Kittens?

[winpeg]

HI

I have just brought two kittens, mostly cos my little boy loves cats. BUT I am having some teetghing problems.

Their are two kittens, one boy one girl. Neither of them like to be anywhere near ds cos he has been chasing them, the girl however, is fine with me once son gone to bed, she comes and sits on my lap, purrs and generally seems quite content. She tolerates ds, to the point where he picks her up she tolerates it and then when he puts her down she scarpers, but she does play wiht him and let him stroke her now and again.

The boy however, eeek. He is a nervous wreck doesn't come anywhere near me, let alone ds. He doesn't let me touch him or anything. He plays with me, but only at a length of string. Never very close to anyone. If she disapears for just a wee second he starts crying for her.

So basically I don't know if I should keep them or not. Do I keep them in the hope they're happy enough and not traumatised for life, do i keep the girl knowing she will be ok and leave thelittle boy all on his own, i mean he'd be back with his mum. Or do I take them both back?

How long does it take for them to settle in, I had two kittens before and they settled within days. Is this a bad sign in that they're not that happy, that I should give them back?

Any recommendations?

[nicholamarie]

firstly you need to stop your ds from chasing them otherwise they will never settle.

how long have you had them? they take time to settle in. did they come from a family with children?

[Easties]

Time hun is all i can say and also do the kittens have somewhere they can go when scared like a safe haven thats just theirs as that can help the fact that they know they have somewhere to go if it gets a bit much

[winpeg]

I have tried to stop him chasing them he's three and he doesn't understand not too chase them I'm going blue in the face trying to stop him.

Also as for a single place where they can hide, They did have places but ds keeps finding them.

Should I give them back on the grounds my little boy is far too young to have kittens around?

[Easties]

I wouldnt give them back just yet sweet you should of seen what Alex used to do to sassy but i had to get rid of her as she wasnt right for us as she needed more space

[winpeg]

How long do you think I should leave it, I mean I don't want to traumatise the kittens for life, I do think however that the boy had socialising skills problems but they didn't tell me, cos even before ds been chasing them, they had trouble catching him and putting him in the box they even dropped him, whihc i thought probably didn't help.

[denise1981]

my kitten was a scaredy cat and still is to a little point, shes fine with me & dp, but anyone else comes in shes hid somewhere no one can get her. she is 2 now and a bit better with family & friends.

I think some cats are born nervous. Yours maybe completly different only time will tell, he might just settle in like the other cat

[Easties]

he has had a lot of upheaval hun being taken away from mum then dropped then put in total alien surroundings with a toddler chucked in the mix

Im sure they will be fine hun
How long have you had them ?
I would also try and find them somewhere nice and quiet where they can go away from little one if they feel the need
And also dont try and force them to come out if they dot want too
work on their terms itms

[winpeg]

I've had them since Thurs night. I'll have to think of somewhere they can go.
Do you think there's anyway I can get through to my monster munch to stop chasing them, it's falling on deaf ears right now.

[Easties]

He will learn sweet just be firm i know its hard as Alex was the same
They havent been there that long so i would give it more time and when they do settle a bit more try and sit with littleun and play with them and then hopefully he will realise that sitting and playing they stay pick them up they run lol

[winpeg]

I hope so, thanks peeps. Their hiding behind the sofa as I type.

[nicholamarie]

I have tried to stop him chasing them he's three and he doesn't understand not too chase them I'm going blue in the face trying to stop him.

Also as for a single place where they can hide, They did have places but ds keeps finding them.

Should I give them back on the grounds my little boy is far too young to have kittens around?

dont give them back yet. you may find with time your ds settles down, they are new to him and he thinks its fun.

hold on a little longer.

[Easties]

Lol its quite alarming how timid they are and then you think your torturing them lol but im sure they will be just fine

[Katiequiggle]

To be honest 3 yrs old is probably a bit young to be brought 2 kittens cause you like cats. I think most kittens would scarper if chased by a 3 year old. Its important that your son is taught to respect the kittens and not to chase them, he must understand that they are no toys and at kitten age will need lots of sleep and peace and quiet as well as play.

If he chases them they will always run away from him. Its probably best that he is encouraged not to in the first place.

Good luck. Hope they settle down soon.

[winpeg]

Right, well thanks people. I'll hold on to them for a bit longer. It's so strange cos my kittens I had while back were soooo different theywere into everything and everybody.
They're out and about running and playing now.