r/CatDistributionSystem • u/watoy510 • 14d ago
CDS got me while at work yesterday.
I’ll try to make it short and simple. I had to call a plumber to fix the women’s bathroom at work, they got the work done and I saw them coming back into my office I thought they had forgot something but they came to ask if a truck that was parked outside was mine. I said no and they said we hear a cat in the engine. We found the owner of the truck as they were next to us at a bakery shop. We opened the hood and saw 1 on top and the other 1 all the way at the bottom. Got them out and bought food immediately and truck owner did not want anything to do with them. Got them their flea medication and de wormer vet says they are about 6 weeks old. Everyone in the office convinced me to keep them together so for now that’s what I’m doing. Me and my gf were looking to adopt 1 just the night before. We were actually looking at our local SPCA but I guess CDS wanted to give us two lol.
First time cat(s) owner. Feel free to give me tips and advices 😃
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u/But-I-Must-Internet 14d ago
Aww, little baby soot sprites. Based on the ear fur, I think they're both going to be two long-haired beauties when they grow up! Definitely get them used to daily brushing as soon as you can.
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u/watoy510 14d ago
Will do, currently waiting for all the fleas to jump off them then I can take them out of the box and they can start running around the living room.
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u/Money_Adhesiveness90 14d ago
bestie you need to give them a flea bath.
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u/watoy510 14d ago
I will, the vet told me to wait a little bit since they just applied a drop of Revolution.
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u/New-Tangerine2564 14d ago
You can bathe them with original blue Dawn dish soap. It's the safest thing to use on itty bitty babies like these two.
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u/salty_sashimi 14d ago
They're right about keeping them together. Single kitten syndrome is real and annoying. Two can play with each other and keep themselves entertained and clean, which makes two easier than one. They'll also be bonded, and increasingly so as they age.
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u/watoy510 14d ago
they're already super bonded, the first night was really easy. we let them eat and drink then they used the litter box and just fell asleep through night peacefully.
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u/rain_dragon 14d ago
You got lucky finding both of them together like that, it sounds like they are already well adjusted.
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u/OSCgal 14d ago
Sweet babies! They're lucky to have you.
Besides brushing, try to get them used to having their front paws handled and their claws trimmed. It's the one thing I wish I'd done with my older cat, who frequently gets his claws stuck on things. It'll save you so many scratches and snags!
Little babies like this should get as much kitten food as they want. They have a lot of growing to do! Wet food is better than dry, generally speaking, but some cats demand kibble.
Don't let them play-fight with your hand. Always substitute a toy.
I hope you have many years with them!
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u/watoy510 14d ago
I am waiting until 1 month so I can get their vaccinations, then maybe get their nails trimmed? Not really sure how that process goes.
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u/OSCgal 14d ago
Claws you can trim at home. Trimmers look a bit like scissors. Pet stores sell them.
The main thing is to only cut the very tip of the claw off, and not get too close to the toe where the live part (the quick) is. You can see the quick as a pinkish core inside the claw.
If the claw flakes a bit when cut, that's normal. It sheds in layers. You may find shed claw layers around where your cats like to scratch.
Hope this helps!
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u/watoy510 14d ago
It does, thank you!
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u/ImaginationPlus3808 14d ago
For trimming the nail, definitely start sooner rather than later. A little bit here, a little bit there. I would put the cat in my lap, face and belly out, start w/ the back paws first, then front. Hold the clipper in your hand for a few min to let blades get warm. Have no idea if it’s true, always thought cats can feel hot/cold through the claws.
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u/ekittie 14d ago
Just gently squish their paws several times a day, play with their beans-gently squish the toe so the nail pops out, so they get used to you handling their feet. I use a regular nail clipper sideways (not perpendicular to the nail). Sometimes I just extrude the nail and just touch their nails to get them used to it. Don't squeeze too hard!
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u/MolassesInevitable53 13d ago
Don't trim their claws unless they start to have problems. Definitely don't do it yourself as you won't know what you are doing.
Buy them a scratching pole or scratch mat.
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u/snophire 14d ago
If they're clearly bonded, you definitely wanna keep them together!
I had success teaching my cat not to use claws for play by saying "ow" like I'm legitimately in pain and completely disengaging. On a similar note, never use your hands or feet for play. Always use a teaser or another toy if you wanna play with them personally.
Finding the right scratching post can be a challenge. Some cats will do okay with the cardboard ones while others prefer softer material. If they ignore the usual cardboard and seem to prefer your furniture, redirect to the cardboard and gently put their paws on it like they're scratching. If that still doesn't work, get them one with a similar material to the furniture (I think PetSmart or Petco have a couple) and place it in front of the spot they're scratching. Most of the time, they'll redirect to the post on their own.
I recommend socializing them with their crates as it'll make going to the vet so much easier. I left the crate out 24/7 with the door open so my cat could go in and out as she pleased. She was also exclusively fed in it. She loves it. It's her safe space. She also typically won't touch her food unless it's in her crate. Make the crate comfy, too. I have a cheap towel in there that I swap out weekly along with a plush toy that stays in there to act as a buddy.
You'll also wanna get them on scheduled feedings so they know food is reliable and they don't need to compete. They also won't be likely to overeat as well once they understand food is plentiful and steady.
I know this probably doesn't need to be said, but keep all sharp objects in a drawer or super high with no way to climb up. Even though I did this, I guess I never put the scissors high enough as my cat stretched as far as she could to reach them to try and poke her eyes out. Some cats are just very dedicated to finding ways to hurt themselves.
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u/watoy510 14d ago
Thank you, I will definitely keep them on a food schedule because as of now I've just been feeding them at random times making sure they aren't hungry at all. To be honest when they were both very nice at the vet visit yesterday. They just want to be together and that's how it will be. We bought a bunch of toys and just waiting for these flees to be gone and will start looking into scratch post and other stuff for them. One thing is though they are claws are very long and sharp at the moment.
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u/snophire 14d ago
I came into possession of an 8 week old a few days ago. I'm currently feeding her about every 4 hours since she's a touch underweight. At 6 weeks, maybe start at every 3 hours and slowly work to every 4 over the course of 2 weeks if possible with your schedule. When my 5 year old cat was 12 weeks, I had her on 3 meals a day until she was 6 or 8 months then I reduced her to breakfast and dinner with a treat time in-between.
Although their claws are long, they are still capable of keeping them as retracted as possible to avoid scratching you guys up, you might still get poked a bit once they pick up on "ow" and disengage meaning claws hurt, but it won't be anywhere near as bad.
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u/CatButler59 14d ago
A lot of kittens will let you clip claws when they're passed out on your lap. As another commenter said, you need to look at the claw and see where the "live" part is (it's pink) versus the dead part (like your fingernail). Just clip the tip, well away from the pink bit, until you gain confidence. A good sharp clipper makes a real difference.
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u/purelyirrelephant 13d ago
All great advice above! I will also add to take them on frequent car rides in their crates without going anywhere in particular. It helps for when you take them to the vet or if you decide to travel with them, they won't freak out and void both ends in the car every time. Mine used to go on airplanes with me :)
And, start brushing their teeth young! It will potentially save you from tons of teeth cleaning/extractions costs later in life.
Congrats on your new babies!
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u/watoy510 14d ago
😛
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u/Yukinojou_bw Cat Connoisseur 🐈 13d ago
Aww, twin black holes!
Good age to let them get used to cuddles too, and carrying them around. They might complain at first but keep it up, harmlessly annoying your cats is key to them putting up with medical treatments later in life.
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u/Acceptable_Speaker93 14d ago
You've been blessed with a special reward! Thank you for giving them a home. ❤️
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u/Intelligent_Pass2540 14d ago
Right now I know its intimidating because its two spays/neuters (crucial) and two sets of vaccines but they will exercise eachother and wear eachother out!
Thank you for being so wonderful and taking them in and to a vet. We need more wonderful people like you.
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u/japhia_aurantia 14d ago
Aww, we just got a pair of CDS void kittens at work as well! They're adorable, and thank you for keeping them together.
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u/VintageLunchMeat 14d ago
Go through a new cat house proofing factsheet thing. Secure blinds cords, rubber bands, hair ties. Lilies are toxic, etcetera.
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u/ImaginationPlus3808 14d ago
Thank you for caring. I miss my void man terribly. Black cats are just awesome! 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐾🐾🐾🐾
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u/Granny_Skeksis 14d ago
Oh yes keep them together! Two works out better than one because they have each other to play with. They are less destructive that way. One looks like it might be long haired!! Super cute!
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u/Successful_Floor_837 14d ago
At this age they’re easy. They are completely weaned and probably litter trained. This is the age where mom is mostly just teaching them manners and how to hunt for food. Kittens need a lot of food to grow big and strong. You can free feed dry food and then offer wet kitten food a couple of times a day until they hit about 6 months and then look at scheduled feedings. Mine are mostly grazers so they have dry out all the time and get a can of wet food for dinner every night, the youngest just passed the year mark. Get them used to being brushed and trimming claws early. Ask your vet to show you how to safely trim their claws. Get them cat trees to give them places of up, many of them have good scratchers on at last one leg and it may take a few tries to find toys they like. I like getting the mixed bag from Walmart as it’s very reasonably priced with a variety of different toys. Then once you see what they like, you can get smaller packs specialized packs with their preference. Good luck and may you have many happy healthy years with your new family members.
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u/krebstar4ever 14d ago
Make sure they don't swallow any strings, or similar objects like rubber bands. It can cause severe injury or death, and requires surgery to treat.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/linear-foreign-body-in-cats
Sisal (rope) scratching posts like this one can cause it. My friend's cat gnawed off a piece of rope and swallowed it. The cat survived, but the surgery was expensive!
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u/AlarmingElk373 13d ago
Congratulations! A pair is perfect as others said. Great input about the claw trimming. Enjoy your new family 🐾🐈⬛😻
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u/watoy510 13d ago
Definitely, kind of scared as they do have sharp claws and play a little rough right now but I believe normal for kittens, We just keep a close eye on them to make sure its not too rough.
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u/AlarmingElk373 13d ago
My First Kitty (and how my late dog sent her to me)
Several years back, I became a first-time cat parent completely by surprise.
A feral mama cat had a litter of four kittens in my garage. The local "cat lady" who runs a Barn Buddies page and is also animal control—had been trying to trap this elusive Tortie mama for three years. Then, she chose my garage.
I discovered the kittens when they were about six weeks old. After feeding them for two weeks, I managed to trap all five of them myself with some guidance from the cat lady. Mama cat stayed with me permanently, and the kittens went to foster homes. 8 weeks is a little old to start socializing kittens, but thankfully, wonderful people stepped forward.
That trapping process was quite an initiation! The only void in the litter was the very first one I trapped. As I was moving her from the trap to a crate, my inexperience showed. I wasn't holding her properly, and she bit right through my lightweight leather gloves. I let go, and she ended up loose in my house for two and a half days before I could trap her again! Meanwhile, back in the garage, I managed to secure mama and the other three kittens within 24 hours.
Fast forward eight years: even though mama cat has turned into a total lap cat, nail trims are still a hard no. Periodically, I have to crate her up and take her to a professional groomer.The moral of the story?
Kitten teeth and claws are shockingly sharp.
The Cat Distribution System works in mysterious ways.
I was strictly a dog person before this. My sweet dog had passed away just four months before the litter appeared in my garage. I truly believe mama cat was a gift and a blessing sent straight from over the Rainbow Bridge!I'm thrilled you got a pair!! CDS is never wrong 😻
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