Attn: Cat Owners

... yeah, cats don't do well in new environments. I've moved twice with the same cat, and that sounds about average.

If your mom hates cats, why'd you get one? I mean, you're gonna be keeping in a crate? That to me sounds a bit constricting a life for a cat to lead, no?

 

Does she hates cats so much she won't even see it when she's in your room? Is she allergic?

Do you realize how stink-tacular a litter box is. Not can get, but IS, even if you epmty is as soon as Fuzzy there goes?

 

cats hate change. they will snarl and spit and given a chance hide for a few days when taken into a new environment. after they calm down they are the sweetest little things. you do need to get a litter box though. and give it lots of love.

 

Although you will get away with manhandling a kitten into a 'crate' every now and again it will get harder as the cat gets older. Some cats are similar to a really stubborn human and do not like to be held, or picked up or treated like an 'object'.

One of our cats loves to be stroked and will climb all over people after attention but will claw anyone who tries to pick her up. Neither of our cats like being put in a box (but will go in most boxes a few times to explore).

I'll echo the comments about the smell of cat litter. One cat requires the litter tray cleaning every few hours. Fail to do it and they will dump in a place of their choosing. It will most likely be something absorbent such as a pile of newspapers, comics or your bed.

Can I suggest saying to your mum that you got it from a friend who was going to have it put down "and its so little and helpless I couldn't let that happen". It will make you into the good guy.

Your mum isn't allergic to cats is she rather than just disliking them ?

Claire (my considerably better half) was afraid of cats initially after one scratched her pretty badly but now she thinks they make a house more of a home. It can be done.

 

Was this a stray ? Wow - your doing a really good thing here. I hope you can talk your mum round. If you tidy your room a bit - make sure there is nothing on the floor and put some paper down then its easier to clean up after the kitten.

Our cats don't scratch the furniture so apart from the faint smell and the cat hair you would hardly know they had been there. We do have to hoover every other day with the fur (sounds like your mum does anyway..) but they more than make up for that. =^..^=

If it is a stray take it to a shelter with a no-kill policy. Although kittens tend to go out to homes pretty quick its best to make sure.

 

I'm sorry dude, but you can't keep a cat like that. You HAVE to take it to a shelter or give it away to someone who can take better care of it, and give it a better environment.

Keeping a cat in a box is no way to keep a cat. Cat's aren't like dogs in the sense that they can be locked in a crate when you go out. Cats need space, they need freedom.

You cannot, under any circumstances, keep a cat like that. Even though your heart is in the right place, and I respect you for that, you can't lock a cat up like that.

House cats are very much still wild animals. They only pretend to be domesticated. Their instincts are still very strong, and they are still incredible predators. It is inhumane to restrict those instincts, to not let the cat express them.

And if you do supress these instincts and restrict their freedom, the cat will take it out on you. Cats aren't like dogs which unconditionally love you. Cats have very strong emotions, and can be very spiteful. Cats will hold a grudge.

You think the crap mess is bad now?


While I respect you for what you are doing, you can't keep a cat under those circumstances. I'm sorry, but it's not right.

 

I'm against any animal being routinely caged. Snakes, fish, hasters, birds, anything. Cats and dogs can certainly be kept inside and be comfortable, but not in a crate. It's time to rethink this.

If you do keep the cat, give him/her a comfortable living environment. Take him/her to the vet for regular shots, etc. Spend the money on a healthy food that doesn't use byproducts and the like. Have the cat spaid/neutered. Don't de-claw the cat, that's simply wrong. If you let him/her outside, be smart, use Advantage regularly to keep fleas and tics away, and provide the cat with the attention and love that any living being deserves, especially a living being that only wants love, and nothing more.

 

kittys!

 

I'm sorry dude, but like I said, a cat needs more than one room (even if u can keep it).

You heart is in the right place, and thats a really good thing. But sadly, it just isn't right for the cat. Take it to a shelter, or give it to someone who wants a cat, and can take care of it better, with the right environment.

 

Generally, cats are very smart and territorial, ours is an outside cat.

He is spayed, and knows his territory, by having left his food outside by the door when he was a kitty.

He howls when he wants in, always goes p/p outside no muss no fuss, comes in for food and love, all on his terms, which is the perfect human/feline relationship.

Crate? No way!
Escape to the room? That is not gonna work.
If you want a cat, it need space. If you have your own space to share, fine. If not, you have a lot of negotiating with your family to do, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are not happy with the way this is being handled by you.

No win here for anyone.

Time for Plan B, as above TB'ers have noted.

Good luck,

Thor