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Original poster

New kitten - have we made a mistake?

55 replies

C1239 · 22/10/2019 11:18

Hi ,

We collected our kitten at the weekend after thinking it through for many months. I have grown up with cats, I love animals, but this is the first time I’ve been responsible for properly owning a pet! It’s the first time my partners ever had a pet so we thought it through a lot. Maybe even overthought it!
We collected our kitten at the weekend and he is lovely... but I didn’t realise how full on it would be I don’t think and now I feel awful.. what if we have made a massive mistake.. he is 5 months old and super friendly.. but this morning he was awake at 5.30am crying really loudly in his room, I waited until 6.30 to go and give him breakfast because I thought it’s best to react straight away because I don’t want him to get into the routine of crying really early every morning.. I thought once he’d had some breakfast, litter tray changed etc he would be fine but he continued to cry for 3 hours until i had to leave for work, I held him or played with him... I feel awful because I don’t want him to be sad, I’m at work imagining he’s still at home crying but also I don’t want our lives to massively change.. and that sounds awful but I mean I feel I can’t get anything done at home atm because he is taking all my attention! He is such a lovely kitten I feel awful for having these doubts. What if we have made a big mistake. Is it normal to have these doubts?! Is it normal for him to take a little while to settle in then will he settle down?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 22/10/2019 14:06

I leave dry down all the time and at that age gave wet food 3 times a day. Is there an option of leaving dry food out?

Elbels · 22/10/2019 14:06

I'd agree with the settling in too, we got two at the same time and still took a week off work when they arrived to be with them and then paid for a cat sitter to come in at least once a day for the next month. Perhaps we went overboard but I hated the idea of them being alone all day without seeing someone.

Ours are over a year now and still totally nuts so there is an element of that never changing too! One spent most of last night on my face because that's the most comfortable place to sleep apparently!

bellinisurge · 22/10/2019 14:11

Google Jackson Galaxy

Original poster
C1239 · 22/10/2019 14:17

I am leaving dry food out during the day (I’m at work 9-5) and leaving him dry food out at night as well... that had been eaten by 5.30am today! And making sure he has nothing but our attention when we are home....at this point I’m worried getting another would be double trouble?!!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 22/10/2019 14:20

Do you give wet food too? With 2 they can entertain -fight- each other. I got 2 when they were 8 weeks old, now nearly age 3

BloodyCats · 22/10/2019 14:24

Yes big mistake. Cats and kittens are extremely annoying and will ruin your furniture and life. I have 3 going spare if anyone wants one 😁

Original poster
C1239 · 22/10/2019 14:49

He has a couple of high up windows he can look out of during the day, and yes when old enough he will have access to outside. He seems super friendly I think he just wants to play with someone all the time, which is obviously a problem when I’m at work!
I feel awful for moaning.. I know it’s a big move from him. Like I say I’m used to living with cats from when I was growing up but had forgotten how demanding a kitten can be!

OP posts:
Original poster
C1239 · 22/10/2019 14:50

At the moment just giving try food and making sure fresh water is always available- he has been drinking as well as eating.

OP posts:
Csleeptime · 22/10/2019 14:53

Can you really not get sibling. So kuch better for them. We fostered 3 kittens and when two went the last which we kept was so so sad. It was heart breaking. We got another cat to keep him company and all was much better

MustardScreams · 22/10/2019 15:47

Get another kitten for him to play with all the time. Why are you completely ignoring this suggestion?

Tohavefarted · 22/10/2019 16:07

Yea op does keep ignoring people asking if she can get another.

FoxSquadKitten · 22/10/2019 16:12

I’m worried getting another would be double trouble?!!

No it won't be double trouble it will be so much better for you all. They will entertain/comfort each other so you can leave them longer. Can you get one of his siblings??? Poor little thing has been with them all his life and now he's on his own all day longSad

Shannith · 22/10/2019 16:24

He will be fine. I got mine at the same age, almost exactly the same situation from the rescue.

I was mostly around but pretty much let her get on with it. I let her out after 6 weeks and now she comes and goes as she pleases.

She is 8 months now and totally chilled.

They sleep more than you think!

You have given a cat a lovely home. Relax. You'll hopefully have many years together to enjoy each other's company.

One day (for example) the kitten you hand reared (previous kitten) will refuse to acknowledge your existence unless Dreamies are involved bitter then you'll know you have done a good job.

Hattie78 · 22/10/2019 16:27

Two is much easier than one! I have 4 cats. I recently rescued two kittens (brothers) together and they are great - really entertaining to watch, keep each other company and they don't pester my older two as they just play together. They're also the most affectionate of my 4 but I don't know if this is just a coincidence. I'd definitely go back and get a sibling if you can.

Iwouldbecomplex · 22/10/2019 16:42

He's adorable!

Mine was a bit of a shouter when we first got him :) they just want company and love. He's only a baby and he'll get more independent over time. We let mine sleep in with us at night until he was properly settled and he was happy at night once we did that. He was with me all the time when I was home and I also popped home at lunch times to check on him. I gave him full access to the house too so he could explore - I wouldn't close him in to a room personally. Just give him lots of love and attention and time he'll be fine. I also wouldn't be too rigid about having hard rules for him at this age - if he's crying just go to him. I've had 3 kittens over the years an never found it difficult to break habits and start a proper routine with them once they're out of the needy kitten stage. They pick things up quickly. Enjoy :)

Original poster
C1239 · 22/10/2019 16:46

Sorry I don’t mean to ignore the advise about getting another, I had always grown up with just 1 so haven’t experienced having two before that’s why I’m unsure. I understand his siblings have now been reserved but I could always speak to them and double check, explain the situation.

OP posts:
BritInUS1 · 22/10/2019 16:51

I feel really sorry for him. You are out a long time. I would definitely look at getting a sibling so that they can comfort each other. Also, try taking some time off so he is not alone for that many hours a day so early on

Georgiemcgeorgeface · 22/10/2019 16:54

I've had both experiences. I got 2 kittens together and my last cat I got as a kitten on his own. I wish I'd got him as a pair - one on their own is definitely much more hard work because they do demand your attention more. My pair of kittens grew up to be lovely friendly boys who both love cuddles with me. My single boy is a bit more aloof. Whether that's down to nature or nuture I'm not sure. I think if you're out of the house 9-5 it's unfair to leave a kitten that long on his own until he's adjusted at least. Good luck OP whatever you decide. It's definitely worth it it's so rewarding being a cat slave ha

Branleuse · 22/10/2019 18:38

He needs a friend

Csleeptime · 23/10/2019 13:03

We're you able to get a sibling. If you explain to rescue place they usually do what is best for the animals
You shoukd call asap. It's the right thing to do

Original poster
C1239 · 23/10/2019 14:09

Unfortunately his siblings have already been rehomed now.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 23/10/2019 14:14

It doesn’t need to be a sibling any friend would probably be better than being on his own for hours , ask the rescue place for some advice and see what they think .

PurrBox · 23/10/2019 14:14

Cats don't lie closed doors. I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if this is repetitive, but can't you let him roam the house, including your room at night. I don't think cats like having their own room which they need to stay in over night.

Tohavefarted · 23/10/2019 14:17

@PurrBox mine wouldn’t give me a choice. They can open all the doors from the outside and the inside Grin

Windydaysuponus · 23/10/2019 14:20

Ime regarding getting another dkitten... You need to be quick.
I got the 2 boys from a litter, my friend got the 2 girls. After a few weeks I visited her with the dkittens. They hated each other!! Quickly forgot they were siblings!! Had to dismantle her recliner to get one of mine out!!