How old were you when you got your first cat?

[Corygal]

Following on from more (repetitive) research that says people have their first child at 30, I wanted to ask MNetters when the really important life choice was made - when to get the first kitty.

I was 39, not a moment too soon for me.

27 and I've had them ever since. My home just isn't home without a furry prescience.

About 30 when I decided a kitten would be a nice addition!!

27 when I got the first two who actually belonged to me, always had cats at my parents house but they were always my mum's cats.

I was 21, the cat is now 7. I doubt we'll get another one once this one dies.

43. No intention of ever having a cat but promised DD one if City ever won the Premiership not expecting it to ever happen I absolutely adore her - thanks City!!

I was 25. Now 38 (with same cat). Not sure what will happen when she dies although I know dd would like to have a kitten.

And she found me

19. My dad never let me have them so I waited until I moved out. He's now in love with my two ragdolls! And I want more...

I got my first very own cat at 18, my first shared cat at 17, and had family cats all my life till then.

Hardly had a time without one.

My family got two cats when I was 14.

I got my own cat when I was 28.

23, since then I've been had more than 25 cats (not simultaneously).
My first boy was a magnificent ginger tom who was a stray who adopted us.

We have five at the moment. I can't imagine not having a cat, DH says I am preparing for when I am mad cat lady.

I was 31. DH had them from about 25 ish. My family always had them when I was a child.

DM said she knew he was a nice man when I met him because he had cats

5! My Mum's sister came to visit and brought me a kitten because I had always wanted a cat. My mother was less than impressed. She was a fabulous, bonkers, cat-obsessed Aunt, and she died last year. A friend of mine took on her two cats, and I was so pleased that I managed to find a lovely home for them, rather than them ending up in rescue.

48
Dh had cats when he was at home but we just never got round to getting one. She is a rescue cat who had kittens when she was a kitten herself. We are very tempted to get a second one.

23. A lovely 2yo rescue with a broken pelvis.

We had cats throughout my childhood. Boyfriend and I got two of our own when I was about 20 - one died aged five, and the other stayed with my boyfriend when we split (because I had to go to a gardenless flat). Since then I have not had a cat of my own but (via cat rescues) a succession of foster cats, seven so far. Four of those were rehomed pretty quickly, two had serious permanent health issues and stayed with me til they died, and one is sitting next to me now but he is going to his permanent home in a few weeks' time.

25 when I became the main cat servant to our gorgeous boy. We had a cat when I was a child, but he was utterly besotted with my Dad and no one else got a look in!

Our hairy boy is now three and I am desperate to get another one, or 5 . DH wants a dog though and DC1 is due in Nov so I am not winning that discussion just now.

I talked my parents into getting a kitten at 7.
At uni I looked after a cat for a discount on my rent.

Then at 24 I got my first cat of my own. Well 2 together

33. Wish I'd done it ten yrs earlier.

She was a rescue and only lived for ten months with me before she had a stroke and died :(

Got a rescue kitten pretty much straight after who is now two (and the sweetest natured cat in the whole world :) ) and we also have a 14 week old rambunctious boy-kitten :)

Don't intend to be cat-free ever again!

18 months but my parents decided for me.

As an adult, about 30 - had to spend years persuading dh. Who, to be fair, is allergic. Luckily can cope with his own cat, still reacts to other people.

For my 9th birthday as an unexpected present. My first cat and my first Siamese. (So I thought all cats were like Siamese, not knowing any different.)

33 here too. She's amazing I never want to be without one. DH had to convince me but I'm glad he did.

I was also 39 and took on a severely neglected cat of a neighbour (which cost me over £1000 at the vet). Only 13 years later and I now have 19 and my life is more or less dedicated to cats. I didn't see that one coming...