New Meowmie questions... *getting nervous!*

[Samantha Puppy]

Okay, I get Sushi and Kirin tomorrow. On the literature they gave me on how to introduce kittens into a home with a dog, they said to keep the animals separated for a few days so that they can use that time to adjust to new surroundings and people.

I was going to keep them in our room for the most part. It's really one of the only places they'd have true privacy. However, Samantha sleeps with us. She's either on our bed, the doggie bed, or the loveseat. She never leaves the room. So what should I do? Move the kitties? Can I put them in a crate? Can they go all night without having to potty?

I'm getting nervous! How should I handle this?

[catcrazylady]

Maybe you could set them up in the bathroom at night. One very important piece of advice....Never Ever keep a kitten or cat anywhere without access to a litter box! I don't mean to sound harsh but you will be setting yourself up for big trouble if you do that. They can not hold their tiny bladders and once they start using potty in inappropriate places it's very hard to break. If they attempt to hold their bladders for too long they can develop urinary problems too. If you give them access to your room all day but keep them in the bathroom at night all should be ok. Just make sure that there is a litter box available at all times.

Godo Luck!

[jenluckenbach]

Move them to another room at night, or just keep them in a room that they can stay in without moving. You can cage them but it must be large enough to fit a litter box in. Kittens use the potty a LOT!!!.

[mina'smomma]

I have to say that keeping them in your room during the day and the bathroom at night is the best idea. This way you don't have to feel like a brut for keeping them in a crate and then they're meowing all night. (Personal experience when we got Mina.)

[Samantha Puppy]

Okay... thanks guys.

How about this - I'm getting them at 10:30 now, instead of 11:30 which means I won't have time to stop at PetSmart BEFORE getting them. How long can they go without access to a litter box? Arlington is about 50 mins. from the PetSmart we'll go to. I don't know how long we'll be in there, but not too awfully long... maybe 30-45 mins. Then my home is another 45 mins. away.

Good idea? Bad idea?

[catmandu]

They,can hold thier mess,for an hour,and in thier new home,they may be too nervous,to eliminate! And a spare room,or the bathroom,will be the best thing,until you see how Samantha reacts!

[Samantha Puppy]

Bump...

... Sorry, I just want to make sure lots of people see this thread 'cause I need answers!

[jenluckenbach]

I am probably too late for you trip, but just keep papers or towels in the crate to absorb what they might do.

[jazzcat]

When I brought R&R home from Kimlovescats it was a three hour drive. We stopped half way to give them a potty break in the litter box I brought but they didn't go. They held it till we got home and went immediately.

[sirrahbed]

we bought small aluminum disposable cake pans and stacked them up, each with a small amount of litter in them (easy to throw away and the next one all ready to go) - so the box was always available to them for the 6 hour trip. once home - we used the same boxes as they fit nicely in the crate

[Samantha Puppy]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
I am probably too late for you trip, but just keep papers or towels in the crate to absorb what they might do.

No, I don't get them 'til tomorrow. So I'm hoping for unending advice today!!

[catnapper]

Congrats! I'm so excited for you getting your first kittens! Make sure when you get the litter to buy the regular clay (its really cheap, so you'll know it by the price difference) - not the clumping kind, especially if you put them in the bathroom or another smaller room. Because they eat their food and step in water, etc... then go potty. Then the clumping litter sticks to their paws, etc. When they are a bit older you can switch.

If you can't get to the petstore, your local supermarket or CVS has small plastic trays in their pet section that could fit into a carrier. The cake pans are a good idea too.

[Samantha Puppy]

Well, they'll have run of the entire bedroom and bathroom for the first few days... so the food will be in the bedroom and the litter box will be in the bathroom. I'd already gotten clumping litter - I didn't know there was a difference - so do you think since the food and water aren't near each other, it'll be okay??

[catnapper]

It should be fine so long as they don't splash in a puddle in the sink or tub, or get into the toilet! (Which reminds me to remind you about keeping the seat down! )

[sirrahbed]

I used the clumping from the very beginning with no problems. Kim knew that is what I used and transitioned for me - starting (I think) at about 6 weeks