If you know about cats…

FS90 · 2024-09-27T22:10:44+00:00

Hi, if you know a thing or two about cats.. what are your thoughts on introducing kittens to a house with a 6 and 2 year old? is it better to adopt in pairs? if so can they be from the same litter? and does it make a difference whether they’re a pair of girls/ boys/ mixed sex? what are your thoughts on indoor cats? can indoor cats access the garden at all or is it a complete no no? thanks so much

CherryValley5 · 27/09/2024 23:19

Better to adopt in pairs, they entertain and comfort each other - ours have always been from the same litter.

Re: 6 & 2 year old as long as boundaries are reinforced (ie animals need to be respected) then I can’t imagine any issues. DD spent her entire life around cats/kittens.

We’ve had a pair of girls and a pair of boys. I’d avoid a mixed pair if possible just in case of pregnancy. The risk is low but it’s not one that I’d want to take.

I’ve always had outdoor cats - we live in quiet suburbs backing on to fields so ours have free access via a cat flap 24/7. Of course I can only speak from personal experience but I’ve had 7 cats over 30 years and have never restricted their whereabouts. All have been incredibly happy and healthy, living well into old age (one girl even made it to 20!). Some are definitely naturally happier indoors though - said 20 year old just walked around the block once a week for most of her life, otherwise she was very happy snoozing on the sofa. Equally, I’ve got two now who would go absolutely mad with boredom if I kept them inside all the time.

ExquisiteEmelda · 27/09/2024 23:27

My kids have had cats around from when they were born too, as long as they’re taught to respect the kittens they will be fine. Definitely go for a pair from the same litter. Maybe get 2 females and they will (hopefully) be less likely to roam. All but one of the females I’ve had have been happy just hanging around the garden.
If you live near a busy road though keep them in or preferably get a catio set up in the garden.

CherryValley5 · 27/09/2024 23:31

ExquisiteEmelda · 27/09/2024 23:27

My kids have had cats around from when they were born too, as long as they’re taught to respect the kittens they will be fine. Definitely go for a pair from the same litter. Maybe get 2 females and they will (hopefully) be less likely to roam. All but one of the females I’ve had have been happy just hanging around the garden.
If you live near a busy road though keep them in or preferably get a catio set up in the garden.

My only roamer was an otherwise very territorial female 🙈 Can’t blame her though - once we tracked her down via microchip it turned out that she’d gone to live the high life in one of the poshest neighbourhoods in Northern Ireland 🤣

dancingdaisies · 27/09/2024 23:35

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stormsandsunshine · 27/09/2024 23:40

Personally I believe that cats need the outdoors to enjoy a full and rich life. And I also believe that if that exposes them to more risk, it is still worth it to give them that quality of life. I know some people disagree- but most rescues will want you to give cats outdoor access unless there are medical reasons not to.

That being said, when I was a child we did have one cat who hated going outdoors!

Go for littermates. Sometimes you may find two who have a particular bond.

CherryValley5 · 28/09/2024 00:01

stormsandsunshine · 27/09/2024 23:40

Personally I believe that cats need the outdoors to enjoy a full and rich life. And I also believe that if that exposes them to more risk, it is still worth it to give them that quality of life. I know some people disagree- but most rescues will want you to give cats outdoor access unless there are medical reasons not to.

That being said, when I was a child we did have one cat who hated going outdoors!

Go for littermates. Sometimes you may find two who have a particular bond.

We went to a rescue (absolutely overflowing with animals, constant begging on Facebook etc) who refused to let anyone adopt if they were planning on giving their cat outdoor access. I did try and reason with them that we live in a safe, quiet development backing on to rural land (plus we already had a pair of happy, healthy cats at the time with 24/7 catflap access) but they were having none of it. Safe to say we went elsewhere and they never got any more of my money or volunteering time!

stormsandsunshine · 28/09/2024 00:06

CherryValley5 · 28/09/2024 00:01

We went to a rescue (absolutely overflowing with animals, constant begging on Facebook etc) who refused to let anyone adopt if they were planning on giving their cat outdoor access. I did try and reason with them that we live in a safe, quiet development backing on to rural land (plus we already had a pair of happy, healthy cats at the time with 24/7 catflap access) but they were having none of it. Safe to say we went elsewhere and they never got any more of my money or volunteering time!

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There is one local to us who is like that. Their Facebook page is full of stuff about how evil and thoughtless anyone is who lets their cats out. Fortunately for us, all the others take the opposite view.