Is a kitten really hard work, and are kitten farms a thing?

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

Family discussion tonight about possible pet and majority was in favour of a cat. I don't know much about them. Are they farmed in the way puppies are? I ask because although I would prefer a rescue, I've an allergy to dander so we would have to go for a specific breed and hope it's low allergen (we'll still talk to some rescues for advice and to see if they have one to recommend. ) And if we're going for a kitten, are they a pain in the hole like newborns in the way pups are? (Can you guess we had dogs when I was a kid? 🤣)

Sometimes, and yes kitten farms are a thing.

If your going for a breed though you can usually see on the website how many litters each queens had that year because they list the dam and the sire.

If it’s a breed your after do look up what genetic conditions their prone to and check the kittens have been dna tested prior to sale. You can get breed rescue sites too where people have had to give up their cats and need a good home.

Kittens can be hard work and if you are aiming for a zero maintenance pet, I don't recommend a kitten. If you are allergic to dander, that might become a problem. Please don't buy a kitten because it encourages potentially unethical breeders when there are abandoned animals who need a loving home.

I’ve had 3 kittens, 2 have not been any work at all.

Easier to look after than a fish or a hamster for sure

The current cat was really hard work when he was a kitten

He’s still very annoying to be honest

He’s still very annoying to be honest

Why? What about the other two? How are they?

Yes to breed rescue places. I was in the same situation and adopted two young adult cats from a rescue site for the breed I wanted. Kittens can be insane. I’ve had ones who I used to tiptoe around while they napped for fear of waking them because the only time I could get things done was while they slept. They were everywhere - trying to climb into the dishwasher as I emptied it, same with washing machine. I had to remove pot plants, all ornaments and even books as one would teeth on them. I had to remind everyone to shut the loo seat, the bathroom door as they would climb/fall in the loo. I had to do far more kitten proofing than I ever did toddler proofing. They had to be shut into another room when anyone wanted to do something such as the ironing, cleaning, homework as they were so playful and bonkers they were a liability bless them. Some people adore the kitten stage but it broke me. After a few I vowed I’d only adopt adult cats.

Yes kitten farms are a thing. I have two rescue Persians who were breeding queens in a kitten farm. They were in appalling condition. Kittens are cute but overrated. Adults are much better

I have an 11 week old kitten and yes, she can be hard work. Main reason is she has to sleep in my room at night to keep her separate from my big cat until she's big enough to hold her own with him. She's seriously impacting upon my sleep!

@BovaryX the other 2 are long since passed

This one I’m not too sure

I don’t know if maybe I just haven’t bonded with him like the others because he was a difficult kitten.
Would wee everywhere, chewed everything and made a lot of damage

He’s not affectionate and actually we don’t see him in this weather at all unless he wants a drink of water or some food.

Did you get them all at the same time? How old is he?

Only expedience breeds I would think otherwise what's the point . They aren't expensive like dogs .

Oh and no one sees your dog so you don't have to worry about having the ' right or fashionable ' breeds .

@BovaryX
No, we only ever have one cat at a time over the past 15 years

Current cat is just a year old

Thanks folks. I'll see what I can dig up on breed specific shelters. My preference is a rescue over buying so fingers crossed.

How do you train a cat to not shit in the neighbour’s garden and how do you train them not to kill birds?

I trained mike not to go in our neighbours garden and they don't catch birds . Much more interested in their toys which I trained them with ..
it's very possible to train cats , I've had many since childhood!!

I do not know much about kitten farms (both my cats came from friend of a friend of a friend with 2.5 years difference).

Both were toilet trained. All I did was show where the litter box and food/water/milk bowls were. Both went potty immediately and drank Whiskas cat milk. I then showed where the scratching posts were (in every room - 2 in living room plus large cat ''tree'').

Both would want to sharpen their claws when I would enter house (from work, shopping, etc.) and I would straight away grab them and put in front of nearest scratching post. It is a habit now - they go to posts themselves. They do not scratch anything (furniture, carpets) apart from their posts. Maybe awkward miscalculated jump.

They did chew some wires (I now keep wires hidden away and some have toughened plastic cord covers). I also added more toys and vitamins to stop them from doing that.

They do have bursts of energy and ran around like mad. The noise equals to a small elephant thumping with loud warrior like meows. Most of the time they sleep and every evening seek attention - if you pet one, you need to pet the other one too

I taught them some basic commands and hand signals. There are times they try to disobey and I have to repeat myself. Both fetch when I throw toys for them

Cats are great! Kitten stage requires some work - training with treats, stopping scratching furniture and humans (you need to take them to scratching posts, play with feather teaser wand and if they scratch you yelp ''ouch'' and walk away - they learn very quick).

I believe it is best to have 2 at the same time! I love mine to bits

Bear in mind that a young adult cat will show it's personality, so a rescue would be able to match you, whereas kittens can be an unknown quantity and you never know what they will be like as they grow up. Also, kittens don't stay kittens forever - you'll have about a year of kitten, followed by another 15-18 years of cat anyway.

I don't know about about the breeding or farming aspect, but yes, kittens can be hard work. Some are more trouble free, others a menace, albeit a very cute and adorable one, that they usually grow out of most of the challenging behaviours. I foster for a rescue charity, so have had dozens of kittens come and go over the years.

But if you're looking at a kitten under about 4/5 months, please get a pair. If you only want one cat, get an older one as kittens learn so much about being a cat from playing with siblings at 2/3/4 months of age, plus they're still babies so benefit from the comfort of someone to cuddle up to. If you look at breed rescue, you might find an older kitten that's had to be given up due to allergies or changes in circumstances of the owners.

With an older cat, you'll miss out on the 'tiny cutsy baby kitten' stage, but that only lasts a couple of months anyway.

But you'll also miss out on them going to the toilet in various hidden places like behind the curtains, under the bed etc while they get to grips with litter trays. Or shitting all over the place because their delicate tiny baby tummies have decided to disagree with the food that you've been successfully feeding them for weeks. Or pissing in the nice, expensive, non washable bed you just bought them.

The last two I had damaged my quite expensive new curtains by climbing up them constantly. Kittens also often climb up your legs when you're preparing their food, leading to ruined clothes and painful scratches. We've had some so persistent at that, that it's been necessary to box them up until it's ready.

We've had them that chewed wires, thankfully only phone chargers not mains voltage.

Run round all night noisily, play with the noisy toys while you're on teleconferences, if you shut them out of the room, they cry and scratch to be let in. Like to sleep on your bed at night, but then insist on playing at 4 am. But cry and scratch outside the room if you shut them out.

Horrible beasts, we haven't got any right now and I miss them terribly .

Two of us looked after two kittens for a friend in their house.

After three day my nerves were shot. They were completely mad, never stopped but if they did it was to fall asleep on one of us so you couldn't move without disturbing the peace, they were into everything, would disappear somewhere in the house frequently, break things, try and kill themselves by throwing themselves into, over or up things and didn't let us get a wink of sleep either though galumphing through the house, meowing loudly In unison, breaking down the bedroom door and then clawing your feet/hands/head to ribbons.

Me and DH were complete shells of our former selves

I adore kittens and have had two pairs so far in my life.

They are mental but I prefer two as they tend to play with each other instead of randomly attacking you or other things. Still a bit of that tho.

They are company for each other while we are out.

I always get litter mate rescues. It can take time to find them but you will get there if your determined

Oh and get a kitten no tv required for a while

I've had four sets of kittens in my time and have never considered them to be hard work at all. All have come litter trained (at anywhere from 8-9 weeks old), so, rare accidents apart, have had no toileting issues. They can be a bit destructive - but so can adult cats. Getting two (or three) together means they keep each other amused.
Personally I like having cats from kittens as you can see their characters develop - and they are all different.
The only thing I think that really helps is that the kittens have been properly socialised before you get them.

I've had four kittens over the years.

First were a brother/sister pair and they were no trouble whatsoever, except for when they played chase over my head in the middle of the night! They both came litter trained, never had an arguments or anything similar. Unfortunately they had to stay with my ex when we split up but they were three when I last saw them and they still got on fine.

Third one was from a local farm - she was never really socialised but she loved people. We had to teach her how to use the litter tray but she picked it up in a matter of days. She's four now and absolutely fine. A year after we got her, we rescued a slightly older cat and they're best of friends now.

We now have a 9 week old kitten and he's fine too, no trouble at all. Again, he's litter trained, gets on with our resident cats already (they all play and nap together) and really no work at all. I think it helps he has company, though. We also have a dog so he's never totally on his own.

Get two. Ours are just brilliant and have never given us a bit of bother.

I agree with pp’s. Get a pair or three. They will look after each other and it’s company for them.
Your life will be divided into pre cat and with cat. Accept that you will have damages, (you don’t need a show house, you do need a home, they are different!) but in return a furry friend and overlord for the life of your cats. Cats are like mary poplins- they instinctively know when you need them and when you don’t. If they sit in your laptop when your are working it’s only because they are telling you, you need a break.