what it means when she carries a stuff animal...

**RedHedd** · 06-15-2003, 11:42 AM

Welcome to PT. I have to agree with everyone here -- NEVER hit a cat. They just don't understand and will learn to distrust you and will probably retaliate even more. Biting is normal cat behavior for some cats. My Mishi sometimes bites when he's playing - usually just gentle nips, no breaking the skin. When he starts to get too rough I just say NO! in a really stern voice. They seem to learn what NO! means pretty quickly. The spray bottle doesn't work with my two -- they just get curious about where the water is coming from.

As for the stuffed animals, my RB Goldie had many favorites during her 15 years on earth. Now I sleep with her favorite teddy bear in memory of my dear departed fur child. Treasure these moments with your new baby - they grow up so quickly.

**Mercles** · 06-15-2003, 03:42 PM

Just wanted to offer my heartfelt sympathies on your loss of Goldie. I have a Russian Blue named Quigley, and he will be 15 on July 15th. He is starting to have some age related problems, and I now must face the fact he will not be with me forever. Wehave been through so much together that I cannot begin to imagine what it will be like without him there. He shares everything I do. He sleeps with me every night. I do not think we ever get over the loss of one of our precious furkids, but over time the pain becomes managable. I always try to honor their memory by giving the love to another cat, not in the same way of course, but because the love needs to be given, and there are five others I also have who will need it, as they are sure to feel the loss too......May you and Goldie be reunited at the Rainbow Bridge............

**LOT** · 06-16-2003, 01:00 AM

When me and my friends name the cat, we haven't even went to the doc yet to see if it's a she or he. I guess we just assumed it's a he...

"Momo".. I got the idea from a Japanese anime/comic (Prince of Tennis) character, Momoshiro.

Later when we find out she is a girl, I kinda feel Momo is a bit masculine... but, oh well..

**L. Wayne** · 06-16-2003, 04:38 AM

LOT, welcome to Pet Talk. We hope you stay around and become one of the "gang."

As far as Momo's biting, you say she is about 8 weeks (2 months) old, kittens do not understand the sharpness of their teeth and claws. However, she will outgrow the tendency to scratch and bite any of her toys, including your hands and fingers. Enjoy her kittenish ways for when they grow into early adulthood, (usually in about 6 months) they will forever abandon their kitten play antics. Generally, I have found that kittens seem to respond better in overall behavior patterns with a playmate or a littermate rather than being alone. But correcting a kitten habits are best done through preventative measures rather than correcting them or situations as they grow up. Right now, I have 2 small kittens, and they tear into anything that is not "nailed down", including chewing up mail, papers, and they have also learned to take the front pannel off of one of my computer speakers.

So, I cannot correct much of their kitten play, I accept the responsibility and then place things in such a way so they cannot do damage to them. Good luck whith your Momo and we hope you get to know everyone on the Pet Talk board.

..........wayne

**ScantyNebula** · 06-16-2003, 07:01 AM

Toby is going on 9 months old, I bought him a stuffed dog toy, he does the same thing.. Here's an idea: play fetch with him! I throw the toy down the stairs, Toby runs down, and comes back up with the toy in his mouth, and I give him a treat for being such a good boy!

If Toby is scratching the carpet, I just clap my hands loud or yell "NO!" if he does something bad, try that. Toby knows now that clapping hands means toby was bad!

**carole** · 06-17-2003, 05:20 PM

MOMO is a real cutie pie, im glad you wont hit her anymore as well, as for the toys, lexie has salem the black cat toy off sabrina, its hers now, she loves to carry it upstairs, plonk it on our bed, kneed it, lick it, kick it,and she even hisses loudly at it, she is fond of her kitten as i call it, so its not unusal behaviour from what im told here on pet-talk although i had never experienced with a kitty before.
Im lucky lexie wont even bite when she is in play mode and you pat her, she just stops immediately,she is very loving.
MOMO is very young and will bite and scratch in play mode, just take the others advice and im sure the tone of your voice will soon let her know you mean business and to stop.

**RedHedd** · 06-17-2003, 05:23 PM

Thank you Mercies. I knew this past Christmas that it would be our last one together as she was showing signs of ... what at the time I didn't know, but I just intuitively knew she wouldn't be around too much longer. She'd had a normal exam around Xmas, but her weight was down. After the holidays she started having continuous diarrhea and her appetite was way off. After trying many different meds to control the diarrhea and increase her appetite we did an ultrasound which showed a mass in her abdomen, many nodules on her liver and an enlarged pancreas. That was in early March -- She was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. She fought a good battle; every day I would come home from work expecting to find her dead, but she kept on taking her meds and letting me syringe feed her. That last night she came to my bed and fell over next to me. I knew it was time and I put her down on 4/10. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I still miss her so, but now I have two new fur kids. They haven't taken her place; they've just made new homes in my heart and I love them both dearly. Thank you for your kind words.

**Vio&Juni** · 06-18-2003, 04:46 AM

Momo is so very beautiful!!!!
I am glad that you came here for the advice. We have some good experts here

Please post pictures of her, I love black kitties.

**lynnestankard** · 06-18-2003, 06:37 AM

Welcome to PetTalk LOT - hope you'll stay around and join in.

Can I just be really boring and back up the good advice from other PT'ers?

Momo is a beautiful BABY - think of her as just that and you won't go far wrong. She left her Mummy and siblings much too young and you're having to be 'Meowmie' and sister to her - teach her very gently and she'll reward you with years of loving.
As for squirting water - all of my three look to where the water came from and aren't really bothered at all!!

Clapping hands and a firm 'No' works wonders.
She's carrying the stuffed toy around because she's lonely and perhaps a little scared - new house, new people - very confusing.
By the way - her pics., are adorable and who would think a tiny kitten could have such a HUGE mouth -(the pic. in the bath) - LOL!!
We all look forward to watching this gorgeous new member of the Pet Talk family grow into a beautiful adult. Thanks for sharing with us.

Lynne