Preparing for a kitten

[DipSwimSwoosh]

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

Snowy, that picture makes me want 2! Lovely!

They do wreck things, you need to accept a certain amount of collateral damage.

Kittens do really well in pairs, I would strongly consider getting 2, especially if they will be alone for periods. Many/most rescue organisations will seek to home kittens in pairs if possible. You can't let them out (except on a harness and lead and/or in an escape proof garden) until they have been neutered. Cats can - and will - reproduce from a very young age but they can be neutered at 4 months to prevent this happening. A same sex pair is also logistically easier/safer in case of any delays in having them done. You need to be really careful with young children that doors and windows aren't accidentally left open to let them escape (kittens not kids ). Other than that a pair of kittens is great fun and I'm sure would be a wonderful addition to your family.

In terms of costs the major ones are vaccinations, food, insurance, flea and worming treatment, microchipping and neutering (obviously the last two are one-off costs). If you go via a good rescue the vaccinations and microchipping will almost certainly be done/included in the rehoming fee and neutering will possibly be either free or subsidised as well. Good flea and worming treatments (not off the shelf Bob Martin type rubbish) are available online at a lower cost.

Equipment doesn't have to be expensive - you'll need one, preferably two decent litter trays and litter, plus something for them to eat and drink from and ideally some kind of scratching post, but other than that they don't need fancy cat towers or posh beds and toys - old blankets in a cut-down cardboard box is fine as a starter bed, and a few little £1 toy mice, bits of scrunched up paper or a ping pong ball to chase and old shoelaces dragged along the floor are often more popular than expensive toys!

Thanks for all this information.

The most important thing with a new cat/kitten is to let it come to you - do not force your attentions on it. You may need to be very clear with your DC on this as it's natural to want to pet and cuddle your cat, but everything should be on the cat's terms at first.

As time goes by you will learn if and when your cat may tolerate a cuddle because you want one.

Another vote for getting two. My single cat has bloomed and definitely has a better life since joined by a kitten, and I see every day how happy they are to have each other to play with.

In practical terms train your whole house to put all toilet seats down after use - kittens drown in loos. Also you'll need more bowls than you think.

We got 2 kitten 4 years ago and have not had the experience that @BigWolfLittleWolf had. Our house and furniture is not wrecked at all.

We pay a cat sitter to come in twice a day if we go on holiday.

I foster for a small local rescue and we would not let you have one kitten unless it was around 4 months plus or was known to like being solitary.

Kittens learn a lot from being with a littermate or friend so its vital for their development to be able to play and have company/comfort in a new environment, which can take a while to settle into. Worst case scenario is that they find the new home so stressful, they refuse to eat and become ill or even die.

We'd also be very reluctant to allow you to adopt a kitten or two that's under about 6 months with young DC as it can be very hard to teach them not to bother the kittens and then the kitten gets stressed and ends up biting and scratching.

Therefore most rescues are unlikely to allow you to adopt one young kitten. You might have more success with an older cat over about 6-8 months as an only and also with DC. The kitten phase is fun, but it's also fleeting and can be quite stressful as if the kittens are not happy, they can be destructive, damaging furnishings and carpets, or toileting outside the litter tray.

Over the next few months, there's likely to be plenty of 'young mothers' available for adoption. Cats that have been found as pregnant strays or with kittens at a year or two of age, that are generally abandoned by their owners who got them as kittens and didn't bother to spay them.

Thanks again. Looks like we are looking for 2 cats! Now where to look. I'll keep an eye on local rescue sites.

I got a rescue in December.. Paid £30 which included a neutering voucher and microchipping.. Local fosterer for a charity
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