New scared kitten and I'm travelling. What to do?

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the group. Just got my first ever pet yesterday, a male DSH kitten who is now 8 weeks old.

He is very scared right now in the home and is switching between being scared of us and wanting to play with us. When I left for work today he was howling very loudly (crying I assume). And my brother in law (who lives with us) checked in on the kitten this morning, the kitten RAN FAST to him and was really sad and wanted to play.

My husband and I are leaving for my mom's house tonight and are returning tomorrow night. My brother in law will also not be home all weekend.

Should my husband and I take our new kitten to my mom's house for the night, so he is with us and not alone in his new home? My younger brother and sister also want to see the kitten so they asked me to bring him.

I have a traveling case for the kitten, and it's about an hour's drive.

Would you suggest taking him (along with all his stuff - litter box, food, toys, bed) to my mom's for the night or leave him home alone? I've had this kitten for one day and not sure which is the healthier option for him right now?

and if we should leave him, what's the best way to set up the food/home for him...and if we should take him along, then how can we make this trip most comfortable for him?

Yesterday, when we brought him home, was the first time he was ever out so this would be only his second time. Also, in the one day that we've known him, he doesn't to enjoy being alone - he really liked it when friend's and family were over to see him yesterday (even though he was still scared the whole time).

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Welcome Missmod....my opinion would be to leave him home. Everything is new to him right now..Lots of new sites, smells, people etc...

I would set him up with lots of food and water and leave a radio and light on while your gone. If you have someone that could drop in for an hour to play with him that would be good too! They are generally happy in their home and honestly I think it would be too much for your kitty especially since it likely hasnt travelled any distance before in a vehicle.

The other thing to consider would be to get your kitty a playmate so that you wont feel so bad leaving him home alone!

How about a picture of your new kitty?

Cindy

Thank you for your insight!!

Should I leave a few different bowls of water and food, or fill up one water bowl and another food bowl and he will eat the right portions himself?

Pictures attached by a proud mommy! :-)

Well it depends on what your feeding? Is is only kibble or do you feed wet food? I would leave a nice big bowl of water and then whatever the quantity he eats in a day leave that as well.

OMG those pics are just adorable! How old did you say he was? Is there anyone you could ask to stop by and visit with him and maybe clean out the litter and play with him? I would also make sure the house is kitty proof because its all new to him at the moment...

Wow is he ever a cutie-pie!!! :lovestruck:

I have to say though, that I wouldn't leave him alone while you're gone. Either have someone stay at your house during your absence, or take him with you. Kittens can get into a huge amount of mischief and I'd be very worried about his safety without someone keeping an eye on him.

@ Winston - Thank you! He is 8 weeks old :)

I've definitely tried kitty proofing - he is definitely an energetic one!

@ Sugarcatmom - I didn't think about the fact that he might get in trouble or worse, get hurt. It is normal for cats to go traveling with his owners? Especially new kittens?

At 8 weeks I would take him with me,kittens can get in to a lot of trouble on their own.
Since he's new to your home and skittish,it would really not make any difference to him if you take him,but he would be safe.
I too recommend getting another kitten,double the fun:cat::cat:

At 8 weeks, I would take the kitten with me too, it is like leaving a toddler alone.

What a cutie pie :cloud9: :lovestruck:

Just want to add that I highly recommend you keep your toilet seats down, kitties can slip in and not be able to get out.

Ok, my turn....... :laughing:
While I think the ideal situation would be for you to keep him at his new home and have someone pet sit with him I guess in your situation you have to take him. Letting him stay at home would give him a chance to get used to it on his terms.
At your mom's place if it is possible please set him up in one room. Do not bring him out of the room. He needs a safe place to sleep (his carrier will do for the weekend), his litter box, water, food, and lots of toys. Please do not let more than one, maybe two if they are well behaved :rolleyes:, person in to see him at once. He is scared, away from his family, and not knowing what is going on. He needs lots of reassurance.
It would be good to keep him in one room at your home too until he is settled in and comfortable. I am all for you getting a companion for him as well. Is it possible to get one of his littermates? If not there are lots out there available in shelters, through rescues, etc.
Just to touch on food quickly - get your boy off to a good start....... Check out www.catinfo.org. It's a wonderful site sugarcatmom has shown us that teaches you so much about feeding your kitty the optimal food for the best health. :thumbs up Dry food just does not cut it. Especially for a male kitty.
He is a doll by the way!!!

I agree that I would not leave him home alone. Right now he is missing his littermates and very frightened. I would take him with me, but make sure he is not bothered by every person who comes into your parents house. He should just get visits from you and be safe and secure in a room that he can't damage or get into trouble in. He is still just a baby and leaving him alone at this time would not be my suggestion. Good tip about the toilet seat also! Oh my I almost forgot to say "that is one very cute kitten!"

wow! thanks everyone for your comments and help!
this place is amazing!!!

so it seems that most people are aligned on taking our kitten with us, but basically don't overwhelm him.

since my mom's apartment is small, I may have some difficulty ensuring that he has a spare room, but I can definitely make sure no one bothers him.

Since the apartment is small, I really hope he doesn't start howling in the middle of the night and not let anyone sleep. My husband said that we just don't know him enough yet to know what his reaction will be life.

So far, he's not eating properly, and still being quite aggressive when playing (clawing and trying to bite)...

...I'm going to try my very best!

since my mom's apartment is small, I may have some difficulty ensuring that he has a spare room, but I can definitely make sure no one bothers him.

Can you get a large-ish dog crate to set up for him, with litterbox, food and bedding and a blanket you could put over it when he needs some down-time?


Since the apartment is small, I really hope he doesn't start howling in the middle of the night and not let anyone sleep.

If you let him sleep with you, at least in the same room, he should be okay. He might jump on your feet or face in the middle of the night though.


So far, he's not eating properly, and still being quite aggressive when playing (clawing and trying to bite)...


What do you mean by "not eating properly"? What are you feeding him, and has he eaten anything since you brought him home? What was he eating at wherever you got him from (shelter? breeder? pet store?)?

As for the clawing and biting, well, he's a kitten! That's what they do. Has nothing to do with being aggressive, just playful and figuring out how the world works. Truthfully, the best way to deal with the biting and clawing is to get another kitten and let him/her teach him some manners ;).

Might I just throw this in for you to think on but when you get him to the vet for shots please talk to your vet about when the best time would be for you to have him neutered. Neutering him at a young age will help you to avoid all kinds of behavioural and health problems down the road. Also, keeping your sweet kitty indoors is not cruel as some people believe, but will help to ensure he has a safe life without the perils of vehicles and other animals hurting him. Sounds like you'll do fine with him at your parents house, I like sugarcatmom's idea of the crate if you could find one to borrow it would work really well. And he won't cry at night if you let him snuggle up with you.

@ sugarcatmom: great advice! I'll definitely look into the crate and snuggling idea.

As for eating, he is not eating kibbles, just wet food...the lady who I got him off of was feeding him Whiskas kibbles, but I'm trying to transition him to better quality food...the lady also had him on milk (she obviously wasn't caring for him really well)...so since he's used to that, I'm going to get some cat milk so he has something he enjoys...he ate very little wet food once this morning and nothing else all day...

yesterday he had a few kibbles but that's it....he mostly drinks water...just so worried about him.

...however, I feel a bit better about the biting and clawing...I'll need to discuss with the family about a friend for him :)


@DogDancer - I've looked into neutering him early on...you're right, it will avoid problems later..as for letting him out..I already feel overprotective, so I feel most comfortable when he is inside...if I take him out for some fresh air, then I'll carry him :)

Missmod, :lovestruck: I think I love you! Seriously though, you really do seem to be going in the right direction. You're going to be a great kitty mommy. :thumbs up Many people have good luck with walking kitties in a harness, but probably it's best to get them used to it at a young age. When I had my cats years back, introducing a harness at mid-life did not go over well! But they were happy just being indoor cats, and lived to be 18 years each.

He really does not need cat milk if he is drinking water. Water is much better for him. What kind of canned food is he eating? You may have to experiment with different kinds to find the ones he likes.
For his aggression - try redirecting him. If he starts getting rough give him a toy to bat around, a wand toy to chase, even a soft ball he can grab and kick at. Do not let him bite your fingers or toes as that will set a precedence for him. He will continue to do it even when he is older and it hurts more. See if you can find him a Kickaroo for cats. That way he can "bunny kick" it instead of you.
http://www.spoilthatpetshop.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KCCR1
If you start now and keep his claws trimmed to a short length and encourage him to use a scratching post rather than your furniture or you then when he is older he is going to be a very well behaved kitty. :cloud9:
This thread may help a little as well..
http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=68501
If you decide to take kitty outside please do not just carry him. If something startles him it is too easy for him to escape from you and take off. A harness is a much better idea. Even better is to keep him indoors. If you want to let him have fresh air open a window or build a pet safe enclosure for him.
But first - you gotta get the first big weekend out of the way.
And here I bet you thought no biggie getting a new kitten, huh? LOL
FYI - I found it interesting that there are now a few countries where you can only adopt kitties in pairs. Never just one. :thumbs up ;)

You wouldn't leave a young child at home alone, and neither should you leave your absolutely darling kitty behind. OMG is he cute!

This is a wonderful opportunity for him to bond with you. Kittens at this age are very flexible and not in a routine. Keep him with you by all means, at all times. Wherever you are sleeping I would set up his carrier and litter box, and see if he will sleep in his carrier. Rather than confining him to a room away from people, carry him around like a baby, sit on the floor and put him in your lap and let him socialize as much as he wants to....and see how he reacts to strangers. Although I don't usually approve of kitties sleeping all night in your bed, I think this is an exception and if he wants to, let him snuggle. You'll be surprised how bonded he will be to you in such a short time. He's at an excellent age to get used to travel. Let us know how it goes. Have fun! :cat:

(travel tip: if you plan to travel quite a bit, take kitty out for short trips---shopping or to a store (if it's not too hot) in the carrier, so that a car ride doesn't always mean a trip to the vet!)

i usually take my cats, 3 of them with me when i go away overnight to my relatives or friends, i also take them to friends cottages and even on weekly trips i take every summer.
My cats are used to travel with me, then again, i have been taking them along since i got them as kittens.
It pretty much depends on your level of patience, and the amount of time you intend to allot your cat while travelling.

Good luck.

@ dog dancer - i'm actually thinking of keeping my cat just indoors as well. glad to know that's not a bad thing :)

@ b14+ - you are right, I didn't know what to expect LOL (but definitely loving it)...thank you for the awesome advice! this weekend i've been trying to discourage biting and clawing. He is definitely a playful and energetic kitty, but we clap when we does it and give him another toy to play with. Seem to be working.

@catlover - you were right, this was a wonderful time to bond. we actually got closer with our kitty during this trip! the car ride scared him but my husband held and played with him in his lap through the hour ride and that really helped in him getting to know us.

@ sandyrivers - actually, it was lots of fun to travel with him. We will definitely be doing this again.

Update:
so im at my mom's house now, we reached last night. Have to say, this trip has been awesome! Our kitty has played with everyone in the family (5 ppl in total this weekend)...he played so much that he seems to need to sleep every so often to regain energy. He has enjoyed exploring the entire apartment, and has even eaten more than he has been. he's not only closer to my husband and i, but he also (in a mere 24 hrs) built a bond with my mom, sister and brother...im absolutely shocked (and happy!). we had even brought along all his toys, bed, carrier, scratch post, food dishes so he feels comfortable! he's been an absolute dream and the family is in awe with him....all he wants to do it play with us...we seem to lose energy before him! LOL...we really didn't need to do anything special or go out of our way to build a "comfortable, quiet or private" surrounding...he just wanted to play all day...we even drove in a major thunder and lightening storm yesterday (his 2nd time outside ever), and it was pitch dark as we were driving so my husband took him out of his carrier and held him and after 10 min of being scared, he was feeling secure and happy again!

will update u all once we are back tomorrow! thank you soooo very much everyone!

Missmod,I am so glad you and the kitten had a good experience,he is just adorable,I am sure he'll be ok from now on:thumbs up

I'm glad it's working out so well, missmod! Seems like a win-win for everyone involved :highfive:

Our kitty has played with everyone in the family (5 ppl in total this weekend)...

This is excellent socialization for him! :thumbs up The more friendly people he can be exposed to during this critical development stage, the more outgoing and sociable he will be. And who doesn't love a friendly kitty.

What's the little dude's name by the way?

Your darling boy acted just the way I anticipated he would....plays with everyone and is very social and bonds with you and your hubby. This is an excellent experience for developing an outgoing kitty. Used to do this with my show kitties, to get them used to lots of people, new things, and car rides. He's at the perfect adventurous age for this. :thumbs up :cat:

thank again everyone!

last leg of the weekend went well.
His name is Gabber Jr. (in memory of my husband's adopted stray cat).

In this past week of having him, I've come across many other questions. I am going to start another thread and ask my questions...

I'm just worried of not doing the "right thing" when it comes to raising Gabber.

:thumbs upand you came to the right place for questions:cat:

You'll love this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hul589uvi9s

Great video. Kittens are so easy to leash train, I always wonder why more people don't think of it.