Thinking about getting a kitten...

[Niceteeth]

So, after many many months of consideration, my husband and I have finally decided to get a cat. The problem is, I really don't know the best way to go about it! I've read so much information that I'm more confused than when I started. Particularly, where to buy/adopt from? Initially I thought a rescue kitten was the ideal solution but have heard that they're not too keen on young children (DS is nearly 4). But I don't want to end up getting one from a dodgy breeder by accident!
Would appreciate any advice, tips etc!

[Greensmiff]

Um why not get a fully grown cat from rescue? its house trained already and cats last for ages!! we got our black and white adult boy at 3yrs old and been told he'll last until he's 20!! kittens are a nightmare especially when you have to train them on pretty much everything aka not to go ninja on your child for starters xx

[Niceteeth]

Hmm, well I suppose the idea of experiencing the playfulness of the kitten stage is part of the appeal, I don't know, I've read so much conflicting advice! For instance its harder for an older cat to bond with a new family? But I don't know if that's true!

[QuiteQuiet]

4 years old are fine with kittens, I was a breeder fully registered and all that pedigree cats, but the cat protection place shouldn't be too fussed by a four year old as long as you can give the kitten a good home, have a garden (mine don't go out) but cat protection places like them to be able to run free. You should be fine.

[Niceteeth]

That's reassuring, have heard they have some very strict guidelines but perhaps that's just the rspca? We do have a big garden, lots of space and live in a quiet cul-de-sac. Ds is used to my MIL's cat and is very sensible.

[QuiteQuiet]

I'm sure you will be okay, we had one when my child was 4, its usually around the 18 months age the children like to pull the tail, by 4 they love their little ball of fluffiness!

My children love our cats, they are like family, I was breeding when my child was 5 and he never hurt a kitten, okay he used to put them on his truck and push them around he living room but they loved it.... He is 8 now and we still have the same cat, he takes her everywhere and love to tell people 'this is my cat' she loves him so much she just lies in arms like a baby, she even tried to go to bed with him!!

If cats are scared they run away, just ensure you have room the cat/kitten can go to to 'escape' should it feel the need.

[QuiteQuiet]

They do come across as 'strict' but all they want to know is the kitten/cat will be well cared for, fed, vaccinated yearly and neutered at 6 months and you have a garden, my cats were the opposite too docile to go out,they would lie in the middle of the road. The most important thing is that the cats is looked after and loved, me as a breeder that is all I ever wanted.

[Niceteeth]

Yes, I can understand that they want the cats to go to good homes. It sounds like your ds has a lovely relationship with your cat, hopefully mine will one day. Thank you for answering my questions, it a shame you don't breed any more, we could have had one of yours

[sashh]

Cats still play as adults so don't worry about that. Could yoou take two? I'm thinking a mum and one kitten. Kittens are easy to rehome, not so much older cats.

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

We've just got a 4 month old kitten/cat from a local rescue charity. He can cope with the children (5 & 7) and is very playful! He was the last of a litter brought in - all his siblings had gone as kittens and he was left behind. I am a big sucker for a sob story! Our last cat was also from a shelter, brought in as an adult stray and did not trust people at all. He was on borrowed time, so I took a chance and he ended up being the most loving cat for the 6 years we had him.

Just make sure you don't go to a shelter unless you are absolutely sure, you will want to adopt them all! Also, an added bonus of getting an older kitten is that they should be litter-trained too.

[NotQuiteQuiet]

Mines were litter trained from 5 weeks old, I like the idea of getting 2, 2 are much more fun than one, I have 3

Mum and kitten from Mum isn't a good idea, cats are not like us, by the time kittens get to 12 weeks Mum cat is usually trying her best to throw them out the door.

An older cat and a kitten would work though, just not Mum and baby

[Niceteeth]

I really don't think we could cope with 2 cats to be honest! But perhaps might consider a slightly older cat. Does anyone know if there is any advantage in getting a pedigree cat all?

[cozietoesie]

A slightly older cat might be a very good idea, especially from a rescue. They'll almost certainly already be chipped, neutered and vaccinated and the rescue will probably be able to tell you a bit about their likes and dislikes (children, dogs, other cats etc.) They generally settle down real well in new houses - almost as if they're grateful to be given a new start.

As to the pedigree bit? I don't think there's any real advantage. You'll find that some of the people posting here prefer a certain breed but that's really just because they happen to get on with them. You might also find that a pedigree is more expensive to insure (I'm not certain on that one) or have breed health issues.

Why not have a look at this link:

\link{http://www.catchat.org/\catchat}

There are lots of rescues listed there where you can go online and see who is looking for a new home.

[ChromosoneShortOfHuman]

No advantage in having pedigrees imo... I have some pedigrees (bred them) and a cat, I love them all equally, the only difference is my pedigrees cost a fortune and they are very laid back and overly fluffy and make a lot of mess with fluff!!

I do love them though, hence why I bred them, I had never met a cat in real fluff like these ones....

[ChromosoneShortOfHuman]

Some breeds do have health issues not all though.

[Niceteeth]

Thanks to everyone who's answered! I think will definitely go for a rescue and try not to get hung up on the (incredibly cute and sweet and fluffy)kittens!

[ChromosoneShortOfHuman]

Go meet some in the fluff and one will re-home you

I am not saying all/any older cats are not a good idea but go see them first, I did buy an overly expensive one and he had been abused, poor boy, took him months to come round, even now he is a little bit scared. Gorgeous though. I'm a cat addict!!

[moggle]

There will likely be quite a few older kittens "left" in the rescues at the moment (kitten season is spring-summer). Don't feel bad about choosing a kitten over an older one if that is what you want - the faster they move out the more space for the oldies waiting for a rescue place. Plus the older kittens you'll see now will very soon be full grown cats (in size if not temperament!) with the same poor odds of being chosen. However once you visit the rescue as others have said you'll probably find the cat you fall in love with is not what you were expecting so you could go home with a grumpy old man cat :-)

Some rescue places do encourage you to take 2 kittens, as they do learn a lot from each other and keep each other occupied whereas 1 kitten needs a lot of attention! Having said that if they are a bit older the rescues may not be too fussed on this point. Good luck!

[diorissimo]

After branding myself a 'dog person' for years ... after our old beardie passed away this summer, we finally caved in and got my daughter a kitten for her 12th birthday. The first thing that amazed me was how EASY is was to train. When I say easy I mean the fact that this wee thing of 8 weeks just needed to have her paws put in the litter tray and then she immediately knew where to do her business. Never had any accidents (unlike all the puppies we've had!!). And how joyful and entertaining it is to have a kitten in the house - they are unbelievably endearing !! Now at nearly six months we are continually amazed at how intelligent and independent she is too. Because it was our first cat I was reluctant to get a rescue in case we would be out of my depth with any behavioural issues. However, we just got a rescue dog - and happily him and the cat get on brilliantly (she is convinced his tail is a toy though ...). Good luck!

[cozietoesie]

I think kittens are convinced most everything in life is a toy!

Glad you're enjoying her.

[SizzleSazz]

I only found it was the RSPCA who wouldn't rehome with under 5's. CPL and the independent rescue we finally got our cat from were happy (as long as the rest of the home check was ok)

[DilysPrice]

I'd talk to your local rescue and see what they say. Ours always has loads of kittens in need of a good home in the Spring but will only rehome them in pairs, which is lovely but more expensive.

(we are signing up for kitten fostering next year and am wildly excited about it)

[bigbadbarry]

Our local rescue was wary of my children and to be honest, having had a vile antisocial cat as a child who we knew had come from an old lady (very quiet house), I wanted to know the cats' backgrounds, We found a family with 4 children, 4 dogs and 3 cats and got our kittens from them in the assumption they would be bomb-proof and they are great family pets

[DilysPrice]

We were given adolescents by the rescue rather than kittens when DS was 3, because he was a very immature 3 year old. But a good rescue will fit the cat's personality to your household.

[SweetMingePie]

Kittens don't stay cute for very long, a few weeks if that.

I have two cats, one we got from 8 weeks, the other was 14 weeks and a rescue cat. The 14 week settled much better than the 8 week and was just as playful.

[Wankarella]

I used to foster pregnant mummy cats pre-breeding my own, that was lots of fun! I love kittens, I also love cats, I do miss having kittens all the time though. Scratched sofas and all