Posted by Jeanne on March 20, 2009
A litter of these small clowns is great sport to watch at this time. They are alert, lively, and however aimless their play may seem, seriously in training for the business of being cats. They wrestle mightily with each other, always seeking the underneath position and the opportunity of raking the enemy’s unprotected belly with their powerful hind claws. They pounce on anything that moves intriguingly, including the mother cat’s tail. They tussle, tumble and dance. They dine ecstatically and sleep in a Kittenhuddle.
Perhaps most delightful are the infant approximations of big cat behavior. Each tiny back arches at the threat of danger. A dreadful grimace twists the baby face and from the pink mouth issues a soft warning hiss, sounding very much like the exhalations of a steam iron. Otherwise, for normal use, the voice of the kitten is high and squeaky-sounding like “eeee” or “eee-you.”
Each day, each week, is one of achievement. At six weeks the teeth are in. By seven or eight the unsteady legs are firm. By eight or nine, the kittens are big enough to be weaned, although it may take a frightening, unexpected snarl from mother, or a cuff from her paw to convince them of it.
By now, too, they will have become distinct personalities. Or, at least, one will have asserted itself as boss of the litter, stronger, rougher, first at the dinner table, always at the center of the bed
. Very likely, too, this is the one which will learn the most, and learn it most quickly.
Posted by Jeanne on February 6, 2009
Cats are not the least bit uncertain about their ability to take care of themselves. This, however, does not discourage the people with whom they live. By close observation of cat’s habits and preferences, they learn to do for cat many of the things cat ordinarily would do for herself. This is known as cat care.
Actually, of course, cat care harmonizes the mutual existence of cat and man and reduces the inconveniences of their relationship to a minimum. In the cities of the civilized world, which have a few natural accommodations for cats, these arrangements undoubtedly are beneficial and even necessary. But it is also true that the farther out into the country one goes, the less is cat care of real concern to cat or man. With the normal cat, man has to meet only a few basic situations.
First of all, the entrance of a new little cat into a household requires that the creature be made welcome. This is best done by appreciating that, to a kitten standing barely higher than your shoe tops, everything – beginning with you – seems of overwhelming size and potentially dangerous.
Since the cat has both curiosity and courage, she will make her adjustment and her peace with her environment. But you can help by being patient and gentle. Avoid the sudden swift gesture that startles. Tone down the loud laugh. Let the kitten get used to you slowly. Keep petting and handling to a minimum at first. Kittens are fun to fondle, but it is literally possible to kill them with kindness. It is also a good idea to introduce the kitten to its new home one room at a time.
If all this seems like advice designed to keep you from enjoying a cat, that is not the intention. This tempering of your enthusiasm need not restrict your pleasure. What is important is getting your association with your cat off to a good start.
