Christmas Kittens

[Larsingsong]

I've reserved a Christmas kitten.
Something I never thought I'd do.

Is there ever a good time to have a Christmas pet?

In my defence. I work with animals every day, advice is at hand.

We lost a cat this year. My youngest child is especially distraught. We talk about our lost cat every night. He's struggling to be honest.

A kitten would probably make his year, more so than any other year.

We a have a chilled older cat in the house.

Christmas is going to be very quiet for us, no family or friends round. So no further disruption for the kitten...

And do you recommend one or two?

You talk about the cat you lost every night?

As parent, shouldn’t you be setting some boundaries there?

Aren’t you worried your older, chilled-out cat will suddenly become unhappy with a new cat in the house?

I wouldn't get a new pet on Christmas Day.

Better to wrap up e.g. a cat bed and toys, maybe with a photo of the reserved kitten. Then collect it a week or so after Christmas once everything had calmed down. It will be something to look forward to!

How long ago did you lose the cat?

I think so long as it's not a "gift" then there is no issue with Christmas pets and you already know the commitment having had/have cats.

I'd definitely say get 2 biggest mistake I've made having one he's now 15 weeks and his play is becoming quite aggressive...they need to be with mum litter mates until 12 weeks really and we got mine at 8 weeks

It's reserved, but we haven't arranged a pickup date yet, it could be either Christmas time or in the new year, already 7 weeks old...

Yes he talks about our lost cat most nights. I'm not sure why that needs a "boundary" to talk about it, he can discuss whatever he feels like with me.

The cat went missing and there's been no closure so he's wondering where he went.

Our older cat maybe put out, but she's only two and she seems a bit lost without the other one around.
I don't know, it could go either way.

And the kids aren't so young, they're secondary age.

Given your circumstances it sounds like you know what you are letting yourself in for doing.

I would really recommend two. I have just thenone childhood cat which was fine, but when DD and I moved into our own place after her dad and I got divorced we got two kittens. I knew if we went to choose and liked different ones id never be able to leave the other behind.

They are 2.5 now, still get on great and are so much fun. I think it probably helped them settle too as honestly they were pretty much effortless from the get go.

Good luck and enjoy your new fur babies!

I think it's a good idea, you know what you're doing.

Me and my brother got given cats for our birthday when we children (our birthdays were a month apart, our neighbours cat had kittens that were ready to be rehomed around that time) and they much loved and cherished pets. My mum worked for the RSPCA, so she also knew what she was doing. We had an older cat too. He was a bit grumpy anyway, but just kept out of the their way.

I'd got for 2. I'd always go for 2.

@mintycedric thank you.
Beautiful cats you have there 😻

Well our Christmas cat, collected on 28th December when dd was 9 is now snoring away by my side. He was 8 weeks old and is now 13. Could have been a huge mistake but she was promised a kitten when the man from Rentokil said no way Jose to Guinea pigs when we backed on to a river and ahem rats lived there.

How long has the original cat been missing, and would you manage if they returned? Just because I've known cats to be gone months even years at times and return. Something you need to consider.

I'd not personally adopt a kitten at Christmas but I believe you could do it responsibly. I prefer rescues to private though, and they don't tend to adopt over Christmas time. Also don't like baby kittens, much prefer adolescent kittens. I think you are brave, lol.

Kakiweewee. Our other cat coming back would be perfect and we would love them to all live together. Our missing cat is the most loveliest, chilled cat I've ever seen so I'm not too worried.

He's been gone nearly 3 months 😢

Firstly, am so sorry your cat is missing, such a hard situation to deal with. And, in the back of that, it’s great that your dc feel comfortable enough to talk about it whenever they want - both in terms of knowing it’s ok to express emotion but also for you to monitor that the depth of it isn’t overwhelming them.

Are the kittens still with their mum or are they being hand-reared (sorry if I’ve missed this). If they are still with their mum, I would probably wait a while to bring them home. Kittens should really not go to new homes until 12 weeks old (though I know lots of people don’t agree with this). It’s not just for the benefits of mum’s milk, but this is the period where they garner so much knowledge/learning about acceptable behaviour - through interacting/play fighting/being told off for being too rough etc. I like the idea of a pp - wrap up a bed/toy/photo of kitten for Xmas day and collect when age appropriate. But even better if it’s two kittens!

If they’re not still with their mum, then I’d maybe consider taking them earlier - but only due to blooming Covid and the fact that xmas is likely to be way less busy/stressful than normal. Otherwise, I’d never bring a new pet home in the holiday season. Maybe still do the bedding etc present thing and arrange to pick it/them up the day before New Year’s Eve?

Photos needed in due course!

Thank you @Furries for your reply.

My op sounded a bit dramatic looking back on it (the wine talking there). DC regularly brings up our lost cat most days, just to say he misses him or wonder what could have happened to him. I wouldn't say he's distraught, just a bit blue. This whole year hasn't helped with his general mental health though, as for many kids I imagine.

Kitten is with Mum and siblings. They're all reserved now though, so if the opportunity comes up to have two I'll consider it. But just one for now.

I really like the idea of wrapping up some cat themed gifts, might show them a video of her on the TV! So exciting. I'll check with the owner her exact date of birth and go from there. I'd definitely not want to take her from Mum too early.