To kitten or not to kitten - Siamese mix

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We currently have two cats - a rather grumpy 6 year old moggie and a crazy, soppy 2 year old Burmese. Both males.

Our cat sitter breeds Siamese cats and messaged me today to say one of her Queens has had an unplanned litter by a local Tom. She's giving away the kittens free of charge to people she thinks will give them a good home and has offered one to us. Two boys, currently 10 days old.

DH and I are sorely tempted. We love our crazy Burmese boy and have talked a few times in the past about getting another. However, we have a 19 month old DD (who loves the cats and has a lovely relationship with the Burmese) and I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant. Our heads tell us no but hearts say yes!

How mad would it be to do it at this point? Also, anyone with experience of Siamese mixes who can tell us what they're like?

I'd be changing cat sitters if I were you, not very responsible is she. It sounds like you've got your hands full as it is to be honest.

I think that's a bit unfair, it's not a regular occurrence and it's not like she's trying to flog the kittens for £££. Accidents happen. On the second bit I think you're probably right though, sadly!

It is lovely that she thought of you. But, a kitten a toddler a baby and two cats is enough to tip anyone over the edge! Don't do it!

I wouldn't do it, personally, for several reasons.

You already have two adults including a grumpy male, and you're also pregnant.

Kittens should generally be rehomed in pairs, not alone.

What happens if your existing cats hate the kitten and you end up with aggression on your hands while also heavily pregnant?

Siamese can be needy at best, they're very vocal and need lots of attention. Can you give a solo kitten all that it needs while also caring for two adult cats and a newborn?

And I say all that as a big advocate for multi-cat households, by the way!

What an irresponsible cat sitter.

No I wouldn't if you have one grumpy cat already chances are they won't be happy with another two joining especially boys as they are more territorial and you have a toddler and another baby on the way. Really not the best of ideas.

I agree with PP: I'd be looking for a new cat sitter.

Horrible heart vs head situation!
id be exactly the same - really wanting a cute kitten to join the gang but in all honesty you wouldn’t be posting if you thought this was the right thing to do.
Sadly I’d decline at this time. Concentrate on what you have and your new baby on the way.

Ditto. They need to get the poor cat spayed.

the question is should op get a kitten, not was my cat sitter irresponsible! At least offer an opinion on the question!

Only had moggys but sounds like too much stress right now so I wouldn’t… you don’t know how your existing cats will take to the kitten and if they don’t it will be hard work and rehoming would be awful

OK, my opinion on the question is: No. Don't take a kitten. Don't encourage irresponsible breeding. I'd be interested to know how many other 'accidents' there had been over the years. There's no way a local tom should be able to access a breeding queen, and a serious breeder would end an accidental pregnancy in any case.

Siamese are similar to Burmese...except a lot louder and more full on. Obviously that could be tempered by being a mix, but you just never know how mixes turn out.

I’d find a new cat sitter as well tbh.

My existing two (brother sister pair - both ragdolls, although the boy is seal-tipped and walks around the house yelling like a siamese!) would disown me if I brought another animal into the house, so I don't think it's really something you can do right now.

We looked after a lovely, gentle, friendly dog for a week once - boy cat stayed upstairs the whole time - snuck down at night to eat when the dog was shut in another room, and girl cat spent the whole time watching the dog from hidden vantage points.

Siamese are the best! My Siamese fur baby is my shadow 💕

I'll give my experience on Siamese mix with ragdoll. I have 2 who are now 3 year old, a brother and a sister same litter. They are the most soppy pathetic babies I've ever had. The boy especially is such an idiot. Loud! The vets can hear them both coming a mile away 😂Both got stuck on the roof last night, bungalow, they jumped on my car to get down. The boy is huge, vets say he's not overweight just a big boy. Girl is very dainty. Best cats I've ever had, so loving. I can't go to toilet without putting tap on for the boy and letting him roll around on my lap too. Every single time!

I think it's the fact that you're pregnant and have a little child already that would make me pause. Introducing a single kitten to a house with existing cats, for a Siamese is probably fine. Kittens in pairs is more so they have company and a playmate, which would likely be your Burmese. Might even make the other cat less cranky - who knows.
But a toddler, a baby and a big kitten might be a bit much for you.
(I'd probably take the kitten though)

Thanks everyone! I actually contacted the sitter last night to do the sensible thing and decline. Much as it goes against my nature to turn away a kitten in need of a home I knew deep down it's the wrong time. We wouldn't be able to give a kitten the attention it needs at this point and from what I know of Oriental breeds they can get quite destructive if not sufficiently entertained. Right cat, wrong time!

And fwiw I really don't think our sitter is irresponsible - if she was she'd be flogging the kittens for the £££ she could definitely get for them, not giving them free to known quantities. She takes really good care of her cats but accidents can happen to everyone.

Right cat, wrong time!
I think that this is a wise decision.

She takes really good care of her cats by adding to the unwanted kitten situation. Not a chance she's responsible.

She is being responsible in her way of rehousing the kittens but 100% irresponsible to let the cat get pregnant in the first place. Totally unnecessary.

I can't possibly say without a picture.... <taps keyboard impatiently>

If they're very cute, they will find good homes quick enough.