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Original poster

Would you get this kitten?

25 replies

Secretlifeofme · 07/09/2018 10:56

DH and I live in a city, not in UK, where there is a big issue with cats and dogs being abandoned :( We work full-time and already have two adult rescue cats (females) who are indoor cats - we live in an apartment on 23rd floor. Our cats are very happy and contented, very cuddly and loving and enjoy playing together. They are also very relaxed with newcomers, so not nervous or difficult at all.
My DH has a friend who has recently taken in a kitten that she found on the streets. The kitten is pretty young (although she thinks not too young to be away from its mother) and she basically can't look after it because she lives in a house share and her flatmate is not keen on cats. DH's friend works full time and so the kitten is alone all day.

DH would like us to take the kitten. However, I'm worried that it will not be fair on the animal - what if our cats terrorize it (seems unlikely but you never know) or something? WWYD in this situation? I'm torn!

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 07/09/2018 11:00

I would probably take it - it wil be happier in with other cats than on it's own. is there any way you or DH could take a couple of days off to see if it is OK with the other cats ?

Disclaimer - I know nothing about cats and have never owned one, there's a section on here called the littler tray that is full of cat experts though.

Rockbird · 07/09/2018 11:01

I'm new to cats, only getting them this weekend! But it seems to me that a life on the streets vs a life of good food, warm beds and lots of company and cuddles is pretty easy to answer. I'd go for it, but as I say, no cat expert here.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 07/09/2018 11:02

That's the thing, we can't take time off at all. Both of us are really busy in high-pressure jobs :( if I could do that, I would take the kitten with no question!

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Cats

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 07/09/2018 11:12

I'm also not sure if it's toilet trained, although I suopose it must be if it's at home all day.. The thing is I love kittens and know how to look after them, but have only ever taken one on when I have time off work to help it settle in. Do you think it will be OK?

OP posts:

Lonecatwithkitten · 07/09/2018 11:17

If it has come from the streets and was taken away from it's Mum too soon it will need a lot of time spent with it to socialise it well.
If you feel you could not do this if you pop over to the litter tray there is a poster TheCatNeuteter who works for the Celia Hammond Trust a cat charity in London who will be able to help you get a good outcome in the right home for the kitten.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 07/09/2018 11:18

Thanks, but as we're not in the UK I can't use Celia Hammond unfortunately! When I lived in London I got a cat from there before :)

OP posts:

Lonecatwithkitten · 07/09/2018 11:20

Sorry I thought you said you were in London what country are you in I have links in several countries to cat rescues and maybe able to find you some help.

Claw001 · 07/09/2018 11:23

I suppose you could keep the cat and kitten separate until they are used to each other? Introducing when you are there?

I did this with my dog and 2 new rescue kittens.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 07/09/2018 11:24

I'm in China. I know some cat rescues but the problem is they are overwhelmed

OP posts:

fenneltea · 07/09/2018 12:45

I'd take it, it sounds like it might end up back on the streets, and although your set up might not be ideal it is certainly better than many alternatives for it.

It's more likely that the kitten will pester your older cats tbh! Be worth separating them initially while you are out to ensure they are all okay.

SnowBrussels · 07/09/2018 12:48

I’ve been able to introduce mine gradually to each other, keeping the newcomer in the bathroom/utility room. You probably want to do that anyway until a vet gives them a clean bill of health.

Howmanysleepstilchristmas · 07/09/2018 13:05

I’ve introduced lots of new cats to one another and never had any problems (I’d guess around 16 introductions). Put the new kitten in a separate room for the first couple of days so he feels he has a safe place to retreat to, then open the door. He may get scratched once or twice but nothing that’ll do him damage and they establish hierarchy really quickly.

adaline · 07/09/2018 13:15

You don't really need to take time off work for a kitten. If you're worried about accidents or your resident cats terrorising it, then keep them separate - maybe the kitten in the bathroom for easy cleaning purposes with food/water/tray and give your current cats the run of the hose.

We got a kitten first then rescued an older cat. Never took time off either time and they're fine now, currently cuddled up sleeping on a pile of blankets! We also (and I know this might be unpopular) never did slow introductions. Brought the older cat home and that was it. He took three days to settle but was absolutely fine after that. They share bowls and litter trays, play together, share treats and both will come and sit with me and eat out of my hands - they're now two and three respectively.

maxthemartian · 07/09/2018 13:25

I would take it. It may not be ideal by UK standards but it's a jackpot win for that kitten in your case (I have lived in the Gulf, similar issues with cats there).

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/09/2018 13:53

As you live in china yes, I would.

ThanksHunkyJesus · 07/09/2018 13:56

I wouldn't take it. You've got a responsibility to your existing cats and 3 in an apartment seems like too many.

fenneltea · 07/09/2018 14:23

I don't think that three in an apartment is too many under the circumstances. I vo;unteer at a rescue and there can be three cats to a smallish pen that are in there for months. I also have six cats and three large dogs in a three bed house; I'd have no qualms about taking on extra cats, they are all perfectly happy; just the cost would be prohibitive.

adaline · 07/09/2018 14:54

You've got a responsibility to your existing cats and 3 in an apartment seems like too many

There are apartments out there that are bigger than some houses! It being an apartment has nothing to do with how happy the cats will be.

It's better if they're inside and safe than out roaming the streets without a safe, warm home to go to.

serbska · 07/09/2018 15:34

No, I wouldn't want to upset the happy balance you have with your existing cats.

Littlechocola · 07/09/2018 15:37

Try it!

ThanksHunkyJesus · 07/09/2018 19:35

I vo;unteer at a rescue and there can be three cats to a smallish pen that are in there for months.

I don't think cat rescue places are indicative of what a suitable home environment should be like.

almondsareforevermore · 07/09/2018 19:46

Can’t you ask around to try to home the kitten with someone who hasn’t already got two cats? Most cats are happy on their own and don’t need another. This kitten isn’t actually homeless, if it was I’d take it in and risk upsetting the resident cats.

fenneltea · 07/09/2018 20:42

I agree thankshunkyjesus however an unwanted kitten in China probably has very little chance of a decent life, compromising by apartment living for all three would save an awful lot of potential suffering.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 07/09/2018 21:23

Thanks all. I think we've almost decided not to take her :( it just doesn't seem fair to take her in and then leave her all day. To those who suggested asking around, we will try but there are literally daily posts on social media here with people asking for homes for abandoned animals :(

Not completely decided yet tbh...

OP posts:

TheHollowLeggedGoat · 07/09/2018 21:30

Maybe bring it home with a view to seeing how it gets on with other cats - and then try to rehome if it doesn't work out? My friend has just taken a kitten into a house with two adult females and it's been a disaster... lots of inappropriate behaviour and toileting from all three of them. She is regretting it; it's turned a happy home into a troubled one.

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