My boss's cat just had a litter of kittens and she posted pictures up at work. Of course, I had to get two of them...they are just too adorable! I've never had a cat on my own. I had one with a roommate a few years back, but it was a full grown cat and already litter trained...so I'm still trying to figure out how to properly train these little guys. They're 6 weeks old...which everyone I've asked around town said was the right time to adopt them. But I think they were taken from their mother and siblings too soon! I've read on here now that you shouldn't take them until at least 8-12 weeks. Well, I can't take them back now so I want to do the best I can to help them get used to being on their own.

I think they were still nursing when I took them...although my boss said she had seen them eat cat food. At first, when I brought them home Sunday they didn't seem to want to eat much. One would eat the canned food fairly well, but the other wouldn't touch it. Now I have them both eating the canned food just fine, but they won't touch any of the dry kitten food I set out. That's not a huge deal...I just want to switch them over gradually within the next few weeks (that canned food stinks up my apartment pretty well!).

My biggest problem with the kittens is that they only use the litter box when I'm watching them in the same room. If I sit down at the computer for a while, or stop paying direct attention to them for a bit, they will hide behind the couch. They seem to have made that their home. If they hear my voice, they will immediately come out and meow, play, eat, and use the litter box...but when I'm away they just stay there under the couch. Which means that they aren't eating and they're not using the litter box when I'm not looking (I've found a "suprise" behind the couch twice). I know they're probably just scared and not used to being away from their mother. They do seem very attached to me already...very loving, playful kitties! Is this something normal that will correct itself in time, or is there anything I can do to help them adjust?

Sorry this is so long...thanks for all the help! I'll post pics as soon as I get my camera back from the Canon doctor ^_^

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