Corkey..my new kitty.. any advice on care??

[29sillygirl]

I finally found my guy!  Not what I was imagining.....but purrfect for me.  He is 7 months old, never stops purring, and is playful as well.  Curled up now by my side.

He has one pic on rescue group's page: does not do him justice...but until my daughter gets over here with her blackberry it is all I got: http://www.adoptapet.com/pet3902443.html

He is very social.  And so good.  Not a peep out of him on the hot ride home.  Stayed under bed for about an hour, and now is definitely at home.

Food  advice.  He has been fed Purina Pro Plan, but as all of you know I prefer higher quality food.  All I know is the Wellness brand wet food, which Bruno ate until he died.  ProPlan was cheap, as PetSmart had a coupon for it, and I thought it would ease his transition to give him what he is used to.  He has gone several hours without eating, drinking or using his litter box.  But I saw him drinking water and trying to use a dirty litter pan in store.

Also, he did leap up on stove  shortly after I fixed a cup of tea.  Burner was not hot, but I plan to use water bottle to discourage potentially dangerous (and unacceptable) behavior.  At 7 months I know he will do a few kitten things, but so far he just likes to play with a felt string toy and a ball he found in back of chest: the rest of the time he wants to be near me.

I plan to take him to my vet Monday, and just pray he is really as health as group says.  You know how fast we get attached.

[29sillygirl]

Jade and Opus.......thanks so much for your input.
Tonight, I fed Corky a bit of Natural Balance wet with Wellness dry.  He loved it.  Was a little gassy, but I noticed that before.  I am going to take him off Fancy Feast...know it is junk.

Bought a couple more small cans of Wellness...but not the kitten formula.  If I have no luck with try Solid Gold.

Re litter.......your description of your cats reaction to WB is absolutely the way my guy acts ...stepping lightly....and not covering.  Thought it was just him.  Also, noticed his eyes were running tonight........has to be the litter.  And that odd odor stays with him.

Jade, I almost bought Fresh Step!  Believe it worked well for the other kitten I had 4 yrs back.  It was just before cancer.........and I have a hard time remembering anything I did for him.

One thing I have noticed.  Corky is not a fussy guy.  Bet because he was a stray when picked up by animal services!  Think he will get used to anything I feed him, as well as litter.  Ideally, I'd like him to go outside........don't know if or when that might happen.

My last cat rarely used litter box.  Stood at door to go out and much preferred nature to what was in litter pan:).  Think that is Jade.  She is an inside outside girl.

BTW: Yes, I confess, all the attention I was getting was absolutely wearing me down!!!
I am glad he is affectionate, but I don't want to feel tied down sitting here with a cat on top on my lap all the time:).   24/7 is too much for me........he will grow out of this I'm sure, and I need to move him about too.  Adjustment week two!

[opus88]

awww nice to hear the excitement in your voice SG....and now your thinking perhaps another....good for you.

just wanted to make a small comment on the litter issue, I too tried the Worlds Best corn litter and it was so funny, my cats would ever so lightly step in the box(after alot of sniffing)..they'd step in do their business and step right out again...refused to dig or cover, than my Nemo began peeing on the floor beside the box, so I thought OK this has to go, and I was forced to return to the clay litter. It does have a different smell to it and they sure pick up on that.
I've been told recently that Loblaws (SuperStore) carries a GREEN litter(green meaning eco friendly...not the color lol ) also made of corn and apparently it doesn't have that chemical smell, I want to see if I can find it here.

If he likes the fancy feast and you want to try and change him over to a better food just do it very gradually...add a teas. or so to each feeding, most cats will transition over time..I'm still working on Sami its a slow process.

good luck.
♥Opus

[Jade59]

About the food - Jade eats the Wellness dry, but does not like the Wellness wet and believe me, I tried so hard to change her from the Fancy Feast, but just no go.  SO, the other day I bought a 3oz can of Solid Gold and mixed it with the FF and I think, THINK I finally found a good food she likes.  If at all possible, try another good brand like Solid Gold for the wet food since the longer he's on the FF, the harder it will be to get him off it...if you want to, that is.  It's just that FF is not a good food at all with all the additives, but many cats have lived on it and been just fine.  

SG...I personally don't have a lot of experience with litter so hopefully someone else can give you a suggestion.  I can tell you back in the 80's we bought Fresh Step and our kitty, Rainbow was just fine with it.  It clumped nicely, but if I remember correctly, had a bit of a perfume smell (just a little) which some kitties might reject.  I do know the litter can be trial and error sometimes as well as the actual litter box choice.  

Sounds like Corky is getting all settled in and may have a playmate soon.  I'm not sure I could handle Jade hanging around me every single minute of the day so I can see why you might want a playmate for Corky.  Or does him being attached to your side not bother you and you'd just like him to have a friend? :)

[29sillygirl]

Oh boy.  Need more help from all my friends.  Went to PetSmart and met Corkey's (ada Shadow) sister Caren.  Am wondering.  If they give me a good discount, maybe, maybe...could get her to keep my guy occupied.

One of the things I've noticed, as we adjust to each other..........is that my guy wants all my attention all the time:).  Right now he is tucked up at my side, with paws on the computer, watching all the flickering on screen.  

Caren, from what I saw today, would povide the yin to his yang.  Seems very sweet, but more reserved.  Very beautiful.

As Corkey and I have just adjusted to each other, would I have to go thru' it all again?  Or would he train her to his paw:)?  Or the other way around?  A couple of people I've talked to about two v one kit say they did well with one a bit older?

Back to Corkey (may go back to his original name): Shadow just doesn't roll off the tongue...LOL.   He is now eating wet and dry food....finally will eat the Wellness kitten chow.  The litter is not satisfactory.  Have the World's Greatest Litter...that corn stuff.  Smells odd.  Thought it was my guy!....but it is the litter...a rancid smell...hard to define.
Any suggestions?

Any comments, positive ..or negative ...most welcome.  The food and litter issues were such a big thing.  And not sure I've got it totally resolved.  He ate Fancy Feast all week....as the Wellness kitten food really didn't attract for more than a couple of days.  

Jade thanks for telling me your cutie did the air pawing thing.  I finally decided Corkey was apparently trying to bury food that didn't meet his approval.  As to litter box air scratching.....I  bought a high sided box; he still does it?  Maybe the litter doesn't meet his approval?  

Corkey appreciates all the love and hugs coming his way:).  Have never had such an affectionate cat!

[LindaTX]

Just wanted to add, SG that I also am so happy you found Corkey and things are going well for the two of you.  Give Corkey a big hug for me ;)

[Jade59]

I'm so happy to see you decided on Corky!  Once again, I am So disappointed I can't bring up the link you provided, but will patiently wait for pics one of these days :)  

It sounds like you and Corky are bonding well and he's getting used to his new surroundings and you, nicely.  He just needed/needs to get used to your habits is all.  I'm thrilled to read your last post that you woke up with Corky on your bed.  That's awesome!  

Jade does a weird scratching thing with her paw, too.  Less than she used to but still occasionally.  When she was done eating or simply didn't like what I gave her she would use her left paw and scratch the floor like she was burying the food.  At first we didn't know what to make of her strange habit but it's harmless and really cute.

Big Congrats on your new little guy! :)

[29sillygirl]

Must add before heading to bed with my guy!  This evening was a joy!  He just loved his Yorkie cousin.  Lots of kissing and sniffing and chasing about!  

Started with a puffed up dance by Corkey , which was hilarious.  We didn't get very good pics.  One of him reaching up to kiss Priss could have been good but the Blackberry is slow to grab shots.

Here are the things I learned tonight.  I was starving my kitten, trying to follow advice.  Believe if I'd taken him to vets like he was they would have suggested saline for dehydration.  

My daughter brought a catnip toy and food (Wellness wet) for Corkey.  He loved the toy.  Then had dinner alongside his cousin, tho' at first was so hungry he snitched some of hers.  It was all quality stuff...so no worries. No tummy upsets.

At long last good results in litter box!  Realize  I'll need a large and higher sided one. Corky is a real digger!!

His behavior tonight  was 180 degree change from what I'd seen before! I think all that time he was languishing in my arms, he was lethargic from too few calories!

Opus: I've been reading the archived post re the right foods to feed our carnivores.  As I may not be around to see my guy grow old, I am determined he get a good start.

I feel relaxed about his future.  My daughter said if I leave this planet before he does, she will take him to her house to live, now we know he gets along well with dogs:).  She is big on health: her own, her dogs, and now Corkey!

[29sillygirl]

Just got to computer to read all the great support and good wishes!! Thanks for all.  Pip, I recall the trick with carpet runner. And will try to get the fish oil.  

Last night I fell asleep before midnight: woke @ 3AM to a dead quiet apt.  No kitty in sight.  Went to kitchen, he came trotting after....I poured water and sound got his attention.  So tried pouring  water into his bowl. It worked.  He drank water finally!  Food still not interesting to him.  He did use litter box, but has a odd habit: makes scratching motions in air over box.  He did it again today over food bowl.  I finally got him to eat by lying by him and holding the bowl.  Oh...and he went to sleep on not under bed.  I woke this morning to hear him purring away, all sprawled out on other side of my queen sized:).

He is changing by the hour.  Yesterday at this time I would not have been able to type without him nuzzling and drooling and kneading on me....tonight he is lounging on a throw watching me. Maybe it is all the leaping about with Da Bird.  

Daughter is bringing his cousin, a Yorkie, over in a bit.  We will see how that goes.  The Yorkie loved my last cat....and likes most cats in general.   TBA.

Thanks again all my friends. Day at a time.  Tomorrow will try to get him in for a check up with my vet.  

[LindaTX]

I checked again and it's still there under "Corkey is."  Hopefully it is a glitch but i am still seeing it on my screen.

[Libby2999]

Haha! Cutie! I'm sure you'll love him cat all your heart. Not get getting hating on the females but the males do tend to be cuddlyer and more friendly tourds people. He'll probly always want to be in the same room as you, and yes. Using a squirt bottle can really help. Once he gets the message just the sound of the squirt bottle will trigger him to stop what he's doing. Making the rules simple will greatly help. Just making all tables and counters off limits will help rather than just the stove and certan part of the counter may confuse him. Later with just the sound again, as I do but you may not feel the need to, I will admit I spat on my cat before. I didn't have a spray bottle so I ussed my mouth. Noe I can just make the sound an tilt my head and he gets of the table. Haha, not the best idea but it worked. Also don't make the same mistake I did. Don't change the food typ every week or so. Yup, that was really hard as I could tell and if you ever do change foods mix in the new with the old for some time before compleatly changing it. It will making the change less of a "BAMM!!! New stuff!!" and more of a "let's try some of this" also as a kitten he may feel the need to always be with someone. Not leaving him alone too long at first will make him waaaaayy more comfortable around people and less likely to hide when your friends visit. So it'd help if you always had someone watching him. He'll learn to love peole much more and will be a great cat to enjoy when he sleeps on your lap. Haha good luck with him ;D

~libby

[29sillygirl]

Thanks so much for responding, my friends.  I am a little nervous tonight as Corkey is batting at and chewing raffia (which I can easily discard ..only used it to tie branches, and like the look of it): he has also discovered a floor vase with bamboo, fountain grass, and green sea oats.  Several of the oat branches are scattered about.  This arrangement is not a favorite of mine.  Just getting a little nervous that he will eat something not good for him.  

On the plus side, he is having a ball with Da Bird.  Still hasn't eaten ..etc.

Linda, I can't find anything in his papers from animal services or the rescue group which say he is a special needs kit.  I have a feeling this is a glitch in their digital template....you know, they make one with the special needs field, and it looks as tho' cat is one.  Remember Henry looked like a special needs...and wasn't.  BTW: he has been adopted.  So glad.

Opus.  Thanks for the advice.  Wish he'd at least nibble at his chow. Curled up on afghan again after playtime:).

[Piparskeggr]

Heya, went to Corkey's page and the Special Needs sections said: None. =)  He is a cutey!

The advice you've received thus far is good, change his food gradually.  A little bit of fish oil might help ease the transition.  Kitten formula, definitely, as little critters have different needs than full-growed critters. ,-)

Another way to keep him from liking places you do not want him, that clear, plastic carpet runner with the nubby side up...kitties do not like that on the pads of their paws.

May Corkey and you have many happy, healthy years together. - Pip

[opus88]

congratulations....sillygirl, I am so happy for you. and Corkey too.
wellness would be an excellent choice, but keep him on the pro plan for awhile than do a gradual transition...he probably won't like it nearly as well as the pro plan but he'll take to it if given slowly.
I'll take a peek at his photo.

♥Opus

[LindaTX]

I am so happy you found a kitty.  I saw Corkey and he is very cute.  It says he has special needs....what kind of special needs?  I hope he is healthy and I think it's a good idea to get him checked out by your Vet.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that all is well with him.