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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.

Original poster

Pros and cons of a kitten please

16 replies

ShineyBlackShoes · 07/05/2017 12:16

Hi, it's been years since I had a cat but I'm pondering a kitten. DS1 has left home and my other is likely to leave later this year. I'm a long time single parent and work full time so there is just me and I do work long hours and occasionally travel.

I have just sorted my home out to be clean and tidy, and the cat would need to be indoors only as I've not got a cat flap and would worry about it being outside anyway - other cats notably.

My heart says yes, my head says no so please help me with pros and cons.

OP posts:
TheCatOfAthenry · 07/05/2017 12:31

Would you consider an older/young adult rescue cat? You might even find one with special needs who has to be kept indoors.

Cat or kitten will bring unlimited entertainment and fuzz. Kittens are more effort, but it's great fun to watch them grow up. Kittens will likely be more bothered by trips out to work, but you could consider getting two.

My lass is a tidy creature and lint rollers take care of the shedding. She is bonkers and likes to meow at me in the middle of the night.

Get cats. Get ten of them. Hope this helps. Wink

JanuarySmith · 07/05/2017 13:15

Oh gosh yes

It's tricky at first as they're total menaces but they settle down after six months or so

Don't get two by the way unless you specifically want two. Kittens like company and will play but adult cats prefer to be alone

LemonRedwood · 07/05/2017 13:18

Pro:

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 07/05/2017 13:18

There are no cons.

That's the joy of kittens.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 07/05/2017 13:36

Well with an older cat you know what you're getting, but Think of the cute cuddly mischievous kitten hood you'd miss out on.

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 07/05/2017 13:39

1 indoor kitten will be very bored and will take it out on your beautiful home. . .
2 kittens and lots of things suitable to shred that aren't your sofa /curtains /bedding is a better idea.
Biting the bullet and having a cat flap put in for 2 kittens would be the best option imo. .
My 2 would never have accepted not being able to be on the other side of the window.

Allergictoironing · 07/05/2017 15:32

I was lucky enough to find 2 young bonded adult cats who wanted an indoor home (though I originally went looking to adopt elderly cats).

They keep each other company while I'm out at work, and having been around 2 when I got them I missed out on them ripping up my curtains & furniture (well mostly anyway), needing to be neutered/spayed when they got to the necessary age etc. And I don't have to worry about traffic, the local tom that beats up all the other cats, accidents, traffic, poisoning, then getting lost/stolen, or traffic. Yes I know I put traffic there 3 times, too many people I know have lost cats to cars Sad.

AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 07/05/2017 15:36

Ive had indoor cats for the last 14 years and they don't take it out on my home.

Con: she comes and sits on the edge of the sink and stares at me while I'm having a wee.

Pros and cons of a kitten please
Kokusai · 07/05/2017 16:12

AllTheWittyNamesAreGone she's a beaut

MegsMog · 07/05/2017 18:45

I personally think it's a bit mean to get a kitten then not let them out. Could you get a cat flap installed? That's what we did.

Asmoto · 07/05/2017 18:52

Cons - you can say farewell to your curtains because a kitten will be up and down them all day long Grin
Expense of spaying/neutering
Sometimes need a bit of help with housetraining (but some seem to learn this from their mum)

Pros - They're the sweetest things on earth and with luck you'll have a lovely long time with your cat.
Kittens are more trainable than adult cats who are set in their ways.

Original poster
ShineyBlackShoes · 07/05/2017 22:42

Thanks folks, useful information
Still pondering

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/05/2017 22:49

Some cats actually can't go outside. Deaf or FIV etc. Maybe look for an adult bonded pair who have to be inside cats. They can keep each other company and you won't have to feel bad about denying them outside privileges.
Or cat proof your garden and allow some time outside.

EachandEveryone · 08/05/2017 16:44

I've had mine from seven weeks and she's a delight, I can't imagine life without her. She's never been up my curtains/chewed my charger/jumped on my work tops. I know I'm lucky. I work 12 hour shifts and right from the beginning I've had a good food timer and a neighbour to pop in, I work three shifts a week so she has my undivided attention for four. I let her out when I'm home and leave the door open she stays out for twenty minutes and comes back in and I live in a very busy area she just knows not to go round the front of the building and stays on the balcony on the back.

I love her so much I'm not quite sure I would've bonded with an older cat the same. So I say go for it and get two that is my only regret!

Checklist · 10/05/2017 15:15

Get two bonded kittens from the same litter. We don't have a cat flap. One has chosen to live 23 hours 55 mins a day indoors, while we let the other in and out, as they want! I work part time and we try to leave both indoors in the winter, when I go to work. Unless you live near a busy road, I would let cats out, as they want!

Original poster
ShineyBlackShoes · 10/05/2017 23:18

Thanks folks. Went to see a kitten which was very cute but decided to be sensible and stay pet free. I think whilst the pros outweigh the cons for me, I'm not totally convinced they would for a kitten or even an adult cat. Maybe one day

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