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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Considering getting a cat

32 replies

rainbowslollipops · 24/04/2013 07:18

I have a 6yo dd and a hamster. I thought about getting a kitten but have training next week and change of hours after that so I'd like a older cat maybe 1/2yo. what do you think? my mum had cats when I was growing up so I've been around them a lot.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 24/04/2013 09:32

Super idea - if you get a slightly older rescue cat, they'll generally have had their shots and likely will also have been neutered if needed and been given a microchip. The rescue will also probably have been able to make an assessment of their character so as to fit a cat to you. Most rescues will make a charge for a cat (say about £50 - ish or a bit more) but it works out very well as you won't have to pay for first vaccinations etc.

How does DD feel about it?

If you look on \link{http://www.catchat.org/\catchat} and go to the 'Find a shelter' page, you can find the rescues near you so that you can contact them. Many of them will have websites where you can see some of the cats they have available for homing.

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2013 09:34

Hi rainbows. That sounds like a great idea. being 6 years old your dd is old enough to help with looking after it too.

Have you got a local rescue where you could go and have a look? They will need to do a Home Visit to check your location etc, then if all ok they will try and match you with the right cat.

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 24/04/2013 10:36

dd isn't so keen on the idea but she does love cats. She thinks the cat might eat the hamster. I can try and find my nearest rescue center and call them.

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cozietoesie · 24/04/2013 10:38

Well I was assuming the hamster was kept in a cage?

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2013 10:38

yes, or see if they have a website, the often have cats for rehoming to look at on there.

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 24/04/2013 10:53

This is the thing. He is in a cage, in fact its like a tank but the door to open it on top of the cage is made from metal bars. I highly doubt the cat will be able to get him.

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cozietoesie · 24/04/2013 10:58

Reassure her then. Unless she's in the habit of taking the hamster out for a runaround and any cat will eg have a catflap or can otherwise come in unexpectedly, you should be OK.

By the way - how old is the hamster? Given their limited lifespan, it might be unfortunate if she associated (however mistakenly) the arrival of a cat with the hamster's demise.

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 24/04/2013 11:07

Hamster is only 11 weeks old and comes out each night but in his exercise ball. I have no problems letting him in his ball in another room to stop the cat getting in there but to be honest he sleeps all day so I doubt the cat will actually notice straight away. Dd knows I'd never let anything happen to the hamster.

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cozietoesie · 24/04/2013 11:10

That's fine then - but don't imagine any cat won't immediately realize he's there. They would smell him and/or hear him breathing and whuffling in his sleep if nothing else.

Still sounds as if you have to do more on the reassuring DD front though. Perhaps let her look at websites with you and tell her a bit more about cats?

MrsClown1 · 24/04/2013 13:59

Hi Rainbows - my advice (for what its worth!!) is get an older rescue cat. When you first take it home (if you get one) it will be a little nervous but it will soon settle in. I have had cats for years, all rescues and all but one adults. I had 8 cats at once at one time! Until 2 years ago I also had hamsters and the cats just ignored them. Not knowing what the cats are like I would keep the hamster cage in a room where the cats cant go just be sure. Do you have a spare room? Funnily enough we got a 10 year old poodle 2 years ago and he used to scare the hamster to death! He used to sit looking and growling at the cage so the hamster was scared to come out of his tunnel so we ended up finding a wonderful home for the hamster at my son's girlfriend's house!! I LOVE CATS (well all animals really). Good luck.

MrsClown1 · 24/04/2013 14:00

I hasten to add, I only have 1 cat and 1 dog now (both rescues)

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 24/04/2013 16:10

The hamster can go in my room as my door is always shut as is Dds room. I'll show dd some cats and info on them. I think I saw a section on a website for kids. Thanks ladies!

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Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2013 17:30

Ooh good luck. And do keep us posted.

KirstyJC · 24/04/2013 17:41

We got an adult cat from a shelter and he is perfect!

They came and did a home visit, and due to 3 boisterous little ones they said we could only take a cat over 6 months old (which I wanted - potty training kids is hard enough, didn't want to do it with a cat as well!).

They talked us through the cats they had and then matched us to the perfect cat - they had fully assessed him and he was happy with lots of noise and young kids.

We did have to have a cat flap installed though, which was a bit of a pain as we didn't want one. (We closed off the old cat flap in the previous house as our previous cat used to like leaving bunnies on the stairs. Alive ones, mostly.) I was hoping not to have to get another but they insisted, so make sure you have somewhere to put one.

cozietoesie · 24/04/2013 17:53

Depends if it is to be an outdoors cat, Kirsty - not all rescue cats are.

KirstyJC · 24/04/2013 20:18

Oooh good point - you could get an indoors one, then you wouldn't need to worry about a catflap.

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 24/04/2013 20:31

An indoors one would be nice actually.

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Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 27/04/2013 15:03

I called a animal shelter to see if they had any in and they said they have a male kitten that's come in this afternoon and that I'm welcome to see him Monday afternoon and they'll.hold him for me until then

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Sparklingbrook · 27/04/2013 15:17

Squeeeeeeee!!!!! Any further info? Colour/age/cuteness rating?

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 27/04/2013 15:34

He's all black and 4 weeks old so he can't come home for another 4 weeks which is great for me cause it means I can get extra bits.

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Sparklingbrook · 27/04/2013 15:39

Roll on Monday.

cozietoesie · 27/04/2013 16:16

Get the camera charged up ready ! (You're obliged to post a picture here.)

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 27/04/2013 16:24

haha I will don't worry! Dd decided Dexter would be a good name

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Sparklingbrook · 27/04/2013 16:26

Dexter is a great name.

Original poster

rainbowslollipops · 29/04/2013 15:40

Went to see the kitten and all was fine until they told me they charge £70 for the kitten as a donation. add that to the stuff I need to buy and that's expensive for a black kitten

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