Kittens? What's the reality?

[Ohthepressure]

We had cats for 15 years in the UK, all strays who adopted us. They died within a year of each other and we were devastated. However we moved overseas a year later and have been renting until now so we couldn't get pets.

Now we've bought a house, and I'm thinking this is time to get a cat. However we've only ever had independent cats, who mooched around the garden and fields near the house. Here we're looking at cats being indoor, as they're not allowed to roam at night (due to eating the wildlife) (and the wildlife might eat them anyway!) We both work, but our son is just starting at Uni (locally) so will be home a few days a week.

I would really like to get a "special" cat, as we're starting from a clean slate with no other pets in the house. There are a few Maine Coon breeders here, which look like fabulous cats, and they seem relatively sensible personalities (my parents have had Burmese, British Shorthair and a rescue Bengal, who all had interesting quirks).

My question is, how hard are kittens, and can we realistically look after one if we're not working from home all the time? I appreciate that would be ideal but it's not going to happen, they have far too good a grip on COVID here We could look at getting a retired queen, but I'm not sure if they would be too used to a bustling catty household, and hot and cold running slaves owners, so that might not be a good option.

I'd welcome opinions. Cats seemed so easy when I was growing up, and again with our strays (apart from the tablet struggles and the vomiting hairballs into shoes) so I'm concerned I'm too naive! But please be kind too, I've seen how The Dog House descends on naive new owners..!

Young kittens need someone around most the time really, will your home be empty for long each day?

We'd try to take some leave so we'd be around at least the first 3-4 weeks, then the house would only be empty 1 full day a week, depending if a slumbering student would count as occupation for the first half of the day!

We took a few weeks off to spend time with our kittens but actually they were totally fine when we were out. Which is probably because they had each other, which leads me on to my 1st peice of advise - get 2. Mine are siblings and entertain each other all day. They do have rough and tumble but the next minute they're snuggled up grooming each other.

They're hard work as in they are into EVERYTHING but i wouldn't change them for the world. They're a year and half now and I feel like I've never not had them and i mean that in a good way.

You might be ok with a kitten then, op, especially if you can encourage said slumbering student to get up and laze on the sofa instead!

We found having kittens just ridiculously easy! One hid the first night and we really thought she’d escaped but other than that they just slotted in amazingly. Used their litter tray etc.

I don’t think I took any time off

If you're out most of the day then please consider a pair rather than a single kitten as a lone kitten would get really bored alone all day.

Get two
They’re easy work really and very entertaining

I'm very much in the 'get two kittens (litter mates) and they entertain themselves' camp.
The only thing that takes some management is introducing the kittens to any incumbent cats.
I've always found kittens delightfully easy .

I think it all comes down to the kittens personality tbh.
Mine is 2 years old now and it has been a roller coaster, still has not settled down , I do love her though.

I’ve seen people a few times on MN warning of how hard it can be but to be honest I have to agree with all the PPs here - it was ridiculously easy for us!

DP works from home so he was there 24/7 but I can’t imagine he really did anything so I assume they would’ve been fine on their own for a few hours. The worst part of it all was them being terrified and hiding the first day or two (understandably!) but after that it was plain sailing.

If they are going to be a house cat I would advise getting two though. When our house cat was young he drove us insane wanting to to go outside (he couldn’t for medical reasons). Miaowed constantly at windows and doors, tried to bolt outside whenever the door opened, etc. We got him a friend to occupy him instead and the outdoors was suddenly far less interesting!

I’ve had kittens, they’re easy enough. And all my cats over the last 10 years have been indoor only. If you’re out at work all day they’ll get used to it, cats sleep a lot but make sure they’ve got interactive toys and that you play with them lots in the evening. British shorthairs are ideally suited to being indoor cats, as would something like a ragdoll. Burmese tend to be fairly energetic and vocal so may not be so happy to be home all day alone. I don’t have any Maine coon experience so cannot advise on those.

In terms of practicalities have you got somewhere to put a covered litter tray? It’ll need cleaning out a couple of times a day and you don’t want it somewhere guests will see/smell(!!) it ideally. Also if you’re keeping the cat inside then be sensible about opening windows and doors. Are you happy to be super vigilant about this?

Kittens are pretty easy pets.

I've never heard of taking time off work to settle a cat or kittens in before. We now have three cats, but our first we got aged 8 weeks and we were home with her for a day before we both went out to work - she was fine.

Our latest kitten is 7 months and our older cats are now 4 and 5 years old. He slotted right in to the family and is no bother, though he does spend a lot of time climbing up my curtains

Phew! Thanks very much. Getting two does sound like a no brainer... But that would be a serious investment for a pedigree, Maine Coons are about £1,300 and Siberians about £1,000 from my enquiries so far. But I'd like to think it would be worth it, to have some cat-life around the house again!

I know a lovely Siberian, very relaxed and pretty cat. She’s an only cat and seems to be very happy as such but maybe speak to the breeder about their advice one one vs two. My warning would be that as indoor only cats, double the amount of little tray use is a bit annoying

For a special birthday I was bought my dream cat a Rag doll. She is such fun love her to bits. Such a character, you can train them like a dog and they like going out on walks. I’ve also got a good old moggie who is 12 years old and they get on really well. I kept them apart until they cried so much for each other I just let them be together. Why not ask breeder for a special price for 2 or Why not buy one of each? A rescue kitten/ young cat and a special breed. If you’re working it’s good if they have company and give you peace of mind too.

We’ve got a half Maine coon. Very chilled, easy to look after. Also cheaper because not pure breed.
Won’t get as big as a full one, but still on the large side.
Not a lap cat, but like company and will often come and sit next to you (just rarely on you).

Sorry just seen that yours will be indoors. Ours is an outdoor cat.

I've got ragdolls and a Norwegian forest kitten. This is the wegie he is very sweet

Having had a single cat followed by a pair, I agree 2 is best if possible as they entertain each other so well. Mine are now a year old and other than some usual kittenish naughtiness have been wonderful. My old cat was a devil when she was little and trashed my sofas within weeks, although everyone just nodded knowingly and said "yes, tortoishells..."
I was never an animal person really, but when my first cat died I was utterly bereft and couldn't be catless for long. Attaching photo of one of my gorgeous sleepy babies when I first got her.

Here are 3 of my 5. Would go for more than one. If you have a heat source then this is how 23 hours are spent. Add an hour for zoomies and half an hour spent in a litter tray. That leaves half a hour for eating.
They will be fine when you go to work.

We have had cats for years. Got two kittens a few years ago. Never again. They attacked the kids (just playing but made the kids cry.)
Got inside the sofa and tried to destroy it from the inside. Climbed curtains. Even broke a scratching post. I wouldn’t leave kittens alone all day.
In future I would go for an adult cat. Then you know what you’re getting. Whether it’s a lap cat or like one of ours a psycho Bitey creature.

I can’t count - 4 not 3

Kittens are manic balls of energy and sharp bits. They don't need you to be around all day - they also sleep a lot, but some breeds do prefer company. Not necessarily another of the breed. We had a pair of kittens that was one pedigree and a rescue and they were great pals.
Kittens can be destructive, so you need to be inventive and provide them with lots of interesting things or they will find their own.
Having a safe room you can shut them in overnight or if you go out is useful.

Hmm, so a plan might be to get a rescue cat (the rescues here are quite good at giving quite lengthy bios of the cat's preferences and foibles, as observed by their foster homes) and settle them in first. There are no MC or Siberian litters available right now so even when they're born they'll be 12 weeks from coming home. Then hopefully the kitten will have a bit of company.
Does that sound sensible?

I have two Maine Coon kittens. They are adorable. We sadly lost a main coon cat last year to road 😢 so needless to say these are now indoor cats. Main Coon’s have amazing temperaments, they are likened to being more like a dog but in the cat world...for their placid and loving nature. I would highly recommend!