First cat for DD - things to consider

[Frieda2024]

We have decided to look into getting a kitten for our 11 yo DD. She is pretty responsible but we will have oversight of course as adults. I had two cats as a child but it was a long time ago. I hope you don’t mind if I ask a few questions.

We are all out of the house from 8am to 5pm 4/7 days of the week - is that too long for a cat to be alone?

I have been reading up about cats and several sites say to position water bowls away from food. Is that good advice? And if the cat is an outside cat, do they need a litter tray as well? Any general advice like this would be really appreciated. Thinking of getting a cat tree (but several of my friends with cats say theirs never use them), a pheromone diffuser for the kitten to settle in etc.. any advice on what is needed/ nice to have?

Thank you very much. We are excited but want to be good, responsible cat owners.

A cat will be fine from 8 till 5, but a kitten could get very lonely and find itself things to do. I'd always suggest getting a pair of kittens.

Yes, you need a litter tray, preferably one per cat plus a spare. Your kitten won't be going outside till it's bigger anyway, and you won't be there to let an older cat out.

Ours like 'scratching barrels' rather than cat trees: something like this, nice and stable for them

Oh, and do remember that you will be housing the cat(s) far longer than your daughter, if all goes well. One of ours lived to be 20.

Definitely get a pair. That's a long amount of time for a kitten to be alone.

Kitten Season at the cat rescues tends to be about April to October, and they get snapped up quickly. I would get your name down and any home checks done in advance.

Or foster for a rescue and get first pick of the little furry tyrants?

A grown cat will be fine from 8-5 alone but a kitten will need some company, have you got anyone who could call in during the day for a couple of months? If not then I would really advise getting an adult cat or at least an older kitten (4 months plus).

Yes to the food and water bowls being separate.

Our cats haven't had a litter tray once they have been neutered and can go outside (around 6 months), we have a cat flap. It honestly depends on the cat though because some might decide they will only use a litter tray, and if you decide they will not be let out overnight then you'll need one . Our cat does go outside at night but we live rurally and it's safe.

Cat trees and beds are dependent on the cat, some use them some don't. They will probably pick their own sleeping spot.

Ps yes we used the feliway diffusers when we got our kitten, don't know if they work but won't do any harm.

Agree with getting a pair of kittens.
We adopted 2 sisters and they entertain each other. It has made a huge difference to them settling in and feeling confident, and also means that I don’t worry about leaving them as they look after each other and are very happy playing and cuddling most of the day.

Rescues near us have kittens all the time - there has been a huge upsurge in abandoned cats sadly, many of which are pregnant. We had no difficulty adopting kittens. Apparently with climate change kitten season is lasting longer and longer too.

For the first month I did try to arrange it that I worked more from home or asked my mum to call round to play with them so that they weren’t alone all day. Also bear in mind kittens have little stomachs and need to eat more frequently than older cats. Mine are now 5 months old and are completely fine all day (and have been for a month or so really).

We just got ours a cat tree after 2 months with us. They love it but it doesn’t have to be an immediate purchase. Do get a scratching post (or several) however, as they are much less likely to damage your furniture if there is somewhere they are allowed to scratch.

As others have said you will need a litter tray at first for sure. Get a cat flap so cat can come and go if you are out all day (you can have it on a timer to keep cat in at night). My cats growing up never used a litter tray once they started going outdoors but some cats won’t go outside if it’s cold or rainy.

Keep kitten(s) in one room to start with with everything they need. Being in a new house can be very daunting for some kittens.

Kittens couldn’t be left alone that long, I left my two for two hours whilst my husband was working upstairs in the office and I came back to all kinds of mess and destruction! Plus it would e so lonely. If you can’t be around but still want a cat I’d rescue a middle aged cat who knows how to use a cat flap and likes a wander

You can leave a kitten all day but you do need to restrict their space and make sure it's safe first. They can get into all kinds of nooks and crannies and anything breakable needs to be put away etc.

We've had five kittens over the years and they've all been left home alone while we work with no issues whatsoever. Once they're old enough they get free access to the outdoors too.

Don’t get a kitten and leave it that long. An adult bonded pair is much better. But agree with a PP. They can live for over 20 years. This isn’t a pet you get for a child.

I think it's a bit long to leave a kitten - but if you have to leave them, shut in one safe room.
Two kittens are company for each other.
You should have a litter tray and don't let kittens out until they are at least 6 months old.
No need for a pheromone diffuser unless you get a nervous one.
My cats prefer the water in the jug for the iron, a glass in the bathroom or a nice puddle/fish pond to drink from.
They love their cat trees. Get ones with a raised sleeping platform.

If you are out for that long, get 2. In fact just get 2. Double the fun and games and they will keep each other company if you are out all day.

Thank you everyone, really useful advice. We are going to go for an older cat or two as we have to be out of the house in the day. 😊

Just to address the PPs who expressed concern about the cat being for a child in terms of un understanding the cat’s life span. The cat is for all of us, not just my daughter though it will be hers in name. It’s good to remind me of the commitment it will be though. I think we are well ready for it but we will reflect a bit more. Just to find the right cat for our circumstances now. 🐈

I would go against the grain- I would never, ever have more than one cat again unless I lived very rurally and had a big house.

yes they’re lovely as kittens, and do entertain each other. But adult cats need their own territory and if there isn’t enough space it can cause issues.

i got two kittens. Brilliant when they were young. Even older they seemed very bonded, slept together, groomed each other etc. BUT the territorial behaviour was out of hand. We were in a city terrace and they couldn’t escape each other. They sprayed and urinated constantly- shorted my electrics, blew up toasters, ruined furniture and floors, you name it.

we tried everything, vets, cat behaviourists, even drugs. What worked in the end is my mum took one. The difference was immediate- because they still appeared bonded we hadn’t seen how stressed they were, in separated houses they relaxed, their demeanours changed and they became the softest, laziest cats. So much happier.

so no. I’d never get two, the risk is too big for me.

now I always get older rescue cats. Usually two or three years old, so they can be left, you can see their personality so you know what you’re getting.

my current cat was locked in a cage pumping out kittens until she was 18m old. At least 3 litters. Seeing her come out of her shell and watch her loving home comforts has been so rewarding.

I would get in touch with rescues near you and see what cats they have that would suit your home and family.
Yes, water should be away from the food. Our cat has his in a different room but it doesn't need to be quite that far away!
The Cats Protection website has lots of useful information about settling a cat into your home.