Hi again everyone!
What a whirlwind we have had! I know each kitten is different but boy have I had my work cut out with this one! Needless to say it is not until now that I can really post and info about him, but I can say he has stole my heart, he is totally adorable and so funny!!
I took with me and put in the carry case a blanket that both our cats had already lay on and made sure Roxi (the dog!) had also had a good rub of her head on it so he had the scent of all 3. We collected him from the other side of Wales so our journey was a 6 hour trip door to door, 3 hours for him was a long time, he cried (LOUDLY) most of the way but slept in between.
I prepped our bedroom ready for his arrival so he would be segregated from our other two (and the dog) and once we got home I took his carry box straight up to the room, opened the door and just sat quietly the other side of the room while he stayed in there. Eventually he ventured out very sheepishly and very unsure of himself (as expected) and then disappeared under our bed. Now I kind of expected this as most cats we have introduced have taken under our bed as their safe haven, however it did take until Sunday evening for him to even approach our hand. I spent form Saturday afternoon until pretty much sunday bedtime lay on my belly on the floor next to the bed with an outstretched arm next to him. I know this may sound silly but I believe the gently, gently approach to be best, they come when ready, so all I wanted him to know was that I was there. (He has an fantastic appetite and I can say that once a dish was placed on then floor he would come out to eat and as I did not want to hinder this I sat as far away as possible, however after eating and drinking he disappeared back under bed.
The litter tray was a bit of a nightmare to start with as he didn't use it at fist but after putting a small amount of his own poo in the tray I think he realised (unless it was my digging motions every time I could see that he needed it. Yes! I did dig in the tray as if I was going to use it LOL! but think it helped!) Anyhow he soon got the hang of it and hasn't looked back since he was litter trained so he just needed to get his bearings.
Both my partner and I work full time and have an 11 year old daughter, my mum lives with us and spends most of the time in and around the house so all our fur babies are spoilt as they have company pretty muck 24/7, however I booked Monday off to help our daughter learn what I think would be best for when I returned to work on the Tuesday. By Monday afternoon he was speeding out from under the bed after toys we waggled for him but was still very wary and by Monday evening he had found the confidence to climb up on our bed and go to sleep, he had at this point allowed a few short strokes and purred VERY LOUDLY when we did but after a few minutes he was off again.
As we have to other bengals they were naturally curious and knew he was there however, our youngest Chester is 16 months old and a very large cat who our eldest Meili has taken under her wing and become a very mother like figure to. They did not get on straight away they took their time to establish who was who and what was what but now they have a beautiful relationship, sometimes it sounds like they are trying to kill each other as they do rough and tumble but then 5 minutes later they curl up together, clean each other and generally look after each other. Based on this I am hopeful that they will accept our newbie and so far so good. By Monday evening he was scratching at the door onto our landing so I opened it both cats were peeping round the corner!
He must see Meili as a mother like figure as he kept trying to approach her and cried at her like a tiny kitten would od but she hissed and ran away then 5 mins later came back, she has not made any attempts to touch him but he wants to get closed to her but at the moment she lets him get nose to nose then runs away. The hissing has now stopped but she is still having the odd grumble. Chester is a little different, at first he seemed bewildered as to what newbie was then he seemed absolutely terrified of him running away as soon as he moved, however now he will come into the same room and play with one end of a toy while newbie plays with the other so good progress, but he will hiss and back off if newbie gets too close but again no attempt to touch or harm him. By the way I do not leave them unattended at night he is still shut in our room and our other two find there places in cat trees or beds dotted round the house.
I am really pleased so far, whilst he has been the hardest kitten to bring round I am pleased at the progress in such a short space of time, last night was the first night without him crying through the night and he will now let us pick him up, he nuzzles into your face and pads at you, he is such a purr box, really playful and so so loving. My only concern is his weight. He is skinny.
He was on Natural Instincts weaning paste which I have and will continue with - I have also put dry biscuits down which he likes but he gobbles the raw up and loves it! His appetite is fantastic and I wonder if maybe he was not getting as much as the other litter mates. He had runny poo after day one which I put down to the stress and maybe my introduction of the biscuits too soon. I do not want to whisk him off to the vets and cause more stress so I weighed him last night albeit not a perfect weigh in I had to weigh myself and then us together afet 3 reading all the same I have deduced he is 1.6kg he was born 16.5.15 so he is 14 weeks on sunday. HIs vet records shows he was weighed 10.8.15 and his weight was recorded at 1.6kg so he has either gained it and lost it, or has not gained weight at all? I will weigh him again in a few days and compare as he is eating well and drinking well, I am hoping his tummy will now settle and weight will come. My family members think he looks as if he has gained a little but I am unsure hence the reason I have weighed him to try and compare, if after a few days I can see no improvement I will take him to the vets for a check up but really do not want to do this yet as I am sure it will upset him.
Is there a rough guide as to what weight gain I could expect? I will be contacting the breeder over the next few days to advise how he is settling in and will be checking when his worming is due (I did not ask this when I collected him and he has a come with a dose in his starter pack so I need to check. I have been checking his poo and there is nothing in it.
Sorry for the essay but really hope that if you guys know how he has progressed and what we are doing with him you will be able to offer any guidance and advice that may help....
He is still nameless as it is only the last two days really that his character is starting to show ...
Advice would be most appreciated if anyone can help re the weight issue
Thanks in advance xx
OOOH - Update from home this morning stools of poo not puddles - hopeful progress