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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Getting a kitten

87 replies

GreenVoyage · 12/04/2018 18:43

Sorry posting for traffic..

We're thinking about getting either a kitten or two together. We've not had cats before we'd provide a loving home!

What do we need to know beforehand? Any top tips? Are there any specific breeds which are more difficult to others etc?

TIA

OP posts:
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8
gamerwidow · 12/04/2018 19:27

Kitten season is in the spring/summer to it's coming up to prune kitten time at rescues. Always get a rescue cat they are over flowing with unwanted kittens there is no need to fuel the pet trade. Kittens are lovely but they are also hard work and a bit of a pita because they are silly sods who have no sense. If you're out most of the time you might be better with juveniles rather than kittens.

gamerwidow · 12/04/2018 19:28

*prime not prune

GardenGeek · 12/04/2018 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExFury · 12/04/2018 19:32

If you are ok with two then would you consider a slightly older pair? Rescues will have some bonded pairs that are (pardon the pun) doubly hard to rehome.

We got our 3 from rescue at 6 months. So still kitten-y, but because they wanted to keep them together (one is blind and he's always with one of the others) they struggled to home them. They really struggle with pairs.

If you go for a kitten then I'd go for two from the same litter.

Teachtolive · 12/04/2018 19:33

Definitely go for two if you're getting kittens. They're great company for each other, particularly at night or when you're out. It'll stop them howling for you, and they'll play-fight each other so less chance of you getting your hands shredded!

Get 2 of everything- beds, bowls, litter trays. Make sure you have a scratching post for them, the bigger the better. If they start scratching the furniture bring them to the post. For their first day and night keep them in one room to give them time to adjust to knew surroundings. And always remember to put the toilet lid down, it sounds daft but they're very curious early on and kittens have been known to drown in open toilets. Or at the very least you don't want a toilet-soaked kitten running around your house!

pandarific · 12/04/2018 19:36

If you’re after a specific breed have a google - there are specialist rescues for lots of breeds and also most of the breed associations have a page with cats for rehoming on there.

Also kittens are cute and all but they are an utter pain in the arse. Not allowed out, tiny so easily got underfoot and haven’t worked out yet that biting/scratching not nice, so alllllll the scratches.

But they are adorable!

dementedpixie · 12/04/2018 19:37

We got 2 brothers at 8 weeks. We looked in rescues but they had nothing so we bought privately too. They keep each other company and can play and fight with each other too. Mine were neutered and microchipped at 4 months as recommended.

ExFury · 12/04/2018 19:39

If you do get two then you need two of everything - bowls, beds (although in my experience they'll ignore them) and three litter trays.

Bluelonerose · 12/04/2018 19:40

Think of kittens as toddlers. If they are quiet they are either asleep or up to something they shouldn't be Grin

Enjoy your new position of slave Wink

IHaveBrilloHair · 12/04/2018 19:42

Be careful, they're addictive, I got one, now I have four!

dementedpixie · 12/04/2018 19:44

My 2 just use one extra large tray. Tried having 2 but they only used 1. Have lots of bowls (2 for dry food, 2 for wet, water bowl). Have a large cat tree/ scratching post. They prefer shoe boxes to cat beds

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 12/04/2018 19:45

I have 3 cats they pretty much look after themselves but they are great company they love coming to me for cuddles on the couch or in bed. I got all of mine from different litters and you wouldn't know it they way they all are together my oldest is 2 my middle one is 2 in May and my youngest is 1 in May.

GardenGeek · 12/04/2018 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ForalltheSaints · 12/04/2018 19:59

A lot of things I agree with and so will only add one thought- have a plan for who will look after the cat when you are away, as I expect the idea of cat kennels will not be something you would want to do. Growing up we had other neighbours with cats so reciprocated help.

Original poster
GreenVoyage · 13/04/2018 20:57

Thanks! I think we're going to get a Russian Blue. They're beautiful!

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 13/04/2018 21:10

Russian blues are beautiful if you can afford one! I'd recommend getting two kittens so they have company, they don't have to be siblings but just introduce them when they are little and it won't be such a big deal when they are adults. Good advice above and I'd recommend getting insured as soon as you get them, vets bills can be huge.

bluetongue · 14/04/2018 04:30

Russian Blues are amazing. I had one and she was the most interactive cat I’d ever met.

AwkwardPaws27 · 14/04/2018 09:34

Moggies are beautiful too, and tend to have less congenital health problems.
My beautiful boy was free (his owner died), he came to live with me at 4 years of age, so he was house-trained, didn't destroy things in the mad kitten stage and I knew what his adult personality would be (big soppy cuddler, occasional git).

Getting a kitten
KTheGrey · 14/04/2018 10:14

On my second rescue pair siblings and all I'd say is you need the Vet flea and worm drop on treatments - monthly fun time, chasing cats about with a capsule and rubber gloves - and mine lurve their water fountain (but you have to clean them a lot and the filter is all spit and fine furriness). And spare your furniture, get a Serious scratching post and train endlessly. Mine have a garden but they prefer furniture I mean Hessian. 😀

TotHappy · 14/04/2018 10:44

We've always gone with ads in the local paper, people will sell unwanted kittens that their own pets have had, it's not all 'breeders'... Got my beloved boy that way, from a farm, he was an amaasaazing hunter! Two i have now are brothers and another accidental litter... £10 each. They were the last 2 and dh said we couldn't leave one behind... Kinda wish we had in some ways as it's hard to give them all the love they need. They do need individual cuddles with you. Sometimes they love each other, sometimes they hate each other.

TSSDNCOP · 14/04/2018 11:02

Do you absolutely understand that you will be your cats slave? You don't get a cat, they deign to allow you into their presence.

We have a brother and sister. She's an evil genius and he's dumb as toast. They enjoyed watching DH and I spend half an hour rescuing the Robin they brought home as a play date.

madeyemoodysmum · 14/04/2018 11:09

I'm In A multi cat house and it's fine

Littermates are best if you get kittens. They are often lifelong friends.

Just make sure they have there own spaces. We have 3 cats and I have 5 beds to choose from and they each have a food bowl.

I let mine out at about 16 weeks supervised then by 6 months they are coming and going but never at night
I still lock the cat flap at night now and they are 16 and twins are 3.

Injections every year but cats are easy pets. My hamster was more hassle.

madeyemoodysmum · 14/04/2018 11:12

In my area id not get a pedigree as they get stolen and have to be housecats. I personally don't think it's fair to keep a cat indoors it's whole life. Plus I'd hate the litter tray.

Welshmaenad · 14/04/2018 11:17

Get two. Go to a rescue.

Lots of scratching posts, one litter tray per cat plus an extra. Get decent insurance or budget for vet bills. Check local vets for kitten packages to cover vaccinations, microchipping and neutering. Neuter at 6 months, keep them indoors till then or you will have 16 kittens.

Consider adult cats too, especially bonded pairs requiring regaining, once they settle in they are less labour intensive than kittens.

I've currently got a DSH with Alzheimer's, a mad tortie DLH, a Siamese/DSH Cross and a Ragdoll/Siamese cross (all rescue). They are all loving and utter fuckfaces in equal measure so I conclude that breed is immaterial.

Branleuse · 14/04/2018 11:22

get two littermates or a bonded pair. Its so much nicer than having one. Watching them play and cuddle up to each other is a deep joy.

I also recommend boy cats as being friendlier and soppier as adults than female cats in general. Female cats are usually better mousers though