Oof, what a week. But first: kittens
Grendel and Grímnir are growing fast. About every 5 days, Grendel is putting on about 1/4 lb., while Grímnir has started moving at a more modest rate of about 1/8 lb. every five or so days. That make Grendel nearly 5.75 lbs. and Grímnir at 5.20 lbs. Already, these are getting to be big kitties. My smallish ragdoll cat, Pixel, has always hovered around 9.5-10 lbs. (he’s lost weight due to an illness), is quickly going to have larger brothers from another mother at this rate. I wouldn’t put it past Grendel topping 10 lbs. by Halloween and Grímnir not far behind. The way that Grendel likes to eat, it might be sooner.
Yes, Grendel has a very healthy appetite. Grimm is no slouch, but he doesn’t pass the food dish and say (each time), “Oh! I might like a little smackeral of something.” It’s fine now, as I don’t believe there is such a thing as fat babies or kittens, but they are both going to be going under the knife by that Halloween date, and I’ll need to start getting them used to meals instead of free feeding so that they don’t turn into fat cats. I’ve already started limiting the windows for free feeding so they get used to the idea.
I now have both of them trained to hope into the carrier on their own so I can do the level swap with the other cats in the evening and when I wake up. I drop a feathered bell into the carrier and they both hop in. Nil sweat. No name recognition yet, but ears are turning.
Here’s a new one for you: Grímnir likes bathwater. Not swimming depth (yet), but up past his paws. He likes to splash. Grendel is less convinced, but was a good sport and tried it.
They will be interesting to get them with the regulars.
Yeah, that “bug” is turning out to be GI issues inflamed by stress. Stress because of kittens. Wonderful. So three cats (one without GI issues) are being nursed back to health because they are having a shitfit about the change in family composition. Sigh. We’re all on the mend with the exception of my wallet, which has gotten slimmer with each visit to the vet. And more incoming, between neuters and an ultrasound for one with more aggressive GI issues. And whatever treatments he needs (I suspect probiotics might be in his diet in the future). The other with GI issues has just got to stop stealing the food she is allergic to from the other cats.
Lots of hospital/vet visits. Costly ones. It’s a good thing I love them.
Two of the other cats have been enjoying their problems though, because there is always leftover wet food, and they would much rather eat wet food if they can get it.
Now, if I could only teach Grímnir that it is poor form to boop someone at 4 am with a wet nose, we might be doing more than good and seeing excellence on the horizon.
Oh. Wait. We still need to integrate. 😿
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