Considering new kitten - HELP!

[StylishMummy]

Myself and DH had 3 stunning fur babies before having DC, these guys had to be rehomed when DC1 was in NICU as she was there for months and we were warned that they could irritate her breathing. She's now older with no breathing difficulties and DC2 is perfectly healthy, so we'd like to introduce a cat back into the house.

DH is adamant that he wants a kitten rather than an adolescent, which is fine by me. We're currently debating what route to go down, the mega-expensive ragdoll, which is my preference. Or a short-haired moggie who will be beautiful but cheaper to insure and no grooming fees.

I've read that Ragdolls are very dog-like in their attitude, very cuddly, playful and a proper part of the family. I know we could get this with a moggie but unsure if this is a true breed trait?

I'm just thrilled we're getting a new fur baby, but any advice on which route to go down would be great! Photos of your cats would be great to help my fur-broodiness

Personally I think Persians are the best. But they can come with health issues and grooming fees are expensive. My new persian exotic is the cuddliest cat I've ever met!
In your circumstances I'd go to a rescue and see which of the cats take to your DC. Adult cats still have a lot to give.

Forgot pics

One of the problems with getting a kitten rather than a young adult is that their personality hasn't formed yet so you won't know if you're going to have a friendly, cuddle loving cat when they grow up a bit or not. You don't say why your DH is adamant it has to be a kitten, but a) they can be a total nightmare about the house especially a single kitten, and b) the kitten stage only last a few anyway and they will very soon be that young adult anyway. I'm guessing your DH thinks they are like dogs in that the upbringing from a very young age affects their behaviour, but it doesn't work quite the same with cats!

If you are getting a kitten I would recommend getting a pair, probably half as annoying as a single. Pairs entertain each other and you. Get older kittens, the pair that I fostered were at maximum havoc wreaking at 8 to 10 weeks, they look much calmer in the pictures their adopters send now they are older. I was ready to strangle them when they attacked my feet for the millionth time, but I couldn’t catch them as they ran round the walls. Then they would go all sleepy and cute and all was forgiven.

Oh I forgot to say please rescue kittens, it’s a bumper year.

How old are the kids? Mine were mauled by the kittens and toddlers pose a risk to tiny kittens.
If your kids are older I would get two kittens. They can tire each other out a bit!

DH has said he wants a kitten so we know they've had all vaccinations/flea and worm treatments at the correct time. He also wants to ensure they've not been exposed to cruelty.

I'd also love a young kitten as I'm ridiculously broody! 2 cats are more than we're wanting to take on at the moment and having had horses, the work doesn't bother me. I keep swaying towards a ragdoll (registered, professional breeder) whereas DH prefers a moggie (will be looking into local rescues in this case)

Get a lovely moggie from your local rescue.

Just because a cat is older it doesn't mean it's been exposed to cruelty. Our first came from a marriage break up. Loving and loved.
And a rescue won't let them go without vaccinations etc.
Broody? Kittens are bitey and chasing monsters who shred stuff. Not calm babies that want to lie in your arms!
2 cats more than you want to take on? Then don't take on a kitten. Way harder work than an adult.
What attracts you to ragdoll?

Please get a moggy from a rescue. So many cats out there desperately needing a loving home. As PP have said, you'll know their personality and any decent rescue will have them neutered and treated for fleas and worms. I adopted my 2 aged 4 yrs and they are fabulous family cats (if I do say so myself)
If you're willing to tell us a general area, some of us could almost certainly recommend a good rescue.

Look at breed rescue. There are a suprising amount of pedigrees in mainstream rescue too, i have an alert set up for blue cross and get regular emails about ragdolls, siamese, persian etc. High maintenance breeds like bengals come up very regularly too- they are very dog like. Check the bengal and savannah rehoming page on fb. There are also quite a lot of ex breeding pedigrees being rehomed by owners.

Rescues generally are overflowing. I would also recommend an older cat- i have only ever had on kitten and she turned out to be a stay outdoors come in for dinner type. When i’ve had older cats you’ve been able to see whether they are snugglers or not.

Oh and my part pedigree rescue came flead, wormed, vaccinated, spayed and chipped for about £70.

All the rescues I have dealt with will only allow kittens to be adopted in pairs.

I'd agree with getting an older cat if you want a cuddly one. One if mine is an outdoors hunter. The other is probably half pedigree as is so doglike and vocal. More cuddly but still not a lapcat. Couldn't have predicted their personalities from how they seemed as kittens.

My most recent cat was an adult rescue and she's the most affectionate of the three cats I've had. The previous two were rescue kittens, they were lovely but not as fond of lap cuddles. The same is true of my mum's adult rescue girl. My adult rescue had been looked after but unable to go with her previous owners when they moved house. My mum's had been underfed and neglected, a domestic long-hair with fur gone into matts - both equally cuddly now .

Kittens are super-sweet, but very hard work - you spend your days running round after them and watching them climb up and down your curtains making holes in them. They don't always come ready litter-trained, either (reliant on mummy cat having taught them).

The kitten stage doesn't last long. I would always go for an adult rescue now as it's easier, and adults are more often overlooked at rescues.

We definitely want a kitten, this is our preference regardless of moggie or pedigree

From what I've read Ragdolls are generally chilled and lap-dog like, whereas bengals are mental and can be aggressive (particularly makes)

I will reconsider 2 kittens as looking at the costs there isn't much in it between 1 and 2!

Kittens really need to be in pairs

Ragdolls are very chilled and puppy-like, not bothered by kids and very cuddly. However they can be very, very needy and like lots of company. I'd recommend getting a pair so they can provide company for each other.
They also need a lot of grooming!
Given the option I'd go for a slightly older one if you can. I have 3 Ragdolls currently and they are all very different- DCat1 is very clingy and loves company, has been known to be fast asleep on the floor surrounded by 10 tween boys during a sleepover. DCat2 very sweet, utterly gormless, scared by most noises and has to trust you. DCat3 the most 'catlike' of all of them, likes to sleep curled up on my pillow which I don't let him do often as he snores. None of these characters were evident as kittens.