Kitten dilema - need some urgent advice from 'catty' people

[backintheUK]

We have been searching for a kitten for ages and finally through an acquaintance she has managed to find us 1 or 2 kittens from a litter. they are 7/8 weeks old now, and are ready to come to us this week if we want them.

I have a major prob though...

I want younger kittens (ie 8 weeks) around for my son who is a bit anxious about pets ( he is desperate for kittne however) rather than a 12/13week old which I am guessing will be bigger a bit more boisterous and may put my son off or be scary for him.

So if we get them now at 8 weeks great - except we are going on hols for 2 weeks mid-july when I think most catteries won't take them in ( age wise) and to get a 2 x daily cat sitter will be nearly £200 for the 2 weeks.

So... do we wait until we get back from holiday to take them when they will be 13/14 weeks and risk them being a bit scary for him or do we not get these ones and wait until we get back fro hols and get one then....(which I am worried about as it has taken me nearly 3 months to find these ones which are reasonably prices (£15) and are not from someone offering a million kittens at £200 each which seems really common)

Any advice greatfully received - sorry for lengthy post and appalling spelling today!

sorry - wanted to add - maybe traumatic for kittnes going to a cattery if they are willing to take them....

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Why would they be scary at 13/14 weeks? That's still tiny.

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You could try again when you get back. Tis unfair to put them in catteries at such a young age, if someone would even take them.

They will not be scary for him at 13 weeks old.

And really, if 13 week old kittens are going to scar e your child, then should you really be getting them?

They won't be scary at that age - they'll still be tiny and cute. Let them have an extra few weeks with their mum - it's really not fair to take them home and then leave them for two weeks.

Maybe you can take your DS to visit them a couple of times before your holiday so that he gets to know them. Also involve him in chosing their names/food bowls/beds etc.

a 13/14 week old kitten will still be a tiny one and in no way 'scary'

Hopefully it'll be properly used to a litter tray, too, and not pine for its mum that much, unlike an 8 week old who's just a little baby really.

" "Kittens should leave their homes at a minimum age of twelve weeks," says Dr. Betsy Arnold, DVM, a veteran Siamese breeder and veterinarian with an all-feline practice in Rochester, New York called Caring for Cats. "In my practice I have seen kittens coming in at six and seven weeks who weight twelve, maybe fourteen ounces. These are infants. They needed to stay with their mothers."

Twelve weeks may seem old to people accustomed to seeing newspaper ads advertising kittens who are "ready to go" at six or eight weeks of age. Most of us who have had cats have acquired kittens that young. They are cute at that age, and most people enjoy having such young kittens to watch them grow. However, we may permanently harm kittens by separating them from their mothers so early. There are crucial mental, emotional, and developmental milestones that a kitten experiences between six and twelve weeks of age. Separating the kitten from mother, siblings, and familiar surroundings at that age can cause undue anxiety and stress at the least, and serious medical problems or even death in the very worst cases. "

from here

Think it's been answered, but agree with all above. Just make sure your kittens are coming from a home where they are loved and petted a lot if you are worried about how they'll be with your son. Go and see them (alone if necessary) and make sure you're happy with it all.

If you have any doubts, wait, and maybe pay more. Over the course of their life cats will be quite an expense, so their price at first is less important than what they are like, and you'll probably have them for a long time.

Thanks for the comments - I can't see the wood from the trees at the moment about this for some reason and as this will be the first time I've had kittens I am a little anxious about doing the right thing - I grew up with cats/kittens, but this is the first time we have been in a place suitable for them as a grown up iyswim so this is my first time at sole ownership!

My logical head was telling me to wait until we get back so will speak to friend today and put her off until after hols...

Next thing is do we take a brother and a sister as they would like us to do or just one?

definetly take a sibling
we have 2 11 week kitten brothers who are inseperable, had them for just over a week and a half and like everyone says they are still really tiny and need loads of cuddles but oh so cute

Depends if you are out a lot. Two will be company for each other. If it/they can go out it's not so important as they won't be so bored.

I have Half Siamese cats which are very needy and 2 is definitely best, but as afr as I know cats generally are loners and can get stressed by other cats.

If you're strapped for cash and it's a normal moggie type cat I'd say get one.

half-siamese?

1. Although it increases the cost (2x vaccines, spay and neuter fees, 2x as much food and litter) its much nicer for the cat to have a buddy since its likely you won't have time to play with the cat every day without fail and if you need to cattery them, they have a friendly face.

I would also suggest pet insurance for them (I think the cheapest is about £8 a month per cat) which is worth its weight in gold.

And don't assume cheap food is good. Often (but not always) a cheap food is a false economy - you save on feeding the cat but often have to pay out in vet bills. Avoid go cat (and iams as this has an increased instance of blocked bladder related problems in cats) and look for a middle of the road food. I'd also suggest feeding wet and dry food - having a bowl of dry food constantly avaliable, and offering a sachet each once a day (or twice)

Thanks - money not an issue ( apart from potentially unnecessary expense of cat sitter for these hols)

Think we will see them tomorrow and see if they are nice and then decide on 1 or 2. I don't work so will be around during the day for them so loneliness not necessarily a problem - but do like idea of 2 for some reason.

Check the insurance details carefully. Some are better than others. Some only pay out for one condition once, so if they get a longterm problem the money runs out. Others cover it for life.

Post some pics when you get them...

Any recommendations on insurers then?

The other thing about a brother and sister is that they will have different personalities and maybe favourite family members, which I think is nice..

Gawd, not from me. Mine are a bit rubbish, but once your cat has had a condition no new insurer will cover it that thing. It's better to stick with one if you can. M and S and Petplan have good reviews. I would have gone for them, but their quotes for where we are were too high. It's just the 'for life' thing you need to be aware of.

we have M&S which was a best buy a couple of years ago and it's excellent and cheap

Thnakyou - will let you know how I get on.....