Meeting some kittens tomorrow!

[Ladybythebeach]

After ummming and ahhhing about getting a cat, I have bitten the bullet and have been in touch with our RSPCA and we have a viewing appointment tomorrow to meet some cats/kittens. I'm so excited.

I have explained that I have two young boys (7 and 6) and that DH and I both work full time so the lovely RSPCA lady suggested kittens (so will get used to being around children) as opposed to a older and possibly nervous cat.
She also said 2 (!) would be a good idea so that they keep each other company when we're out of the house.

What do you think? We currently only have chickens so getting cats is completely new and I don't want to make a mistake and take too much on.

I'd also love to hear any tips for a new cat owner.

Thank you in advance!

Hi,

I am surprised they said kittens, as when DP and I went (years ago) to look around the RSPCA they wouldn't re-home kittens to us as we both worked FT. We ended up adopting a big soft 3 year old boy cat who was lovely and great with kids.
I would suggest keeping your mind open when looking as a young adult cat (or bonded pair) may be just what you need. Kittens are lovely, but they need to be kept in for a while, need socialising and would be wildcards as to personality. They get into far more scrapes than an adult cat, and with an adult, their personality is already showing - what you see is what you get. They can go outside as adults after 4-8 weeks, so they are far more simple when you have young children.
Good luck - it's very exciting for you!

Hi @UpsyDaisysarmpit - thanks for your quick reply.

Yes, I was surprised that she suggested kittens as 1) I really didn't think they'd be any available and 2) assumed they'd be harder work.

I will absolutely go with an open mind and am just keen to find a cat/kitten which suits us a family.

I too would avoid kittens. A very young pair of bonded cats? Fine. But kittens would be a bloody nightmare left alone all day. (Apart from anything else they need little meals more frequently.) Ours used to get inside the sofa and try and pull it apart.

Thanks @Wolfiefan

Yes, I felt worried about leaving kittens on their own all day.

Our first pair were 18 months and 2. Old enough not to shred us or the house but young enough to play!

I would avoid kittens if you are out all day. I agree with a pair of cats but I'd definitely go for an older pair as there is no one home to supervise.

For a new cat owner a few tips:

• Get lifetime cover insurance, costs but well worth it as they get older and the vets bills can get eye watering.
• Get them registered at a good vets.
• Budget for monthly flea treatment like Advocate
• Put their water bowl well away from their food bowls, even another room.
• Find out from the rescue what food they are on and make sure you buy the same. You can move them slowly onto your preferred food but a complete food change when you get them home can make their stomachs upset
• I'd have at least two cat scratchers about.
• Big cat trees are about £50 on Bay and mine love them (if you have the room of course)
• Understand that you will never go to the toilet by yourself again

Kittens are cute. But adult cats are amazing. I adopted both mine at 5.

Adding to the pair of young adult cats. They keep each other company and are more likely to play with each other than teat the house apart with boredom! As various PPs have said, with a young adult cat you will have a good idea of it's personality whereas you never know with kittens.

Plus so many people want kittens, adult cats are much harder to home so you will be doing A Good Thing.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your input and advice.

Young adult it is then, possibly two?

I'll let you know how I get on.

Two is good.

Hello,

Just thought I would share how our visit to the RSPCA centre went, if anyone is interested .

Lady was great, very informative and showed us the cats she thought would be right for us based on personalities:

2 x really pretty, stripey brother and sister - 3 months old. Were born under a hedge and when brought into home it was the first time they'd been around people. The girl was friendly, boy a bit more nervous but both were playful and very cute.

4 x black and white cats, 1 x girl and 3 x boys - all 7 months.
Have been in a home and were loved but as there were 16 (!!) cats, owner was overwhelmed and they were given to RSPCA.
One of the boys was more friendly and had a lovely purr, girl was nervous but playful. Others were bit more reluctant and held back but all lovely.

The older cats available were either already reserved, needed someone at home a bit more than we're able to be, or paired with a more nervous one which the lady said would be a bit tricky with little boys in the house.

Would very much welcome any thoughts on the above. I have to say, I have thought about the black and white boy (Indy) a lot since getting home - he was so keen to be stroked.

Thanks everyone again for the your previous input.

My vote is for 2 of the male black and white cats.

Good luck!

I think Indy has already chosen you. The first thing you will learn as a new cat owner is that they actually see themselves as owning you 😆

Looks like you've been chosen by Indy. Now just to decide which of his siblings are coming with him - RSPCA may be able to advise on whether he has a particular friend otherwise whichever one takes your fancy . Maybe the girl as she was a bit more forward?

7 months is quite a good age, their personalities are really beginning to show.

Update with pics please?

Shy/nervous cats aren’t the same when they’ve been adopted, they really come out of their shells.

And taking a pair would help with their confidence. I would go for a pair of 7 month old. I bet girl would soon be a lot less nervous out of the centre!

Ha ha @Allergictoironing and @sluj - I think you're right! I've not stopped thinking about Indy since we left. I feel a funny mix of nervous and excited.

I really think he'll be perfect for us. Now just to decide who else to bring him home with! I'm thinking the shy girl or boy (boy just sat in his bed peeking out).

I've asked if we can visit again tomorrow with our boys. I'll see if I can attach a picture we took.

My pair were so shy when I got them, they spent all their time when I visited them at the rescue huddling together in their little bedroom area. Apparently the reason they had been waiting so long for a home (a year) was that they were so shy so everyone else went for more outgoing cats.

I have just managed to extricate myself from Boycat (the shyer, scaredy one) who was wrapped round my arm having tummy & chin tickles for over an hour, purring so loudly it felt like the sofa was shaking. When they are awake, they follow me about the house. If I spend time on the PC when Girlcat wants attention, she either sits behind my chair giving demanding squeaks, or pats on the back of the chair to get my attention.

So shy at first doesn't mean they won't be bossing you all around pretty soon! . And sluj is right - they DO own you, never think it's the other way around

My rescue cat was terrified and shy. For a couple of weeks. He's still apprehensive about strangers and sudden noises but shy with me? Nope. He adores me. The feeling is mutual. When a shy or timid cat loves you, they really love you.

7 months is a great age! I would go with Indy and perhaps a sibling if he's close to any. Hope you keep us posted!

I've done it!

Phoned the centre today to reserve Indy and his sister. Am excited but also anxious as to whether I've done the right thing.

We took the boys to see them yesterday and my youngest loved the little girl so didn't feel right to just take the one.

Also have lots of questions running through my head:
How do I encourage them to go outside to poo? (After settling in of course!)
What sort of scratching post/pad do I get?
One bed or two?!

The centre have the litter/food they're on and a second hand carrier so I don't have to rush out and buy loads before collecting them next Saturday - just some food bowls and toys.

Will try to attach a picture - Indy is on the left and his sister is in the middle.

Thrilled for you!

Cats are rather self-sufficient regarding pooping. Mine was tiny when rescued (less than 6 weeks) and she knew exactly what to do when shown the litterbox. I suggest you get two, as sharing may lead your cats to find somewhere else to do their business.

Mine rather enjoys tall scratching posts where she actually stretches instead of just aiming at the rope. A tall one also enables the cat to climb, and some have resting places as well.

If you want to buy beds, I suggest one at first. If yours are anything like mine, they won't use it and prefer rugs, wardrobes, anything but the bed you actually want to sleep in. A hooded one might make them feel safe at first.

They’re gorgeous! So much fun. Cats are easy pets & they’ll soon have you trained to their preferences . When you start letting them out, leave the litter trays out a couple of weeks while they get their confidence and then slowly more the litter trays closer and closer to the cat flap. Then... pop it outside just the other side of the cat flap. Some cats will naturally stop using it and others we’ve had use it till you leave it empty of litter. Have fun!

Congratulations, they are gorgeous. What's the little girl called?

My cats were already litter trained when we got them as kittens, they just naturally started going outside once they were let out. I still keep a litter tray indoors because we don't let them out at night but they only use it about once a year.
Have fun

Congratulations on becoming cat slaves! Also, so pleased you went the rescue route. Look forward to further updates once they're causing chaos home.