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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Kitten advice

14 replies

grace11 · 29/04/2019 21:46

A friend has some kittens spare and I’m weighing up whether to take one. They are only 7 weeks old and the advice I’ve read seems to say they can’t be left alone for more than a few hours until they are 4 months - and then only half a day. This would be a problem as we go out at the weekend and there are two week days I’m not around. I’m also worried the kitten will get into trouble when we aren’t in - we live in a flat and there isn’t really a room that would be completely hazard free. I’d really appreciate the low down on settling in a kitten so I can decide once and for all - and would it change if we had two... Thank you!

OP posts:
wigglypiggly · 29/04/2019 21:51

It wouldnt be fair, 7 weeks is too young to leave their mum and if you're not going to be at home every day the poor kitten will feel .lonely, could get up to all sorts of mischied.

Original poster
grace11 · 29/04/2019 22:30

I was thinking of asking if they could keep the kitten for longer with the mum - until 12 weeks - or is that still too young?

OP posts:
wigglypiggly · 29/04/2019 23:39

12 weeks is ok but do you feel able to look after a kitten, will there be someone at home those 2 days you're not there. You may find you want to spend your weekends at home with kitty rather than go out, they have that effect on people.Smile the cat protection website offer advice about kittens.

Original poster
grace11 · 30/04/2019 07:06

I could work at home for a few weeks on those days but not for months. I’ll check the cat protection website - I’m just looking for some realistic guidelines so I can decide. I have two young children which is why I can’t be in all the time at weekends - but of course the kitten will be well looked after and loved if we did take it. I’ve never had a cat before so am clueless.

OP posts:
viccat · 30/04/2019 11:32

When you say flat, what size and do you have a garden?

Beachbodynowayready · 30/04/2019 11:34

Yabu to consider just 1 kitten. 2 reduces the damage to your home by 50%.
Kittens are very destructive.
Home alone will add %%% on to the damage.

NotSoThinLizzy · 30/04/2019 12:08

If your not going to be around a lot I would highly suggest getting 2 to keep each other company and they will love to play with each other. You'll need to leave out loads of toys and interesting things for them while little too. Our kitten wasnt too bad very independent from an early age then introduced to older cat and they keep each other company. Our cats aren't very people cats we can leave them for the weekend with people popping in to feed them.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 30/04/2019 12:52

Another strong recommendation for 2 kittens. We've always had pairs of kittens (except once when we got 3 Grin) and they really do entertain themselves.
In my experience 8 or 9 weeks is the normal age to adopt moggies - including my most recent pair from Battersea last year.

Never had an issue with leaving them alone either.

AnnaMagnani · 30/04/2019 12:59

They should be with mum until 8-9 weeks. 2 is much better than 1 and leads to happier kittens and a happier owner! They entertain themselves (but still want lots of cuddles and bond with you) and not with your curtains.

They are fine left alone - just keep them in one room to start with but generally within a week you will have caved and given them the run of the house.

Original poster
grace11 · 30/04/2019 14:44

Thanks everyone - I checked the cat protection website and it just says get two if you’re at work! So I’m now 100% clear it has to be two if we do this. We Have a big communal garden and I would get a cat flap so they can head out. They would be shut in our lounge whilst we are out - which is pretty big - just imagining coming home to them swinging off the curtains!

OP posts:
smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 30/04/2019 14:50

I've only ever had a kitten once in my life and she was literally hanging off the curtains. She's 4 now and I love the bones of her but she was hard work, luckily the shifts DH and I work she was never left alone for more than an hour or 2 but she was an absolute menace and I said then I would never get another. We adopted DCat 2 at the age of 10 months and it was much smoother! So yes they may well drive you mad but it should be worth it.

viccat · 30/04/2019 15:13

Some kittens are naughtier than others Grin My younger pair is incredibly naughty and they've done everything you read about like climbing the curtains, chewing through (battery) fairylights, constantly climbing on top of the kitchen cupboards, fridge, on top of doors etc.!

I also have a pair of adult cats I had since they were 4 months old and they were never destructive at all.

Kittens sleep a lot too so if you play with them before you go out and feed them just before going, they might sleep a few hours while you're out.

englishdictionary · 30/04/2019 15:21

A friend has some kittens spare

This is so very sad. If you do take on a kitten please ensure that you prioritise neutering.

Also check out how much they can cost of things go wrong. Someone just the other day was looking to spend £2k over and above the insurance contribution for their cat to have an operation.

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 30/04/2019 15:25

@englishdictionary is spot on, I have out two insured for 15k per condition and spying can help prevent health conditions too.

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