How to pick a good 'un!

[Italiangreyhound]

Hi, please offer me any advice for your wisdom.

My DD wants a pet and after much soul searching we are getting a kitten. You may remember me because I asked a while ago about cat or kitten! I got mixed views and actually our friend with the cat is keeping it he thinks and a few people have offered us kittens to buy (once word got out we wanted one there seemed to be lots!).

So..... do we just pop along to a friend who has one kitten and go for tha or should we pop to various people's homes and see a variety of kittens! The word on the street seems to be that it is impossisble to know what they will be like as adults so there is an element of pot luck, but by kind handling we may be able to influence that somewhat (or so someone said!).

I asked boy or girl and the answers seem to say that either would be fine, we are neutral on colour although DD loves ginger as the two best cats we know are both ginger (one male and one female).

This is all new to me! As a child we had three cats, one after the other, all silver tabby cats, all male and all came to us as strays, so I never went through this process of choosing a cat or having a kitten. Am very excited but also nervous!

Any advice very welcomed.

Thank you.

Let me tell you a story. When I was choosing a Siamese kitten two ago, we went to the breeder's house for interview and to meet the mother and were sitting in this room with a great flurry of kittens (We were the first to go there.) After half an hour or so, the breeder asked if there was one we fancied and I mentioned that there was one that I had seen earlier that there had been 'something special' to - but I couldn't see him any longer.

We turned to DH who had been quiet for a bit and I noticed that he had an extraordinarily soft look on his face as he was sitting there. He grinned, moved his hands, and exposed said kitten who had gone up onto his lap and fallen asleep - while I was talking to Mum and the rest of the kittens were rollicking around the room.

So - I/we had clocked him, but he chose us.

Having said which, I've always got on fine with whichever cat was thrust upon me - so who can tell. I think I'd probably go to see several and see if any of them choose. But maybe do it in the order of the singleton kitten first because if that leaps on you and is loving and friendly, you're all set up and no need to go further.

As to colour, I have to confess an unnatural predisposition to ginger toms. Apart from my Siamese boys, I've always found ginger toms to be wise and loving cats with oomphs of personality and verve. I can't think of any scientific way in which colour can determine character - but it always seems to work that way.

Have fun whatever you decide to do.

PS - I was a little anxious about people offering you kittens to 'buy'. I hope they're none of them in the breeding for money game? (If you really want a kitten, I think there are quite a lot of kits at rescues who could do with a good home and at least you would know where your donation to the rescue had gone. (Food, vets bills etc.)

They are asking £35 so I am thinking it is more a donation to cover costs. I can't imagine they will make any money from them. The ones at the rescue centre were asking £60 or £70. It is not the costs that I am worried about, I just know this lady a little and another friend knows her. I don't expect she is breeding them as a business but it does seem to be that people expect you to 'pay' something. Is not normal?

That sounds fair enough then. I don't think there's necessarily any real 'normal' when it comes to homing home reared kittens. Some people who have been caught with an unplanned pregnant mum are so pleased to just find a home for them that they thrust them into your arms free even!

She isn't breeding them for money, I know that,

We will see what the cat is like today, excited!

I love ginger toms too. We have a tortie and its a bit like living with a small, grumpy tiger which our vet said is fairly typical for a tortie.

We'll expect a picture, you do know that don't you?

Ahhhhhh cozie your story has put a big soppy grin on my face

There was a big grin on the breeder's face also. I guess if you're sending kittens out into the big wide world, having them choose who they go with is as good as it gets.

Some things are just meant to be eh?

When our cat had a litter of kittens , the kittens 'chose' their new owners.

Each time someone came to see them to choose a kitten (we rehomed them to friends of friends) a different kitten seemed to make a bee-line for that person.

It was if it was meant to be!

Kitten is mega cute but quite shy. Certainly did not jump up in my lap or declare undying love!

As I said, I've got on with pretty well every cat I've ever had to. Shy isn't necessarily a big problem despite all we've been saying. Much depends on the socialization that they've had in their first home and some places are simply more social than others with more people around.

Did you like it?

Our elderly rescue cat picked us too - she was right up to the door of the pen insisting that we came in to play with her.

I love him, he is so cute but I am worried about getting one who will be totally stand offish for the next 15 years and treat our home like a b and b, which I full expect DD to do in about he next 10 years too!

A shy cat? More likely to be a 'clinger on' than stand-offish.

Go with your instincts though. If they're telling you (and it sounds as if they are) that this kitten isn't just for you then meet some more before you decide. It's no disrespect to the kit or its owner - just that some cats and people are more suited than others. The kit may find someone next week who would be its soulmate. As could you.

He is adorable and I can't wait to get him home with us! I am going to ask for general advice so if you have any please migrate to....

Any advice please go to www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/1758013-Advice-for-a-new-kitten-owner-or-do-you-ever-really-own-a-cat

When I went to get my girl, the owner handed me all the girls (4 of them) to hold, and the first 3 all just scurried out of my hands when I put them down. The last one...clung to me and wouldn't get down.

17 months later...she is still here in my arms.

Well my little boy or rather DD's little boy did not stay in my arms and was off doing his own thing! But whatever he feels about me I am smitten so I hope he is going to get more loving!

Thanks one and all for your thoughts and advice, Kittennovice is very grateful (maybe I should change my name!)

Hi cat-lovers, you may remember me popping on here with numerous questions about ow to pick a cat or kitten and how to insure them and what to buy for them!

Just wanted to tell you my fears that our kitten might be shy or not friendly were unfounded. He is purring like a train and jumping on my lap. he is so gorgeous and I will put a photo or two on mumsnet as soon as I can work how to do it.

He is lovely and me and DD are smitten.

Thanks for all your help.