Is it unfair to get a kitten if I work?

[polealltheway]

I really want to get a kitten but I know battersea dogs and cats home would not give kittens to people that work, I would be out of my home for 7 hours a day as I only work school hours.

They advised that they would recommend me having a cat 18months plus.

Dd and I really wanted a baby kitten but if it's too unfair I wouldn't do it.

Advice please

Young cats (1/2yrs) are wonderful. They are still like kittens, playful, funny but much more independent and have plenty of life ahead of them. Sadly with so many people looking only for kittens, a lot of these amazing cats get overlooked.

We got our beautiful little girl when she was 18months and had been at the rescue centre since she was 7months. By that age you know their temprament and it is much easier to leave them home alone.

When I have had kittens in the past we have had health problems to deal with and pay for and they do take a lot of looking after, care and attention.

If you work (as we do) then I would agree with the advice from battersea.

We both work fulltime. We got two kittens 10 years ago and they've had a great life - as lively kittens they had each other to play with when we weren't here.

I definitely wouldn't have one on its own, but honestly I think two are fine alone together, and better off than they would be hanging around a rescue.

Rescuing an older cat would be rewarding too though - the kitten phase is only temporary anyway, you'll be living with an adult cat for a long time either way!

Two kittens definitely keep each other entertained! We had ours from about 9 weeks old, they were the only two in the litter and they were hilarious with each other. But don't underestimate the damage two unsupervised kittens can inflict. We would only leave ours to go to the supermarket etc and they still managed to trash the place while we were gone.

If I were in your position I would probably go for a young adult cat.

Thank you all for the messages

I defiantly can't have two cats one will be enough

Haha...I said that.
I now have 5

Posted too soon.
The oldest is 15. The youngest is 5 months. I found 2 easier than 1. They all get on and curl up together at night in a wonderful purry bundle of fluff!

Don't think so much on this decision, you are going to do what you want. I think cats are so active and clever animal that they can take care of their own-self and if you work for school time, that's better for you because you can have more fun time with your kitten.

Kittens need regular small meals so not best idea to get a really young one if no one home during day. 6 months plus would be better. Why not rehome a pair of siblings so they have company when young - or a lone older cat that's happy to be left?

Kittens can be a lot of work so really it would be better to have one only if home during day

I agree about the destruction they cause! Plus house is a minefield of hazards for little furry kittens so they need to be supervised.

Rehoming older cats is so rewarding and many are very playful still!

Kitten wise I have always found it easier to have 2 as they keep themselves amused when they have each other. But like a previous poster said they need feeding little and often throughout the day.
A lone kitten (even with older cats for company) is always looking to be entertained so wouldn't leave for long periods of time alone.

An older cat would have an established personality, so would be easier to find one that suits your lifestyle. Anything up to the age of 5 imo, would still be playful and have kitten like moments.

One of mine is nearly 5 and he still gives the younger ones a run for their money!!

I have to say I really don't think two cats is much more bother than one - we got two kittens last year and they are angels.

Battersea really do know what they're talking about, getting a kitten and not being around could leave you with quite an unsociable cat in the long run. A slightly older cat would be better. We have 9 cats, but there has only ever been one day in the whole week where no-one is home, and other than our first 3 kittens have been home bred litters.