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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

tell me all about kittens!

21 replies

tootsweets · 04/10/2015 09:22

Thinking of adopting 2 kittens from a friend. Already have a 10 year old neutered male who moved in with us 5 years ago. I have no experience of kittens. I assume 2 is better than 1. Boys or girls? How expensive are the initial jabs and neutering? What do I need? Help!

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Original poster

tootsweets · 04/10/2015 09:43

Anyone?

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Curiouserandcuriouser30 · 04/10/2015 10:30

How exciting! I can't remember exactly how much it cost for the jabs and everything for mine (it was a while ago!) but I think think £40 ish for the jabs, and the same again for the neutering. I actually think spaying a female costs more than snipping a male, but I'm not sure.

Have you got anything with the kitten's smell on it? Something you can put in your home so your older cat gets used to their smell?

You don't need any specialist equipment for kittens, maybe just some toys. And enjoy it, kittens are adorable and I am so jealous!

Acorn44 · 04/10/2015 10:40

Be very careful. The worst thing I ever did was get a kitten when I had a ten year old male. Despite following all the advice about how to integrate the two (scent swapping, separate litter trays etc etc) it was a nightmare. The old boy really was not happy and I felt very, very guilty. I would never do it again.

If you do go ahead, it's crucial the older one has his own space - somewhere the little ones wont hassle him and where he can eat and sleep in peace. (Our kitten thought nothing of biting the older one's tail when he was eating, for example; RSPCA and Cats Protection offer good advice on this). Make sure you don't make a big fuss of the new one in front of the older one too - they really can get jealous.

The kitten/s will initially need their own room. They should not be left alone for too long (certainly not a whole day). It's also important they are allowed to sleep, so if you have young DC, they will need to be watched.

Having two, in many ways, is better than one as they will keep each other company and hopefully not upset the older one so much (well, in theory). We once had two young boys who got on brilliantly, but others have not been as lucky. We were recommended to get one of each.

I know getting kittens is exciting - but do think carefully. I ended up in tears when I realised how much we'd upset our old boy (who was actually a laid back cat) and wished I'd never done it.

Original poster

tootsweets · 04/10/2015 10:41

My friend has the mother so there will be plenty of opportunities to acquire something with her familiar smell. Just a bit nervous of the cost. Going to have a chat with the vet this week to get an accurate idea. But is exciting yes

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Acorn44 · 04/10/2015 10:42

PS I think we paid about £60 for the initial jabs (two, a few weeks apart) and health check. Neutering was about the same, possibly less, at five months (some vets will do at four). It's advisable not to let them out before neutering as they will wander.

Original poster

tootsweets · 04/10/2015 10:44

I am worried about my existing cat. He is very solitary and generally lives in my teenage daughter's room. He moved in with us through choice as he originally lived across the road. I intend to keep the kittens downstairs so he won't have to be bothered with them.

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Acorn44 · 04/10/2015 10:46

If you're nervous about the cost, then definitely get them insured. Use price comparison sites to find a good deal. We had a four figure vets bill last year with our older one and the insurance covered all but the first £100 (insured through Sainsburys). Even the younger one has had a number of vets visits - abscess, sore eyes etc which have come to over £200. Also, remember flea treatments will be around £20 for three months for something that works properly and safely.

Acorn44 · 04/10/2015 10:49

Cats are generally solitary creatures. My old boy was and that was my main motivation for getting the little 'un. I thought he'[d like the company. Yet he just saw it as his territory being invaded. Maybe I just had really bad luck, but it really was upsetting. He refused to come in for ages, would not sleep on our bed any more. Bad times

Curiouserandcuriouser30 · 04/10/2015 10:51

If there is space for him to hide if the kittens are particularly boisterous, it should be ok. We integrated a kitten (she was a rescue cat, the litter has been abandoned and I couldn't resist) and initially my two older cats were wary, but once the kitten has grown out of the kitten stage and stopped annoying them they became friends, and all three of them would snuggle up together and snooze.

Original poster

tootsweets · 04/10/2015 10:51

I currently have pet plan for my old boy which covers all check ups, jabs and flea and worming treatment. Was going to do the same for the new one/s. Insurance is a must too. Just want to make sure I am prepared and know what I am letting myself in for.

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Oldraver · 04/10/2015 18:51

We have just got an 8 week old kitten. We have started a Pet Plan but some of the costs are follows

Kitten Vaccination course £60 included in plan

Cat Vaccination annual £40

Cat Castration £45 (£33.75)

Cat Spay £60 (£45)

Microchip £20 (£15)

Prices in brackets are for the Pet Plan which is £11.99 for kittens

I had two kittens when I had an older cat and he just kept out of their way

Original poster

tootsweets · 04/10/2015 20:10

Thank you so much. That is really helpful So you pay the pet plan and get reduced rates?

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Original poster

tootsweets · 04/10/2015 20:15

I'm assuming you need pet insurance on top of a pet plan?

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Oldraver · 04/10/2015 21:55

Sorry I got the name wrong...its Pet Health Club. Yes the reduced rates are if you have Pet Health Club..also a general consultation is cheaper. The PHC includes vaccinations fleaing and worming. It also gives you a free month of Pet Insurance with Petplan

I've never had pet insurance before but thinking of getting it now.

Justgetknitting · 05/10/2015 01:06

Bit late to the thread, but I have a 10 year old rather poorly at times (had to have her teeth removed poor thing - after two years of trying everything to help her gum issue it was a last resort) old girl, a 7 year old rough and tumble (still thinks he's a kitten, is gorgeous/bit thick) and we just introduced a little girl kitten - boy cat loves her instantly their great pals, old girl wasn't that impressed but she soon told kitten who is boss and six weeks in kitten and they "tolerate" each other, but happily eat together (both little piglets) and are currently curled up as close as possible without actually touching each other - so for the few few days old girl told kitten who was boss and now kitten has towed the line we have complete peace and harmony in our household - I did carefully monitor for as long as needed to make sure no pets were harmed :)

Justgetknitting · 05/10/2015 01:08

And 100% get life pet insurance, my old girls bills are now in the £5,000 bracket, I would not be without her and pet insurance at £9 a month has meant age has had the very best care and hopefully will have many more years with me X

iloveeverykindofcat · 05/10/2015 06:37

Kittens are insane. You forget when you haven't had them for a while. They have no fear, sense, or self-preservation instincts. They are made of liquid and can disappear into holes 1/8 the side of their own head. They will give you approx. 17 small heart attacks a day for the first week. I remember quite clearly last time we had a pair, standing at the bottom of the staircase with my arms braced to catch them as they frolicked and chased each other along the banisters. Thankfully, by the time they are old enough to leave mum their balance is already quite good (barring CH and other disorders) and they are much more resilient and hardy than they look. Still you need to close off any dangerous gaps, put away loose wires, and consider if there are any tempting climbing frames that might possibly be dangerous.

If they don't appear to be pooping, check your plant pots.

Keep toilet lids and washing machine/dryer door closed.

If you can't find them, check every box or den-like structure in your house.

Don't sit down without looking first!

Minimammoth · 05/10/2015 21:41

My kitten is 3 months old now. I had forgotten how much work they are. Need toys and attention. But so many laughs. They just don't think things through, and so never consider the consequences. Good balance but no idea as to where the edge of a bed might be. Mine is best friends with a string bean at the moment. Enjoy.

Original poster

tootsweets · 06/10/2015 16:32

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Original poster

tootsweets · 10/10/2015 14:25

Took the plunge. My two kittens will be ready on November 18th. Pet Heath plan in place at the vets and pet insurance sorted. Very excited!

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Oldraver · 13/10/2015 12:30

Ernie cat is currently sleeping. He is a whirlwind, settled in the moment he came through the door and has us all dancing to his attention. My other kittens have never been as playful as this one. My hands are covered in little dots from his teeth and claws.

Like Mini said he wants a lot of attention but is so funny. Its the first time DS and OH have experienced a kitten and I think they both adore him. He has taken over the couch and is gracious enough to leave me a little bit...when he isnt sleeping on me.

The first day we had him I thought I had lost him (thought he had snuck out past me) as he wasn't where we had left him...I even looked in the bin, OH was woken by me being distraught and we found the bugger had scaled OH's barrier into he dining room, pulled a dark fleece onto the floor and fell asleep in it.

I'm not sure about cats 9 lives...you need a few extra as an owner --being owned)

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