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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I shut the kitten in the kitchen?

53 replies

QuietlyCurious92 · 14/07/2014 22:42

Heya, me again. Just a kinda quick question/follow up from my previous thread. (And thank you all so much for your great advice and support on that Thanks )

My kitten has been running around quite a bit this evening, think he's hit a bit of a hyper. Living in a top floor four in a block with my downstairs neighbours having previously complained about hearing him running. Should I shut him in the kitchen tonight? Kinda torn between the two since several of you said to stop tiptoeing about, but at the same time I don't want to cause them a disturbance/add more fuel to the fire.

Thanks again :) And here's my little bundle of fur attached, cute huh! (paragraphs alright this time?)

Should I shut the kitten in the kitchen?
OP posts:
StandsOnGoldenSands · 14/07/2014 23:45

When I got my latest cat as a 12 week old kitten she slept under the duvet with me for a couple of months because she thought I was her mum.
I can't even imagine shutting her in the kitchen. Please don't.

StandsOnGoldenSands · 14/07/2014 23:58

PS. I know about the dangers. I spent the whole time half awake feeling paranoid about moving. Then I'd fall asleep and get woken up abruptly by a kitten dive-bombing me from the mantelpiece onto my bed.
Such fun...

Scarletohello · 15/07/2014 11:47

What did you decide to do OP? How's kitty this morning..?

Original poster
QuietlyCurious92 · 15/07/2014 12:29

He slept in my bed (and attacked my feet!) He really wasn't happy in the kitchen and so far as I know didn't make a whole heap of noise at night. Dc are light sleepers so if there had been lots of noise they'd have woken.

He seems happy enough now, ran around daft after breakfast and is currently asleep on my bed again :)

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 15/07/2014 18:21

I know what the dogs would do if your cat went into the neighbours' garden by mistake and it sounds like you do too, if you describe the dogs as snappy and growly when your children come near the fence.

So this cat is not going to be allowed outside, is it?

What a shame Sad

girliefriend · 15/07/2014 18:27

My kitten sleeps in the kitchen, I have let her sleep in with me a few times but she always wakes me up by tearing about at 5am!!

If I am mean so be it, she has a lovely bloody expensive bed, litter tray and food and water - she is fine Smile

Should I shut the kitten in the kitchen?
Topaz25 · 15/07/2014 18:48

Hang on, the neighbours have growly, snappy dogs that have your children scared to use your garden and they are complaining about the noise from your kitten?! They are BVU. The nuisance from their dogs is potentially reportable, while kitten footsteps isn't (assuming you are allowed to have pets).

Nohootingchickenssleeping · 15/07/2014 19:01

He's too little to go out unsupervised. He should be let out at about six months old, if at all. He's like having a 2y/o right now, no sense of danger.

DartmoorDoughnut · 15/07/2014 19:08

No advice other than to say that is one super gorgeous puss-prat!

Original poster
QuietlyCurious92 · 15/07/2014 19:12

Indoors if I can feel less guilty about it, he loves to look out the window so I think he may just want to be outdoors eventually.

The dogs are two little yorky terriers so I wouldn't class them as a massive threat, just puts chills in me whenever ds wanders to the gate and they both run and try to shove their noses under while growling and yapping :s but so long as I keep them away from the fence then they don't bark (so much) and the kids are starting to get used to it by now

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 15/07/2014 19:45

Doesn't matter what size the dogs are, sadly, OP. There are two of them and one of your kitten / cat.

I wouldn't put it to the test.

cantbelievemyeyes · 15/07/2014 19:55

Many cats hate being locked in a room, and may well make just as much noise trying to get out of the kitchen anyway (on the rare occasion I have to do it with my own she'll bash the door with her paws forever). Of course you can try it if you wish, but it might not help from a noise perspective.

gobbin · 15/07/2014 20:18

We didn't let our kittens out until they were 7 months old, knew where they got fed and were big enough to fend for themselves a bit. No harm in that.

A colleague has a cat that has always lived indoors in a flat. Not ideal, but it's happy, healthy and very lively.

WeirdCatLady · 15/07/2014 21:10

In our garden there is a strict pecking order. The seven stone rottweiller is firmly placed at the bottom, seeing as he is such a softie. The cat is in the middle, as she allows the dog to sniff her when she feels like it (he follows her around begging to give her some attention - as I say, he is a bit of a dafty) and top of the pile are the ex battery chickens we rescued. They are nutters, chasing both dog and cat should they come too close.

I'm sure that when your gorgeous kitten is big enough to go out that he'll soon suss out the rats little dogs next door :)

SuburbanRhonda · 15/07/2014 21:44

I'm sure there are plenty of situations where dogs choose not to chase cats.

However, the OP has stated that next door's dogs behave aggressively towards her children, who are much bigger than the dogs are. So I think it's safe to assume they will have a go at a cat, at whatever age she might choose to let it go outside.

IckleBird · 15/07/2014 22:52

That is one gorgeous kitten I doubt your neighbours can hear him/her.
With regards to neighbours dogs they are only one potential danger out of many for a cat.something to think about if you decide tig should go outdoors.
My local cat rescue recommend keeping kittens in doors until at least a year old.

SuburbanRhonda · 15/07/2014 22:59

Yes, ickle, but the dogs are a danger the OP knows about, so to ignore it would be irresponsible, IMVHO.

PhaedraIsMyName · 16/07/2014 00:20

He's too little to let out now but as long as the dogs cannot get over their fence he will stay on his side of it and it'll be fine.

I can't remember how old they need to be for outdoors but to begin with you can try taking him out on a cat harness so he gets used to his surroundings.

I'm not keen on cats being denied outdoor access. My girl cat had had none when I got her when she was 9 months old and she was desperate to get into the garden. Keeping her in lasted less than a fortnight and she adores spending time rootling about outside.

Morloth · 16/07/2014 00:35

Your neighbours sound like twonks.

Kitty will be fine with the dogs. Mine likes to drive the neighbour's dogs mental by sitting on the fence and taunting them, one day, she will fall and it will be her own bloody fault.

SuburbanRhonda · 16/07/2014 07:43

Kitty will be fine with the dogs

What an irresponsible thing to say.

PhaedraIsMyName · 16/07/2014 23:05

It is not an irresponsible thing to say. As long as fence/wall between the two gardens is too high for the dogs to jump over there's no reason for keeping the cat in.

Also you do know people have dogs and cats ?

Morloth · 16/07/2014 23:52

Have you met many cats Rhonda?

They are a lot sharper than your average dog IME.

I wouldn't let a little kitten out because I would be worrying about roads. My cat now comes and goes through the day (she is kept in at night for the local wildlife sake).

I have never met a cat who isn't better/faster/smarter than the local dogs.

Aintnobodyherebutuskittens · 17/07/2014 00:01

Our kittens live in the carpeted loft ATM. When they have their mad half-hours they can absolutely be heard downstair. They make a hell of a racket.

WelshMaenad · 17/07/2014 00:09

Cats can be perfectly happy indoors. All mine bar the baby are outdoor cats, we live in the countryside, but my sister has two Russian Blues that have never been outside, have never shown any interest in going outside, and are very content cats.

My tiny one has a pet pen where all his things are, including lots of toys and his bed. He stays in there at night and when we're out. He came to us at 4-5 weeks so it was to keep him safe, but he likes it and will put himself to bed in there now even when the door is open.

Zazzles007 · 17/07/2014 00:37

Unless you live in a block of units/flats that is made of cards, how could your neighbours possibly hear that tiny, adorable ball of luff?

As someone else said, I think your neighbours are a bit mad. Do they have form for making ridiculous statements/accusations?

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