Tell me about getting a kitten please.

[tilliebob]

I haven't had a cat since I was a child. DH has always maintained he's not a cat person but his workmate has some kittens and DH came in from work last week and said one is mine -and not the dcs if I want it .

We're going on holiday soon so we wouldn't get the kitten until after we come back - it'll be about 12 weeks then.

However after years of wanting a cat, I'm suddenly getting cold feet as I know feck all about them really. We always had dogs until we lost the last one a few years ago.

Should I go for it? We will be getting a lab puppy at some point within the next year too - but cats and dogs can live together, can't they?

Kittens are bloody hard work - they're pretty relentless. But it's rewarding, and worth it - I love cats. I think you need to maybe make the call between a kitten and a puppy - taking on both within a year sounds like too much. I know next to nothing about dogs but I'd imagine having a puppy would be a lot easier with a slightly older, more predictable cat.

They're hard work - but only in the sense that they're pretty full on at that age. (12 weeks is a good age to get them by the way.) Every time you turn around they're into something so you have to pretty well 'kitten proof' the house for a few weeks as you would for a toddler. (No valuable ornaments or loose things around the place, for example.) And they grow up pretty quickly.

Otherwise, they're pretty easy - litter tray, food and water and somewhere to sleep if they deign to use it. Plus things to play with and vet attendances for vaccinations (very early on) and then neutering etc slightly later.

A lab is a good dog to live with a cat - one of those big flobbly breeds that will likely end up completely dominated by the mog. Timing might be a little awkward if you're planning to get a puppy but it sounds as if your kitten would be growing up by the time the puppy arrives so shouldn't be too bad. (You can ask for advice here when the time is nearer.)

We always said we'd get another lab when the youngest dc was house trained and we really miss having a dog now. However we haven't got the money for one so until I can afford to buy/immunise/insure a pup we won't be getting one. Obviously I need to pay out to insure/immunise/neuter a kitten now as well

You will - but have a scout around to check on prices. You may, for example, already have a favoured local veterinary practice but if not, do some research. Prices can vary hugely between vets and aren't necessarily a guide to how good the practice is. (Likewise insurance.)