New Kitten! What do I need to know?

[MountPheasant]

Husband and I are going to pick up our new kitten tomorrow morning and we can’t wait!

We both grew up with cats and have always wanted our own, but we have been living in a flat for the last few years so didn’t have space. We are now in a house, and are going to get a male Ragdoll kitten tomorrow.

It’s been years since I had a kitten around and was I’m wondering if there’s anything I need to know? He will be indoor, which I’ve never done: how do I guard against him getting out?

Picture for cuteness reasons! We’re naming him Oscar

You need to know how to post a pic

...now with picture!

Sorry Zebra here’s another!

Well that was indeed worth the wait. He is all cuteness. Hello Oscar.

You don't need much stuff, really. Cardboard boxes, screwed up paper for ballies. We bought a play tunnel for a few quid, thinking it would last a month or so but be worth it. Nearly 1yr later it's still their best used toy.

Will be be going out on a lead ?

Beautiful kitten and good name

OMG!

Getting out-wise, it's having him shut out of the kitchen if you're going out of the kitchen door, so there's 2 doors between inside and out. That works for us, but we have a porch so if possible.

Have you small kids who might forget and open door ?

We’ve got a cat tree, some old shoe boxes; don’t have a tunnel but I think there’s one in the royal cain ‘kitten kit’ that we’re being given when we collect him.

We’ve got a lead and plan to take him out when he’s bigger as we live near a thicket- not sure how long to wait though? He seems so small!

No kids, no; there is a front door with no ‘in between’ door, so not sure what to do about that. Also when should I start worrying about open windows?

I wouldn't take him out for a good while yet. My DCATs wouldn't entertain a lead. At. All. Raggies. boycat had similar markings to Oscar by the looks of it, he was Tabby Mitted Seal.

He's very cute indeed OP.

Get him used to you brushing him early on, is my advice as their coats are quite thick and can get a bit matted. I could make at least one extra Raggie when I brush my girl.

I never had the 'big' windows open, only the fanlight ones. But I had a very secure back garden and when they were young adult I would let them in the back garden whilst I was there and they'd only go out there if I was actually in the garden with them.

He’s a blue point, I know that much!

I’ve got a brush, planning to brush every evening. I’ll see how he gets on with the harness, I’ve heard very mixed things haha

Very sweet I have a blue cp girl and seal bi colour male. My male walks better than some dogs on the lead but my female won't entertain it. Ragdolls are prone to hairballs I have cat grass in my house which helps with this. How old is he?

I’ll google cat grass, thanks! Fingers crossed on the harness and lead, I’d love to take him out. I’m going to be very vigilant on brushing as his dad has very long fur.

He was 9 weeks Monday! I’ve got him booked into the vet on Thursday next, I’m guessing they’ll know when all his jabs are due, when he can be neutered etc?

How come he isn't vaccinated and is leaving so early? Registered (pedigree) kittens should leave after 2nd vaccinations around 13wks. That's a standard for a registered breeder.

Cutest kitten ever. Especially photo 2.

He’s not a registered pedigree, he’s a rescue, the mum was pregnant when the rescue centre saved her from a breeder who I believe was keeping them in bad condition

She said the mum is seal point and the dad is blue point but that they aren’t registered, I don’t know if that’s because the parents aren’t full pedigree or if it’s because they are coming from the cat sanctuary?

She told me to book him for his jab, which I’ve done with the vet, has also asked me to confirm the vet with them and said they’ve done the worming treatment, but not had any guidance other than that as I think they’re pretty focused on the rest of the cats they rescued. Hence asking for help here!

Another one for you!

That's very sad. Unfortunately so many people breed ragdolls and other breeds that have been sold to them on the non active register. I absolutely hate it because of how prone the breed is to certain conditions. It's completely wrong and there's a reason cat breeding is difficult to get into. For a cat to be a pedigree it must come from registered active health tested parents. Also registered breeders do so to better the breed and know what to look for in a queen or stud. Not all pedigree cats are suitable to be active. I lost a half raggie to hcm so I'm quite passionate about pedigree cats. When a cat is a pedigree you will get a certificate of it's registration which if kitten is non active you usually get on proof of spay.

He is very beautiful

It’s so sad, the poor mum was in a bad way I think. What conditions should I be looking out for? The woman at the rescue has ragdolls and said he looks healthy but I guess you can never really know that small?

Ah he is lovely , we took on a kitten that was found abandoned in a country road last month. He is absolutely nuts runs round the house 100mph , jumps in the dishwasher , the fridge , under the bedcovers , chews my hair he makes us laugh every day. So glad we got him , sure you will love having yours have fun ! 😀

What a gorgeous kitten!!

We have a 4 year old dog, 7 year old cat, and a 13 week old kitten! I hadn't had a kitten since my 20s (I'm 48 now). We got our 7 year old cat when he was 2. So, getting a kitten was placing me out of my comfort zone.

What I would definitely say is, watch the small spaces. Use books to block off any holes he can sneak into and get stuck inside. By 12 weeks, this really should be much less of a problem because he'll know the lay of the land and know to avoid dangerous spots where he can get stuck. But from 8-10 weeks, he really won't know any fear. So just make sure your home is safe for him. Keep the windows shut or at least open only a crack, especially from around 11-12 weeks when he gets his confidence. He'll be well into exploring by 12 weeks and it'll be hard to keep on top of his curiosity, so it's best to start with window safety now. That way it's just habit for you by the time he starts climbing up on the window sills.
He will want to run out the door, I'm afraid. Just make sure you have a safe place to hold him while you answer the door. Can you close him off in the kitchen?
It's a bit intense and the nocturnal biting of my feet at 1am has me bolting upright in bed every single time. But I've got to say, it's been an absolute joy having our kitten (I was anxious about it all- worried that it would be like having a puppy. Not even close! So much easier!).

Enjoy your beautiful boy to the fullest.

Nice looking kitten.
Don't let him get fat. Most cats (and almost all indoor only cats) are fat.
Ignore what the back of the packet says to feed (it's always too much). And transition him to adult food before the back of the kitten food packet says.

There is only one thing you need to know OP. I’ll ping you my address in a minute and you can bring him straight to mine tomorrow. That’s all he will need.