Adopting two kittens... not sure now

[Skittlesss]

Hello everyone
We have no pets and two children (aged 5 and 4). We have been talking about getting a pet for a while and a couple of days ago I saw on a Facebook pet site that someone is selling two kittens. They're really cute and we all love the photos of them. But now I am just not 100% sure. I've not had kittens/cats before and I'm worried that my house will be full of hair or smell. Can anyone advise me before we make a decision? I don't want to get kittens and then be shocked.

I'll have them

Haha, we haven't got any to let you have!

I doubt you would regret it! Top equipment to include 2 bowls and 2 litter trays. Cat scratching post and toys.Cat bed - likely share! And an empty big cardboard box with holes cut out!! Sit back and enjoy! Make sure the kids know cats need to be allowed private sleep time to avoid scratches! Keep them in a couple of weeks til they know their names and let them out hungry! Teach them that the dry cat box shaking means they need to come in. Saves shouting odd cat names in the garden!!

Cats do moult. I will say that straight. Unless they are a non moulting breed, you will find cat hair about.

The litter tray smells. Course it does. It's where cats shit. But as long as you clean it regularly, it isn't that bad.

There's loads of bad things about getting a cat but if you focus on they, you'll never do anything.

They can be incredibly affectionate and funny to watch. Plus they are so cute as kittens

Scoop the tray regularly (daily or more) and wash it out completely regularly (weekly or more) (and then as soon as they are old enough, let them shit outside) and it won't smell. Have two trays (or three if you have room).

Thank you :) i think I'm just nervous that I will be making a bad decision or that we will regret it. DH is all for it, but he grew up with cats in the house so is used to them whereas I didn't so don't really know what to expect. Think that's why I'm not 100% sure.

Kittens are wonderful (and if you clean litter boxes regularly, the smell shouldn't be a problem). They are also quite a lot of work (like children!) to socialise properly so that they are nice, mannerly cats who don't climb up people's trouser legs etc (adorable at 6 weeks, not so much at 2 years old...) I usually acquire older ones whose personalities and manners are known. But kittens are brilliant fun as well.

If you genuinely aren't sure, then don't feel you have to go ahead and get these kittens now - there will be other kittens!

If you have got friends with cats, do you notice a smell in their house? I think there is a smell, but it's nothing like dogs and I don't really notice it on most days. The hair issue depends very much on the breed and how much you groom them (and whether you let them sleep on the sofa where you also sit, for example)

Any photos you can post so we can coo over advise on them?

It's smelly for a while then they go outside and you can wean them onto dry food which helps. Worth it for the kids and two is easier than one. I can't wait until we can let both of ours out and open the windows tho!

Don't buy kittens! You are encouraging irresponsible breeding. There are too many cats and not enough homes. If you pay people to bring more into the world then you are contributing to the problem, not helping. If you want kittens rescue centres have hundreds of them.

Cat bed? I've never had a cat who used a cat bed. My kittens were given a cardboard box in the kitchen when I first had them. As soon as I trusted them in other parts of the house they slept on the settee, then the bed. The box was binned.

They will have to be vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, treated for fleas, wormed and in my experience, insured.

A brush, toys, cat carriers, plasters (for you not the kits) they scratch and bite in play. Plant spray/water pistol to train them not to jump on the work surfaces and tables. You won't be able to leave glasses of water out or the toilet seat up as they drink from everything other than their bowls.

But on a cold, wet, blowing a gale winters night they will cuddle up with you on the settee and you will thank your lucky stars you don't have a dog that needs a walk.

Also have you taken into account the cost of keeping them? Their initial neutering, vaccinations and chip will come to £100 or so each. Then you will need insurance plus of course the normal food, flea treatments etc.

We are on week 3 of having our first kitten. Dh was the one who wasn't sure. But went along with it. We all adore him! He's hilarious! But a total pickle, it's like having a naughty toddler. Already I'm thinking about getting another. He slept about 20 hours a day when we first got him then would hate around like a lunatic for 4 hours then fall asleep again. But he's so sweet, affectionate, tolerant.
Yes my house def is a but whiffy now but that's cos I can't let him out yet so all windows and doors are shut. We bought him a posh bed but he won't go near it. Instead he's comandeered the way blanket in the house as his own. Do it! You won't regret it!

They go through a galloping, foot ambushing, curtain climbing, brutal play fighting stage from about 3-4mo till about 10mo. Be prepared for that, especially if you get two.
Oh and if they take a shine to a leather sofa or a patch of carpet rather than the scratching post, bad luck, they probably won't change their minds.
They're fab though.

Haha Colin's in the midst of that stage right now powershower

If you're really house proud I wouldn't.

Plus buying moggies is a bit irresponsible, there's loads of rescue kittens that come vaccinated and neutered.

Thanks everyone. We are going to wait a while until I know for sure. We haven't long moved into this house and I don't think I would be happy if they scratched something. I'm also worried about having enough time for them as kittens. Maybe in a few years we could adopt a grown cat.

Feel terrible changing my mind but glad I have now before committing to anything.

We picked ours up on Sunday. I had the same worries as you, but they have been totally outweighed by all the pleasure and joy they have given us already. They are so much fun to watch, so good with the kids and so affectionate. The food smells as much as the litter trays and it's hard because we can't open windows etc, but it's only for a few weeks. They aren't shedding too much hair at the moment, we have dark sofas and they haven't left much behind so far.

I'm so glad you've changed your mind about those two kittens, it really is one of the worst ways to get a pet. I know from reading posts on here thecatneuterer is at the sharp end of rescue which was possibly why she was one of the only voices saying don't do it....but rescue centres almost always have kittens so if you do change your mind in future maybe give them a call first and see if you fall in love with any of those... adoption doesn't always mean older cats!

I'm just not sure I have enough time for them as well. At the moment we both work full time. I work from home 2 days a week, but on the other days they'd be left during school hours. Which I think is a long time for such little baby kittens. They're 8 weeks old. I don't want to have them and change my mind either so then they'd have to move to their 3rd home. I need to be sure before making the commitment.

Gosh I think it was easier deciding to have children!!

An adult rescue cat or pair might suit you better. Kittens are cute and everything but they can be destructive little bastards and as you say might not react well to being left alone. With an adult rescue centres will find you a cat with a temperament that suits your lifestyle and preferences. IME if you don't want hair on everything you are better off with a dark coloured cat. I am also convinced that a longhair brushed daily leaves less hair everywhere than shorthair. They seem to hold on to their fur until you brush it out whereas my shorthairs have just shed all over everything they sit on.

I don't know where in the country you are but Eddie and Chloe might suit you www.bluecross.org.uk/pet/eddie-283546?type=adopt Sweet, affectionate, dark coloured and longhaired.

Eddie and Chloe are lovely!! Much like our rescue cat (got her at 3years) who is currently curled up on my lap in bed.