to want to get a kitten (or two)

[Lorelai]

So, friend has just told me her cat is pg again. Last time I half-seriously suggested to DH that we should get one, this time I have said it again and he has said ok, so now we are officially thinking about it. We have both had cats before, but not kittens (youngest cats I have had were 5 months). DD1 is 3.5 and has been brought up with cats so knows how to behave around them, DD2 is 6 months and far too mobile. I am on mat leave at the moment, going back PT in Sept. We would want to get two, so they would have company.

Are we mad to be considering this?

When my pair got a bit rough, I would pick them up to face height, say No, then put them on the floor away from me. They'd come back to play, and if they got a bit rough, repeat the No and put them away from me. it didn't take long for it to become just a "No", "Oi" or "Millie/Mango" in a warning tone of voice for them to look up with a "Who, me?" expression... For claws, a gentle tap on the paw with a "No claws" worked for us.

I found fishing rod toys and laser pointers were the best thing for kittens who hadn't yet learnt to control their claws. When they get overexuberant, the claws sink into the string not your fingers!

I only came on this thread because everytime I read it in my head I hear that song from Oliver "you got to pick a pocket (or two) you gotta pick a pocket (or twooooo)"

Yes?

No? Just me then.

Lol Nullius, hadn't noticed that!

Interesting about the multiple trays etc - my parents have two cats and they happily share a litter tray (althought don't use it often) and a water bowl - have 2 food bowls but often eat out of each other's.

Don'tcallmebaby - I am not worried about DD1 with the cats as up until last summer we lived with my parents (from when she was 4 months old) and we are still round there several times a week, so she is completely comfortable around cats and usually ignores them now.

awwwww ive been rotfl tonight at my cat & dog playing together!cat bullies the poor dog lol buster was trying to watch tv and the cat kept pouncing on him!

That's good. :) I should have added that DD has completely come round to the cats now, and did very quickly. Well, after a couple of weeks of me being VERY brave about scratches. Actually that is something to be aware of with with kittens rather than cats, the latter's claws aren't nearly so sharp, and they're a hell of a lot better at controlling them (she says, her stupider cat having just attacked her foot, having failed to notice it is ATTACHED to ME).

I don't even know if mine have individual bowls - they're right next to each other and I've never noticed if they favour one over the other. They'll sometimes eat at the same time, not always. Water likewise, although they both prefer a nice stagnant puddle, the guttering (!) or a dripping tap.

Zelda, try a spray bottle of water. It's effective, they know what it is for.

You could put a baby gate up to stop access to litter tray.

Our cat used to come inside (we have acres of woods around us) to use the litter tray. But after a stray chose us, he taught Lola to go outside.