Kitten update: six months and independence

Kitten update: six months and independence

I’m a little behind with things on the blog at the moment so my latest kitten update: six months and independence is a few weeks later than planned!  But better late than never.  Paddington turned six months old on the 7th September and the day before he was booked in with the vets for his ‘snip and chip’ procedure. I’ve always believed in having my cats microchipped, and getting it done at the same time as having the snip makes perfect sense.

Kitten update: six months and independence

So we had to starve him from 11 pm on the Thursday evening and my son came with me when we dropped him at the vets for 8 am on the Friday morning.  I got a call at 10.30 am to say all had gone well and Paddington was enjoying a late breakfast.  I made an appointment to collect him when my son had finished school.

It was lovely to have Paddington home again.  We had strict instructions to make sure he was kept away from Brewster for a couple of days and to stop him messing around with his bits.  He was a little quieter than normal for a couple of days and then was running around like a dervish again as normal.

We did talk to the vet about his obsession with attacking Brewster.  She advised that his testosterone levels could take up to 6 weeks to reduce and that hopefully, Paddington would calm down over the next few weeks.  She also mentioned a pheromone diffuser we could try.

We were asked to bring Paddington back a week later for a check-up with the nurse, and after that, he’d be allowed to go outside by himself. Eek!

All went well with his check-up, even though it was on Friday 13th and we decided that we’d start his outdoor adventures the next morning.  I have to be honest, I’ve been dreading him going out.  He’s the most adventurous and confident cat I’ve ever had.

Kitten update: six months and independence

But we were brave and let him out in the garden on the Saturday morning and he loved it.  All was going swimmingly well until Brewster appeared on the scene and then Paddington went straight in on full attack mode. Before I knew it they were chasing each other through our fence into the neighbours garden.  Brewster clearly knows his way around town and quickly disappeared under their back fence and paws were being poked through under the fence.  The fence that backs on to the main road.  Of course, it wasn’t long until Paddington had discovered how to get under the fence.  There they were, both of my cats, ready to pounce on each other in no man’s land.  I had visions of them chasing each other into the main road beyond the trees and I had no way of stopping it.  It wasn’t the least stressful afternoon I’ve ever had.

Kitten update: six months and independence

In the end, I had to leave them to it, and hope that some sort of pecking order would be established.

Where are we now? Well, Paddington still likes to attack Brewster regularly so I’ve made the decision to keep Paddington in at night for the time being at least.  Although he isn’t great at coming to his name, he appears from nowhere and happily comes in and out as he pleases when the patio door is open.  He’s found a few hiding spots in the garden and is eager to get back outdoors in the morning.

Kitten update: six months and independence

In the evenings Paddington is happy to be back indoors and instead of running around like a mad cat all evening, he now snoozes the evening away.  His preferred sleeping spot is the armchair, although when Daddy P is home he falls asleep on top of the back cushion.

Kitten update: six months and independence

At the moment he’s still using the litter tray but that’s more because I haven’t got round to showing him how to use the garden instead!

All in all our Kitten update: six months and independence is all good.  Paddington has a lovely character, he loves licking people and although he isn’t a lap cat, he does love our company.  Am I looking forward to seeing how he likes the Christmas Tree?  No!

 

 

I'd love to hear from you and try to reply to all comments