Our semi- feral 2- week old kittens

No pictures, but the kittens are becoming all legs. I was thinking a couple days ago how their bodies haven't really changed in the couple of weeks I've had them (well, Spot is getting a longer body than Rainey - but Rainey's body is more solid). Anyway, then I realized that they are getting taller. Change them to yellow with spots and they could fit into a Cheetah family. Course they are so active, they burn off so many calories that I should be losing weight . They have developed nice yellow eyes - assuming of course that those have finished changing.

 

Ours have gotten tall as well but also very long, including now having very long tails. But they feel like skeletons; all that size increase did not come with nearly enough weight gain so I guess this is one of those 'growth spurts' that humans also go through. Slash weighs around 3 lb. now, at least that is where the scale stayed most often with a bowl and kitten on top of it Their eyes are a very dark, olive green with no yellow at all.

As to burning calories, yeah, they are right in the middle of the 'insane kitten stage' where they get so fired- up they literally cannot walk or run straight and end up hopping sideways.

They tend to sleep with / on Andrea and I just do not get much cat / kitten fraternization at all.... to be honest, you got the two that used to climb up in my lap every time I went in the laundry room. Still, their personalities will change a great deal when they get older and we will have them as cats for much, much longer than as kittens so it remains to be seen how they will be when they grow up. Phoebe is getting along with them pretty well and they basically have no fear or even wariness of her anymore; in fact, Slash will swipe at Phoebe and the two of them will play together pretty well.

Andrea is trying to re-name Slash 'Lola' ('cause we have had questions about which sex it really is... from the Kinks song) but it is not taking very well.

Brian

 

Today's photos: Slash is stretched out to the left, Glasses is curled up to the right. They are asleep on the short couch where Andrea is sitting. Right after I took these photos, I rubbed both kittens and that 'activated' Slash to nurse on Glasses, including 'playing piano' by pushing Glasses face' away with one paw. Glasses is pretty tolerate of this but sometimes she has had enough and gets up and moves away from Slash. Slash occasionally tries to nurse on Phoebe and while that is OK, Phoebe responds by washing Slash's head to the point where she moves Slashes head away from her by about 3 inches Kinda' funny to watch......





It is hard to tell from the photos but both 'kids' are getting really long; I can still pick them up with one hand but they hand over on both ends now.

Brian

 

I was wondering this morning if you had kept Glasses, or she had gone to another home - you answered that.

Personalities are definitely changing as they get more ensconced in the household. Rainey used to be friendly and calm, but was more reserved. Now she seeks me out regularly (she is in my lap right now). Spot, who used to follow me around when he and Rainey weren't playing, has found a new found confidence in having some alone time - he is still the more outgoing and seeks me out, he just doesn't have to be with "someone" all the time (he is currently sleeping off playtime somewhere else). They both like to sleep with me at night. I had missed that when Fuzzy passed since Rita may spend a while with me then finds somewhere else to spend the night.

Rita is slowly becoming more tolerant of the kittens, but she is always "good" with them and if they don't take her warnings to back off will chose to find another place to be. She is fascinated by their play and I think she enjoys watching their antics as much as I do.

 

Yeah, I have to call the two prospective 'adopters' today and give them the news. We sorta' got attached to Glasses but the bigger reason is that Glasses and Slash spend so much time together playing it just seemed mean to separate them.

Ours too are becoming more independent, both from us and each other. Actually both are warming up to me, and Glasses is becoming my buddy; I woke up with her on my chest, sound asleep, this AM. FINALLY, I have a kitten (Glasses) and a half (Slash) buddy! Both come to me often and take a little nap either on me or next to me and usually when I pet them, they sing- I was starting to get a complex there for a while

Phoebe now actively plays with them but she is often too forceful- there seems to be an underlying dominance thing going on. Still, it is working and the kittens have lost virtually all fear of her, with Slash running up to and jumping on her (as she would Glasses) yesterday. But they coexist, use each other's boxes and eat out of each other's bowls..... though Phoebe seems to be inclined to eat all the kittens food to deny it to them sometimes.

Both kittens but especially Glasses are becoming much more confident; they do not run or even start at a sharp noise or event anymore, and never, ever move away from anyone in fear or even wariness. That stand- offishness you noticed with Glasses has melted away entirely. I believe this shows security in a consistent, safe environment; I hope your two are going the same way regarding confidence and lack of fear.

As you may remember, in many ways, I thought Rainey was the 'pick of the litter' and also the best looking of the kittens. She has a small but very nice face and a unique personality. I am really glad YOU ended up with her rather than a stranger because in addition to knowing they are well cared for, I am very pleased to get updates on both kittens. It is as if we only 'half' put them up for adoption.

Brian

 

Had a bad storm go thru a little while ago and neither kitten reacted. I was using some power tools just outside the back door this morning and that didn't stop them from running to the door when I came in for something. Also was using a nail gun in the basement (where they can't get) a couple nights ago. Nothing seems to phase them

Glad you are getting more attention from the kittens and losing that complex!

 

I turned the chair around to sit at my computer, and what should I see?



They consented to scooch over and give me enough room to perch on the edge of the chair (that is my butt lower, right corner)

 

Great photos and glad to hear they are developing and fitting in well in 'your' world. They certainly do not seem to be overly stressed.

And Runt (Rainey) is still a beautiful kitten. Looks just like Phoebe did. And still has that small face.

Just do not be too piggish about sharing the chair- after all, they were there first.....

And yep, finally getting over my 'all cats hate me' complex due to the kittens 'paling' up with me. Even more Glasses than Slash, which is both a surprise and a very nice change because she was a bit wary of everyone (humans, Phoebe, every living entity other than Slash). She seems to have lost all of that and walks up to all of us with impunity and full confidence, which is nice to see. I personally really dislike pets that duck when a human puts out his / her hand- I do not like anything that shies away from or recoils from human contact. All of my pets have always been 100% fine with humans, with my dogs actually rising up and moving toward any out- stretched hand (from anyone). And as an aside, I am quite happy to see your kittens not showing the slightest wariness or concern with you or Rita.

It is pretty obvious you are dovetailing in nicely with the 'kids' and that is great to see from my point as the guy who stole them away from Mama cat in the first place.

Brian

 

Nice of them to share.


First pic caption goes something like..
"What, can't you see we're sleeping here."

 

Spot is definitely responding to her name. The other day I was closing off rooms before leaving for work and I saw Rainey and Rita, but not Spot. So I called "Here Spot" and she came out from under the couch. Last night I was filling cat food bowels and called Spot to get her bit of canned kitten food (Rainey isn't interested in canned food and I wanted Spot to have first crack at it before Rita snarfed it down). Spot came running from the office where she had been playing with Rainey. So, she definitely knows her name, and Rainey definitely knows her name isn't Spot (she didn't respond either time).

It is tough to tell if Rainey knows/responds to her name. She isn't food motivated, so I have no enticement that would draw her in. However, there have been a couple of times I thought she was responding to her name when I was talking to her in general.

 

My cat is 7. She knows her name, Kitty, and also out, treats, garage, mouse, and probably a few other words.

 

Good for you, I have never had any cat seem to know its name, either that or they just do not care to respond to it.

The kittens do respond to a higher than normal pitch 'calling voice' when we are looking for them but not to their individual names. Phoebe does not respond to much of anything

On a different front, both kittens seem to be attached to me these days. Slash sleeps on my chest, singing and playing piano until falling asleep, and Glasses sleeps a little lower down, often on my left thigh. Now Andrea is complaining she cannot get any kitten attention unless I am right next to her.

Going to be 12 weeks tomorrow. Time to start thinking about having them spayed. BTW- it looks like Slash IS a female; that's her story and she is sticking to it apparently.

Brian

 

I have a special affinity for grey cats. These guys look great.

 

Most of my cats have known their name and responded to it. Sometimes that response was to look at me and slowly blink their eyes, then turn their head away as if to remind me that it is they who run the show . The indoor/outdoor cats have always learned what "want out?" and "want in?" means meet me at the door because it is opening. WIWAK, we had one cat know that "get it, get it" meant there was a cricket on the floor that needed "playing" with. She would come running from wherever she was and look where we pointed. Had another cat that knew what "go for a walk" was - she would meet me and the dogs at the door and follow us on our walk.

My two are going in for shots/check up in a couple of weeks. my vet doesn't spay/neuter until 5-6 months. I'm of two minds when it comes to early S/N - but figure the most important thing is that it gets done!

 

Watch out for that first rabies shot! It knocked my kitten for a loop, she needed a Prednisone shot the next day. wildwest's Coco had a bad reaction too, don't remember if it was rabies or another vaccine. Don't schedule it on a Friday!

 

Scheduled for a Thursday. I've been fortunate that I've never had a cat or dog take the shots adversely. Did have one cat that it would make a bit sleepy, but that was it (KOW).

 

I think she means that if the shot is given on a Friday, and an adverse reaction takes place that evening or the next day, most likely you'll have to go to an Emergency vet because your regular vet will be closed for the weekend.

 

I took in a stray about 5 yrs ago. Took a lot of work to get her back to looking like a cat. She had bald spots and lots of scabs on her. Vet put her on some steroids. Her hair grew back. and she was beautiful. Then, in keeping with Maine law, we got her rabies shot. She got the one year shot and did well, but after a year we went back and got the three year shot. She rapidly lost wt and passed away three weeks after the shot. Later, I read that the three year shots have more reactions. Our dog Molly and Miss Kitty were best friends. When she passed, Molly was very upset, started barking and came in the bedroom (5 AM) still barking and waking us up. We followed her back to the living room where we found Miss Kitty in my chair. She was damp from Molly licking her. Animals really do bond together.