Advice on cat adoption please 🐈

[user1471530109]

Afternoon all,

I would like to get a cat. Open to more than one.

I'm a single parent and work full time, 2 dd (10 and 6). I'm a teacher so normally aim to be home 4-4.30 for my own children.

I'm torn as to which way to go. I have been given details are a litter of tabbies who are now 8 weeks. Are they really hard work and will they need more time and attention than I can realistically give?

Or, 8 month old kittens-a trio of girls who apparently are very close and like a fuss. These are at my local rescue. Would I be naive getting 3?! They are all neutered and vaccinated etc.

Or an older cat? There are a few around 1-3 but they are apparently quite timid. Or some that appear quite a lot older.

I'd like youngish cats but I would really like a cat that wants fussing and is a bit of a homebody.

So, are v young kittens a bad idea (I was thinking 2 but there are three left in the litter). Are three older kittens a better option? Or should I be considering an older young cat (but not sure the right temperament is available as of yet).

I haven't had a cat for about 20 years and even then we didn't get him as a kitten.

Thanks. I've got no one to ask advice on this and I'm going round in circles! I've deliberately not gone to see any in case I fall in love and make a mistake.

The advice has been v helpful. I'm hoping to see a couple of v close cats at weekend. They are related, just friends. Two males age 1 and 2. A ginger and white and an all white. I'm quite excited and a little anxious in case someone nabs them first!

Good luck! We cancelled a holiday in order to adopt our cat because we worried someone else would nab him in the three week delay our holiday would have caused!

They've already gone! I'm gutted! The rescue is only open during school hours and I'm a teacher.
But I've been told a mother and daughter (mother is 1 and 'kitten' is an older kitten) are still available and v fussy and friendly. Snuggly was the phrase used! I'm making sure we arrive at opening time tomorrow. Both lovely tortoise shell. 🤞!

Oh, good luck!

Good luck! (Shamelessly awaiting pics) 😏

Oohh two Naughty Torties

Good Luck.

There are literally 1000s of cats out there , you will find your feline gaffers .

What happened?

Sorry!

I'm picking them up Saturday. We have been busy trying to sort everything.kids are massively excited (as am I).

The kitten (8 MTHS) is a Calico and was v friendly. She was purring as my girls stroked her. Her mum (tortie) was much more reserved and a little nervous. But she allowed us to stroke her without panicking so I'm hopeful.

Mum is 18 mths. So both v young really. I have a v small house. I'm planning on leaving them in the kitchen whilst at work for the first week. Do you think that's necessary? Will they destroy my sofa/house if I let them roam free? Dds' dad has agreed to have hamster temporarily....

Dont forget the photos!

The mum (tortie) is a little nervous and hiding. Her kitten (already same size, Calico) is roaming the house and making herself at home

Omg they are gorgeous! Just ignore her she will come out. Dreamies are your friend.

Honestly i locked mine in the kitchen for the first two nights then I felt bad. They go where they want. I have loads of scratch pads and poles. Only a small flat. Im not fussed about my furniture and im lucky i guess because neither are they. The do like a box though so leave a couple out and they love a tunnel if you havent already got one.

Didn't take long! They've both been purring and demanding a fuss. Both gone all over the house now the kids have gone to their dad's.

One had a bubble at about of dried food but neither had a drink or used the litter box and we've been home since 1. Is this normal?

Also, the kitten seems happy (purring and washing herself) but keeps squeaking!

So sweet. Did you put them in the box to show them where it is? Always keep the water from the food they say. I have a bowl of water in each room and the drink from all three. Ive also got three litter trays 😟

I’d put them in the litter box for a sniff and so they can feel the litter under their paws and can scratch it a bit. That should encourage them. Mine goes for two pees a day and one poo.

Thanks. There is a wee in the box! This is going to sound ridiculous...do I scoop it out? I mean, obviously scoop out poo...but do I leave the wee?

They have spent the last couple of hours chasing each other round the house. The mum is definitely as playful as the kitten. Dinner time was fun. The kitten wanted the adult food rather than the kitten and keeping them apart was interesting.

They've definitely made themselves at home! I can hear them jumping on and off the beds upstairs 🤦🏻‍♀️.
Kitten still squeaking and miaowing. Is that always a bad thing ?

I dont think so? I wonder where they will sleep? What are they called?

I wouldn't worry about the squeaking - kitten is probably talking to her mum:) And no, you don't need to scoop out the wee (unless it's clumping litter in which case I'm not sure - I've never used that so I'm not sure how to handle it).

You scoop for clumping litter. Their beautiful cats.

Sounds like the kitten is just verbal. Squeaking is fine! Many cats seem to have their mad hour, rushing round like a herd of ponies. Enjoy your gorgeous cats!

Its so lovely having two to chase each other.

I’d leave the litter in so they can smell where their toilet is and return there to use it. Muck it out daily after that. And don’t put poo or cat litter down the toilet. The water companies object as it bungs up pipes and can lead to expensive plumbers visits for you if you loo gets bunged up!

One cat currently sat on dd1s lap, the other is playing with dd2.

They've been using the litter now. They've both properly settled in. No problems at all. I can't believe how happy and relaxed the mum is after her nervous start.

What are you calling them?

Rehoming centres won't rehome kittens to you if you work full time and are out the house for more than 4 hours at a time. They don't count popping home on your lunch break as sufficient time spent either. You'd be better off getting an older cat, they're harder to rehome so you'll have plenty of choice. Especially if you're prepared to have more than 1.