What a week!

 Covid numbers are not just creeping upward by appear to be skyrocketing which is very concerning indeed however, we broke cover on Monday to make a first trip out. Without mum to accompany them they were gathered together & into the pet carrier pre-sprayed with pet remedy & we set off. Normally I’m worrying ola out keeping kittens/cats warm enough outside but this time with the heat of this fabulous summer I was concerned that they were not in the car too long. Fans going but out of a draft we travelled only about 2.5 miles & parked up. As always, keen eyes will spot babies & there were lots of oooh’s & aaaah’s & questions. After an extended wait we eventually were called in & saw Mark Collins the head vet at the practice. One by one the kittens were examined, weighed, had heart & lungs listened to & with everything in order received their 1st vaccinations followed by their microchip implants. These were then tested to make sure they were detected & returned to the carrier. Job done we set off back home where they were eagerly checked over by mum & soon following me to the kitchen for food!

Sometimes there’s a few hours of being subdued after having received vaccines which can last up to 48 hours which is partly why viewings & collections are always timed to allow a gap of 2 days after having been seen so that they are back to themselves before any meeting date or collection. 

I have the microchip implants done at 8 weeks only if they are large enough at the 1st vaccinations. I do it at this appointment rather than the 2nd vac appointment for two reasons - firstly because this implant pierces the skin creating a small wound I want to ensure it is healed completely before they leave which it would not be if the microchip was done at the 2nd vaccination & they left at the earliest opportunity (48hrs after their jabs). The other reason I like the microchip done prior to viewing is that when a family choose their kitten I can scan & show them the chip number so that when they collect I can re-scan & reassure them they are receiving the kitten they originally chose. This is important where two or more kittens are of the same colour &  sex or as can happen with the Sphynx & other breeds (yes even furred ones!) the colour can alter making a kitten appear to have been swapped. 

Anyway, there were no reactions following the visit to the veterinarian & they’ve been growing stronger & more agile by the day (if not hour!). 

Today we had another milestone moment - when I found kittens using the ModKat top entry litter boxes rather than the open of side entry trays. This same thing has happened with single every litter we’ve had & once they’ve reached a stage where they can get up, in & back out again afterwards they choose never to use the open or side entry trays again, which shows me that there is a clear preference for this kind of tray. I believe this is because I keep the boxes filled deeply and this means they can dig down further as they would choose to do naturally and other tray types don’t allow for this. As a delightful consequence- I also like it as I find it both easier as well as more cost effective to scoop a deeply filled box which has good quality litter inside it. With a tight clumping litter you scoop down, under & lift allowing the dry grit to drain off and you bag only the clump or poop. Shaking creates dust & is unnecessary to do. 

Although they’ve not chosen to follow the adults at night, the kittens can all now get up & down from my bed too & thunder about the place playing games of chase! It’s brilliant. I so love this time with them! 

As you’ll have seen, we also had a photoshoot session this week where I was aided by a friend whose jog it is to acquire the kittens’ attention while I snap as many images as possible while hoping to get a couple of good ones which I use for advertising them. 3 kittens were happy to model but one, having been woken up to take part was not happy with the idea at all. Can spot which ones are of the kitten who was disgruntled! 

Second baths & crazy antics

Tonight (Saturday) the kittens & the adults all had baths, the babies being much better behaved than the grown ups! They are now all neat and tidy ready for their first ever outing as they visit the vet for their first health check, 1st vaccinations & their microchip implant on Monday. Normally I’d do the bath tomorrow but it’s my birthday & I may not have the time to do all the baths, ears & claws due to seeing family. 

Their feeding is going so well, there are absolutely no issues with their eating or digestion & no issues with litter tray use either! They are drinking water from the bowls of water & enjoying lots of play & sleep. I love when they decide they are sleepy & these little warm bundles climb onto my lap or snuggle in at my side to snooze away for a while. Sometimes I end up with a puddle of kittens & stay as still as possible for as long as possibly so as not to end their slumber.  

Once they wake again it’s time for running, climbing, jumping, pouncing, stalking, attacking. Today I’ve taken some toys up & put down a Y shaped play tunnel which has been mightily popular. There is a peep hole where the Y intersection meets - they’ll learn that this is both an escape route or an ideal position for a surprise attack ! They’re so busy! 

Just lovin’ life!

This is a dynamic time for the kittens. In their 7th week, they have already undergone dramatic change from the tiny almost helpless, yet doggedly  (cattedly?) determined newborns with tiny sealed folded in ears, eyes tightly shut to the marauding little hoodlums they are today with their satellite dish ears & keen sighted eyes that don’t miss a thing… I continue to be awed at nature’s capacity to not only create in a hurry (63 days from mating to newborn) to these independent characterful creatures learning the skills of life. Despite the life of luxurious domesticity they are destined to enjoy, evolution is in its full force as they play together rough-housing, they’re learning the skills of hunting & of overcoming their prey (or surviving a predator) practicing on each other. They swiftly learn the art of deception, crying out “I’m hurt” in order that a sibling loosens their grip only to take advantage moments later cashing on on their siblings duplicity by turning the tables. It’s endlessly fascinating & amusing as it looks exactly like the archetypal mischievous kitten. I love their attempts to look bigger as they arch their back & face their “foe” sideways on, how they creep & prowl, pounce & run, climb &…. One wait, I don’t know how to get down! Meoooooow - translating to “human, come save me”.

As I was searching online for something on my phone today, beside me there was the odd squeak & some jostling going on.. I lifted my arm & got to watch this….

All change!

So what’s happened since last I wrote - well first, baths that’s what! 

I learned early on in my career not to attempt all kittens at the same time… wet kittens going in every direction was a nightmare, so I do them one by one and at this little size I use the kitchen sink - saving water - and my rickety old back. 

Warm water in the bowl and a separate jug of water for the final rinse, a warm towel and Johnson’s baby shampoo at the ready one by one each kitten had their first experience of being immersed in water and I’m delighted to say that each behaved well. The first was happy to sit a while, whereas each that came after decided to get out but did not object when being put back and bathed. I let them get used to the feeling them I get on with soaping them by pouring some shampoo into my palm then rubbing my hands together then picking kitty up and standing them on the draining board I wash from neck down to tail all down the back and under tummy, then both front legs making sure to go into the folds at the armpit. I then soap the paws before doing the same with the back legs taking care at the leg crease folds. Lastly the genitals and it’s time to get back into the bath for a rinse off removing most of the soap. The jugged clean water used last of all after lifting kitty clear of the water. Wrapped quickly into a towel and dried off, next it’s face, ear and claw cleaning. The face is done with plain water in two half’s. The eye on the first side is wiped first with dampened cotton wool to remove any dried on debris, then around the side of the face and to the mouth and chin. Then a fresh swab for the other side. This avoids any infections that could be present being passed from one eye to the other. Next ears. Ear cleaner is dripped into the ear canal and this is immediately massaged in at the base of the ear. It’s important that this is immediate otherwise they will shake their head to remove the liquid. With the cleanser distributed, fresh dry cotton wool is used to soak up the liquid then this is wiped around inside the ear shell. I then make a twist and use this to go deeper into the ear to remove any gunk. This being the first ever clean I was rather impressed there wasn’t too much! Once the ear is done you can allow the head shake before working on the other. Next the claws are cleaned of built up gunk and clipped as necessary. I find baby wipes are the best at clearing the claws of this oily build up. Job done! Don’t worry, if you are a soon to be new parent of a Naked Sphynx Cat Hampshire kitten, the full instructions for all of these processes is in the care book you’ll receive in your kitten pack. 

So, 4 clean kittens have been eating well and growing like mad. And getting stronger. Climbing is now a regular occurrence and so came the time to dismantle the pen. No one had got out of it yet but I did not want someone to make an attempt and come to harm if they got stuck. Better to remove it and allow them their freedom. And this is what we did this evening.

They were so not sure what to do with this newfound freedom. They seemed at first a bit frozen by the new scope opened up. However it never takes long to gain courage and soon they were off exploring the room , with one even going a few steps into the hallway. Soon skittish play began and both adults joined in with this to some extent especially when the first kitten climbed up onto the sofa - but had no clue how to get down - A fall from seat height soon solved that little conundrum. 8 lives left!

So here I am writing and in my lap warm as toast is a sleeping kitten sleep climbed up here and seemingly felt too tired to do more!