Getting a kitten!

[Sunset_Chaser]

Okay, SUPER excited! I've been talking to a woman who has to rehome her 7 month old kitten due to being due lol (she's expecting) She's going to be 'my' kitten. Without further ado, here is the info I have on her

She's 7 months old, declawed, good with kids and very gentle. She comes with her litterbox, litter, food, dishes and collar. No toys. Her name is Abby (however if she doesn't know her name I may change it)

Here's a pic




And one more



I'm planning on kenneling her at night until I find out how she does with the birds, and supervised the rest of the time obviously. She'll be primarily in my room (where Bella is) so I'm a bit concerned about that, Bella's previous owner had a great dane and a cat in the house so while Bella knows what dogs and cats are, I'm wondering what the kitten will think of her. Any tips on introducing them? I'd appreciate all input, I just want this to go smoothly for Bella and the kitten

 

[JerseyWendy]

What a sweet looking kitten, Melissa!

You know me, I tend to be pretty honest and unfortunately too blunt, but I'll give you my 2 cents, ok?

Please be VERY careful with Abby and Bella. Yes, she's declawed, but her teeth still pose a serious risk, unfortunately. Kittens are playful and curious. It's great that Bella has seen large dogs and a cat before, so she may not 'freak out....but there's no guarantee, and nobody can foresee how they'll react to one another.

We have many members whose cats and birds live harmoniously in the same house. I don't know if they live in the same room though. THAT's the part that worries me, personally.

Will you please forgive me for speaking my mind?

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

I wanted honest opinions and advice, thank you! I admit, I'm kind of worried about her and Bella too, I'm going to monitor them very closely. If the kitten is acting naughty a friend of mine who has a cat and smaller birds says a spray bottle works well with training. Her's caught on quick that the birds were off limits and now basically ignores them.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm rooting for you here!!! You've got QUITE the way with animals, and I foresee you making this work FLAWLESSLY!!! :heart:

 

[Allee]

Melissa, Congrats! What an adorable kitten! I know the kitten will have a happy life with you and I have no doubt you'll be able to handle any conflicts that arise.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Thank you Allee! I'm waiting to hear back from her on when we can meet. So difficult to wait patiently! Lol

 

[itchyfeet]

She's stunning, that's awesome, congratulations!

But seriously...is declawing an actual thing? not just for medical purpose? I wouldn't dream of it....but it seems I'm pretty sheltered down here! Please understand not judging...just learning...

 

[Doublete]

She's stunning, that's awesome, congratulations!

But seriously...is declawing an actual thing? not just for medical purpose? I wouldn't dream of it....but it seems I'm pretty sheltered down here! Please understand not judging...just learning...

It is a thing but not very supported by even vets. They remove a "knuckle" and it can be QUITE painful.


Anyways. I have lots of cats. And animals in general.
The kittens are much harder to dissuade from their interest in the birds. But basically keep the bird out of reach and allow the cat to become desensitized by the movement. This is your best chance at a peaceful existence. Teaching her that the bird is just not a fun thing for her.
Also, I will say big birds tend to intimidate cats more than the little fluttery ones. My lovie would be dead in a second if he got out. My older cats were around my CAG for many years and they have zero interest in my birds. It does take time and diligence.

When I'm not home I shut my bird room door but at night the door is open.
It does take work and being on your toes. But it's not hard or impossible.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

She's stunning, that's awesome, congratulations!

But seriously...is declawing an actual thing? not just for medical purpose? I wouldn't dream of it....but it seems I'm pretty sheltered down here! Please understand not judging...just learning...

Yes, declawing a cat is a common occurrence. And while it's probably not something I would have done to a cat or kitten. Abby's owners decided to have her claws removed and at this point it's an unchangeable fact about Abby (one that admittedly takes away some worries with the birds)

 

[Psittaciformes]

I'm super excited for you!
Update pics when you get her?

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Of course I'll post update pics

 

[SilverSage]

Just my own experience, I have a cat with a VERY high prey drive. He is terrified of my Pionus and Eclectus. I don't kennel Whiskey at night because he seems mostly nocturnal lol. So during the daylight hours when the birds are out the cat spends his day in the bedroom napping, on the patio napping, or, if he is being particularly ornery, in his kennel napping Once the birds are down for the night (sunset) he gets free range of the house. I dont feel bad because he was ALREADY spending his whole day in those places napping At night he comes out to play, and when we leave the house. Perhaps instead of kenneling the cat at night, Bella could have a sleep cage?

When we lived in our last place Whiskey was able to be indoor/outdoor, and that REALLY seemed to help because he could spend his day hunting and being his natural predatory self lol. He is a cat, he loves to hunt. I prefer him to hunt bugs and geckos to get that out of his system. When we are able to live in another home where he has outdoor access he will again (I have moved 7 times in the last 8 years so when my pets are in a "less than perfect" living situation such as the cat staying inside or the birds having to be clipped, I just look forward to making it better with the next move lol). Cats need an outlet for their instincts just like birds do. I also know some people say their cats really need a second cat to take that out on; that the best toy for a cat is another cat.

My cat is not allowed to "focus" on birds, even in their cages. If I catch him staring I put an end to it. I use a startling loud noise rather than a water bottle, but some people find that works well too.

I personally live in a multi-species household. We have a dog, cat, 6 species of bird, 6 species of tank dwellers, tons of plants and us human slaves lol. I live in a condo with all those birds and for the most part they are quiet. I have had pets cause the death of another pet, but only when I was a child and I take those things very seriously. I keep my pets safe and happy by studying and understanding the nature, needs, and instincts of each and meeting those needs so that they don't NEED to look at the other pets as food/sport.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Thank you for the VERY helpful post Dani! I'll see which works better for her, distracting her with a loud noise or the water (trying the noise first)

 

[Doublete]

I think the loud noise is what deterred my older cats.

I don't like the spray bottle method myself and it has never really worked on cats for me.

 

[thekarens]

I have one older cat and one kitten and they do all live in the same room. However, the birds are never out without my supervision. Our older cat is terrified of the birds and gives them a wide berth. The kitten is interested in them, so he's been getting the distraction/loud noise routine when he even slightly acknowledges their existence. We've always had cats and birds together, but I'd never trust a cat and assume they would be good no matter how many years I had them.

 

[anita1216]

I have 8 cats, not a single one bothers the birds. They have been taught to "leave them". I have small birds, so they would be especially easy prey, but the cats know better. They are kept busy with other things and yes I do have a bird room, so the birds are safe at night.
Kenneling a cat is kind of pointless(IMO) and likely will be met with yowls of protest, keeping the house and you awake. (The declawing thing makes me sad as its extremely cruel, but whats been done is done.)
Kittens can be a bit harder to deter, but they will eventually learn to leave the birds alone. You just have to keep after them and divert their attention.
Water will work with some and others it just annoys and they keep at it. Loud noises are helpful.
Im also not a fan of the indoor/outdoor cat, where we live its dangerous. My cats are indoors and given plenty to do.

Good luck with her, she is a lovely girl!

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Thank you everyone for all of your input! I really appreciate it, at this point it doesn't look like I am getting Abby, I'd made arrangements to meet her owner and she cancelled, since then she hasn't responded to any of my messages. Her ad is gone now to so I'm thinking she went to someone else.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Still super weird, she should've at least told you... I'm sorry you didn't get Abby!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I agree with Sebastian. There is NO excuse for her not letting you know via text. Would have taken less than 30 seconds....

So sorry, Melissa! I know you are disappointed. HUGS!!! :heart:

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

I've been researching birds and cats living together more, I haven't found a kitty yet (and am still undecided on whether I should get one) but in my quest for alternatives to declawing. I came across these! What does everyone think of this idea? Any experience with the nail caps?

Here's a site I found helpful Questions & Answers: Soft Paws for Cats

And images of what the caps look like, they come in a bunch of different colors too