New kitten advice needed, please!

firefightersgal

FWIW: I posted this on the Pets board, but I rarely get a response there...probably because I rarely post there!

One of our daughter's gifts was a kitten.  She is 13 weeks old and previously lived with her mother and sister (cats).  My aunt gave her to DD and brought her to Christmas in a pet carrier.  She was in the mix of all the commotion last night, so she was pretty upset.  When we brought her home, she was even more upset.  (Understandably so).  I took her out of the carrier so that she could use the litter box, but she made a bee-line for the bathroom.  We have a big yellow lab, so I closed the door to the bathroom with the litter pan, food, toys, a blanket to sleep on, etc.  She cowered in the corner the whole night.  In the wee hours of the morning, she started meowing, so I went to get her and brought her to bed with us.  I put her on my pillow and she stayed there for some time.  I think she stayed on the bed the rest of the "night" because she was at my feet for a while and then across DH's legs.  This morning, she started bawling--I'm assuming for her cat family.  I had my t-shirt drawer open and she hopped in.  It soothed her enough that she stopped crying.  Our dog came into the bedroom and laid down on his bed.  The cat jumped out of the drawer and onto the dog.  Our dog didn't move or try to get her, but it scared the cat.  She ran under the bed and stayed there, shaking.  We left shortly after this, so I put our dog out and figured it would allow the cat to relax.  Five hours later, we came home and she was in the same spot.  I took her out and pet her, but she was still trembling.  I put her on the bed and we left again.  Three hours later, she was in the same spot on the bed.

 She hasn't drank any water, eaten any food, or used the cat box (or went anywhere else that I know of) in 24+ hours.  When I pet her, she starts purring and acts somewhat comfortable.  If anybody else comes near her (particularly my super excited 2-year old daughter), she starts shaking again.  I am leaving tomorrow evening and will be gone for 4 1/2 days.  DH, DD, and the dog will be here.  LOL.

What advice do you have for us?  I always had cats growing up, but this situation is new to me.  Thanks!

KrisBriMcBunny

first of all try to keep the dog away from the kitten....its gonna take awhile for her to get used to her new home and new family.  Do you have a room where you can put the litterbox and food in and use a babygate to keep the dog and Nora out?  This way she has a "safe" place to go to.   Teach Nora how to be gentle and use her quiet voice around the kitten explaining that the kitten is a bit scared in her new home.

firefightersgal

KrisBriMcBunny:

  Teach Nora how to be gentle and use her quiet voice around the kitten explaining that the kitten is a bit scared in her new home.

I have tried to work with Nora on that.  I whisper and tell her that the kitty is scared.  Usually, when I whisper, Nora does too...except now.  She's just soooooo excited about having a kitten that she can't contain herself.  She does really good about petting gently, but being loud is something she has to work on.  I only have let her pet the kitten for a few minutes at a time, a couple times a day so far because of her level of excitement and the kitten's level of anxiety. 

KrisBriMcBunny

just wait a few days for the whole christmas excitement and the newness of the kitten to wear off.  And before you know it kitten will be used to all the noise & commotion in your house.