Would like a kitten/ cat, advice needed please......

[npg1]

I would really like a kitten but need advice about where to get one from, female or male? Im sure they are quite easy to look after, compared to a dog say that needs loads of attention! How much does it cost to get it neuted? Thanks

if you get one from a rescue home they are normally neutered/spayed, or you get a voucher to have it done.

insurance about costs about £7-8 a month.

Look in the local paper, it can vary wildly according ot your area but where I grew up there were always adverts of kittens free to a good home.

My friend has a friend who's cat is about to have her kittens any day and has said I can have one. Not sure if I should wait or look around and get one somewhere else. This one would be free to probably!

How about male/ female?

Definitely have your friend's kitten! You can go visit it as it grows up, and maybe give it an old jumper of yours to get used to your smell. Plus you'll know it has been well treated and that it is used to being handled by people from a young age. Don't take it from its mother until at least 8 weeks old, by which point it should be fully weaned and housetrained so should be very easy to look after.

I've always had female cats so can't give you any advice on sex.

As Trillian says definatly go with your friends kittens, you will know that it has been well cared for and you get to watch it grow which is fascinating. Also this give's you a chance to bond before you take it home.

Failing that i would go to a rescue, so many kitty's need genuine loving homes. and you know that you will have a healthy happy kitten or two (alot of rescues only home in pairs, But not all)

There are plenty of kittens "for sale" but i have noticed that some people are charging silly amounts for moggy kittens just to make a few quid!!! Plus you don't know if they have been cared for properly.

If you decide to buy one elswhere make sure that you ask lots of questions about temperament, treatments and care, make sure you see the mum and the house (i wouldn't arrange a meeting anywhere to pick it up) but having said that The seller does not always tell the truth and you could end up with a very poorly kitten.

I have kept both males and females and really i think it is a personal preference i currently have all boy's. As long as you have them neutered/spayed they will grow to be happy cats. Problems can occur when you dont have them done, Especially with male cats as they are always in competition with other un-neutered males. They will spray and could become aggressive. Also not to mention a male will not think anything of travelling miles looking for the females so you may find one day they have upped and gone, never to be seen again.
I also find that a females temperament can change if allowed to have kittens as she becomes fiercly overprotective and can become aloof.....but this is not always the case, just stating what Could happen.

So it depends on what you are looking for in a cat. It sound like you are not too sure at the moment so i would wait until your friend's cat has kittens and see how it goes as you will have at least 8-12 weeks to figure out what is right for you.

Thanks for all the useful info. Been looking it up since last night and have found a couple of kittens for sale around my area.

1. Black female kitten, 9 weeks old, last of the litter to go. Waiting back from an email from te owner.She wants £20

1. Another friend has someone who has kitten, waiting for tem to contact me, they are free. Ready beg june.

3.friends friend ones who are due anyday.

Guess if I went for number 3 it would then be summer holidays for my children so would be at home even more for it.

Also still debating in my head if i want a kitten or a cat abit older. Not sure I want a kitten ruining my furniture etc. Have been thinking about rescue cats, probably more chance of getting an older cat if rescue but I think places are funny about if you have children.

I would like a friendly cat as a companion for me in the evenings as im on my own but I know a kitten would be lovely to!

How old are your children? I think the RSPCA and Cats protection won't place kittens with children under 5. I have just taken two kittens from CP (my children are 9 & 11). We already have an adult cat we rescued when children were under 5.

The kittens are great fun but would be a nightmare if your children are small. They do claw furniture but have only damaged one beanbag so far. Also to begin with do you have one room you can keep the kitten in? They are so tiny it would be easy to loose or stand on them if they have free rein. The kittens do need lots of play in the day to socialise them so not good for anyone working during the day. The adult cat tends to be the one who wants to snuggle up in the evening.

Also consider what you will do with a kitten if you have booked a holiday. They can't go to a cattery until they are fully vaccinated so you may need to consider the timing. My two kittens have settled very quickly because they have each other to play, fight and snooze with. Cats protection do a home check and are not averse to children. They are very helpful with info on how to settle your cat. Hope that helps and have fun whatever you decide to do

Hi,

I'm a first time cat owner and have had Tommy the rescue cat for 3 weeks now and he is absolutely lovely.

We got Tommy from a local RSPCA home and they were happy for us to have him and my kids are 2 and 4. We had to go back to the cats home a few times and look for a cat who was ok with tiny tots and read their little info sheets and chat to the staff who cared for them. A lot of the cats at the RSPCA were only suitable for people with older children but if you persevere you'll probably come across one who is happy to live with smallies.

The vet thinks Tommy is about 18 months so he's bouncy and quite playful but doesn't have any horrid habits.