Hi everyone, I'm a new member & need lots of help & information.
I love cats veryyy much & finally cat adapt kitten after ages(my parents don't allow me cause they think it's not hygenic)
I've read many articles and also your posts to get enough information to be good mom.But still have questions, hope that you help me make my dream come true(you know it's gonna be my 1st kitten):
1.Is it true that female cats are calmer than males?
2.I want to put his/her litter box in balcony.It that ok?(It's winter & I'm afriad she get cold)
3.How does a cat clean itself after peeing & pooing?(I know its silly but it's very important because of my rigid parents)

Hello and congrats on your new kitten! Remember to post piccies

I'm not an expert, so don't have detailed answers to your questions but I'll give it a go!

1. As far as I'm aware, there is not much personality difference between male and female cats who have been neutered/spayed. Unneutered and unspayed cats have a variety of behavioural tendencies such as calling, urine spraying etc. Best to get them neutered/spayed asap to avoid behavioural problems and of course, any unwanted litters.

2. The litter box on the balcony is fine as long as the balcony is made safe for the cat (they can easily jump off and injure themselves!) and as long as they have constant access to the litter box so there are no accidents inside - which may be a problem if you have to leave the balcony door open in the winter or there may be security problems as you'll have to leave it open while everyone is out as well. Some cats also prefer to have more than one litter box - separate ones for number ones and twos! I have three litter boxes for my two kittens and they use two of them for number ones and one of them for number twos

3. Cats are notoriously clean and typically clean themselves - my two never have anything on them.

Hope that helps!

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Basil & Sybil

1. Both males and females can be calm, it depends more on the individual cat rather than its sex. In general some breeds are calmer than others.
2. Yes its too cold to expect a kitten to go outside to use a litter tray in the middle of winter, also how would you teach it that was where it is meant to 'go' rather than in a nice cosy corner indoors?
3. Cats lick themselves clean, they enjoy grooming themselves and spend a great deal of time grooming.

hope this helps, but if your parents are that concerned about getting a kitten, I'd be worried how they would feel if it had an 'accident' (or more than one, especially if it can't get to its litter tray, or the tray is some where unpleasant - like on a balcony in winter!).

Also is the balcony safe for a kitten/cat? could it fall/jump off?

Emma

Agree that while kitty is still a kitten - the tray should be indoors

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Basil & Sybil

Kittens can be rather boisterous, both males and females.
Most of them calm down when they are a bit older.

Maybe it would be a good idea to get a young adult cat from a rescue. Adult cats are less likely to have accidents, and their characters have been formed, so you can tell much more about them from observing and interacting. And if the cat was brought in by a family who, for some reason, can no longer take care of a cat, a lot will be known about its past and about his social needs and abilities.

On the whole, neutered toms tend to be a bit more sociable towards other cats and towards people, queens may be a bit more aloof. But then, that is in general, I know of very sociable queens and very aloof toms.

Best have a good look at the cats available, and choose one that suits your wishes and expectations. And quite often, a cat will simply decide that you suit his or her wishes and expectations, and choose you.

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Jiskefet & the mognificent Dutch bunch

My little angels at the rainbow bridge

wow! I do love this forum
Thanks alot for your quick answers.
I have to say that its gonna be my valentine gift & actually there's no time for me.I've kitten proof the balcony but you guys are right.It will be cold for her/him
My bedroom is small and I share it with my little brother so there's no room for litter box.And my parents don't let the kitten to do his job in living room!So I have to think about it too.Any ideas?
I love persians and also live in persian's homeland so I think I'll adapt one if these parents problems stops!!

Any spare space in the bathroom or perhaps a spare room?

Just a word of caution/advice though - once you get a kitten, they become part of the family and household and they will pretty much get everywhere and in all nooks and crannies of the house (I've discovered corners of the house I never even knew I had due to my two!). If you're going to be bringing in a kitten to everyone's lives - I think everyone has to want it, otherwise it's not fair on your parents (who may end up clearing up accidental messes, and who may end up paying for some of pet insurance, food, vet bills, medicines, flea and worm prevention etc), and it's not fair on the kitten who can pick up on any bad feelings towards him/her.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a go at you, and I really understand that you really want this kitten (I was the same when I lived with my parents!), but I really do think that it has to be a decision taken by the whole family as everyone will be living with the new addition to the family

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Basil & Sybil

I agree with you.Tonight I'll talk to them and describe all the situation.
I don't want to bother poor creature because I love to be a mom.If they don't accept, I'll check the forum everyday and read your problems and wish someday I would have those too!

An excellent idea. I do not think it would be wise for you to have a kitten without the full agreement of your family. I know I desperately wanted pets when I was young and living at home but my parents would never allow it I used to walk a neighbour's dog and pet their cat - a poor substitute but I knew that it was best to wait until I had a home of my own.
Please stay with us here and feel free to ask anything you wish about the care of a cat so that you will be fully prepared when you do have one

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How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

Good luck with talking to your parents And if it doesn't work out right now, am sure you'll get your fur baby one day In the meantime, read a lot about them and what's needed to take care of them and keep them happy and healthy.

When you talk to your parents, it would be good to talk about the following things before you decide as a family:

- Kitty will be all over house he/she will be the family's cat rather than just one person's - is everyone OK with that?
- There can be occasional accidental messes which everyone needs to be prepared for and comfortable with
- Kittens need regular feeding throughout the day as they're growing so everyone will need to chip in and help if you're not around
-Decide how financial obligations of keeping a cat will be met (food, vet bills, monthly flea treatment, regular worm treatment, annual dental exams, pet insurance, litter, equipment for the kitten such as litter trays, bowls, toys, bed, grooming stuff etc)

It may seem like a lot to consider, but if these issues are dealt with early, it ensures no one gets pulled into something they're not ready to commit to and it makes sure kitty gets the best start in their new home

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Basil & Sybil