Getting a kitten

[GreenVoyage]

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

What are people's experiences of rescues. We got ours from an ad in the paper after we'd been turned down by a couple of rescues (rather not name names as they have a thankless enough task) because they didn't want to home kittens with a child under 4 (DS had been born into a house with many animals) because they can break kittens backs, and they didn't like that we would have a cat door.

Was I just a bit unlucky? I have often wondered about the toddler/kitten point particularly as all cats I know have legged it from a child's approach - is it a thing?

Branleuse
I have 3 girls, one boy, my boy is like a giant big teddy, the softest, fluffiest, babiest cat ever, he's half Maine Coon.
My girls are lovely but have some wits about them, he doesn't

TSSDNCOP, do you mean rescue centres or rescue cats, Im not sure from your pist.
My eldest is not a rescue but is rehomed, I'm her 3rd home and weirdly the worst trauma she's suffered is with me!
She's gorgeous though, a very relaxed and happy cat, though she does rule the roost here and the others know it, but mainly let her, she sleeps on my feet most nights.

Centres Brillo.

Boy cats are definite softies. Mine has a little bedtime routine and if I’m late to bed he comes and finds me 😂

ive had female cats who are lovely as kittens but aloof and distant as adults, compared to my boys who seem to stay cuddly and kittenish forevr

i always get rescue cats. I dont really see the point in pedigrees. They so often end up with health problems, or getting stolen.

Two siblings should be fine. Check immunisation status and be prepared to keep indoors until full vaccination coverage is given. Don't forget that girls as well as boys can spray until neutered but that neutering a boy is a relatively less invasive and quicker recovery than a female spay. Different sex siblings will mate so if you go for this option get your boy done first 4+ months, then your girl from about 6 months.
Check what food the kitten has been eating prior to adoption yourself. Sudden diet changes can upset digestion, so if you are planning to change do it slowly.
Register kittens with a vet asap for check ups and in case of emergency. Look at insurance options too.
Lastly, please remember that there are plenty of older cats in shelters needing good homes and love. Kittens arent kittens for long. An older cat will be fun playful and just as loving.
Enjoy your new family members

I have three and have always had at least two. Only get pedigrees if you are nuts about a breed otherwise go the rescue route 🙂

To echo what sibsmum said I've just adopted two bonded cats who are 5 and 7 years old. They are lovely boys, so affectionate and just as playful as kittens but without all the stress.

Hello, if you are getting a kitten always best to get two that way especially if nobody is at home during the day he wont be lonely and destructive.

Look at the local shelters and Cats Protection although CP is probably best as they will be able to have you adopt a kitten or an older kitten if not an adult cat that has been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated all for £55 adoption fee and you get 4 weeks free pet insurance.

If you are looking to buy products for kitty try Zooplus they are an online store but very cost effective with exact same brands etc as PAH etc. Food is also very reasonable especially for decent food.

Scratching posts are a must and toys or they will start on furniture and carpets etc. Zooplus also has a lot of interactive toys for kittens and cats.

And do get insurance it really is worth it.

But if you adopt from CP the will provide you with all the info you need. :)

Adopt don't shop you can even adopt pedigree cats out there.

I have a 6 month old kitten.
I am at the " why did i do it " phase. Ha ha.
He is full of beans and cant seem to grasp that worktops and tables are out of bounds. He is chewing everything in sight and is generally a handful. He needs loads of attention and play and is quite hard work at the mo.
But he is oh so sweet and loves his cuddles and everyone tells me he will calm down eventually . I love him to bits already so good luck and prepare for the odd moment of regret !

We rescued a young mum and her female kitten (the rest of the kittens had been adopted); the mum "looked after" the kitten when we're at work. They're delightful, but the kitten destroyed the kittens swinging on them! Two kittens alone a lot could be a bit destructive.

I have 4 furry friends, my 2 DDs adore them and I think my DH likes them too, not that he would ever admit it.

I've had all mine from when they were kittens. I previously had a rescue cat but she didn't cope at all when our DD1 came to live with us aged 1 (both our DDs are adopted). She just got ill from the stress and in the end the only option was to have her PTS, as she was too unwell to be rehomed.

But as you don't have DCs by the sound of your posts, that's not relevant. My rescue cat was a really wonderful companion for a very long time.

I second what Beaverhausen says about Zooplus. There's a brilliant food they stock called Applaws. It's grain free, 80% meat and my boys have always been in very good health with it. A lot of cat food is grain/filler heavy and they really don't need that. It can actually be bad for their health.

Teachtolive I feed mine on Purizon which has a bit more moisture than Applaws tried them on both and they chose Purizon :).

Zooplus have some fab cat deals on this week.

My cats are also on a raw diet so I do not feed them any wetfood but I get them the Natures Menu at PAH or make up a batch for them myselfs and their conditions are brilliant no runny poo's but smelly ones as they are on a very high protein diet. :)

Also OP try and get a hooded litter tray much less mess everywhere and try different litter types mine likes the woodpellets.

Hi flapjackfairy. A 6 month old kitten is hard work. Firstly get him neutered if he's not already and think about some of the pheromone mimicking products out there to calm and reassure puss. In my experience it,s generally easier to attract puss to something they are allowed to scratch and mess around on ,such as a cat tree or scratching post than to put them off things you want leaving alone. Again there are sprays to attract attention to permissible cat play things.
At 6 months kitten is most probably teething so will benefit from chew friendly cat toys and treats.
Giving kitty a dedicated hour's play in the evenings will help too. You are his only playmate. Good luck.

We have one pedigree cat we got by looking via the breed association, and another from a local, reputable rescue. We love our pedigree but unless you are mad for a breed, have a look at the rescues first. I couldn't imagine not having cats.

This thread is making me really want to get a kitten! Unfortunately I don't think my cat would be too impressed.

My Half Maine Coon is just as much of a mog as my other cats, it just so happens he got all of his Dad's looks, size and temperant.(sp? )
He was born here, as was my tortie, on my Dd's bed when she was asleep in it!

Thanks for the advice sibs .
We are booking him in asap now and we do play loads and have toys etc. He is also quite happy to use scratching post and tree but will scratch anywhere else he fancies as well ! Havent tried felliway etc so will give that a whirl !

Can anyone recommend a website for adoption? I don't care for breed at all, but most facebook groups I've tried have enormous waiting lists for kittens and it seems they never become available (I've been on a couple of lists for six months now). Sites like Pets for Homes often charge around 250 quid for a cat (no pedigree, just regular moggie).

I am more than okay with paying for vaccines and any costs the foster owner has had, but I do resent people selling for profit when I just want to rescue a cat.

majapi the rspca, bluecross or cats protection websites are full of cats for adoption or just google 'cat rescue shelter + your town name' and loads of little local ones should be returned.