Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The litter tray

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

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

So I think we're about to be enslaved by a kitten..

59 replies

DoucheCanoe · 03/04/2022 19:10

What are you absolute must know tips and general advice on taking care of kittens/cats?

I've done a bit of research in to insurance, vet pet plan, basic necessities and different types of food so I'm aware of the basics I think!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 03/04/2022 19:13

This thread is useless without pics.

Haus1234 · 03/04/2022 19:15

You need a tall sturdy scratching post (one an adult cat can stretch to full height on) to minimise chances of scratching sofas etc.

Good insurance is a definite for me - we had a £2K bill within 3 months of adopting our girls.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 03/04/2022 19:21

What are you absolute must know tips and general advice on taking care of kittens/cats?

Get two (siblings)

WhereIsMyGlasses · 03/04/2022 19:24

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

This thread is useless without pics.

I like your thinking 😂

Original poster

DoucheCanoe · 03/04/2022 19:38

@Shehasadiamondinthesky I'm afraid we haven't even picked our feline master just yet! My friends neighbours cat got knocked up (whilst waiting to be neutered) so I've seen them in person but didn't want one at the time - have since been persuaded by DC so we'll be off to see them again tomorrow and can hopefully update :o

@Haus1234 yikes, insurance is an absolute non-negotiable for me and I've read a few similar stories.

Are there any exceptions from insurance we should be setting aside for?

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats I would but I'm not sure we could push DH into 2 🤣

OP posts:

MyTwoBengals · 03/04/2022 19:42

You need two 😸😸

So I think we're about to be enslaved by a kitten..

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/04/2022 19:44

Dh will say yes, wife and kids all looking up at him with wobbly bottom lips. It’s impossible to say no without looking like public enemy number one.

My dad said no to a third cat roughly 36 years ago and you could still land him in hot water asking what that kittens name was. Shortly after we got a different third cat, then a fourth. You wouldn’t want to annoy a female in this family 😹 we bear grudges here.

Original poster

DoucheCanoe · 03/04/2022 19:51

Oh my goodness @MyTwoBengals, they're beautiful 😍

I think part of the stubbornness is that all 4 of us are dog lovers and DH and I grew up with dogs BUT a cat would fit in with our lives much better so the thought of 2 is a bit alien right now haha

OP posts:

lljkk · 03/04/2022 20:37

get TWO. unlike dogs, 2 kittens is easier than 1 kitten.

they don't like new places & hide at first. they all have own personalities. They decide where they sleep. Smell matters a lot. they get on your counters... their breath is tolerable. Prone to fleas, though.

Notdoingthis · 03/04/2022 22:19

They are expensive.
They grow into cats and some cats kill wildlife.
Their food stinks.
Their fur gets everywhere.
It's really hard to get them into a carrier.
I have two, but I think two is twice the work.

Owlnoises · 03/04/2022 22:31

Don't bother with cat beds - the chances of a cat sleeping on it is inversely proportional to the amount you've paid for it. Unless it's an expensive item of clothing you don't want them to sleep on. Then they will.

You need one litter tray per cat plus one extra. It's a good idea to keep them even if the cat later decides it prefers to toilet outside.

Be prepared for it to hide away at first. Give it space to explore in its own time. I'd recommend taking an old flannel when you visit that you can leave behind in its bed. Then when you collect it, you can bring the flannel with you and it'll have something that smells of its mum.

Some cats like vertical scratching posts, some like horizontal. Get one of each.

Obviously keep inside until neutered.

Get a microchip catflap.

Read up on cat body language and teach DC how to read the cat's mood.

Some cats hunt, some don't. Not a lot you can do about it.

Finally, accept the cat is in charge now, and all will be well.

kittenkipping · 03/04/2022 22:33

I have had one kitten (1 year ago) and later 2 kittens (2 months ago)- 2 is easier, they are happier and seriously benefit from another cat (as does my older - but still young, girl) the advice to get two is sound. Really it is. You see it everywhere- on threads like this and in books about cats/ cat behaviour specialists etc.

Aside from the get 2 advice. For me, and I know lots disagree , but for me- setting a bedtime is key. I take away toys , food, and turn off the lights. I went through and resisted the poking and mewing etc all three of mine now come to bed at 11 and we get up at 7.

Another good tip given to me is - make their travel box their safe space. Keep it out, give them treats in it. A nice blanket, bear a radiator etc. It makes for easy and unstessful vet trips. Mine sleep in theirs which means that should a fire happen on the night I can wrap them up and get them out (I wish)

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 03/04/2022 23:13

Get two.

People aren't just saying that to be silly - a pair of kittens is so much easier than a solo kitten as they have someone to play with and burn off their energy with, and if they have a playmate, they're less likely to divebomb your ankles when you go the toilet at 3am

Definitely get insurance and think about saving extra for dental costs as many policies won't cover those. They also won't cover neutering or flea/worming. Make sure they're chipped too

We have three adults now - ages 2, 5 and 6 and they're the best. I loved the kitten stage but adult cats are awesome too and I'm so glad mine have company.

We need pictures too

A8888 · 03/04/2022 23:17

Have you tried putting them in backwards?

A8888 · 03/04/2022 23:18

That was meant to have an @ to the person that said it's hard putting them in a carrier

EachandEveryone · 03/04/2022 23:22

Yes get two. They wont get bored then and you will feel less guilty when you want to go on holiday or go to work.

floppybit · 03/04/2022 23:28

I got a pair and they have so much fun chasing each other around, kittens need other kittens to play with!!

Fluffycloudland77 · 04/04/2022 08:56

Unless you can’t afford two, then don’t obv.

cushioncovers · 04/04/2022 09:05

This thread is useless without pics.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 04/04/2022 10:29

I got two. I also got them a litter box each but they shared these and so I have dropped to one. I got two cat beds which they use (so I'm getting some more for other rooms in the house). All other beds are also their bed of course. Both moved in together (they came as a package deal) and whereas one came immediately for snuggles the other one explored the joint - including jumping on all surfaces - before both demanded food.

You never can tell.

Original poster

DoucheCanoe · 04/04/2022 10:43

My Mum has helpfully just showne 2 rescue cats that are willing to come to a home with kids which is something we've had issues with up to now!

They're gorgeous and 2 years old which is what we wanted originally. Now I'm confused and want all the cats 🤣

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 04/04/2022 10:50

I’d go with the 2 rescues , they will already be neutered etc . If you do go for the kittens I’d also say get 2 , my son has 2 Siamese kittens that are about 18 weeks now and I really think 1 would have been a nightmare .

Fluffycloudland77 · 04/04/2022 11:23

@Floralnomad

Because it’s a meezer? 😹

Original poster

DoucheCanoe · 04/04/2022 12:10

The rescues have been reserved and awaiting their new home but now I've decided if there are 2 kittens tonight I'll take them both 🤣

We don't have tons of spare cash but I think we could stretch to 2 - is it literally double everything or can they share some stuff?

Obviously 2 pet insurance plans, will set up a cat savings account and put £20 a month away then double food etc.

I have a big space in my hallway that could accommodate a big cat tree hidey scratch thing although it can be quite dark there will that matter? I know cats like to sleep/curl up in sunny spots.

OP posts:

GreenCat44 · 04/04/2022 14:21

Ooh my advice is get some dirty litter to put in their new tray at your house, so they know it's the loo. Sounds terrible but I swear thats why mine have never had any accidents.
I also agree that two are better than one

Flip

1 2 3