I adopted two kittens yesterday. Wasn't impulsive really, I've been in the adoption process since September. I've had/been around cats before. My family adopted one when I was 12 (he was around 6 months I believe) and my previous roommate brought in a stray to our apartment (no clue how old he is, we guess around a year).
However, these kittens are 3 months old and a lot younger than I've been around before. And this is the first time I have sole responsibility.
I have no problem feeding them and cleaning their box and taking care of their basic needs. I'm mostly overwhelmed with I guess fear for their safety. They're so small and so curious, and I just can't stop thinking about the worst things that could happen and convincing myself that anything bad = they die. I've kitten proofed as much as I can (locked the door that leads to the backyard, did my best to cover a hole from a missing panel that opens into the wall, taped shut & blocked the door that leads to the like inside of the house where the heater and whatever else is, put up baby gates everywhere I could think, took out anything that could potentially be harmful, etc.). Basically everything I could think of.
I work a lot and am a full-time student, so I'm out of the house 8-12 hours a day sometimes. My granddad is home all the time, so they won't be truly alone, I just won't be there.
Last night when I first brought them home they were nervous but they got in bed with me early in the morning. Today when I went to work I put them in the spare bedroom with some of their stuff and their food, water, and litter. My room is just too big and has too much stuff and doesn't get heated well (in the basement) and I was afraid they would get into something/get too cold. My granddad checked in on them every couple of hours, and said they mostly just hid under the bed. I had to coax them out from under the bed with food, but once I got them back in my room, they're fine. Wrestling with each other, trying to steal my chicken nuggets, and attacking my headphones. Kitten things.
All in all, they're doing good. They eat well, they use the litter box, foster mom says they let her trim their nails. They don't hide all the time. But I'm feeling like maybe it was a mistake to adopt them, and that I should have gotten an older cat. I think I only feel that way because I'm so worried they'll get hurt, not because I can't handle them being hyper or whatever (I wanted cats that I can play and cuddle with and I can watch grow up) or that I can't give them the best life because I'm gone so much.
Am I doing the right things with them? How can I feel better about this? I'm not going go give them back, because I know I'll regret it (I love them already and I promised to give them a forever home) and the kitten phase isn't forever, I know. I just want to be able to enjoy having them, rather than worrying about them and if this was the right choice. Any advice is very appreciated.
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/dxwwbi/starting_to_feel_overwhelmed_by_new_kittens/
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