I am thinking of getting a kitten / cat…

[Indecisive2233]

So I am in my early 30s, very single, live in my own flat in London (with a balcony) and I am seriously considering getting an (indoor) cat for company. I’d love to get a dog but it’s just far too big of a commitment right now for my lifestyle. I understand of course that cats are still a commitment and require looking after etc etc, but I think I would be able to cope.

I know a lot of people say adopt which I am not against, but also part of me wants to get a kitten from day one so they get to know me etc.

I am thinking of a ragdoll as I know they are cuddly and affectionate which is what I want!!

Any advice / tips etc most welcome!

Bump

Cats are the best. If your heart is set on a ragdoll kitten, go for it - but there are hundreds of young adult mogs in rescue who are desperate for a loving home, especially young mums whose kittens have been adopted and they have been left behind.

We’re on our second rescue cat. Our first girl we adopted age three, and she sadly had to be pts last year with cancer aged ten. We adopted her direct from a family where she was being stressed out by boisterous kids so we did know what her personality was going to be like. We now have a little orange boy cat who will be three in January. He was just past one when we adopted him, and had been a stray kitten so we had no real knowledge of how he would be. He’s the funniest, cuddliest wee lad, and honestly rescued me when my heart was broken after losing our lovely girl.

Come over to the litter tray and join the crazy cat ladies there! Here’s my pumpkin spiced hooligan, and my beautiful white lady.

You might get more help if you ask mumsnet to move this to the litter tray.
For what it’s worth I have always had rescue cats and they have always been kittens. If you want a particular breed then obviously that is different.

Go to a rescue. However flats with balconies are the most dangerous. Cats die falling off balconies all the time. Would you be able to completely net it? If not, would you be able to live with never having the balcony door open more than a crack with a restrictor?

Don't get a kitten and keep it locked indoors.

Get an adult cat from a rescue who can't go out for some reason instead. But as @thecatneuterer said, balconies can be really dangerous for cats so you'd need to net it off completely or have your door shut all the time.

Actually a pair of kittens that have never had outdoor access would probably be ok indoors, but only if they are a pair. A kitten on it's own would be very unhappy. An adult rescue that has been assessed as being suitable to be permanently indoors would be best - but only if you can make the balcony safe and also never have windows wide open unless the cat is excluded from that room. Cat safety in flats really isn't easy.

I have a Ragdoll and a BSH. Both are very cuddly breeds and would tolerate being indoors as long as they had sufficient company and entertainment.

Find a good breeder and enjoy being your cat’s slave!

(your kitten would prefer it if you got two but if you really want one, many breeders sell older retired queens who will be used to being indoors and past the hectic stage).

Go for it, a kitten is a better idea as she will learn from new and you can train her well. Ragdolls are lovely 😻 we have 1 Bengal and 1 who is a mix of Bengal and maincoon ...we had the Bengal at 4 mths and the other at 6 wks ...the younger one was easier to train and handle ...till now she's fine with us holding her...the other one slips away and doesn't like much handling...unless it's on his term 😂 both are very affectionate and playful. Mine started off being indoor cats but ended up going out... they're microchipped and have trackers on them ..they stay quite local and always come back 😻 Hope you find a kitty soon ..you won't regret it 😻

Having had cats I raised from kittens and adult rescue cats, I would only ever get an adult cat again in the future. You have such a better idea of their personality than you do with a kitten.

Have also had indoor cats in flats, balcony netting is a must.

We adopted a 6 month old ragdoll/British shorthair cross and she's just the most cuddliest softest beautiful thing ever. The guy who gave her up was working long hours and felt guilty leaving her on her own for so long. I can understand why as she's such a people cat. Luckily she has lots of human attention here.

There is no need to get any sort of pedigree. If you're going to do this at least do something to make a small positive difference to the number of cats and kittens without homes by getting a rescue. Otherwise you are paying people to make the situation worse.

And a single kitten is likely to be unhappy. They rely on litter mates for comfort and play. If you only want one then get an adult.

Get a pair unless you spend most of your time at home, a kitten on its own all day while you're at work will be really sad, especially a ragdoll as they're very needy and affectionate!

Also ragdolls require quite a lot of grooming so it is a commitment in that sense, you can't just leave them to it like you can with Shorthair mogs, unless you enjoy dingleberries.

Hm, we had a kitten who had never been outdoors (and he had two other cats for company) and he was utterly miserable to the point that he was regularly in the vets with urinary issues.

Our vet (who is very old school) basically said we needed to let him out or accept that keeping him in would make him sick. We let him out the next day and he's never had any issues since, and that was nearly 3 years ago.

We adopted an indoor cat. She’s completely ungrateful for her new lovely home, expensive food, piles of toys and three comfy beds. Shes always grumpy. Of course we LOVE her to pieces and she’s bought us so much happiness in her own cat way (you have to be a cat owner to understand). Sometimes she will grace us with her beautiful presence and allow us to sit with her on our sofa.
She’s bloody amazing, do it @Indecisive2233 ❤️

Actually as you're in London I'm with a rescue that could help. As well as suggesting cats/kittens we also guide you through securing everything. Feel free to pm me.

Yes. Ideally all cats would have outdoor access, but kittens are more likely to adjust than a cat that has previously been able to go out.

I guess my concern with getting a kitten who will never be allowed out, is what will happen if they get stressed or show behavioural issues because of it?

Whereas an adult rescue that's always been inside is likely a safer bet.

I would recommend doing so. I got a cat 2 years ago after my marriage ended. I would have liked a dog but not fair or realistic with my work and being single. My cat is the light of my life and just the best. She has turned out to be an indoor cat more by (her) preference than by design. I wfh a couple of days a week and the other days I’m out 9-5ish. When I have to travel for work I have a cat sitter. I was worried that a cat might be a bit aloof but mine loves a cuddle and I fear I’ve become a stereotypical cat lady.

Everything is a risk. We would only consider a pair of kittens though - never a single. That will make stress less likely. But yes, ideally a mature adult that isn't fussed about going out is best.

Older cats are the best. I have 3! They snooze and want to cuddle and sit next to you and purr.
Kittens are mental and need a lot of stimulation. My cats are allowed outside but rarely go as they are old and not that interested frankly.
Give an older cat a home and you'll never regret it