Realistically, how hard is it to own a kitten/cat? Say compared to a puppy/dog?

[giantwaterbottle]

Just true above really, I want one but not sure..

[Toddlerteaplease]

I don't have a dog, so can't compare it with one. I have two lazy Persian house cats. They take me five minutes a day to feed and clean their litter tray. Cat sitter it cattery if I go away and that's about it. They are happy to be left while I'm at work (12 hour shifts) and are generally no trouble at all.

[Wolfiefan]

We have had cats for years. Always a pair.
Kittens are a PITA though. Scratchy little buggers who will keep you awake at night. Unless you want a specific breed i would prefer an adult bonded pair.
They take way less effort than our dogs though.

[Mydogatemypurse]

I have both. Cats 100% easier

[Mollymalone123]

Easy peasy with a kitten as opposed to a puppy.

[Suprima]

Vastly easier. Much less commitment. Can be left for the day, no walking, litter try a few times a week takes 5 mins.

the only thing is- even though cats are less responsibility day to day, there are situations where they can’t just slot in. The demanding dog can be packed in our car and taken to our holiday home for 2-3 months of the year no problem. The moggy would find the trip stressful so instead costs ££££ in house and pet sitter fees!

[TheLovleyChebbyMcGee]

Kittens are probably the same as puppies tbh, but once older they are much easier for looking at friends with dogs.

My cats are fine to leave overnight, longer than that and we get a neighbour to pop in to feed them, fine when we're at work, fine for days out, don't need to walk them either.

On the flip side, I have a friend that we havent seen for going on a year because her dog can't be left for longer than 2 hours,so she can't visit our house, and its not good with children, so we can't go to hers, it can't be off the lead either so walks with it aren't much fun. Its a shame as I do miss her!!

[TheLovleyChebbyMcGee]

Kittens are probably the same as puppies tbh, but once older they are much easier, from looking at friends with dogs anyway is what that's meant to say!!

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

Cats are really easy pets IMO. We've had several over the years.

If you're going to get kittens, a pair is much easier than just one, but we've also had solo kittens with adult cats and they've never been any bother.

We currently have three adults. They get fed twice a day, one gets tablets each morning and then it's just their litter trays that need changing - the "work" aspect of owning them probably only takes up ten minutes of my day, if that. They're left all day while we work with no issues and are happy to left with a pet-sitter popping in twice a day if we go on holidays.

[Replacethis]

Agree with the above. Absolutely no work but they make going on holiday difficult. Our dog just comes with us. I have never had a cat I would leave in a cattery so have had to either have someone who would look after the cat or not gone on holiday.

I don't think puppies are that much work either but they are definitely more than a cat.

[Moonface123]

kittens are definately much easier than puppy.
Best to have kittens in pairs.

[BarbaraofSeville]

Cats may destroy your curtains, carpets, soft furnishings and leave hair everywhere.

They leave a lot of muck around, so you'll still be cleaning up after them. If they go outside they'll bring you dead, half dead and still very much alive 'gifts' for you to deal with.

If you only want one cat, get an older kitten who's happy as an only or an adult cat. Kittens under about 4 months old need company from another kitten to play with and cuddle up to.

[GeorgeCat1]

Kittens - hard
Cat - easy

[Autumn101]

My cat has been infinitely easier than the dog! Far less time and mess, she’s a very stoical cat and unfazed by going to the cattery or having a house sitter etc so as long as booked in never had an issue going away. She even got off an 8 hour flight after 4 weeks in the cattery too looking totally normal and unbothered!

[Wester]

Agreed kittens and cats are very easy to look after.

If you get a kitten you can decide if you want an indoor cat (and all the hassle with litter) or if you want to let them outside and then they will become accustomed to not having to use a litter tray indoors.

I have a couple of cats, all from 8 week old kittens, they are a joy to have!

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Kittens and cats are easy.
Yes you have to consider holidays (although we used to take a previous generation of our cats on holiday with us). We now use neighbours to look after them when we are away.
Get kittens in pairs and they'll amuse each other. And they are not that destructive (assuming you don't have valuable ornaments ideally placed for your cat to knock over). Carpets and chairs can suffer a bit though.
I've also found that kittens work out what a litter tray is for in about 30 seconds. I have heard thst dogs take longer...
I genuinely never understand why people seem to think cats are hard work, In nearly 40 years of (usually multiple) cat ownership I've always found them really straightforward, and of course great fun to be with and great company.

[giantwaterbottle]

Thanks for the replies, really appreciate it. I am thinking a pair of kittens then would be good. Not sure about an older cat as we have an elderly dog who is very happy to be around cats but not sure the feelings would be mutual!

[Cotswoldmama]

I don't think you can compare them kittens and cats are soooooo much easier all my kittens have been littered trained from bringing them home at 12 weeks old. Once they're neutered and outside you don't need a litter tray. In general they're not needy for attention like dogs.

[Wolfiefan]

Elderly dog may not be so keen on kittens without boundaries!
some cats are used to dogs.

[whenwillthemadnessend]

Kittens are easy peasy in comparison to a puppy.
I've had 6 kittens in my lifetime. 1 puppy and I'd happily have all 6 kittens at the same time over another pup.

[Chikapu]

I haven't found having a kitten easy at all, he's a demanding little bugger. It's easier now he's a bit older but the first six months were very full on. I would never get a kitten again, an older cat yes but definitely not a kitten.

[BiscoffSundae]

Easy, I barely see my cat she only comes in for food and cuddles. Dogs are much harder work (had both)

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

I have had an adult rescue dog, an adult rescue cat, two kittens (brother and sister) and a puppy. The adult cat was definitely the least hassle of the lot! He just fitted in - miaows really loudly for food and used to bring us lots of mice, but was accustomed to going outside. Kittens were scratchier and had to have a litter tray inside until neutered at 5 months. Once they were allowed outside they never touched the tray again. My top top is to get a covered tray because otherwise they scatter litter across the floor. All three cats scratch furniture, though.

The dogs are/were a lot harder - rescue dog had separation anxiety and a high prey drive, puppy was average naughty puppy requiring house training, lots of training etc although she’s grown into a lovely dog (mostly). Dogs obviously need walking, and if you go abroad/away need dog sitting/kennels. Cats can stay at home with someone popping in to feed them.

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

@Chikapu

I haven't found having a kitten easy at all, he's a demanding little bugger. It's easier now he's a bit older but the first six months were very full on. I would never get a kitten again, an older cat yes but definitely not a kitten.

Kittens should always come in pairs for this reason!

[Hoolihan]

Never had a dog but got two cats and they are no effort at all, to the extent that I sometimes forget they live here. Helps that we have a v reliable cat lady round the corner who comes in to feed them when we are away.

[FoggySpecs]

Cats are generally less work than dogs but they can live a very long time. Our cat is elderly and has dementia, this means she forgets her cat flap, litter tray, food, it's quite messy some days.