells.

Today I will call the vet and track down a cat carrier.  I hate to buy another one when I already have one down in ROckville.

I'd say she is a few months old - the equivalent of a 12-year-old human.  ANd I am pretty sure she is a she.
I did bathe her (before I read your comment Martha!! ooops) using my hair shampoo.
You have to love a cat that accepts a bath without scratching her handler.  She didn't like it at all, yet her manners were admirable.

My biggest concern now is leaving her home alone all day while I go to work.  She craves closeness with me.  Well.... millions of other cats deal with it, so I guess she will, too.

What a delight, just when i needed a smile.

[NancyDaQ]

Robin, she'll probably sleep most of the time when you're gone. That's what mine do.

[ruthc]

Oh rescued pets are the best.

Nanflan is right she will probably sleep.

I once saw a feature about a man that made a cat-cam to find out what his moggy did all day when he was at work.  Well after a few days he thought the camera on the collar must not be working because all he got was the same view through the grass all the day.
In fact the camera was working fine, it was just that his cat slept in the grass all the day.

so now you need a name for your kitty.

My london cat was called Spartacus, I still miss him, an excellent name for a moggy, though the vet never could resist calling out "who´s spartacus" in the waiting room.  So if she is a she, maybe a good mythic name would suit?

Just found this site after a quick google....

How about Athena - the goddess of weaving for a sewing type reference?

[Robin]

She has her first appointment tomorrow morning for the leukemia /aids test and vaccinations.
hee hee.


I'm calling her Patchouli.
It just sorta came to me and I think I will stick with my first impulse.

Aw, my mom doesn't need another cat, my sister doesn't need another cat and my EHSW (ex-husband's second wife) is thinking about it.

We shall see

[gatorgirl4325]

Awww - Robin, she might just be the puurrrfect (sorry, couldn't help it!) companion for you!

I hope the vet visit goes well!

My kitties always loved the paper bags I'd bring home from the grocery store and those scratchy things made out of cardboard and plain old caps off the milk jug!

I think we'd love to see a picture of her too...

[blue mooney]

Awwwww! When an animal picks YOU out, that's a sign that you're meant to be together! Sounds like your kitty is a dear. I bet she already knows what the litter box is for. Hope she gets a clean bill of health and that you both have many years of cat-in-the-lap ahead of you!

[Elaray]

I love cats.  I love the name. I'm so excited for you. I hope you keep her!!   Are you sure she's a she?  

[stashpanache]

Congratulations, Robin.   I do hope you keep her.  Are you sure she is a girl?  You will know for certain after her vet visit.  Did you say whether she is short hair or long hair?  What color?

If you want to be able to give your kitty a bath, best to start ASAP.  If you wait too long, they don't take to it.  Believe it or not, you may want to bathe your kitty some time in the future.  I had the opportunity and blew it and now my kitty will not take a bath.  One of my friends used to hold his 2 kitties, one in each arm, when he took his shower every morning.  True.

Stash

[vtmartha]

One of my friends used to hold his 2 kitties, one in each arm, when he took his shower every morning.  True.
Stash

Like a pair of loofahs, perhaps?   

[NancyDaQ]

Oh Elaray, what a darling baby. She looks so much like my little old lady, Ghost. She's likely 18-19 years old.  She came into my life in 1992, so unfortunately I never got to know her as a kitten.  Your baby is the spitting image though!!

[Robin]

Oh I have enjoyed every single post on this thread!  I knew you would have plenty of cat experience.   

I am very curious to see what the vet says.  My sister guessed she is a young adult cat- just petite.  She is so affectionate but she really doesn't play the way a kitten plays.  She acts more cat-like.

My sister is an animal lover-  she has a horse, dog and 5 cats !  She is also 6'1".  When I asked her "do you want a kitten?", her reply was "That's like asking me if I want to be taller LOL.  I will lend you a pet carrier!"

I love animals, too but I've never had more than 1 or 2 at a time.

Anyhow- this cat has one more challenge ahead of her- she needs to charm the socks off DH when he comes up to Baltimore tonight.  He doesn't see the need for us to add another cat (we have 2 down in Rockville).  Well, I have only been with DH for 5 years - but I think I know how to persuade him.  Maybe some of you who've been married a long time have the same issue with your DH.  He just doesn't think exactly like I do - what's up with that? 

I have not settled on a name (thanks for the link, Ruth!)
So far, Elaray, you are the only person who reacted well to "Patchouli"!  So .... one thing at a time...  maybe I can sell DH on using her as a loofah? hmmm.

[Kathleen C.]

Robin,

That's so funny... I'm having the opposite cat experience with my husband right now. We have two cats (3 and 2 years each) and I feel that's plenty. But DH wants a kitten! Heehee... maybe you should drop him a note on how to persuade me! 
How did the vet's visit go? Sounds like she passed with a clean bill of health?

BTW... I like Patchouli too... I tend to twist names as terms of endearment. You could call her Patch for short, or Chouli, or Chouchou, or my favorite... prettykitty. My cats all respond to that one.

[LizGo]

Steve Martin says he bathes his cat all the time and his cat loves it.  He just can't figure out how to get the hair off his tongue.

[mcgintie]

Elaray,
If I could get a cat to match up my fabrics, like yours does, I'd get one tomorrow.......

[Robin]

Steve Martin says he bathes his cat all the time and his cat loves it.  He just can't figure out how to get the hair off his tongue.

It was a good visit to the vet.  No feline leukemia or AIDS.  No live fleas found, although there was flea dirt, so I got some Frontline.  Pulled a live tick off of her (yikes!).  Cleaned ears, found earmites & treated for that.

Based on looking at her teeth, vet guesses she is 5 months old and she did not have a spay scar, so I scheduled that in a couple weeks.
Her paws are small, so she is probably just a petite cat.  She weighs under 6 pounds and prob won't get bigger than 10 pounds.

She was so good! 

Well- I am lucky on the flea thing.  Vet says i am probably OK, but if she'd had live fleas, i would now have a flea problem in the condo. yikes again.  Well, my naivete was kitty's good luck.

Kathleen, I don't blame you with 2 young cats.  We have a 7 year old and a one in her late teens.  The older cat will probably die of old age within the next year or so.  So as far as I am concerned, we are in a 'zero population growth' situation.  (No DH didn't buy that argument  )
He just needs to see how sweet she is.

[BetsyV]

You got very lucky, Robin, and so did Patchouli. Also glad to hear you are not delaying her spaying appointment.

We had two kittens when I was a young teen - same litter - at 6 months, mom took them both in to be neutered. The male was, ummm, immature, the vet said, and as a result of being neutered at that time he did not spray, nor did he develop any "tomcat" traits. The female was not only mature, she was already pregnant. We had no idea until the vet told us. She was not happy about being spayed, either, and was always a roamer and proficient hunter outside the house, bell-ed collar and all. The male hunted inside the house. (yes, she had/has mice in the winter.) They were outdoor cats; at the time, my mom had woods behind the house. Now she has a housing development (behind a buffer of trees). Her cats since then have been indoor cats.

I hope the 7 y/o cat makes friends with Patchouli. I assume they will share the same home eventually.

[Robin]

DH likes her 

[LisaB]

Oh, Robin. She's beautiful!

[Liana]

What a beautiful kitty, and smart too!  She obviously knows how to twist the boys around her little paw as well.   What a good person you are, and she could tell.  A gold star for you!

[janquiltz]

Wish i could adopt a kitty, but DH is allergic to most.   Years back I made my choice, LOL, him or a cat...and I have to stick with it 

We did have a cat for about 8 years, he had previously belonged to friends of ours in Denver (we live in NYC)....and we'd visited them and spent a week in the house and DH was fine...a rarity.  They were moving to NY and couldn't have a cat where they were going to live, so DDs got busy working on DH.   He agreed, and it was delightful to have Misha.   He too was a quilter's assistant, he dearly loved to help me arrange quilt blocks

But alas, as DH is allergic to most cats, we really can't go for another.   

[Sparafucile]

What a beautiful kitty Patchouli is (yes, I like that name too!). Glad to hear that she got a clean bill of health and that DH likes her!

[stashpanache]

Robin, she is so cute!!  And I love her name.

Stash

[Sew-Classic]

Robin,

I am so happy for you and the little kitty.  She's got a good home, and nice life ahead of her.  It sounds as if your household will benefit from her loving personality for years to come.

It's so sad that there are so many stray and unwanted cats and dogs. I have 3 dogs at the moment and all are rescues.  No cats due to allergies.  I've fostered many homeless dogs, cats and even birds over the years through several, local rescue groups.

I also used to show and breed dogs (long long time ago).  I put very few liters on the ground (2 to be exact) , and I considered each and every puppy a lifetime commitment on my part.  Every new owner had to sign a contract agreeing to spay or neuter the puppy before a certain age, and provide me with right of first refusal should they ever decide that they can't keep the dog.  Since I was responsible for bringing the puppy into the world as the breeder, I felt I was also responsible to make certain that it never went into a shelter, and always had a good home.  I had one puppy come back, and he was found a wonderful, permanent home in a very short time.

Anyhow,  if I were empress of the world (goodness help us all!), everyl dog and cat would be spayed or neuter unless the owners were willing and able to make the same sort of life long commitment to the puppies and kittens they produced.   
 

[Robin]

Isn't she a talented kitty?  She has brightened my life, triggered conversations with DH that brought us closer together and she has put smiles on all of your faces, too.

Funny, it wasn't her curiosity or her friendliness or sheer cuteness that did the trick.  She was absolutlely wiped out from the the visit to the vet.  She couldn't seem to do anything but rest.  I think it was her vulnerability that touched him. 
Also, his cat Puppy is not going to live forever (or even more than another year or so).  SHe is just flat out old and I think last night was the first time he really acknowledged that.

On the vet's recommendation, I will treat both cats in Rockville with flea med this weekend.  I will keep Patchie up in Baltimore for the next 3-4 weeks to be sure all flea meds have doen their job.
After that, I can take kitty down to Rockville on weekends.  I feel pretty confident that she and my 7 year old will get along.  My 7 year old seems to have very high self esteem.    When DH's cat initially treated my cat like the plague, mine seemed incapable of comprehension that any being might not like her. 
She just kept "turning the other cheek" until the elderly one came around.  They get along great now.

edited to add: I love you guys!  I have enjoyed reading every post on this thread!!

This kitty evened cheered up DD who called from Korea.  We spent the whole conversation going over all the details of this new kitty; a welcome diversion I am sure. 

[fzxdoc]

I think you should nickname your kitty "Bundle" since you found her at Michael's A Fabric Place, and there are so many wonderful things in the bundles he sells! How cute that you went shopping for fabric and came home with an adorable and sweet little bundle instead.

I really like the name Patchouli, too.  It seems big for such a little creature, though. But she'll grow into it.

Enjoy your new kitty, Robin.  I've really enjoyed reading the kitty saga, especially the part where she charmed your DH.  He hasn't a chance against you two girls. 

Kathryn