Getting our 1st pet cat....

[DumbledoresArmy]

We’re looking at getting a cat to add to our family.

We have a small dog & x2 young kids.
I can’t decide whether to get a kitten or adopt from rescue?
I know obviously it’s always best to rehome a rescue but in terms of our 1st pet cat is this the best choice?

Any hints would be great.

[SpinnerDryer]

Has your dog lived with cats before? Does he/she chase them when out?

The best thing with the rescue centres are they usually have a good bit of history available & can match one up for you.

There are thousands that need homes. We have used Cats protection. We also have a N.A.W.T near us, who are great & have loads available.

We adopted a 9 year old cat, that had lived with children before. The other cat in the old house was stressing her out and the family bought a new puppy that used to terrorise the already stressed cat

She is beautiful.

Anyway, she came to us for a quiet life.

[Sparklingbrook]

Hi. Given the fact you have a dog and two young children I think a family friendly older cat (ie 1 or 2 years old) would be a better match for you than a kitten.
Have a look online and see what cats your local rescues have. they are good at matching cats to the right homes.

Good luck.

[pleasingone]

I went to a cat shelter for a kitten and came home with an approx 18 month old boy. We couldn’t be happier, and it is the best decision we made. At the shelter he was so friendly and got out of his basket to say hello to us, we could see immediately his personality. He is such a lovely cat, we all adore him.
By contrast a colleague at work got a kitten for her family. Beautiful little thing. Unfortunately he is the devil in disguise, doesn’t like being touched, attack’s them and is just not an affectionate cat they hoped for.
The advantage of an older cat is that you can see their personality, you’re doing a good thing, and you won’t get your house recked!

[DumbledoresArmy]

Thanks :)

Our dog is a pug so she isn’t much of a threat to a cat. She’s never interested in them.

I’m leaning towards cats protection.

[Sparklingbrook]

Have a look on the Cats Protection website. You can narrow it down by area and whether the cat is good with children dogs etc.

[DumbledoresApprentice]

When I was growing up we always had cats from kittens. For my first pet cat of my own I got an adult rescue. She is the gentlest, sweetest cat I’ve ever had. I wanted a chilled out, cuddly cat and that’s what I got. Kittens are far more unpredictable, some of the cuddly kittens we had as kids turned out to be really nervous, scratchy adults. My parents’ most chilled out, friendly cat was really scratchy as a kitten.

[Sparklingbrook]

I have always wanted a kitten but I do prefer them when they are bigger. All our rescues have been adult cats with a bit of known history and they have been really nice cats.
My first cat guarded my baby bump when I had DC1 and they grew up together as firm friends, it was lovely.

[Wolfiefan]

A cat used to dogs would be better than a kitten. Kittens can scratch. May hurt dog! They certainly run and dog could chase. It's also not a good idea to get a tiny kitten with very young children.
Our first cats were 2 years and 18 months. Old enough to have manners and young enough be playful!

[JuneBalloon]

We’ve just got a kitten much to the horror of our 8 yr old Tom... The first couple of weeks he hissed and swiped at her a lot, but now that his authority has been established he barely gives her a second glance. Our possessive and somewhat opinionated 4 yr old Cockapoo, however, has been perfectly happy with the kitten on the whole (which is more than I can say for other dogs we meet on our walks). She even lets her sleep in her bed with her.... My point being that they can usually work it all out once a pecking order has been established. But if you do go for a kitten, pick a confident one! Try to get pick of the litter rather than the one no-one else wanted!

[Allergictoironing]

It also depends a bit on the age of your children, you just say "young" in your OP. Young children often don't realise how rough they are being, and kittens are extremely delicate; adult cats are tougher and can also escape easier to high up places & the like. A temperament tested adult cat is also less likely to bite & scratch than a kitten too!