Kitten

[turtle8919]

So, our family is extending by one this week. We are getting a kitten!! I've never owned a kitten but we had cats as a child but never from a kitten... so talk kittens to me! What do I need? Shel be 9 weeks when we get her, thank you

We took in a kitten at 8 weeks (last of a litter). She grew up to be a lovely cat and had no behavioural issues. You probably need to spend more time with them if they are on their own to stop them getting bored or lonely. Long term having a single cat can be better, siblings don't always get on once they get past the kitten stage.

Thanks very much @cinnamonfrenchtoast

We will start the introductions today!

Often just putting foil on whatever surface you don't want them on will work. They don't seem to like the sensation of the foil.

Otherwise you can buy those foil oven tray things, shallow ones. Put them just overhanging your surface edge and for extra effect pour in a little water. When they jump up, they touch the foil as well as the foil tray falling down (unsettling) bringing a shower of water too.

Our local RSPCA was happy to let a litter of 3 go individually.

I've also seen many cat pairs who absolutely hate each other. One will outright bully another. I've even had a pair who seemed to get on from the human eye, but when one died the other completely transformed and became clearly so much happier.

Our solo kitten has no behavioural problems. He has two small humans to play with instead, and many cats in the area to spend time with if he chooses. But he has his own secure home where bully cats can't bother him.

Cats are often happier as singles.

Similarly mother and offspring pairs. Our previous cat had been regimes with one of her kittens but they did not get on at all, such that she was brought back to the rehoming place.

She did not like other cats. At all. She was a feisty old girl and lived a long and happy life with us as a solo.

Older cats are often perfectly happy as only cats but kittens do seem to do well with company. It redirects some of their energy and bitey behaviour too!

She is beautiful OP.

She's here 🥰 she seems to be settling in really well! Used her littler tray right away and has eaten. Played and had a snooze on the sofa! I'm just wondering if anyone knows if this is a good deal? My local vets offers for 17.99 per month. Vaccinations, check ups, worming and microchipping? Is this a good deal?

Lovely kitty. I wish we could have one but we’re never home. My db has just adopted a boy who is 4 months old. The owners baby was allergic to cat fur so had to give him up. Db is booking into a vets tomorrow for chop and chip. Here he is. He has such a boy face.

My vets does similar for £8.50 a month to cover nurse appointments, vaccs and discounted flea & worming so if that flea & worming is included I'd say it sounds OK. If he's going to have freedom to come and go then it's important to keep on top of the treatment and keep it regular. Personally I'm more likely to do that with a regular payment than having to cough up every time 😁

Does he have a cardboard box? Cardboard boxes are very important 😁

I don't think those vet plans are either useful or good value.
I realise we are probably in a minority here, but we flea treat our cats as a cure rather than as a prevention. Strangely, despite having four cats that go outside, we have had no fleas at all since just before covid hit. (No idea why - never had a three year gap before). Saved a lot of money though 👍.
They get the odd tick, we remove them using a £3.99 tick twister. (Best £3.99 I ever spent 🤣)
We worm the cats on the same basis, cure rather than prevention. One of our cats might very rarely pick up a tapeworm. When they do, a pill from the vet resolves it in 48 hours.
A lot of these plans also give your cat a six month checkup. We've always done annual MOTs for the cats for their boosters (which we do religiously get). Why would I need to take the cat for a six month check? if something is wrong I usually spot it and take to the vet anyway.
So at the vet we now pay £90 odd pound a year per cat for vaccinations. If we ever do need flea treatment I get a prescription for one cat (£30 or so last time) for a year, buy a years worth of flea treatment on line and flea treat all the cats for two or three months. Most years I have no other vet expenses.
Doesn't come to anywhere near your £200 a year per cat.

Having said the above @YesItsMeIDontCare, your vet's plan looks quite good value 👍. I was looking at OP's £17.99 a month (and similar prices quoted by vets near me)

OP, your kitten is adorable. 🥰

I've also seen many cat pairs who absolutely hate each other. One will outright bully another. I've even had a pair who seemed to get on from the human eye, but when one died the other completely transformed and became clearly so much happier.

It can go the other way as well though.

We had two resident boys who were happy enough but when we got our (solo) kitten they really came out of their shells and the difference is amazing.

They're more sociable, more confident and much more playful - especially the 3yo who adores the kitten - they play together for hours, groom each other and nap together too.

I suspect, though, that a lot of it is down to luck and personality rather than anything specific done by the owners. Ours are all well-socialised and grew up in multi-pet homes before coming to us which I think changes things too.

I have sibs and they are still friends. Groom each other etc. They occasionally fight but not often.