Friday, 17 September 2010 01:41 pm
Follow-Up Cat Report From Mom
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deckardcanineIt's been a crazy-busy week for me, but I just caught up on your LJ. Thought I'd tell you we've finally found a kitty name I think we'll keep for baby: Sheena, as in Queen of the Jungle. She's so pouncy/bouncy/wild, and at the same time so girly, that it just seems to fit nicely. Preliminary pics are attached.
Both cats are more and more at home. At first it was a problem that Sheena peed and pooped in the wrong places-- peeing twice on our bed & once on the sectional in the family room and pooping on the family room rug-- but I think we've licked that problem. It seemed she didn't like the feel of either Swheat Scoop or clay litter on her baby paws at first. I assembled a separate little litter box for her, first with just torn-up newspaper, and she did use it to pee. The next day I put in it a thin layer of clay litter topped by torn newspaper so she'd start to get used to feeling the clay litter on her paws when she scratched after peeing, and that worked okay, so the next day I used more clay and less paper. Today is Day 4, and I'll use mostly clay and very little paper there. Tomorrow we'll try clay litter only in the separate little box (it's next to the big one, where she does do her pooping now), and then we'll eliminate the small box, assuming Sheena stays with the program.
We're still keeping the upstairs BR doors closed in general, mainly to make sure there's no more watering of the bed(s), but that's a temporary measure, while we make sure the litter box socialization is working. Neither cat has figured out the cat door yet. They just sit there waiting for us to open the big door. We'll have to get to that training down the line too. Ah, parenting....
But I have totally bonded with both these girls. They are so adorable. They follow me around everywhere and just love to be picked up and cuddled. Purrs start easily. And everything's a plaything: a twist-tie will entertain either cat for quite a while. Cocoa seems to be adjusting well to staying in the house, though she still kind of hopes we'll keep the door open for her when we go in and out, but no crying or door-charging going on. She is no longer letting Sheena nurse, though baby still tries once in a while. I will take both cats to the Wash. Humane Society for their rabies and distemper shots next Tuesday, and I'm waiting for a WHS call back to schedule Cocoa's spaying, hopefully in October. You'll have to come around and play with these guys again now that they're more securely at home here.
Dad didn't like the spelling "Coco" in association with Coco Chanel, so "Cocoa" it is. My research tells me that "Sheena: Queen of the Jungle" isn't exactly esteemed, but I don't mind. When the name reminds me of any character, it's Sheena Fujibayashi. Mostly I just think of the kitten.
Mom sent me several photos. I think this is the best to put here.
Both cats are more and more at home. At first it was a problem that Sheena peed and pooped in the wrong places-- peeing twice on our bed & once on the sectional in the family room and pooping on the family room rug-- but I think we've licked that problem. It seemed she didn't like the feel of either Swheat Scoop or clay litter on her baby paws at first. I assembled a separate little litter box for her, first with just torn-up newspaper, and she did use it to pee. The next day I put in it a thin layer of clay litter topped by torn newspaper so she'd start to get used to feeling the clay litter on her paws when she scratched after peeing, and that worked okay, so the next day I used more clay and less paper. Today is Day 4, and I'll use mostly clay and very little paper there. Tomorrow we'll try clay litter only in the separate little box (it's next to the big one, where she does do her pooping now), and then we'll eliminate the small box, assuming Sheena stays with the program.
We're still keeping the upstairs BR doors closed in general, mainly to make sure there's no more watering of the bed(s), but that's a temporary measure, while we make sure the litter box socialization is working. Neither cat has figured out the cat door yet. They just sit there waiting for us to open the big door. We'll have to get to that training down the line too. Ah, parenting....
But I have totally bonded with both these girls. They are so adorable. They follow me around everywhere and just love to be picked up and cuddled. Purrs start easily. And everything's a plaything: a twist-tie will entertain either cat for quite a while. Cocoa seems to be adjusting well to staying in the house, though she still kind of hopes we'll keep the door open for her when we go in and out, but no crying or door-charging going on. She is no longer letting Sheena nurse, though baby still tries once in a while. I will take both cats to the Wash. Humane Society for their rabies and distemper shots next Tuesday, and I'm waiting for a WHS call back to schedule Cocoa's spaying, hopefully in October. You'll have to come around and play with these guys again now that they're more securely at home here.
Dad didn't like the spelling "Coco" in association with Coco Chanel, so "Cocoa" it is. My research tells me that "Sheena: Queen of the Jungle" isn't exactly esteemed, but I don't mind. When the name reminds me of any character, it's Sheena Fujibayashi. Mostly I just think of the kitten.
Mom sent me several photos. I think this is the best to put here.