We're getting a kitten! We know next to nothing!

[MrsWobbleTheWaitress]

But fret not...it's only just been born so we have a few weeks to get researching!

And actually, I'm lying. We don't know nothing as we have heard lots of tips here and there, but nothing matches the collective wisdom of MN! So what do we need to know/do?

I got a new kitten yesterday... I lost her this morning. She turned up again though

I'm assuming you don't have any cats already (we have two - that's been interesting).

Basically, take it to the vet's to ensure it's healthy etc; make sure it has a litter tray and it knows where it is; feed it a little kitten food two or three times a day; make sure it has fresh water; keep it in one room (if possible) for the first week or so; don't let it outside until it's had all the innoculations etc; get it neutered or spayed if you don't want either stinky tomcat wee everywhere or loads of kittens if it's a girl; always get your cat in at night - it's not true that they should be outside; love it. I think that's it really!

Hopefully someone with a less laid back attitude will be along shortly.

Always let it sleep in your bed

Feed on demand

Get rid of all precious curtains

Give it a ridiculous name

Let the DCs dress it up occasionally

So basically treat it like a newborn then, scurry?

Can't sleep in our bed - we have a toddler in there. Litter tray is going in our downstairs loo. Nothing in our house is expensive or precious except the children . Kitten coming from very cat-savvy friend so I know it'll be healthy and is seeing vet before we get it.

Can we feed it dry food so we can leave the food out for it?

When will we be able to go out leaving it behind, and for how long?

We have no way of having a catflap - once it's old enough, would we be better off making a day time 'home' in the wendy house and leaving it outside?

How wary do we have to be of scratching and biting? It'll be 9-10 weeks old when we get it, and is being cared for in a family with two boys aged 8 and 6 so I think will be child-friendly.

How old does it have to be when we get it spayed/neutered?

How do we train it to use the litter? Or will it already know that and just need to be shown where it is?

It'll be litter trained by the time you get it but you will need to show it where it is. Possibly more than once. Not sure about the rest as I'm a bit rusty myself! Mine is currently destroying my sofa...

Our kittens were 8 weeks when we got them, they were already litter trained and came from a house full of kids, so they were very used to being handled, aww they are so lovely... mine are now nearly 9 months! Have you seen the kittens yet? What colour are you getting? I spent loads of time watching them and cuddling them.

Microchip it - at least there is some chance of it being returned to you if it goes missing and has lost a collar/not wearing a collar.

Vaccines - 9 and 12 weeks old

Neutering - contact your local vet for advice, usually between 4-6months old.

Usually cat litter tray is instinctive for them. Some are fussy and prefer certain type of litter over others, some prefer shallow trays, some deep trays, some enclosed "private" trays. Find out what the breeder used and go with the same ideally.

Worming - speak to your vet for advice about what and went to use.

Ooh thank you for all that info.