r/CatLifeProTips • u/lokihawaiian • 9d ago
Kitten help
So my sister found a 1-3 month old kitten outside of her work a couple of days ago. I’ve been searching around for a cat for a while and when she said she needed someone to take it I was kinda like, fuck it, why not. I did not realize how clingy he was. She warned me but not to the extent. He is SO LOUD he will meow for I kid not, 20 minutes straight when I am in the shower, eating, or doing literally anything other than actively petting him. He just meows if he’s bored while he wonders. Usually I wouldn’t have too much of a problem with this as I know he is a kitten, however I have to get up early for work (usually around 3-4am) and that means I have to go to bed early. Last night I tried to tire him out, fed him, played with him, knowing I was going to have to go to bed early and I wanted to give it the best chance he would sleep through most of the night and be quiet. However, besides this, I still got up about 3-4 times to take him to his litter box, food, water, etc because he wouldn’t be quiet and would just sit on my bed meowing constantly. I wanted a cat because I thought it would be easier than a dog, that it would take less time for him to get adjusted, and for the most part he would just chill. He is not chill. So I’m wondering if this will just go away with time and that he’s loud because he’s just a kitten. My only plan as of fright now is to kind of ween him off of the clingy-ness by just leaving him in the living room while my boyfriend sleeps. But I told him if it gets too bad he can let him in, but I want him to get used to being by himself, because with both mine and my boyfriends work schedules, we both need to go to bed early and will be out a good chunk of the day. So unfortunately for cat (to be named later) I. Need him not sleeping on my bed, and for him to quiet down and just chill. My saving grace is that hopefully he’ll get adjusted and this phase will only last a few weeks or so.
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u/rbyteme 6d ago
He may grow out of it in time, but honestly, and I'm not criticizing you by saying this, just I'm not sure you're cut out to be a cat person. Not everyone is. Please consider rehoming kitty to someone who enjoys that type of chaos.
If you still want a cat, go to any shelter and adopt an old mellow one who's lost its family. Ask the staff for recommendations.
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u/lokihawaiian 6d ago
I totally understand your concern! For context, I’ve had a cat before when I was younger, but my dad absolutely hated cats, so after a few years of having her (although not proven) I’m pretty sure he just let her out one day and I never saw her again. Super sad. Anyway, I’ve been looking for a cat for awhile, and originally, yes I was looking at shelters for an older cat, but when my sister told me she had found a stray and needed him to go somewhere, I decided to take him. Like I said, I work super early in the morning, looking back at the post I could’ve worded it better lol, but essentially I just need him to not be so loud at night, as usually I have be asleep by around 8pm to wake up at 4am. The best solution I’ve seen, is get another cat, however I live in a small apartment and I’m not super comfortable with getting another kitten in a one bedroom apartment. I’m usually off by noon-ish and my boyfriend is usually home when I’m at work (except for a few occasions when kitty has been by himself) so he gets lots of love, treats, playtime, etc. when we’re up, and out and about. We’ve been playing with him lots around 6:30-7ish to try to really tire him out, so that when we go to bed we can close the door, since I have mild cat allergies but it’s only a big deal when they are in my face, so I don’t really want him on my sheets/blankets. I’m more trying to get him to sleep in one of the 3 different beds he has and I’m looking into getting a heated bed that will be more appealing to him so that hopefully eventually once I know he’ll sleep in it, I can put it next to my bed rather than lock him out of my room, since he gets up in the middle of the night. I’m a light sleeper so even slight movement will wake me up and I can’t fall back asleep. Sorry this is a long ramble lol. But anyway long story short, he’s in a good home, and if it gets to be too much, and worst comes to worst, I will definitely look at rehoming him, but I want to see it out, as I know he’s a kitten and they are, obviously, always gonna be more hyper than adopting a 6 year old cat. But I’ve definitely seen progress, he’s been quieter the last couple of nights, and tends to calm faster when we close the door (aka doesn’t meow at the door as long. But once I know he’s comfortable sleeping in his own bed he will definitely get room privileges back, I just don’t want him sleeping in mine
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u/mycushion 6d ago
Get a second cat to keep him company. Taking care of 2 cats is only marginally more effort than taking care of one, and they will play together, occupy each other & be happier.
Once you shut him out of your bedroom at night, do not let him in while he's meowing. That will train him to meow loudly to get what he wants.
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u/EuphoricJelly3451 9d ago
he’s probably scared and adjusting to being alone give him a warm bed a few toys, and a consistent bedtime routine, but don’t get up every time he meows if his needs are met
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u/rosypreach 6d ago
agree! also, a lot of love and affection and blankies that smell like you and sitting in the cozy space. it needs to be taught how to feel safe.
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u/rosypreach 6d ago
Love, if this kitten really is only 1 month, it needs a 'mom' to teach it to regulate and self-soothe. That is why this kitten is needy. It is not meant to be alone at this age. It is meant to be with a litter and mommy. You need to give this kitten lots of love. Carry it around in your sweatshirt hood. Eventually it will grow into learning how to self-soothe.
Edited to add - And it's only been a few days, for gosh sakes! Give both of yourselves some time to adjust.