Various Bahavioral Questions

Question
Hi Jessica:
I have been in contact with you since I adopted my cat in June.  Peatee is a female feral that was born in April of this year.  I have several questions, I need some help with and will make them brief.  The kitten has not yet been fixed as she is not quite old enough.  She follows me any and everywhere I go.  If I leave the room while she is eating even now she will stop eating and follow me to the next room.  If she is in the room  with me she has to be able to see where I am in the room.
1)  When taking her to the vet for the second round of shots, she began to pant alot with tongue drooling.  The weather was about 75 degrees or so with all car windows down.  Is this just stress that kittens/cats go thru when riding in a car?  It began scary and a big concern for me as I was almost hesitant in taking her to the vet by car again.

2)  Peatee has gone from 3.5 pounds to 4.7 in the matter of 30 days.  After trying several wet cat foods, I decided on Whiskas and Imes and leave dry  food out for her leisure.  I feed her 1/2 of a 3.oz package twice a day unless I'm home and she gets wet food three to four times daily or treats of tuna or boiled chicken.  Is this too much and let her eat as much as she wants.  If I refuse to give her wet food when I'm home she whinnes until I give in.  If I am at work she obviously eats the dry food.  What's normal meal portions for a kitten.

3.  Peatee has picked up this tendency to chase my legs.  At first she was biting until I scolded her now she just jumps and grabs them with her front paws.  Is this agression or just rough play?  I can not play with her with my hands as she will turn the ears back and bite my hands.  Forturnately, for me her teeth have not fully developed.

4.  Finally what would you recommend for teething.  She has to have something to chew on whether paper towels, newspaper etc.  Can something be purchased to help her through this process?

Thanks for your help!!!

Answer
Hi Diane.  Good to hear back from you!  Let's see if I can help:

Q: When taking her to the vet for the second round of shots, she began to pant alot with tongue drooling. The weather was about 75 degrees or so with all car windows down. Is this just stress that kittens/cats go thru when riding in a car? It began scary and a big concern for me as I was almost hesitant in taking her to the vet by car again.

A: Yes, this is usually a response to stress, but it does tend to be worsened when the temperature is warm.  See if keeping the A/C on will help next time.  All in all, it is nerve wracking but is generally nothing to worry about.

Q: Peatee has gone from 3.5 pounds to 4.7 in the matter of 30 days. After trying several wet cat foods, I decided on Whiskas and Imes and leave dry food out for her leisure. I feed her 1/2 of a 3.oz package twice a day unless I'm home and she gets wet food three to four times daily or treats of tuna or boiled chicken. Is this too much and let her eat as much as she wants. If I refuse to give her wet food when I'm home she whinnes until I give in. If I am at work she obviously eats the dry food. What's normal meal portions for a kitten.

A: A cat will grow leaps and bounds during this time.  Five pounds doesn't sound like she is hefty for a 5-month-old.  But if you're concerned she's overeating, read the label.  Dry food usually says to free-feed kittens, but canned food will usually give you a set amount to feed.  I would go by those directions until you get her in to be spayed, and then ask the vet.  She's plenty big, now, to be spayed, so you should do this as soon as you can.  Females have reached sexual maturity at only four months old.  If she goes into heat just once, her chances of mammary cancer increase 300%.

Q: Peatee has picked up this tendency to chase my legs. At first she was biting until I scolded her now she just jumps and grabs them with her front paws. Is this agression or just rough play? I can not play with her with my hands as she will turn the ears back and bite my hands. Forturnately, for me her teeth have not fully developed.

A:  Definitely sounds like rough play.  I'm not sure if I've already recommended this, but a time out is the best way to teach her when she is behaving unacceptably.  Fifteen minutes in the bathroom every time she acts up will help train her out of this behavior.

Q: Finally what would you recommend for teething. She has to have something to chew on whether paper towels, newspaper etc. Can something be purchased to help her through this process?

A:  Some people have luck providing their kittens with rawhide chew sticks made for puppies.  

And contrary to what you probably have been told, a raw chicken wing tip can be great for teething kittens.  Cats are generally not subject to salmonellosis - their systems are made for digesting raw food.  And raw bones don't splinter, so they don't pose a hazard to the gastrointestinal tract.  If you decide to give her a chicken wing tip, just make sure it's fresh, and clean your hands with an antibacterial after handling it.

Cotton toys without fur, bells, noses, ears, mouths, eyes, or tails can be good for teething, as well.  Cut off any pieces she may be able to chew off.

Even a small bit of licorice has satisfied some kittens' need to chew.  Most won't go for black licorice, but surprisingly, many do like the strawberry.  Only a couple bites of licorice should be given each day.