Does it matter what time of year you get a new cat.

[WalkingThePlank]

Thinking of getting a young cat (not kitten) as our first family pet.

We need to sort out a cat flap - no mean task with double glazed doors.

We are away over half term so thinking best to wait until after that but then we're into winter.

Should we wait until spring or is it OK to get a cat ( that we assume would be happier going outside) when the weather is cold/wet?

We're hoping to get the cat from our local Cats Protection.

I think it's better to get a new cat in the winter months. It's easier to keep it in if the weather is colder and the days are shorter. I've kept all our new cats in for about 2/3 months. They were only kittens though.

The longer it's in the better it'll bond with 'home'. By the time the weather is better it knows exactly who it's owners are and where it wants to come back to.

We got ours from CP at the beginning of November. They had been summer kittens, so were still young enough to adapt but had been litter trained (I was a first time cat mum so avoided this delight ).

Worked well because by the time we let them out, it was spring so they'd been with us a few months, knew where 'home' was and didn't stay out long due to the weather.

Really interesting, thanks. I didn't realise that it's normal to not let them out initially.

We're thinking of a young cat so someone else can toilet train him/her too as we are also first timers - and DH won't be able to cope as he has never had a pet before.

Don't rule out the older cat, they have a lot to offer too & are very companionable.

Usually the advice is to keep them in our or 3 or 4 weeks til they know this is home, food, fuss etc.

If very shy they might need longer to settle with you before heading out.

Winter is good, lots of reasons to spend time with you. I'd aim for a one year old or older cat as they don't need litter training and cats protection have loads of lovely felines. We got two around one or two years old and they are brilliant. In and out the cat flap all the time, but indoors and a lot more interested in cuddles in the winter the mercenary pair!

I would do winter as it is easier to keep them in.