Which kitten? Help me decide!

[BeeKeeping]

Please forgive this long and rambling question.. I just need to get my thoughts down on paper to help me decide!

Background - busy household with two young children, lots of rural outdoor space, chickens, bees yadda yadda yada. We recently lost our beloved big dog. She has left an enourmous void and I feel sick every time I walk through the door etc and she’s not there. I would love another dog, but the reality with two small kids is that I just wouldn’t have the time to exercise and train one properly. Old dog was immaculately behaved (after being a nightmare puppy, but we put the time and work in and it really paid off). I think getting another dog I would probably compair them, to the new dogs detriment.

I think the kids would love a rabbit or hamster etc but I hate animals in cages and really feel that pets should be free to roam and choose you. We have two cats, one 7yo outdoor mouser who is never in and one 17yo grumpy cat who isn’t into playing. I love the cats and how low maintenance they are, the kids love the cats but don’t get a lot from them. Both original cats are rescues but a rescue wouldn’t consider us till the kids are older.

I’d like a kitten who is actually a dog in a cats body, who would play and give cuddles but also go outside sometime to help to control the rodent population! There are a couple of folks on gumtree selling kittens for around the 250-300 mark. Which seems crazy but apparently is the going rate for kittens nowadays. Both ready in about a month, kittens all gorgous stripy grey floof balls from both households. Both have boys availible which is what I would prefer.

First option - kittens are quite far away, but drivable in a day there and back. Coming from a busy household with young kids, other cats and a dog. The guy who’s selling them claims that they’re bengal x. cross main coon cross. Does that make sense? Full bengal dad, main coon cross mum. I’m very sceptical of this given the price. If it were true I think that mix would be fantastic and lend itself to a ‘dog in a cats body’ bombproof kind of kitten. Downsides are that it may not be truthful and kittens may be aloof and frightened no matter what.

Second option - local kittens, slightly cheaper. Upfront about just a moggy mum and dad, accidental pregnancy now dad has been snipped etc. But….. Quiet household.

Do you think a quiet/noisy household pre 9 weeks matters? Which would you go for?

I have an elderly moggie and young Maine coon, they hate each other. We have to separate them at all times. If I could have seen how it would have been I never would have got the second cat. It is very stressful for everyone when they meet. Maine coon is very dog like, loves water but is so energetic and noisy. I have conversations with her but I would not say she is a lap cat, my moggie however is the perfect cat, she loves a cuddle and a lap and is a lot less work.

Think very carefully it's not all about cost, living creatures are costly, as cheap or free cats are acquired for unpleasant reasons. I am Honestly not sure how your 'grumpy cat' will deal with new comers as my old girl proved.

The 'pedigree crosses' are just fluffy moggies. The NFC/fluffy moggie next door might have fathered one, but equally, so could the ginger Tom across the street, the tabby round the corner and any other mangy tom within two miles.

Just get two bog standard mogs. They're the most adapted for life with us. Make sure they're socialised with the family before they're vaccinated and let out. Make sure they're healthy. The older cats might choose to be your outdoor cats whilst the new ones are a terrible twosome who are your indoor ones, or they might hang out together - but getting two means whatever the reaction of the older ones, there's a better chance that they will remain bonded (and fewer I WANT TO CUDDLE HIM arguments as they'll have one each - often cats will choose one child to attach themselves to, especially in multicat households, as they'll be guaranteed the extra space and attention without competition that way; it's how out of an average of 5 cats, dog, rabbit, wild animal emergency wing in the shed, fish, etc, etc, I had a cat of my own from age 5, as she worked out that if she was my cat, she never had to vie for space with the others on my mother's bed, got treats and fusses and some lovely peace and quiet away from everybody else).

Cats who are spoken to from an early age tend to be more vocal, as they're being taught that vocalisations get them better responses from humans. So they need to be talked to and responded to when they do vocalise - it might just be coincidence, but I've never not had a talkative cat and I rarely shut up.

And then just enjoy the chaos.

My Maine Coon is a dog in a cats body. She's very cuddly and friendly... but she's a lot of hard work, very full on and very expensive to look after. Also, Maine Coons (I think most pedigrees) do not traditionally do well as outdoor cats, so if you feel you want your cat to be free roaming then you may be better off looking at a moggy.

Thank you all so much. It's been really helpful to read all your thoughts and sooo lovely to see all your beautiful cats.

I've decided on just one mog kitten. I think little or no money will change hands. Maybe just a donation to a charity of their choice.

This litter is only a week old so a while to wait but seems a good fit. It's friends of friends who adopted two cats recently and took them to the vet to get spayed only to find out that the younger one was already pregnant. They just want good homes for them from responsible folk who will neuter and vaccinate etc. They have a 3 year old so a noisy house plus a dog. I'm beside myself with excitement!

And look how beautiful mama is!

Aww. Gorgeous.

I wouldn’t just be able to take one, I have a mum and her 2 daughters all totally different personalities and an old Rafa muffin girl who is the caretaker of them all. The mother is beautiful and her kittens will be lovely going by the colours. I have young kids too, always had cats. Enjoy your kitty when she comes home

I got a Maine Coon when we lived in a town centre terrace. Moved to the edge of town, houses opposite backed on to a cricket field. She was an outdoor cat, and moved to France at 12, caught her last mouse at 20. She always hunted and very, very dog like.
There is a rescue attached to the Maine Coon cat club. Hoping to get another when I move.

She's a gorgeous kitty

Oh golly, I want one now too!