New kitten

[tay666]

What does "Im trying to watch that" mean?

You are supposed to be giving her attention, not trying to watch something

At least it's her head that's blocking your view...It could be much worse!

[Misellus]

ONE YEAR WITH THE DONUT!!!!

1 year ago today we dug a little Donut out of my van's engine and I decided I had to keep her. She's a sweet and very smart cat. Easily the smartest cat I've ever owned. She's also very vocal. I think I hear more from her in a week than either of my previous cats said in 10 years. She still wants blood and is willing to take it. Pet her for too long and overstimulate her, or just catch her in a playful mood and she'll grab your hand with her front paws, kick with her back and gnaw at the fingers.

But, she's still my little sweet kitty and I enjoy having her around (I am a masochist)

She's picked up a few uncommon behaviors over the past year.
She routinely jumps on my shoulder from the floor. She hits mid-back and then climbs the rest of the way. This is painful at the best of times since she's 7-8 pounds and has very sharp claws, but at least the shirt is taking most of the stress. Sometimes she does this when I'm not wearing a shirt and she does dig into the skin in order to continue her climb. Yes, I scream.

She plays fetch. She found an old, approx 1" diameter nerf ball and started carrying it around, batting at it etc. One evening she jumped into my lap and dropped it. I tossed it and she ran off to chase it. She brought it back and I tossed it again. She stares at me for a couple seconds then goes and gets it again. Third time I throw it and just stares at me, a good 10 seconds worth. I swear you can hear the HRUMPH sound as she slowly jumps down and leaves. Quick kitty to human translation: "I'm giving you my favorite toy and you're just throwing it away??? How ungrateful!!!" A couple hours later she brought the ball back and had kind of a sheepish look on her face. Another translation: "That was actually pretty fun, could you toss it again?" Of course I did. I bought her a big bag of those balls so she always has a play thing and we play fetch at least a couple times per week. Bad news, she still has no concern about claw control and scratches my left thigh every time she rushes after the ball. It looks like hamburger with all the scratches and puncture wounds.

She generally comes when called. I've never had a cat that even acknowledged it's name let alone came when called or would respond to "suggestions" (one does not command a cat). I tell her we need to go to another room, or I'm going to bed and she moves to follow me.


Downsides (other than no concept of personal space or claw control)
She does want to play outside. I consider her an indoor only cat but she wants to go out on an adventure. I've had to start an airlock style system where I can't open outside doors unless I know she's behind another closed door. She will make a run for the outside door when I come back in if I don't. The longest she's spent outside was about 4 hours. She will not come to me if she's outside, too many new things to grab her attention. I live on a busy street and don't want there to be any accidents. I also haven't been able to get her fixed yet and there are several boy kitties in the area and I don't want there to be any accidents.

[tay666]

et her for too long and overstimulate her, or just catch her in a playful mood and she'll grab your hand with her front paws, kick with her back and gnaw at the fingers.

That is the way a cat should be. If they don't have a little attitude and 'edge' then they are kind of boring.

She does want to play outside. I consider her an indoor only cat but she wants to go out on an adventure. I've had to start an airlock style system where I can't open outside doors unless I know she's behind another closed door. She will make a run for the outside door when I come back in if I don't. The longest she's spent outside was about 4 hours. She will not come to me if she's outside, too many new things to grab her attention. I live on a busy street and don't want there to be any accidents. I also haven't been able to get her fixed yet and there are several boy kitties in the area and I don't want there to be any accidents.

Any option of making her a little catio?
Something where she can be outside, but still be enclosed. Ideally one directly attached to a window so she can come and go as she pleases.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRCCvB7_11o

[Misellus]

Any option of making her a little catio?

Good idea, she'd like that. Not in this house though, but I'll keep it in mind for the next one. There's only 1 window where it might work but I think it would end up being a problem. It's a second floor window with a small roof overhang under it. Installing something there would be very difficult. All the other windows in the house are at least 5 feet up, most of them are even higher.

I have an enclosed porch and now that it's warm out, I keep the door cracked so she can go out there. The windows are all kept closed though, no screens. She does like it out there. It's a bit warmer than the rest of the house (no AC out there) and I often find her napping in the afternoon sun. Maybe I can put in a screen so she can get the smells of the outdoors.

The window in the picture is the one she's most likely to sit in. I open it most evenings and it's easy for her to reach and she can lay down.

I have a large travel cage for her. I wonder if she'd enjoy sitting in it while I cleaned/packed in the garage. She did not like the cage at Thanksgiving, but I was locking her in it for a 5 hour drive. This should be less stressful. I think I'll try it. I can take her back inside if there's a problem.

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