The vet thinks Maggi is about 6 weeks old. She eats her little bowl of kitten chow (we are careful not to overfeed) and her tummy is round. She is pooping and peeing well. We have yummy vitamins to give her. So the food area isn't so much a concern.
But I'm so nervous about her being in the house! We have a big old house, and so far, have kept her on the first floor (unless we are with her). At night, we've put her in the bathroom with all her toys and stuff, but I want her to be able to get used to the house. She's so little! I'm scared she'll chew a cord, or get stuck somewhere, and she's lately been crawling behind the fridge...will she get electrocuted? Pretzel was a kitten when we got her, but older, and this is so nerve-wracking to me! Any advice on how to keep her safe? (BTW, we have no houseplants, and are careful to keep things off the floor she may swallow)

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 09:41 am:

It just takes time for kittens to get used to things. If you have a big house I would recommend getting a few litter boxes so she not searching all over the place for one to use. Has your vet checked her for parasites? I know some sort of round tummy is normal but excess "pudge" could mean parasites so i'd have her checked out next time she is in for a check up. Not much advice for keeping her out of things except to be cautious. Good luck.

By Tink on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 10:27 am:

I think it sounds like she is just exploring the area you are allowing her in. Let her climb behind the fridge. She's small enough to get back there for know and as she grows, she will realize that she can't anymore. If you can, I'd try and keep her on the first floor for a few weeks. When she is very comfortable there, let her look around the next area. I don't think most kittens are cord chewers. I'm sure they are out there but unless you notice her chewing everything in sight, I wouldn't worry about that. I agree with Melissa about getting multiple litter boxes. I think it's probably a good idea to keep her contained at night for a while. Most importantly, give her lots of love! Just like kids, wouldn't it be nice if kittens came with an instruction manual?

By Missmudd on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 10:42 am:

I dont think an average cat could chew through an electrical cord, dogs however yes lol btdt. And yes the dog lived. We came home to all the lights out, went into the basement and turned the breaker and it immediatly triped back off. When up stairs, dog looked embarrassed, looked at our box fan. Plug in wall, cord completely chewed in half, box fan on table. As near as we can tell she chewed it enough to break the cord, got zapped, blew the braker and she just went on chewing on it. After she became possesive of our mail and tried to eat the mail man we gave her to a friend on a cattle farm and lived the rest of her days happily chasing cows.

By Kellyj on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 10:49 am:

We got a kitten a few months ago. I think that the people lied to me about her age because she was soooo tiny. She went behind the refrigerator too. The worst that happened to her was that she came out pretty dirty. We kept her confined to a bathroom at night because we had another cat and she wasn't litter trained. If you check your local pet store, they sell a product called Bitter Apple that you can spray on things to curb chewing.

By Janet on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 12:57 pm:

Thanks! I've been reading kitten articles on the Net all morning (slow day at work, LOL) and I am a bit concerned about her poop...it's rather soft, and I think I may call the vet. I've been putting it down to the change in diet, stress of a new home, etc (which would give ME diarrea!), but I wonder. The vet gave her a worm medication, and we are to give her two more doses in the next two weeks.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - 05:46 am:

I agree with keeping the kitten shut up in a small room when you are away from home and at night, at least for the next couple of months. It will at least keep her out of trouble and will ease your mind, and save you lots of hunting and calling "here kitty" when you get up in the morning.

The fact of life is that kittens and cats get into all sorts of places they shouldn't - a suitcase comes to mind, plus the crawl space behind the closet wall on the second floor, with my mom's 7 cats. It means learning to close doors and drawers, and checking to be sure there no really small openings that lead to places where you don't want the kitten. But, that is a fact of life when living with a cat.

Enjoy her, and have fun. You sound like very responsible pet caretakers. She is only 6 weeks old and really shouldn't have left her mom for another couple of weeks, but as long as you follow your vet's advice on feeding and care, things should go well.

By Nicosmom on Thursday, November 4, 2004 - 01:45 am:

Having a new kitty is so exciting! Ditto on the litter boxes and Good Luck!

By Janet on Thursday, November 4, 2004 - 10:08 am:

AAAHH! Maggi did something to hurt her paw...she's not putting all her weight on it, and is staying on the couch, except to get food and use her box. She's still purring and playful, and doesn't cry when you touch it or move it, so I'm thinking she landed it on hard. She did jump off the couch this morning and landed on it, and cried a little, but she's not in constant pain. She's moving around a little better this morning, but still staying on the couch. I just want a normal cat for awhile! Is that too much to ask???