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Original poster

Preparing for a kitten

36 replies

DipSwimSwoosh · 23/02/2021 21:21

I have kids aged 7, 5 and 3. We've decided we would like a kitten. Can you help me prepare as I am clueless?
We have a utility room we can put a catflap, food, litter, bed in. Also a big garden.
But I don't know how long do they stay inside for? I know we'd need insurance, food, worming etc, any other hidden costs? Would I have to not go away for the first while? Any insight really appreciated before we start looking for one. Thanks

OP posts:
PanamaPattie · 23/02/2021 21:37

I would wait until your DC are older. When the kitten grows up, it will come and go as it pleases. It will also decide when and where it sleeps.

Original poster
DipSwimSwoosh · 23/02/2021 21:40

What age do you think is best?

OP posts:
SpringisSpinning · 23/02/2021 21:51

Following op we would like one too. Surely ops dc are perfect ages?

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Cats
Lululu22 · 23/02/2021 21:51

We got our first kitten when the youngest was maybe 3/4, eldest around 9. No bother with kids and cat. Go for it and have fun! Just beware that they can be very scratchy until they get a bit older ... says she looking at her hands which new kitten has taken a liking to. Ours has bed, litter tray and food in laundry and spends days with access to rest of downstairs. We’ve had her around a month and she hasn’t been outside yet and probably won’t for another 6 weeks or so as I don’t want her wandering too far, too soon. So far we have kept her and older cat largely apart. And yes to insurance, worming, fleas and maybe neutering at around 6 months.

PanamaPattie · 23/02/2021 21:53

As PP, kittens are very scratchy and young children can be too rough with them.

Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 21:56

My ds was 3 when we got 2 x dkittens. With supervision he formed an amazing bond with them..
Friendship is on dkittens terms..

LST · 23/02/2021 21:57

@PanamaPattie

I would wait until your DC are older. When the kitten grows up, it will come and go as it pleases. It will also decide when and where it sleeps.
Why? I've had cats and kittens throughout my dcs life. As long as they are taught to respect the cat what is the problem?
AnneElliott · 23/02/2021 21:59

Our kittens were 8 months or so when DS arrived. They have a lovely bond with him, but you have to ensure the kids don't torment the kitten.

They do get lonely though - maybe get two?

LST · 23/02/2021 22:00

OP nothing prepares you for a kitten 😸 They are the loveliest devils incarnate there are! We had are most recent in August. She was born in May, she has been spayed etc but haven't let her out yet. I am aiming for Spring when we have the warmer weather. She is my 5th cat, I currently have 3, they are all completely different! All amazing. I love cats. I have a dog too who I adore, but I wouldn't have another. Cats on the other hand....

Crunchymum · 23/02/2021 22:01

My kids are 8,6 and 3 and Dkitten is 18 weeks (he joined us just before Christmas)

He is an utter pain in the arse and I'm the one left doing all the donkey work - vets / litter tray / sorting out insurance. Plus he is a bitey little fucker BUT we love him to pieces.

Main thing is we were already a cat household - we had our 12yo girl put to sleep last year - so I already knew what we were taking on.

Kittens don't like to sleep much (at night!)

LST · 23/02/2021 22:03

Sorry forgot to add, I have 2 dc. They are currently just turned 7 and 9. They have always lived with cats. I had 3 when they were born. As long as they are not allowed to manhandle them and respect them there are no problems with cats and kids. If the cat doesn't like the children it will stay out of their way anyway.

Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 22:03

Here they are at a couple of months. Please get 2 op!? They will either shred each other or your dc's skin!!

Preparing for a kitten
Lululu22 · 23/02/2021 22:04

@PanamaPattie, just to clarify that imho a playful and scratchy kitten is not a reason not to get one!

Honestly OP if you have the space, time, interest (and funds) for a kitten, go ahead. It will be a much loved family member before you know it!

BebesChamber · 23/02/2021 22:04

Cats are great. I bloody love them and have had them throughout my whole life since I was about 5:6. I used to volunteer at my local RSPCA branch too.

There is a lot of prep you will need to do. If you are planning on getting a rescue kitten you may need to join a waitlist as they are very popular. The RSPCA will probably do a home visit to check out if your home environment is suitable (don't know if this has stopped because of COVID). When you bring the kitten home you will need to confine them to one room of your house (any more and it will overstimulate and overwhelm them), where the kitten has access to dry food (you should ask the person or rescue you get the kitten from which food they are on so that you can get the same one to avoid any sudden diet changes leading to a runny tummy), water, toys, a bed or a few cosy places to hide and sleep and a litter tray. The litter tray should be the opposite end of the room to the food - cats are extremely clean animals and will not shit where they eat to put it bluntly.

Spend some time playing with them and getting them used to you and your family members for a few days before letting them into other areas of the house. Don't go overboard with picking them up and cuddling etc, you'll know by 6 months if you cat likes to be picked up or not. You also need to be mindful of your children and how loud they are around the kitten as if it has never been around children before it will be terrified. The kitten may hide for these few days if the adjustment is too much but this is normal and they will just need some extra alone time to become more comfortable. You'll also need to make sure your children don't leave any windows or doors open before your kitten has gone out so that they don't escape.

The kitten stays indoors for at least 8 weeks from when you get them, and definitely should not go out before it's neutered. You should take the cat out on a lead or in your arms into your garden the first few times and not let them out of your sight or over the fence etc so that the cat knows it's outside terrorise first (and mainly knows where it will be returning to!)
A responsible breeder or rescues will not let you take a kitten before it's 12 weeks old as they will have had their booster jabs by this point. Do not get a kitten from someone who will let you have it before 12 weeks. They can be spayed as early as 4 months old. Yes you would probably not want to go away for a few months. If you do go on family holidays you need to think about who would look after your cat when you are away. Do you have family near who can drop in to put wet food down? Or would you pay for boarding or a sitter? That would be another cost to note.

With insurance it's really important to check for certain hidden costs and maximum fees etc. Many have a maximum amount that they would pay out for each animal and if you reach this would you have the funds to cover any further costs if your cat needed extra treatment? Costs really really add up. Any scans x-rays etc can easily add up to £500 with all the anaesthetics and overnight stays etc. For example, when one of my cats was 12 weeks she developed an eye infection that required 3 different types of eye drops that were £15 each, plus the vet appointment charge (£40) each time separately. That's £165 just for an eye infection that went away after one week. Then a few months later had another problem with her other eye which was another hundred or so.

Cats are really wonderful but are a lifetime commitment.

ofwarren · 23/02/2021 22:05

Different circumstances but we took in a pregnant cat when my youngest kids were 6 and 4. 5 kittens and no problems at all.
The kittens are the most outgoing cats ever and the kids love them so much.
We kept them all and they really are a part of the family.
I don't think you need to wait.
Kittens get lonely on their own, so get 2 If you can and don't worry about beds etc, because they choose their own. 4 of mine sleep on my bed and the other 2 in the cat tree.
They really are a breeze to look after and perfect for children if the kids are gentle with them. My kids constantly have sleeping cats on their laps 😂

BigWolfLittleWolf · 23/02/2021 22:08

Honestly?
I’d think very carefully.

I grew up with cats, they caused substantial damage (torn curtains, ruined carpets), I was naive and thought it was because they weren’t played with much.

Me and DH got a kitten.
We bought countless scratching posts, including the big expensive activity centre type, loads of toys.
She was a sweet, kind little soul but she absolutely wrecked our house.
And no, she wasn’t an indoor cat, she could go out whenever she pleased.

Carpet was clawed down to the underlay, multiple fabric furniture like sofas, beds etc shredded, severe damage to the doors from scratching, wooden furniture scratched up, rugs pulled and ruined...

A few years in DH broke and wanted her rehomed, I really didn’t want to but 6 years in she ultimately broke me too.

The stress was intense, i could never relax as I was always listening out for scratching.
Any new nice item I bought I was anxious about her ruining.
She was rehomed and although I was very upset and cried loads it was absolutely the correct decision.
I wouldn’t have a cat again if you paid me.

Additionally, unless you catproof your garden or keep it indoors it will be messing in your neighbours gardens.
I do think they are quite a selfish pet tbh as most owners just let them loose and shrug their shoulders when they do unsociable things like poo in people’s gardens and kill the birds.

Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 22:12

Ime getting 2 is a massive difference than 1.
Seriously pairs don't wreck stiff like a bored dkitten if home alone..
Dcat was very open to playing dressing up also.
Sadly he died last year. Down to 1 dcat we got a playmate. Back up to 2 now. Much better!

Preparing for a kitten
Original poster
DipSwimSwoosh · 23/02/2021 22:13

Thank you all this is so helpful. I'm not against getting 2. Dh works full time and I work part time so it would be alone sometimes. Would that be ok?
My kids are not boisterous, they really are calm kids, so I don't think they would terrorise the cat, though I guess the 3 year old would need to be closely supervised in case she tried to pick it up. At the moment she is terrified of cats and dogs, so they would need to get used to each other!

OP posts:
Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 22:13

2 home alone will be more than fine!!

Original poster
DipSwimSwoosh · 23/02/2021 22:16

Thanks BigWolfLittleWolf that is helpful. I am quite houseproud, as in, I like things clean and tidy. But we don't have expensive furniture or any carpets downstairs so it might be ok. Do they go all over the house or can you restict them to certain rooms? The main thing putting me off is the tie to home. We have no family nearby but I guess we could ask friends to feed the cat when we are away or pay for a cattery.

OP posts:
RunAwayNow · 23/02/2021 22:18

Agree with pps suggesting two rather than one. Speaking from experience 2 has always been easier than 1 for me. You don't get a lot of the boredom destructive behaviour that you do with singletons.

LST · 23/02/2021 22:19

@DipSwimSwoosh

Thank you all this is so helpful. I'm not against getting 2. Dh works full time and I work part time so it would be alone sometimes. Would that be ok? My kids are not boisterous, they really are calm kids, so I don't think they would terrorise the cat, though I guess the 3 year old would need to be closely supervised in case she tried to pick it up. At the moment she is terrified of cats and dogs, so they would need to get used to each other!
Mine are ok for while weekends alone. My mum lives round the corner and feeds them and let's them in and out. They're very independent creatures
Original poster
DipSwimSwoosh · 23/02/2021 22:22

Yes this is why I want a cat not a dog. Dogs are rewarding but need to much attention for me. Also, to answer a pp about the shitting in other people's gardens. I wouldn't feel bad as our garden always have cat shit in it!

OP posts:
Original poster
DipSwimSwoosh · 23/02/2021 22:22

I might consider 2, though I guess it's twice the cost.

OP posts:
BigWolfLittleWolf · 23/02/2021 22:24

@DipSwimSwoosh

Thanks BigWolfLittleWolf that is helpful. I am quite houseproud, as in, I like things clean and tidy. But we don't have expensive furniture or any carpets downstairs so it might be ok. Do they go all over the house or can you restict them to certain rooms? The main thing putting me off is the tie to home. We have no family nearby but I guess we could ask friends to feed the cat when we are away or pay for a cattery.
Ours had full run of the house and outdoors. She only went to the cattery once and was thoroughly pissed off about it, walked round meowing indignantly when we brought her home.

She was a sweetheart though, wrecking things aside.
We did think about getting her a friend in the hope it might stop her so it makes me feel a bit guilty reading comments about getting two but we honestly couldn’t have coped with two cats wrecking the place hence why never got her a friend in the end as we couldn’t stomach the risk.