Going to see a kitten tomorrow

[honeyandbutterontoast]

Two weeks ago my cat had to be put to sleep. I left the vets vowing to never have another cat again.

Little did I realise the effect it would have on my two dogs :( They were a tight little pack and little dog absolutely adored the cat. Both dogs have gone into a kind of depression. Big dog is climbing all over us and whimpering if we have been out. Little dog spent a week looking everywhere for the cat and now sleeps all the time in cat’s bed. She goes crazy whenever she sees next doors cat in our garden, wagging her tail and shrieking with excitement, to no avail.

Somehow I have found myself looking at kitten photos and arranging to see some tomorrow! Madness! I know it won’t replace the cat, and I don’t even know how it will fit in this family, but it feels like the right thing to do for them.

any advice? Should I wait more? What do I look for in a kitten? Cat was 15 so it’s a long time since I’ve had to think of kitten issues!!

The only thing about a kitten is they can be a bit mad playing. Mine literally climbed up my leg once in a chase with its claws out and I didn’t see it coming. I honestly think it’s better getting a pair as they play with each other.

Keep kitten in a small safe room to get used to first (maybe a day or two) and do introductions slowly. We did lots of scent swapping first (putting each animal in each others space without meeting). Then met through a little gap in the door and the a meeting. The dogs may find the kitten a bit scary, they do zoom all about the place! So be aware of that!

lots of fun though. Good luck.

Why not adopt an older cat who is used to dogs?

Get two kittens.

Seriously. They will entertain each other and give each other much needed company.

A new cat will help heal the hole in tote heart. They won't replace you cat but will help you move on. Maybe get an older cat as others have said.

I would definitely recommend temporary separation, and brief introductions leading to longer ones, make sure everyone has a retreat space, scent swapping and see how it goes. When looking at kittens, give them a good once over, look for pot bellies (sign of worms) look for clear eyes, clear noses, and clean bottoms, look for flea dirt around the base of the tail and around necks. Ask when they were weaned, and definitely meet the mother, see how she reacts to the kittens with strangers around. Kittens can be an absolute handful, so lots of toys, cardboard boxes and things to keep them entertained. Fingers crossed if the dogs are used to a cat they might help with babysitting too.

You need two

No it will only be one kitten.

Ive had cats my whole life and always found that two cats will naturally gravitate towards each other rather than other pets/people in the family. And the whole point is to try and balance things back out rather than put a new dimension on it if that makes sense.

Kitten can be in the spare bedroom for a while (dogs not allowed upstairs) so will have it’s own space until they all get along.

Anyhow will wait and see what it’s like tomorrow, need it to be a healthy confident little chappie.

If I could find an older cat that was guaranteed dog friendly that would be good. But no luck with that. Little dog is smaller than a cat so I couldn’t risk her getting injured in an altercation!

My experience of pairs is they grow apart as adults. I got two kittens alongside an older cat.. nowadays they totally ignore each other but both will fuss with the older cat (it’s really sweet).