Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Is taking on a mum and her 3 kittens unhinged?

47 replies

Brindille · 11/12/2021 22:13

Our lovely DCat died a few weeks ago. We had had him since he was a very young kitten (about 6 weeks, because his mum had died) and he lived until he was 11. So we do have experience of cats.

I have seen a mum and three kittens up for adoption. Is 3 kittens absolutely mad?!

We do have a reasonably sized house and a garden, but I just can't really remember quite how excitable kittens actually are.

Please tell me. I am struggling because they are lovely cats but I only want to do it if it works for us and the cats.

OP posts:
HunkyPunk · 12/12/2021 09:45

If you have the experience, the space and can absorb the cost, do it!!

SanFranBear · 12/12/2021 12:59

Very good advice, re neutering! The urges are so strong, familial bonds mean nothing

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/12/2021 13:01

No, you are not Smile

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 12/12/2021 13:08

I became a dcat fosterer years later. First batch were 4 orphan black dkittens. They all went to the same home in Hexham. In 1998 if it could be an mner (?) is too many dcats even a real thing?
We had 6 at one point. Down side of fostering I guess!!

GotToGoBye · 12/12/2021 13:08

Sounds like a lot of fun!

mykiki · 12/12/2021 13:10

I would LOVE to do this if I didn't already have a cat and a crazy Labrador. A house full of cats for me would be bliss. If you have the space, time and can afford it then do it!!

Jacaranda75 · 12/12/2021 13:12

A couple we know who live in Spain had a pregnant cat wander into their villa a couple of years ago and promptly give birth to a large litter of kittens.

They decided to keep them all Grin. They are always posting pics on Facebook of their ‘family’. It’s lovely.

Letsgetquizzy · 12/12/2021 13:12

Go for it! We took on 3 kittens earlier this year - we were after 2 but it was a litter of 3 and I didn't want to leave one alone. Having lost our eighteen YO mog, it was a bit of an eye opener for the DC and has been absolutely bonkers but lovely. One had to spend 3 nights in the vet this week and it seemed so quiet with just the two.

violetbunny · 12/12/2021 18:58

I would do this in a heartbeat if we had the space (we have a small house and tiny garden).

Catsrus · 12/12/2021 19:05

The most we ever has was 6 at once - like people some cats prefer their own company and some are very social. Some of ours preferred people or dogs to other cats.... If it's a mum and siblings you already have a social bond between them - go for it!

kikipie · 12/12/2021 19:19

I have had up to 15 cats at a time with no problems. My mum took on a stray cat who had six kittens in her spare bedroom, she kept 3 and rehomed 3, she still has mum and two of the kittens (now around 15 and 16 years old)

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 12/12/2021 19:51

Seems the vote is unanimous op.

Congratulations on your new family..

AlfonsoTheUnrepentant · 12/12/2021 20:02

Yes! Go for it.

The lovely MrGrumpy has four cats (and an intruder) and he seems to manage.

MenopauseSucks · 12/12/2021 21:11

Go for it!
I adopted a Mum & nursing kitten about 25yrs ago - the only downside was the trauma of weaning... The wails & meows when they were kept apart was very distressing but once that was over, they were lovely!

Mylittlepotofjoy · 12/12/2021 23:50

More the merrier a litter of kittens are wonderful . Mum will be disciplining them and litter sibling are close as they grow up . Do it Grin

BobbieT1999 · 12/12/2021 23:52

Is taking on a mum and her 3 kittens unhinged?

Oh definitely, but in a good way Grin

Want2beme · 13/12/2021 15:30

Everything vique says, and thecatneuterer is so right, of course. The 4 strays I've taken on are bonded. There's also a lot of other strays around, and most of them are so friendly amongst themselves, it's really interesting to watch them. Two of my strays/fosters/lodgers, (don't know what to call themGrin), will be going to their new home in a couple of weeks, but I'll still have 3 left. It's too many for me, as I've been trying to get a break from having catsGrin. If you're happy to do it, do it. There are so many cats in need of good homes, so the more the merrier! I had 2 little kittens hanging around last week and managed to persuade a local rescue to take them. It really is a big problem.

southchinasea · 16/12/2021 21:56

I adopted a stray cat when I lived in Asia, who promptly had 3 kittens! She lived for another couple of years and had a happy retirement. I still have the 3 siblings, now back in the UK 14 years later - they are very bonded to eachother and have given us so much pleasure. They were very lively and good fun but hard work as little kittens but settled down and have loved always having eachother for company. These days they spend most of their time sleeping in one cosy spot or another!

TheSecondMrsAshwell · 17/12/2021 10:37

Who wants to be hinged when there's that much fluffy available?

Hoppinggreen · 17/12/2021 10:37

Yes it’s unhinged but do it anyway

Motorina · 17/12/2021 20:19

We can't possibly offer an opinion without photos.

(Do it!)

Tootsey11 · 17/12/2021 20:53

Op, I took in a mum and her 5 kittens. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun. They were 3 weeks old at the time and I think mum (now Tilly) very much appreciated the help! She spent a lot of time observing from the sofa while mayhem ensued below her. We kept one kitten with her and rehomed the rest at 12 weeks.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page