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[quote=Anonymous]A couple weeks ago, a friend got hold of a stray kitten (5-6 mos according to vet) who had lived outside through the winter (our friend had been feeding her some of that time). We wanted to welcome a cat into the family, so she brought the kitten to us to look after after a quick checkup at the vet. The kitten is understandably quite anxious, initially hiding in the closet all the time and now making more regular forays (avoids coming close for the most part - my spouse can get semi-close with a treat).
I'm looking for advice on a couple issues:
1. She seems pretty dissatisfied in general: she meows through much of the night when we've gone upstairs to bed (she can come upstairs if she wants, but prefers to just come up briefly and then run back downstairs when she's discovered). She also meows during much of the day if there aren't people on the first floor, her hangout zone; she recently started coming up to meow at me while I work (and then run away if I even look at her). She finds toys threatening, poor thing. The two issues I'm concerned about are that a. the all-night meowing, though slightly improving (or maybe we're sleeping through some of it in our exhaustion), is a bit tough two weeks in, and b. All this meowing makes me think something may be amiss for her, beyond the adjustment. But maybe it is just the adjustment? Vet said she's OK, though we haven't had her spayed yet. We're feeding her around half a cup to two thirds of a cup of dried food per day, plus some tuna off and on (that was a key part of her emerging from the closet - makes no difference to the meowing).
2. She isn't using the litter box. She uses the plant pots. I understand there's a learning process (and have been advised to use foil to cover the plant pots - but I'm worried that she will pee elsewhere in the house if we do that; once she peed in my kid's bed, not a fun night). But what can I do to help her? The food isn't near the litter box and I bought a "kitten attracting" brand of litter, no dice.
I'd appreciate any words of wisdom! (MEOOOOW says the kitten from the next room). [/quote]

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