offered an eight week kitten but feeling a bit uneasy

[freshstart24]

I'm looking for a kitten. I've tried v v hard to get a rescue kitten but have had no luck. I would like to be able to get the kitten this week as I have 10 days off to settle it in.

We have a puppy arriving in a month and I really wanted kitten settled and comfortable before puppy arrives.

I've adopted lots of cats before, and lost my two beloved golden oldies recently at almost 20. I've always just adopted whatever cat pulls on my heartstrings!

However I'm less familiar with kittens. The owner been v helpful over the phone. She's happy for me to view kitten Wednesday evening and then collect on Friday at 8 weeks. She had two available and I'm
more interested in the black one she said people want black cats less, so I felt sorry for him! I didn't want to place deposit until I'd viewed and she was happy with that. However when I asked about defleaing and worming she told me that you don't do this until 12 weeks- which a quick google has suggested is not true, as they can be done earlier.

I'm worried that I'll get there on Wednesday and fall in love with kitten and take him home regardless of my gut feel.

What could I be letting myself in for? Is it not effectively rescuing a kitten and guaranteeing the little mite a loving home even if the owner is a bit dodgy? Or should I walk away?

Tabul, I've said over and over that I won't allow them to hurt each other. They can't cause injury if they don't physically touch each other.

They will not be in physical contact with each other, so no injuries.

Please stop creating problems that don't exist.

You may not trust that I can manage to care for them both to a high standard but about that we will have to disagree as there seems to be nothing I can say to dissuade some posters.

NB this does not mean I am getting the kitten in question. I do think though that I will get a kitten at some point in the near future.

They both need constant human interaction so how the hell are you going to keep them apart?!

This isn't about the animals. It's about you

Yes Wolfie? Don't you believe me. I have to justify myself as if I am making it up. It's a common problem in cats with renal issues, but can be effectively managed.

I've worked very hard to help anorexic cats to good effect. I hope you don't ever have to, but if you do come across one, remember me, and that you were unkind enough to throw that one back in my face.

I think you are deliberately being goady and nasty, and I feel sorry for you if that is your approach to helping a pet owner take better ear of their pets.

Jiggly- you don't know me, my home, my resources or how many people of what ages live here with me. You may not be able to think it is possible but I am confident that is is.

I'm not going to justify myself any further.

"You may not trust that I can manage to care for them both to a high standard"

You seem to be taking insult where it's not meant tbh.

My issue isn't that I don't think you specifically can't supervise them, it's that it's basically an impossible task.

I would either wait until the puppy has matured and get a kitten in a couple of years, or rescue an older cat who can stand its own. My puppy has to be watched like a hawk around my 13 yr old cat because he just thinks the cat is a toy. Can't help but think a puppy/kitten combo could end in disaster

I'm not doing this alone Tabul. I won't be the first or the last person to make this work.

If you knew what you were doing, you'd think thus was a bad idea. So I cam only conclude you don't.

I'm out. Good luck to your prospective pets

I also see no problem with you getting a kitten and puppy at the same time if you have the time available for them as you say you do... I think that they would be fun company for one another.

I would worry about paying for a non-pedigree kitten though - that would make me wary of the mother cat's owner. Also I wouldn't worry about the black kitten not having a home as it is already in a home unlike those in shelters. If it doesn't sell then surely the breeder will keep it? If not and the black kitten ins't safe where it currently is then paying to save it will just unfortunately fund the current owner's kitten breeding hobby/business and may cause additional litters to be born.

Can you travel to adopt a kitten from a shelter further from your home if required? If not could you perhaps explain your transport problems to a further afield animal shelter and ask/pay for them to do a home visit to check your suitability to adopt and pay for them to deliver (not sure if deliver is the right word) one to your home? If you paid them for this then the money would be going to a good cause feeding back into the shelter so win-win for all.

I haven't read the full thread but op seems to be getting a hard time. Clearly you are all animal lovers but there is no need to be mean to people who ask for advice.

So in answer to the original question op I don't think you would have more issues with this kitten than any other, you would just need to get the vet checks and treatment rather than the breeder / rescue centre.
I have had moggies through my life from as young as 8 weeks and they have been fine, one had fleas when I got her so the vet prescribed front line as soon as she was old enough and I used a flea comb before that. Had she remained with the breeder she may well have become ill and with me she didn't.

Yes it would be nice to rescue but this kitten is just as deserving of a loving home as any other IMO.

Personally I wouldn't get a puppy and kitten at the same time but that's just my preference. I have introduced an older cat to an older dog and puppy, and older dog to kittens, all worked fine with careful introductions.
It sounds like you do know what you are doing and have thought things through carefully, good luck whatever you choose to do.

I grew up with a various assortment of cats & dogs and as an adult have had both. In my experience having 2 young animals together is great they grow up together and soon learn the boundaries with each other. It seems to work best if the cat is 6-8 weeks older than the pup.

With regards the kitten, I wouldn't expect an 8 week old kitten to be wormed or de flead. We took on a kitten 3.5 years agowe paid £20 for him, we checked he was healthy and he has honestly been a fab furry friend. most flea and worm treatments can not safely be given to a kitten under 12 weeks old without vet supervision anyway.

Op you've had a right bashing from several posters on here which I don't think you deserve at all. Maybe in future get your advice from a vet who truly knows about animals, everything else is just people with an opinion!

Thank you Orange and Yorkshire for your posts I think I've had a bit of a battering on here.

We visited the kitten yesterday. Owner was a elderly lady who had been adopted by the mum a few months ago after feeding her. I would say the lady's situation is tricky in that she is obviously living in a damp dirty house and I was quite shocked by her living conditions.

Another couple were visiting at the same time and they are taking the other kitten and have also offered to take on the mum too. I'm not clear if they are keeping the mum or taking to rescue centre. We will take on the black kitten only if other couple won't take her as well. They are collecting today so I will find out the situation this evening.

The lady was a heavy smoker, and the smell of her front room seems to have stuck up my nostrils. I felt for the kittens although I'm not sure if it would affect them or not. Kittens seemed fine- nosey and playful, happy to be fussed but not particularly affectionate. Mum was beautiful but standoffish, which is standard cat behaviour in my book.

DS is desperately hoping we take the kitten but for it's own sake I hope it can go with its mum and brother.

We got our kittens in a private sale as there were none in the local rescue centres. We travelled to several over a few weeks but there was nothing. Ours were 8 weeks old when we got them and hadn't been wormed or flea treated. They didn't have fleas which was good and we started their worming treatment straight away. Ours were probably overpriced for moggies but I don't regret paying for them. They have now been neutered, microchipped and had all their vaccines and get their worm and flea treatments when required. They are 5 months old now

I got let down by a friend of a friend today as she has found loving homes for the four kittens I'm disappointed really I hope you have better luck!