Should we get kittens before or after Christmas?

[PoesyCherish]

I am desperate to get cats again and would love to get kittens, preferably rescue kittens if poss. However we're going away for a week over Christmas. Would we better waiting until we get back before we try and get them?

Also do you need to take time off work when you first get them? I'm off work at the moment but hoping after Christmas I'll be able to go back.

We got a puppy in the November, and one on Christmas Eve!! (same year! ) We have no guests and don't leave the house for about 2 weeks!! It was perfect for us!
Ddogs are 5 now!!

What would your plan be for them for the time you're away? Keeping in mind they would likely be between 4-6 months old around Christmas if you got them in the next few weeks.

Errm not meaning to sound rude but I don't think you are ready to get kittens if you think it is acceptable to go away for a whole week less than a month after getting them?

What were you planning n doing with them? Catteries will be full and they would just be getting used to you. They will still be babies and getting someone over to pet sit would be pretty daunting for them.

Ideally you need someone there to reassure them for a while once they come home you cant just get them and go back to work.

Christmas isn't relevant. The fact you are planning a weeks holiday next month is. Please do not get kittens until you return.

Christmas isn't relevant. The fact you are planning a weeks holiday next month is

How is it not relevant when we're away Christmas week?

What would your plan be for them for the time you're away?

When we had older cats we had a lady who lived locally who came over twice a day and played with them, fed them etc. I don't think that'd be good for kittens though as I'd have thought they need more interaction.

@HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone are you always an arsehole to people who ask questions? I asked about how long do you have to be with them as my annual leave runs from Jan to Jan so I would be able to take time off if we got them after our holiday but no idea how long is typical to take off for kittens.

are you always an arsehole to people who ask questions?

Truthfully no I'm not but from your post it doesn't sound like you have thought about what these kittens would need and what is in their best interests. Nobody who did that would consider getting kittens and then leaving them so soon after.

You do not appear to have planned what you would do with the kittens whilst you are away and whilst not as demanding as a dog they do require someone to be with them whilst they settle in and get used to their surroundings.

In addition to that your post made it sound like you were hoping to be going back to work straight after the holidays were over. Kittens ideally need someone at home for 1-2 weeks and they should be kept inside until approx. 6 months or at least until they are neutered.

How is it not relevant when we're away Christmas week?

Oh ffs. It's the fact you are away that is relevant. Surely you are not that stupid?

Oh and I don't see that headsdown was the arsehole on the thread....

If you don't want a varied range of answers, or can't cope with someone who has a different opinion, it's probably best not to post a question on Mumsnet.

Truthfully no I'm not but from your post it doesn't sound like you have thought about what these kittens would need and what is in their best interests.

It's more that I know realistically it's not feasible but I'd half hoped someone would say it's fine as I really miss not having cats around.

In addition to that your post made it sound like you were hoping to be going back to work straight after the holidays were over.

I am hoping to go back straight after Christmas as I'm going insane at home but only if we hadn't got the kittens by then. We can guarantee getting them immediately after getting back from holiday so if we haven't then I'd love to get back to work. If we did then great and obviously I'd delay going back.

Kittens ideally need someone at home for 1-2 weeks

This is what I was trying to guage. I thought as much but just wanted to check it wasn't longer as this influences what I do work wise or would mean DP taking time off too.

We didn't plan to get our kitten ;but wouldn't change it) so didn't take annual leave. Initially we left him shut in one room but as he got used to us and the house he was given free rein.

When we go away we initially paid for a company to come and feed him but when a neighbour found out he offered they come in twice a day. That way he can be let out because they go and let him back in.

It's more that I know realistically it's not feasible but I'd half hoped someone would say it's fine as I really miss not having cats around.

Well only someone with no animal knowledge at all would say it is fine to get a pet and then go off on their holidays. Nobody is going to think that is acceptable and no matter how much you miss having cats you must put their needs first.

It was nice of you to not even consider apologising for calling me an arsehole by the way.

Well, kittens are usually born in the spring/summer, so it would be very hard to find a rescue kitten in the middle of winter. The only ones around then are those who have been bred. It's not natural. Wait til next summer, the rescues will be begging for kitten homes.

December is a bit beyond the usual kitten season, to be honest. April to October is peak time for kittens (though there certainly are some still around on rehoming sites).

How about an older cat have mine, she's being an idiot today?

I’d hold on and wait for the right time. Kittens are not cats and need a lot of time and attention.

If I was you I would hold on until kitten season and rescue one then.

Kitten season is pretty much year round in the UK, I'm still hearing of young kittens being rescued from gardens now. So that's not necessarily an issue especially if you are more flexible about the type of kittens i.e. the black and black & white ones being overlooked, or slightly shy ones etc.

I apologise for calling you an arsehole @HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone

Well, kittens are usually born in the spring/summer, so it would be very hard to find a rescue kitten in the middle of winter. The only ones around then are those who have been bred. It's not natural. Wait til next summer, the rescues will be begging for kitten homes.

I hate the idea of going to a breeder. That said, surely if kittens are, albeit unnaturally, bred year round, it stands to reasons that kittens will also need to be rescued year round too?

After is better. Most decent rescues will not let kittens be rehomed around Christmas anyway.

You might be better to look at young adult cats. Often 9-12 month old cats are less popular particularly if they in a gangly teenage phase and not as attractive as kittens. My best cat is one I adopted at about 9 months of age, she had know life without a home and is very grateful to have a home now.

i Don’t think it’s a great idea to go on holiday so soon after getting a new kitten. So wait until you are home.

Depending on the age of the kitten you will need to take at least a week off work.

My kitten was about five months beforehand I left her home alone all day - and even then it only happens about one day a week.

Like others have said a slightly older kitten might be

I would wait. We got our kitten when she was about 10 weeks.

My lovely MIL passed away a week or so later and we had to go away for her funeral. Due to it happening over a busy holiday period and return flights costing a fortune we ended up being away for a week rather than a few days. It was all very stressful and upsetting anyway. We were very lucky to find a space in a lovely cattery. Except for those unusual circumstances I definitely wouldn't have left my kitten so soon.

Oh come off it, you were being an arsehole. Rude and condescending too. She was asking for advise and help and you took pride in tearing her down and belittling her. No one is born knowing the answer to her questions and you dont need to be an expert to adopt two kittens. She was being responsible in thinking about their needs and not rushing into it.

I think you may find that since the 'kittens' are now 5 years old, your comment is a bit superfluous.

ZOMBIE KITTEN THREAD.

Why did you feel the need to come on here five years later and say that? 😂

ZOMBIE KITTENS.

😼