Kittens and the wide wide world
Dec. 15th, 2004 03:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smokingbootOK, they hate their collars with a passion, but this distaste is nothing compared to the sheer loathing they feel for their leads.
These leads, borrowed from Splendid Sekhmet, are meant to ensure their safety outside until they know the area. And if ferrets can be put on leashes, as Falco_Biarmicus has discovered, why not cats?
Because cats are bastards, that's why.
Bit of a sticky wicket you see...only way of being sure they'll be OK is to not let them out as kittens at all, but wait until they are 6 months old. However the splendid book on cat behaviour, on loan to us from November_Girl, states that the only real cat phobia the author has ever come across is fear of the outdoors, stemming from cats being kept in too long as kittens. This cat psychologist recommends getting kittens used to the world beyond as soon as healthily possible, i.e, when their shots have 'taken'. Q today.
I had to abandon the leads. Surya, already livid with the collar, seems prepared to hang herself from a kitchen chair rather than subject herself to the humiliation of a lead, and Ralik just won't move at all if subjected to this disgustingly canine-orientated treatment.
So instead, we went out into the world of pre-sunset winter. The sky is bright, the air is cool and they were rapt.
I gave them two turns at it, first out the back, next out the front. Out the back, Ralik was king, sitting quietly on the back step watching the world with wide eyes. He was fine while I was nearby, keeping an eye on him sniffing the earth, watching the sky. Surya watched closely from within the conservatory, and came out when she saw Ralik and me there.
It was her turn to be more confident when it came to the front door - she stepped out onto the red brick of the storm porch and sniffed all round the front, stopping only to observe the huge fast metal monsters way beyond the trees and grass verge. Ralik wasn't going near any of this roaring rubbish and watched from within. She paid considerable attention until a bus rumbled past. Then she ran away terrified into the kitchen.
The newness of it all hitting their fuzzy little minds is just fantastic. I love them.
These leads, borrowed from Splendid Sekhmet, are meant to ensure their safety outside until they know the area. And if ferrets can be put on leashes, as Falco_Biarmicus has discovered, why not cats?
Because cats are bastards, that's why.
Bit of a sticky wicket you see...only way of being sure they'll be OK is to not let them out as kittens at all, but wait until they are 6 months old. However the splendid book on cat behaviour, on loan to us from November_Girl, states that the only real cat phobia the author has ever come across is fear of the outdoors, stemming from cats being kept in too long as kittens. This cat psychologist recommends getting kittens used to the world beyond as soon as healthily possible, i.e, when their shots have 'taken'. Q today.
I had to abandon the leads. Surya, already livid with the collar, seems prepared to hang herself from a kitchen chair rather than subject herself to the humiliation of a lead, and Ralik just won't move at all if subjected to this disgustingly canine-orientated treatment.
So instead, we went out into the world of pre-sunset winter. The sky is bright, the air is cool and they were rapt.
I gave them two turns at it, first out the back, next out the front. Out the back, Ralik was king, sitting quietly on the back step watching the world with wide eyes. He was fine while I was nearby, keeping an eye on him sniffing the earth, watching the sky. Surya watched closely from within the conservatory, and came out when she saw Ralik and me there.
It was her turn to be more confident when it came to the front door - she stepped out onto the red brick of the storm porch and sniffed all round the front, stopping only to observe the huge fast metal monsters way beyond the trees and grass verge. Ralik wasn't going near any of this roaring rubbish and watched from within. She paid considerable attention until a bus rumbled past. Then she ran away terrified into the kitchen.
The newness of it all hitting their fuzzy little minds is just fantastic. I love them.
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no subject
Date: 2004-12-16 12:29 am (UTC)Bless him :)
Sweet!
Date: 2004-12-16 09:50 am (UTC)Catflaps are a whole new adventure we have yet to begin...
no subject
Date: 2004-12-16 07:42 am (UTC)In the last 30 years I have never found a cat that will walk happily on a lead. Guinnes prefers the harness and lead to the cat basket, but thats because it means he can sprawl over Neil during our journey and get fussed. But if you ask him to walk on it, he turns into a ball of black fury.
The only safe way is to make them a run outside. How are your DIY skills? And remember, the only really danger of infection comes from cats that have not had their shots, and their leavings. Whilst there is a risk, if you live in an area where most the cat population is happy, healthy and looked after, the risk is much lower.
no subject
Date: 2004-12-16 09:55 am (UTC)I will have to concur with your opinion re leads. I have never seen the moogs so dead set against anything. This morning I found Surya with her lower jaw under her collar, trying to rip the offending item off. She has won her point temporarilly, and both are collar-free right now.
Re the outside, I am more worried about the little ones getting lost than infected. Do It Yourself skills? I don't have rudimentary Do It At All ability!
no subject
Date: 2004-12-16 10:33 am (UTC)But they are unlikely to get lost. The biggest danger to them will be the road. Every time I have lost one of mine to the road, it has been at night, so I always get my lot in when it gets to dusk. Sure, they miss the best hunting time, but there is nothing worse than searching the roadside for them (and since I started this regime, I no longer have to search the roadside). Of all the cats I have had, I have lost one to illness, five to the road and two to old age. Despite the initial fretting on their first trips out, all have found their way back home. Although rustling the treat bag always helps speed them on their way :)
no subject
Date: 2004-12-16 11:02 am (UTC)Another Solution...
Date: 2004-12-16 10:45 am (UTC)That way any agents of officialdom who pick them up for disturbing the peace and posession of catnip will be able to tell who's repsonsible.
Alas they're not so easily readable by neighbours who want to know what kitten cats are doing hiding in their flowerbeds and pouncing on turnips...
Re: Another Solution...
Date: 2004-12-16 10:58 am (UTC)Re: Another Solution...
Date: 2004-12-16 12:29 pm (UTC)Quite possibly driving pusscats potty aswell.
Re: Another Solution...
Date: 2004-12-16 12:40 pm (UTC)Re: Another Solution...
Date: 2004-12-17 05:55 pm (UTC)Or possibly just the pair of tiny earring bells in the shape of acorns that you aren't acrually wearing, but always seem to be.
(hugs)