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Advice on getting a kitten?

15 replies

Catinfo · 08/06/2023 20:12

I have been thinking about getting a cat for a while now but I’ve never had any pets. I’ve 2 young children and they spend 50/50 time with their dad and I think a cat would be nice company for me.
how much work is truly involved with a cat?
also I don’t think I would want the cat in the bedrooms. Maybe a stupid question- but is the only solution to that to keep the bedroom doors closed constantly?

OP posts:
Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 08/06/2023 20:13

Didn't you mean to say 2 dcats op?
Half the damage to your soft furnishings and skin ime.

Catinfo · 08/06/2023 20:16

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 08/06/2023 20:13

Didn't you mean to say 2 dcats op?
Half the damage to your soft furnishings and skin ime.

What?

OP posts:
007DoubleOSeven · 08/06/2023 20:16

Get allllll the kittens.

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007DoubleOSeven · 08/06/2023 20:17

also I don’t think I would want the cat in the bedrooms. Maybe a stupid question- but is the only solution to that to keep the bedroom doors closed constantly

Yes.

Also, you'll soon change your mind 😆

Letsdance8188 · 08/06/2023 20:20

We got 2 kittens while DS was little and the first year was harder than I expected. They can be a bit of a pain, despite being adorable at the same time. We got two because they keep each other company when we're out and at work and I'm so glad we did that. They love playing together.

They're now 18 months and are two peas in a pod. Constantly together and cuddling up. They got so much easier once they hit the 12 month point and we love having them around.

If you want to keep them out of your bedroom you would need to keep the door shut. We found that the cats chose their own favourite spots. They particularly love DS's bed so he always has a throw on top of his duvet for them to lie on. And keep in mind the costs of insurance, neutering, vaccinations, food and litter. It can really add up (although it was probably more noticeable because we had two!) You'll also want someone in mind to check in on them if you go away.

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 08/06/2023 20:21

Seriously, get two kittens. They grow up together and spend their playfighting on each other rather than on your arms/feet/furniture. They're happier and more loving. I got a singleton and she's beautiful but a nightmare. I would definitely go back in time and get two.

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 08/06/2023 20:22

If you get 1 where will it practice it's necessary pouncing skills? Your curtains, your arms and legs. Or a furry playmate? Really is your choice.

Royalbloo · 08/06/2023 20:27

007DoubleOSeven · 08/06/2023 20:16

Get allllll the kittens.

This!!!!

Royalbloo · 08/06/2023 20:28

We only got one and he's lovely - get a kitten!

Letsdance8188 · 08/06/2023 20:29

Also the other comments about getting two do ring true in my experience. Our two would spend hours chasing each other, tumbling around, bopping each other round the head. I could watch them for hours as its very entertaining. Neither of them has ever scratched us and the furniture is very much intact if you ignore the state of the hallway carpet ...

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 08/06/2023 20:30

Our 2 in 2012...

Advice on getting a kitten?
YourWinter · 08/06/2023 20:40

Always get two kittens to begin with. They may hate each other as they mature, but with litter siblings it’s usually ok (conversely, never ever get litter sibling puppies).

They will always be the wrong side of any closed door and will yowl, or scratch the carpet/door frame, or both. When they’re tiny they’ll use the entire house as a theme park. They’ll stop shimming up the curtains to cling onto the curtain rail, soon after it’s fallen down with them attached to it, and embarrassed them. They’ll experiment with plant it’s as alternative litter trays. They’ll nibble indoor plants, some (eg spider plants) they’ll just sick up, some (eg lilies) are dangerously toxic.

They may really, really love their tummies being stroked. They may really, really hate it when they’re a bit older, and let you know with teeth and claws. Little children especially don’t enjoy the cat drawing blood on them.

They may love watching birds from the windowsill. They may prefer bringing a live bird in, to chase around while it sheds feathers and poo all over the house. They may just kill it and leave the corpse under a bed, unnoticed until you smell it.

Dark cats will mostly choose your whitest clothes or towels as a bed. White cats will prefer your darkest clothes. Especially freshly washed and folded.

They’ll love a particular food for weeks and weeks, then when you’ve stocked up with three months’ worth, they’ll go right off it. Then they may tell all the neighbours that you’re starving them.

I’ve had only one of my 60+ years without a cat or two (or 3, 4, 5…). I hope you enjoy yours. Photos when it happens!

YourWinter · 08/06/2023 20:41

Plant *pots…

SabrinaThwaite · 08/06/2023 21:35

I’d be tempted with a younger adult cat from a rescue - their temperament will be known, and don’t underestimate how exhausting a kitten (or kittens) can be on top of small children.

BearSoFair · 08/06/2023 21:43

Kittens are Hard Work. I've had cats for the best part of 30 years but usually adult rescues or rehomed from friends/family unable to keep them. In 2021 we got a kitten for the first time in about 15 years and my God. We'd forgotten what it was like. She was like clockwork, 2hrs sleep, 1hr play, 2hrs sleep, 1hr play. And that hour required solid attention, if we left her she'd be up the curtains or wall (literally scaled the corner like spiderman on more than one occasion!) or knocking things onto the floor. Broke a lamp within the first month of being here. Endless scratches. She started to calm down a little around 8/9 months but still had regular mad moments, she's coming up for 2 and a half now and is finally a bit more predictable (as much as a cat ever can be!) and generally nice to be around. The first 6 months we did ask ourselves "why did we do this??" regularly!

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