Ginger kitten

[DinkyDaisy]

My youngest [preteen] been anxious lately and overthinking etc. [For another thread...].
One of his desires is a kitten. We have put it off as there is an elderly cat next door that uses our garden, messy house, reluctant husband- anything really!
Then, a colleague sent picture of her 3 week old kittens. 1 ginger one left...
We have booked it.
Right- need to declutter house?
Keep inside for winter then introduce to back garden maybe?
Tell neighbours when know definitely happening?
Book into local vets etc for vaccinations and neutering if a boy [they are not sure yet].
Visit cat!
Panic!

I’m not a fan of cats/dogs etc belonging to one family member. I would frame it as ‘our’ cat as opposed to ‘his’.

I disagree. It's nice to have a sense of responsibility for a pet and know that it's "your" special friend. It's a lovely idea.

Girls need spaying - so vet trip and op needed whatever sex.
You also need to do some shopping - litter tray, litter, food bowls, food (find out what it will be weaned onto and start with that), scratching post, bed to be ignored, toys.
Dont let it out until it's unable to have kittens.
(I wouldn't bother telling the neighbours)

Thank you.
He will be our cat. However, the driver to get the cat has been my youngest...
He has been googling ridiculous scratching posts! Pointed out we have a small house...
Not buying anything yet...

We got a kitten in July and it was partly driven by dds mental health. It has been really good for her.
Visit first see mum cat ask about temperament check kitten looks bright eyed etc.
As time gets nearer ask owner what type of tray and litter, and food then get the same.
About a week before I phoned the vet and set up first appointment for vaccinations and flea/worm treatment (had had one treatment before we got her)
Also set up insurance with pet plan.
We had/have a messy house too. I kitten proofed one room completely as it’s best to contain them while they settle in. Now a couple of months on, she has run of the house, it’s back to being messy and it’s fine

Ours is nearly 5 months and still indoors, will get her speyed imminently then let her out in the spring I expect

Oh, and she can get through a gap much smaller than I thought!

Is your colleague breeding kittens for money, OP?

I wouldn't be rushing to get a cat (they're not ickle bitty cute kittens for long, and they can live for 20 years) if my partner wasn't on board.

Not breeding for money.
Thanks all.
Off to work so will come back to this later.

We got a ginger kitten last September. He's amazing we love him so much. We didn't let him out till March so when he was 8 months. We got him netured in the decemeber he just seemed so tiny and it was so cold we didn't want to let him out before then. Get some wand toys he absolutely loved those. And just chasing round a ball. He also loved just playing with a wrapper! He was litter trained already- they say to get the same type of litter so it dosent confuse them

DH has come round a fair bit to the point of suggesting names!
Both children are excited.
Knowing the owner of the kittens is reassuring.
All advice here is great. Thank you.
Once he is near leaving his Mum will start buying what is needed.
House preparation will need to start earlier!

Why would you think think a female doesn't need neutering?
Are you planning to breed her?

Just forgot to write that!
Absolutely no breeding this end- male or female...

Cats are so fun!

One piece of advice it took me a while to discover - like human babies, kittens go through a phase of cheeing everything. They especially like wires and can destroy (or hurt themselves) on earphones, phone chargers etc. This phase only lasts ancouple of weeks and Infoubd a great solution on the internet: get some white vinegar and wipe it with cotton wool on the outside of any cables you need to keep permanently plugged in (like lamp cable). Cats hate the smell/taste of vinegar and will leave them alone. I only had to do this twice I think.

*chewing not cheeing

@Skysblue thank you for that tip! We have a gorgeous kitten who is very chewy so I'll give that a try

Don’t forget pet insurance OP.

I’m another one who always thinks it’s a shame people are still breeding kittens when there are so many unwanted adult cats looking for homes.

Get a good insurance policy - that's so important! Our ginger kitten is now a giant, but as daft as ever.

Do it!!!
We had a ginger cat whom we adopted with his sister when they were kittens. We had to have him put to sleep in 2018, aged 16, as he had cancer. We still miss him now.
Ginger cats are nearly always male, and, according to our Cats Protection lady, the most popular colour.
They are renowned for being affectionate. He'll need neutering if he's a boy!
And kittens are safe to go out once they're neutered/spayed, vaccinated, de-flead, wormed, microchipped.
Good luck - you'll love him/her!

@Dontfuckingsaycheese

I’m not a fan of cats/dogs etc belonging to one family member. I would frame it as ‘our’ cat as opposed to ‘his’.

The idea that it's decided who the cat belongs to makes me laugh. Cats decide who their favourite human is and that's that.

Our ginger tom was the loveliest most affectionate cat we have ever had. Still miss him and I was definitely his favourite hooman

I have a Ginger GIRL kitten.
and her sister.

But anyway, we didn't declutter, did keep them in one room for a few days & now they mostly have run of house. Still shut in overnight & if we need to open windows & doors. I've had to navigate introductions to grumpy old man cat, too.

I suppose when we let them out depends on (after spaying) & then how little & daft they are. Right now they are fascinated when I sweep or do anything, they have no sense of what's actually dangerous. They won't understand to avoid cars. I can only imagine them getting into Trouble outside.

Thank you all so much!
Great tips for us.
Lovely picture Lijkk.
We are so invested now and hope all goes to plan...
He is free to good home- which is hopefully us.... but we will give something as colleague got a big job with the litter. [She did say donations if we like so need to think about that nearer time as to how much].
Few weeks to go before leaves Mother and for us to make house safer...

We found a ginger boy kitten last year and called him Nemo. He's been the best cat ever and is the fifth cat in our house. We kept him in until after Christmas when he was eight months old and didn't let him out at night until mid-summer. This is the difference a year makes.

I can recommend animal friends insurance. Cheaper than pet plan and all profits go to animal charities.

They also challenged my old , ridiculously overpriced vet on one bill where they were clearly taking the piss. The bill was reduced and insurance paid out. They rock!

Good luck with the kitty. How exciting!