new kitten and TONS of questions ><

first thing, welcome to the TDK family and congrats on the new kit!

1) Are you feeding him the same food(s) that were being fed prior? If not, it could be the new food is not agreeing with him. He is a baby still and his stomach is still sensitive, plus its a new situation.

2) Might try getting another kitten about the same age, they will keep each other company. Also kittens are like people, some just crave human closeness, kids do the same thing.

3) see # 2, he is a cuddler, you have to remember that kittens/cats are all individuals and have different personnalities.

4) They are naturally nocturnal by centuries of habit, I have 5 cats and the raceway @ my house usually starts between 2-4 a.m. and then when I do get up and feed them, they go back to sleep. Try playing with your baby to get him tired before you go to sleep and/or feed him just enough to keep his little tummy from waking him up being hungry.

First, Congrats on your new kitty. Re: the following you around and being “clingy”, was he with other kitties when you got him? Could be he’s just looking for the ‘constant’ company he had with his sibs. Deb has covered everything well, I second her suggestion/question about the possibility of getting anotther kitty about the same age to keep this one company – might really help with the “clingy” behavior. And, if you’ll be leaving him alone alot because of your schedule, some kitties like the company of another. Have fun with him!!

Let us know Krystal how Salem did at the vet. Hopefully he just has a minor bug that that be taken care of. Poor little guy. He might have worms or something…Just let us know. 🙂

welcome… and you’ve been given lots of good information. Good luck at the vet, and do keep us posted! i’m running out, too, so will check back later.

Welcome! Salem sounds adorable. After reading all the posts, I don’t have much to add. My first thought was whether this was a diet change for him, if not, definitely a vet visit is in order. Please keep us posted. Hope all goes well.

Krystal, I’d ask your vet about the vomiting. It could just be nerves or a sensitive stomach, but it could also be that a change in diet is needed. Talk with your vet about the ingredients in the cat food you’re currently using. Also, please make sure he’s not nibbling on anything else in the house that might be harmful; many houseplants and household cleaners are poisonous to pets.

The constant attention-seeking is fairly normal. After all, this kitten was surrounded by Mom and littermates until you took him home. He may need more physical contact and playtime to help make up for the lack he’s now experiencing. And he may just be a mama’s boy, in which case his greater need for attention will be a lifelong trait, not just a transition.

You could try adopting another kitten as a playmate for him. If not, though, please try to make time for two 15-minute play sessions with him, every morning and every evening. He will definitely benefit from the extra attention; it will reduce any anxiety he may be feeling, and it will give him extra sensory stimulation and play-hunting activity.

Awwwwwwww..Little Salem has been through alot. Going from Mom and all the sibblings, to the store and now to your home. He’s just little, and scared of what’s next. I think once he recognizes some routine in your home he may relax a bit. Meantime…he needs a little reassurance from you that he’s safe. Anncetera is right to watch out for items around the house that Salem may be getting into and not every kitty food is right for every kitty. Sometimes I shake my head with my 4 and wonder if I’m not more of a detective than a caregiver….and honestly when we love our pets we’re all a bit of both. A companion for him would be a wonderful thing thru all his growing years. I have 4 sibblings (I know..it’s a bit much…I just couldn’t pick who’d go..so they all stayed) and they just aren’t that much trouble..They play or ignore each other and all find their little nooks and crannies to sleep and dream. Good luck with Salem and please keep us posted on his progress.

Good advice already given, but just wanted to say welcome and I have found boy kittens seem more needy than the girls, but every one is different. My Sheba follows me around everywhere, got her when she was 3 years old.

I’m so glad you took your baby to the vet. Getting rid of the parasites will improve his health so he can put on weight. I’ve never had to give a cat liquid medicine, but here is a website that describes how to do it: http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/ht/giveliquidmeds.htm

It is important not to squirt the fluid in his mouth so forcefully that it is aspirated into his lungs. He sure has bonded with you, hasn’t he? 😀

He sounds like a little sweetheart! Enjoy him!

By the way–yes, it’s OK if he is mad at you when you give him his medicine. He must have it as the vet ordered. You can see how quickly he will forgive you. 🙂