Kitten

[MartyrGuacamole]

A friend has offered us a kitten from her cat who is accidentally pregnant (and already booked to be spayed after delivery). We have a giant breed dog, and two dc (8 and 6). The dog is easy going and lazy, no real concerns, I think he would quite like a little buddy. What things should we consider before saying yes/no? We are already used to kennels etc for holidays and have lots of neighbours happy to pop in and feed/cuddle etc. How much training/time do new kittens need?

They need a lot less time if you get two. Small kittens hate to be taken away from both their mum and their litter mates. If you have two they will play together and comfort each other and it would make your life much easier and their's much better.

They don't need training as such, but they do need company and handling, and much, much more if you get only one.

Oh, and so you don't end up in the same boat as your friend, they should be neutered at four months.

Agree with the above, single small kittens shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time, like going to work. We had two kittens and I worked from home 2 days a week and 2 days weekend. They were alone 3 days a week and were just fine as they had each other.

Definitely neuter the kitten ASAP - accidents don’t happen, careless owners happen.

Consider

Cost - not much cheaper than dogs (insurance, food, vet, worming etc).
Are you sure dog won’t go for a kitten?
Will you let the cat outdoors?
Will you get a cat flap?
How many toys will you buy😊

I absolutely agree re the spaying/neutering. Good to know it can be done so early. Is there much difference in typical girls/boys (I know it's not guaranteed). I only work a few hours a day and while I'm at work dh takes his lunch break at home so there aren't long periods when they'd be alone.

Still umming and ahhing!

You need two unless theres an odd number your friend should really rehome them in pairs they are so much easier together. They play lovely. I visited someone the other night who had a beautiful BSH Ive never felt so sorry for a cat. No outdoor space as it wasnt allowed out. It just seemed so lonely and definately didn't have the balls my two have. It seemed sad.

Absolutely get two, then you can leave them as long as you want and they won't get lonely.

We've just put a deposit down for 2 new kittens. Far too excited. I bought a pop up tent from b&m today and I've already bought some dreamies 😂

For reference, pets at home offer fleaing, worming, vaccinations and microchip for £85. I contacted our local vets, pretty much same price. Neutering and spaying was quoted as just over £100 each.

The only question I have is: which food?! I'm thinking wainwright's from pets at home as seems to be the most reasonably priced for quite good ingredients.
I forgot to ask the breeder but will get them a box of what they're already on to transition over to something better.

I've never bought cats in pairs I really don't think it's essential as they adapt very quickly. I got my kitten a friend years ago from someone else after a few months and my vet actually said they like to be alone. It was too late by then and I have 3 cats now 🥴 kittens don't need a lot of training as long as they know where the litter tray and food stations are.

Two kittens might enjoy each other's company, but a lot of cats prefer to be an only cat as they grow older. I know 2 sisters who can't stand each other now. They've virtually divided the house between them and there is a border dispute over the stairs, involving spraying to mark out territory.

I'm afraid I have to agree with Thymeout. I've had cats all my life and I've never known litter mates keep the bond beyond kittenhood. Of course it could work out absolutely fine, unfortunately it could also work out that you have 15+ years of hostility to deal with.

I think it depends on the age of the kitten as to whether you should have one or two.

21 years ago we got two, and three years ago we got two. Both times we'd only planned on bringing one home . All kittens, we were told, were 8 weeks old I don't believe any of them were, and think they were actually younger but.

Anyway with our most recent kittens I was out at work 8- 12 and 1-4pm and was glad we had 2 because one is a bit nervous and needed his brother. They used to sleep together for the first year but don't now.

If you really only want one ask your friend to keep it a bit longer with its mum, 8 weeks is very, very young and IMO the very minimum kittens should leave their mum, not the standard age.

You should be aware that you can't let them out until they have been neutered, and kittens can escape out of windows very easily.