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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat quandary

19 replies

MrsCat1 · 23/10/2021 17:37

Our beloved d cat passed away a couple of weeks ago. He has left a huge hole in our lives that we are now starting to think about filling. We have decided on two! So the options are either 2 kittens or 2 young adults or one of each? And should we go pedigree or rescue or one of each? We have always had adult rescues before and I'm wondering how demanding kittens would be. Any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
thingamebob · 23/10/2021 17:44

No advice about kittens as I've always had adult rescues, I do like the fact that you know a bit about their personalities when they are a bit older, a good rescue will give you an honest picture as far as possible. I say a good rescue as we had one disastrous adoption with a so called loving family cat who turned out to be a bitey cat who disappeared for hours at a time and eventually buggered off for goodHmm We didn't go back to that rescue! Good luck whatever you decide.

thecatneuterer · 23/10/2021 17:55

Definitely not one of each. Either a pair of kittens(from a rescue of course) or a bonded pair of adults rescues. Speak to a rescue to see what options they have at the moment.

www.catchat.org List of local rescues here.

thecatneuterer · 23/10/2021 17:56

Although you could have one of each of course if it's a mother and kitten combo - anyway, as before, see what options your local rescue has.

thecatneuterer · 23/10/2021 17:58

And kittens are quite demanding, well, more destructive than demanding really, but less so when they are in pairs as they entertain and comfort each other. Personally I prefer adults (plus you've much more idea of the personality you're getting), but it's personal choice.

kikipie · 23/10/2021 18:12

Rescue every time. Either a pair of sibling kittens or a bonded pair of adults. Kittens are extremely tricky and forever getting into scrapes, plus you’d have to keep them inside until they were spayed/neutered, so I’d look for slightly older cats

AJumpedUpPantryBoy · 23/10/2021 18:13

I always go for adults as I understand that there is more demand for kittens - and kittens end up as cats anyway Smile

Monsterpumpkins · 23/10/2021 18:14

Find a rescue place and see what draws you op....Maybe a set of 3 may steal your heart??

Original poster
MrsCat1 · 23/10/2021 18:17

Thanks. I tended to think that adult rescues had often had some sort of trauma that impacted on their personality hence my potential interest in kittens although it sounds like they could be a lot of work.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsCat1 · 23/10/2021 18:18

@Monsterpumpkins

Find a rescue place and see what draws you op....Maybe a set of 3 may steal your heart??
Yes I fear that might happen! So far I've been bombarded with gorgeous cat pics and of course I want them all! DD keeps saying 'but this cat needs a good forever home....'
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 23/10/2021 18:21

If you want the kitten experience you go for it.

Allergictoironing · 23/10/2021 19:36

I tended to think that adult rescues had often had some sort of trauma that impacted on their personality

Well this CAN happen, but major issues should be spotted by the rescue within a few days or weeks. And many cats are just nice natured, and quickly realise that the new home is just that, new, so a fresh start. Vast majority of adult rescues I've met don't have trauma either - excess kittens who weren't yet homed when they got past the "cute kitten" stage, new babies in the house, allergies, owners having to move to rented that won't allow pets, owners dying or going into homes.

Plus not all cats react to trauma in a significant permanent way e.g. my pair - feral for the first year of their lives, left at the rescue for another whole year as nobody wanted shy ferals. I just had to extracate myself from beneath 6kg of clingy Boycat to go to the loo, he's a complete cuddlemonster. And Girlcat is very demanding for her strokes and general attention etc.

In over 5 years, neither has ever bitten or intentionally scratched, despite their start in life

Lynne1Cat · 23/10/2021 19:44

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. Of course you must miss him. I've always had cats (41 years) and they've all been rescues or strays.

Kittens are pretty and cute, but require time and patience. Our 1st cat was a kitten (stray) and used to climb up the curtains, scratch all the furniture. All our others were adults, and so much calmer.

RSPCA and other shelters find that their black vats are difficult to home, due to daft superstitions! Why not get a couple of black cats? I had 4 black ones, they were all gorgeous.

My Mr Cooper (in picture) is about 17 now, and I adore him.

Cat quandary
AJumpedUpPantryBoy · 23/10/2021 19:45

One of the PantryCats is a huge bruiser of a boy who lived on the streets for months stealing cat foot by sneaking in through cat flaps.

He's the gentlest softy you can imagine. He's had to have quite a lot of medical treatment and has never scratched or bitten us - he adores his home and literally shouts with delight when we come home.

Original poster
MrsCat1 · 23/10/2021 19:48

@Lynne1Cat

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. Of course you must miss him. I've always had cats (41 years) and they've all been rescues or strays.

Kittens are pretty and cute, but require time and patience. Our 1st cat was a kitten (stray) and used to climb up the curtains, scratch all the furniture. All our others were adults, and so much calmer.

RSPCA and other shelters find that their black vats are difficult to home, due to daft superstitions! Why not get a couple of black cats? I had 4 black ones, they were all gorgeous.

My Mr Cooper (in picture) is about 17 now, and I adore him.

Beautiful Mr Cooper. He looks gorgeous.
OP posts:
Original poster
MrsCat1 · 23/10/2021 19:51

Interesting observations about kitten behaviour. I'm starting to wonder if I could cope with that- I'm quite house proud!!

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 23/10/2021 22:57

2 moggy kittens every time (except the one time when we ended up with three). Our current four are all from Battersea.

thecatneuterer · 24/10/2021 15:56

@MrsCat1

Thanks. I tended to think that adult rescues had often had some sort of trauma that impacted on their personality hence my potential interest in kittens although it sounds like they could be a lot of work.
That's very, very far from the truth. Most rescues haven't had any trauma we are aware of. A lot are given up as the families can no longer care for them for a huge host of reasons, but that doesn't make them traumatised.

Many are found as strays, and they are the ones that tend to be very grateful to have a homes again. Any behavioural problems will be picked up by the rescue and this will be highlighted so that the appropriate home can be found for them - but such cats in rescues are the exception rather than the rule.

There are a lot of nervous cats in rescue that haven't had enough socialisation due to being born outside usually, but this will be very obvious from the start and special, patient homes will be sought for them.

Most adult cats in rescues are just very nice cats, and you will get a very good idea of their temperament before you adopt.

AlfonsoTheUnrepetant · 24/10/2021 15:58

Whatever you do, please get a bonded pair.

Snailhaterz2 · 24/10/2021 19:42

I'd re-homed several adult cats and then decided to get a kitten (again rescue) a few years ago. And, I have to say it was the best fun - so much so that I now have another rescue kitten. Yes, there was (is) damage, yes there was (is) disruption, but there's also a lot of joy and laughter...

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