Getting a kitten

[Tortycat]

Wanting advice on getting a kitten. Our last cat died 2 years ago, but we got her from a sanctuary as an adult so i feel a bit clueless re kittens. Thinking about getting kittens now as we had a long time looking after an old diabetic cat so would love younger ones.

Some questions

• think kittens would be ok with small children? 4 and 2 but sensible and good with animals.
• How much work are 2 kittens (8-12 weeks)? I'm at home most days but how much time would they take up?
• If buying a normal DSH from a private seller, what sort of questions should we ask?

thanks

Don't even consider buying a kitten. That's just encouraging irresponsible people to let their cat keep breeding. There are far too many kittens and cats around for the number of home available. If you go to a rescue you will be part of the solution, not the problem.

A small kitten and a two year old is a very bad idea. A two year old isn't old enough to understand a kitten isn't a toy. Many kittens are killed by small children. Our rescue doesn't home small kittens to homes with toddlers for this reason. We will consider older kittens, which are big enough to defend themselves a bit.

If you insist on ignoring that advice then a pair of kittens is much better than a single kitten. Our rescue will only home small kittens in pairs or at least with their mum (once they get to be around 4.5 months we will consider homing singly). This is because small kittens really need the reassurance of a sibling or their mum and without it they become very distressed Also two kittens can play together. Two kittens are much less work and much less demanding for the owner than one on it's own, and also make for much, much happier kittens.

In your case an adult cat from a rescue, that has been assessed as being very laid back and tolerant with children, would be the best idea. Again, with kittens, you don't know their personalities. With adults you do. And for a young family you really need confident and tolerant cats.

Kittenhood only last a year or so, but if you get a young adult rescue you still have very many years ahead and the reassurance that it's formed most of it's personality by then. Something a year or so old would be my suggestion?

Our old girl died in November-she was also diabetic (along with other issues!). We adopted her at 6.
We adopted a young lad in January-he was about 10 months old then so past the tiny kitten stage but still very playful but bigger and probably a better size for small children (my DD is 8 and used to cats). At this time of year there are lots of young mums in rescues that might be a good option?
Please don't buy from a "breeder"-they don't
care about the welfare of the cats or kittens.

I wouldn't with under 5's. I would get a rescue adult instead.

My last kitten was insane.

I agree with @thecatneuterer a young adult (or even older!!) from a rescue that's been assessed as suitable for life with small children would be a much better option. Kittens can be hard work! They need to charge around and have crazy hours, they climb curtains and accidentally get sat on (only if they are very stupid like mine)

I've had kittens and small children and apart from the odd playful scratch and nip they've all been fine and survived it. I'm home a lot and kitten had a safe place where kids couldn't go but now I have kids that know how to treat a cat and cats who love the kids. I am a vet nurse so I've always had stray kittens from work so never had two together. However I see the bond cats have that have grown up together and it's lovely. A rescue will know what kittens would suit who with regards to character. I'd go to a rescue. If buying from a " home" just check kitten seems healthy and is old enough, plus get it checked by a vet asap. Check if had flea and worming etc

I wouldn’t have small kittens with kids those ages. I had a sensible 5yo when I got two 8wo kittens. The worst thing they did to her - one of them fell off a surface in the bathroom and tried to save himself by sticking his claws into her bare back. Worst thing she did to them - it’s between slamming a paw in a door while running away from a kitten (she was scared of them for a while) and throwing a cushion at a kitten. No lasting damage was done, in fact I think all three incidents concerned the cat who ended up worshipping the ground she walks on, but I was shocked at just how bad she was with them.

We adopted two kittens recently. My kids are 3 and 6 and so far everyone has gotten on well. Our kittens are about 16 weeks old. They have places to hide when they had had enough of the kids and the kids deal with an odd scratch now and then - they know it means the kittens need a break from them. One has bonded beautifully with my 6 year old and follows her around the house a fair bit.

In response to your other question, personally, I find them quite a lot of work. Lots of little box changes, vacuuming up litter that they track in the house, runny tummy when you change foods which results in more litter changes. I feel like I am constantly cleaning.

Though my kids are so so happy, maybe it is all worth it.

Please wait a couple of years and then get a pair of kittens. There are so many kittens in rescue centres that need homes but they won’t rehome one to you with a two year old because it would not be safe. I think it’s such a shame when people buy kittens privately when so many charities need help.

If you wait 2 years your then 4 year old will properly understand and be so excited!

I have an adult cat and a toddler. I’d like another kitten as I know charities are overrun with kittens but I also know I need to wait.

A cat charity might let you rehome a young adult cat if you’d consider that.