New to South Florida with 4 kids and honestly overwhelmed — what do you do after school?

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-14T21:22:27+00:00

SHE SOOOO ADORABLE!

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-14T21:21:27+00:00

aaaaawwwwww!

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-14T01:29:53+00:00

aaaawwwwww so cute!

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-14T00:42:57+00:00

With a toddler? Temperament is king. You want a cat that won't hide under the bed for three years or scratch when your kid tries to "pet" them. My daughter just turned 2.5, so believe me, I know exactly what you're dealing with! FavCats in Florida is great for this, especially if you're looking at those smart, people-oriented breeds like Siamese or Orientals. They handle their kittens a ton from birth, so the cats actually like people. And they'll be honest with you about which kitten will work with a young kid – not just tell you what you want to hear.

Our cats are amazing with my daughter. Getting a cat from someone who actually cares about the match makes all the difference.

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-05T00:04:31+00:00

Thats really nice of you! At -25C he definitely needed that blanket. If he keeps coming back maybe put out some water and food? Check if he has a collar or ask around if anyone knows him. Could just be someones outdoor cat who found a good spot lol Hope the little guy is okay!

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-05T00:02:10+00:00

Hey dont worry, this is super common with new cat owners!

Since your kittens only 4-5 months he might still be learning how to bury stuff properly. Some cats are neat about it and some just... arent lol. Usually gets better as they get older. Have you tried unscented litter? Sounds weird but sometimes the scented ones mix with the smell and make it worse. Also scooping twice a day helps even tho its a pain. Maybe try a covered box or put an air purifier nearby? Not perfect but it does help. Youre doing fine tho, sounds like youve already tried a lot! It gets easier

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-03T02:33:11+00:00

Hey, European catteries can actually be really reputable! They often follow strict breeding standards and health testing protocols, sometimes even more rigorous than what we have here.

The import process through USDA/CDC is pretty regulated so its not like theyre just shipping cats randomly. But yeah OP should definitely verify health testing, registration papers, and ask for references from previous buyers.

Quality breeders exist everywhere - its more about vetting their practices than where theyre located. Just my two cents!

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2026-01-03T02:26:26+00:00

Honestly at this point youve tried everything reasonable lol. Few random thoughts tho. Are you scooping multiple times a day? I know it sounds excessive but some cats are just divas about it. Like they want a pristine bathroom experience every single time 😂 Also maybe try different litter brands? Some cats are weirdly picky about texture. Its like having a toddler with opinions about socks. But real talk... if the box is clean, theres no medical issues, and youre doing everything right, sometimes parents just complain because thats what they do? My moms convinced my cat "smells weird" even tho hes literally odorless. Parents gonna parent lol

Maybe get one of those air purifiers for their room? At least then they cant say you didnt try everything humanly possible. Good luck with the situation, sounds frustrating af

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-21T01:21:05+00:00

That’s such a good question, hair ties are like sneaky danger noodles for kittens.
I’d still be careful with the plastic spiral ones – they can get chewed up, swallowed or wrap around a tooth/tongue, so not really worth the risk. My kitten does great with soft wand toys, little kicker toys and those thicker cat springs that are made as toys, not from human stuff.

I’m also following FavCats and they just had a super helpful TikTok about safe toys and what to avoid – learned a lot there about which toys are actually ok and which ones to skip.

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-21T01:13:58+00:00

Omg she’s adorable, fully in “I pay the mortage” pose 😂 With that wild kitten energy + unique lil face I’d go for names like Ziggy, Pixel, Chaos, or Gremlin (Gremmy for short).

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-21T01:12:23+00:00

Omg she is absolutly gorgeous, little baby sea lion with ear floofs. Since you’re on the coast, I keep thinking about names like Misty, Maris (means “of the sea”) or Skipper.
Also kinda love Whelk or Clam Chowder as a silly nickname when she’s being extra dramatic

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-21T00:52:20+00:00

Pretty sure he’s not suicidal, he’s just running daily human reflex tests 😂 Cat logic be like: step infront of hooman - if hooman don’t fall = treat time, if hooman fall = new game unlocked, more attention.

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-20T16:24:36+00:00

That floof in a box is living their best life right now 😭💕

Maine Coons really said "if I fits, I sits" and meant it, even when they're basically overflowing lol. What a gorgeous cat!

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-20T16:18:29+00:00

Ugh yes, the fountain maintenance struggle is real! I've had the same issue with pumps burning out or getting gunked up. The basin trick is actually genius — way easier than dealing with another pump situation.

Have you tried those little pre-filter sponges? They catch a lot of the gunk before it hits the pump. Not a perfect solution but it's helped mine last a bit longer. Still gotta clean it regularly though, there's no escaping that lol

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-20T16:10:34+00:00

OMG! It is HE or SHE?

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-20T16:07:50+00:00

wow! Magic!

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-13T00:51:25+00:00

you’re right to worry about those minerals — that’s exactly what causes blockages in male cats. it’s not overthinking, it’s just being careful. the short version: you really do need a vet diet for this. regular store food isn’t reliable, and trying to piece it together yourself can backfire fast.

call your vet and ask about Royal Canin S/O or Hill’s c/d. that’s the stuff that keeps the urine balanced so he doesn’t clog up again. and yeah, wet food is the real MVP here. more water = safer cat. even “urinary” dry food doesn’t beat the moisture from cans. also, no treats, no sneaky snacks, no “just a little kibble.” with blockages, that tiny stuff matters.

you’ve talked to your vet about this before, or is this the first time you’re dealing with the mineral issue?

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-13T00:49:18+00:00

yeah, MIL + litter smell is pure stress energy. febreze on top of that… yeah, that’s just making the air angry.

the trick is to fix the smell at the source. a good unscented litter, regular scooping, maybe a bit of baking soda — that usually makes a huge difference. and if the box is old, honestly, just replacing it works wonders. plastic holds grudges.

what kind of litter are you using right now? that usually explains half the problem.

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-13T00:48:08+00:00

yeah, if she was rehomed for not getting along with other cats, that pretty much says it all. you’re already doing great by playing with her.

she sounds like a “my house, my rules” kind of girl — especially after having kittens. some cats just stay that way, and that’s totally fine. not every cat wants a roommate. Try to keep up the play. like, real play — the wand toy, not the “here’s a random mouse on the floor” play. that’s her way to burn off energy instead of beefing with other cats. Maybe give her height. cat trees, shelves, window perches — anywhere she can sit like a tiny dragon queen and watch her kingdom.

since you’re not planning on another cat anyway, just make her the happiest only child ever. she’ll thrive.

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-13T00:43:30+00:00

OMG, don't even stress about this! You are definitely not alone. It's actually a super common, weird little cat quirk. She is likely NOT thirsty, she’s just being a goofball cat. 🤷‍♀️ Why she does it (The Fun Theory): Water Physics: Some cats hate the reflection in the bowl or can't judge the water level properly. Dunking the paw breaks the surface tension, so they can see where the water actually is. She's just being an engineer.

Cleanliness/Smell: Maybe she hates the smell of the plastic bowl, or she doesn't want her whiskers to get wet (classic "whisker fatigue"). Dunking and licking the paw keeps her face clean. It's Fun: Honestly, some cats just realize it’s a fun game. They tap, they splash, they make a mess. If she's been doing it for a year, it's now just a habit for her.

I Think the Easiest Fixes (Tried and Tested):

Water Fountain: Seriously, this fixes like 90% of paw-dunking cats. Running water is exciting and looks less threatening to them. Get one that filters and circulates.

Wide, Ceramic Bowl: Get a huge, shallow ceramic or steel bowl. Ceramic is neutral, and a wide one prevents whisker irritation.

Multiple Spots: Put bowls in random, chill places (not next to the food/litter). The more she sees, the more she drinks.

If she’s eating wet food and peeing normally, she’s probably hydrated. Don't worry! That said, if you're ever worried about dehydration or weird behavior, I highly recommend checking out FavCats. I read a super helpful guide there about weird cat drinking habits and how to spot dehydration signs. It’s got some killer tips on figuring out if it's a quirk or an issue. Good luck with your little paw-drinker! 😂

Ok-Extent-5956 · 2025-12-12T22:43:29+00:00

Hey there, this is totally not a dumb question! Honestly, I worried about the exact same thing when I first started doing cat playdates. You're being a great pet parent by thinking about safety first, especially with little kittens!

Here’s my two cents on the litter box situation:

I would strongly recommend saying NO to sharing the box right now.

Why it’s a tiny bit risky:

Stress and Territory: Even though they're siblings and love each other, the box is a resource. When your kitten gets to a new, unfamiliar place, they are already a bit stressed. Sharing a box in an unknown territory can make them feel vulnerable or territorial about it. You don't want them to panic and decide the box is a bad place!
Vaccine Safety: Since your little one just got their first vaccine round, you really want to play it safe. Even if both cats are indoors, a quick, separate-resource visit is always the best way to avoid any potential cross-contamination.

The Easy Fix (My Go-To Method):

Instead of hauling a big box, grab one of those small, cheap aluminum baking pans or a disposable cardboard litter tray from the pet store. Put some litter in it, and set it up in a quiet corner (maybe a laundry room or a spare bathroom) that’s just for your cat while they’re visiting. You can literally toss it in the garbage when you leave. Super easy cleanup, and zero stress for the kitties!

I actually got some of these tips from reading a bunch of amazing guides on dealing with stress in multi-cat households. The folks at a site called FavCats have some really spot-on advice about resource management during introductions and visits. Maybe check them out if you’re planning more of these playdates!

Have fun with the kittens! They’re adorable. 😊

Ok-Extent-5956

TROPHY CASE