Kitten-based planning...

[VforVienetta]

Looking for advice please - we’re thinking of getting a kitten later this year, having moved house to a quieter area with a lot more garden space.
Always had cats as a child, but haven’t had my own pet since leaving home 20 years ago!
Renovations going on for the next few months, and assume we need to wait until all that’s over, so making plans until we can start searching the local shelters.

What do I need to know/do before we bring home a tiny feline overlord?

First you must ask, are you ready to be an overlord slave? I've had 2 kittens in my life and they are very energetic little creatures. On the practical side you should get a small litter tray, food & water bowls. Somewhere for the kitten to retreat into, box, travel box. Hot water bottle for when it's cold. Letting them have access to the travel box gets them used to it for trips to the vet. Little toys, kitten scratch post, a climbing tower of some kind. Have him/her neutered at the earliest possible opportunity. Pet insurance seems to be popular. I don't have it but probably should. A slow introduction to the house & everyone living in it. It's all down to their personality. You'll know what's best for them. Other very experienced kitten slaves will be along soon to help. Good luck.

If you get two, they'll pretty much entertain each other (and save your furniture).

I have 2 kittens, one slightly older cat, and am a reasonably experienced (but often failed) fosterer!

It has to be two. Mine do everything together.

Two you say? Not sure about that!
I remember all the pairs my mum had, they didn't play together much, more glaring from vantage points and stealing kills.
In every pair I've known, when one died the remaining cat became much more social and affectionate when they became The Only Cat In The House.

Plus, twice the insurance costs!

On that topic - a friend puts the £30pcm she'd be spending a month on insurance into a vet savings jar, and so far isn't out of pocket.
Daft or smart?

£30 a month for one? Yes my friend hasalways done that. It must take discipline though.

For me it was the fact that i had a kitten that woukd be on its own whilst i was at work that prompted me to get a second. I have no regrets they adore each other. They are both girls if that makes a difference. They watch out for each other.

Re insurance, a major operation on a cat can cost upwards of £5k, and a lifetime condition can cost up to £100 a month forever for drugs, extra vet visits etc. Bear these figures in mind when you think of whether to save or insure.

Another alternative to kittens is a pair of bonded adult rescues, which is what I did. None of the initial cuteness, but that only lasts a few months, you don't get the insanely destructive phase, and you never know what their personalities will end up like. With adults you tend to know what you are going to end up with as their personalities are already formed. Plus they are harder for rescues to home so you'd be doing a good thing.

Unless you're at home a lot, a single kitten will get really bored alone all day. The rescue I work with only homes kittens in pairs or as companions to resident cats for this reason.

Otherwise why not consider a young adult cat. Much easier (less destructive!) than a kitten, and if you adopt from a reputable rescue, they will be able to match you with the right cat for your family and home.

I'm a SAHM and will be working from home from September, so I'm around a lot.

I think it'll depend on where we find kittens, if there's a litter with pairs that get on then we may we'll end up with two!

I remember when my cat had kittens in the 90s we homed two pairs together, and the fifth had to go on it's own.

*well

My cats have run up bills of £11000 in less than a year. CT scans and surgery for one of mine came to £5000

Yes get two and get them insured. Even if you're at home a lot they will get a lot of company from each other. Siblings are great but as long as you get two kittens at the same time they will bond before they see each other as a stranger.