It's a long time since I had a kitten!

[whyhere]

Hello cat lovers.

Just two things to clear up first, in order for you to decide whether to read any further. Pretty much all my animals over the years have been rescues; this time around I am being gifted a kitten under very specific circumstances. The kitten/cat will be indoor only; I've done it both ways and know that, for me, morally, indoor is the way to go.

So, if I haven't put you off.....

Please remind me of everything I need to know! We have about twelve weeks, as they've only just been born :-)

Btw, I have a staffie too, who I've previously introduced to cats and who loved them and missed them when they died. I'm also lucky to live in a large house.

Thanks in advance.

I am unable to give advice without a photo

I have 2 indoor Ragdolls. One is still a kitten and the other is 3 and have had him since a kitten. He was really confident when we brought him home and strolled out of the carrier and made himself at home. The female kitten was less sure, but probably as there was already a cat in the house (so maybe similar for you with a dog). We introduced them gradually and after a week they were firm friends, although I was worried for a few days as the kitten kept hissing at the cat, who is the most docile thing ever and had no idea what she was doing!

neither really try to go out. She is really a people’s cat and cries if I leave the room until I call her name and has never gone near the door. The older cat has walked out twice in 4 years. She’d be fine outside as she’s bright as a button, but he’s too docile and would be eaten alive.

Mine both like balks, feather fishing rod toys and igloos, although usually sleep on my bed. You’ll need at least one litter tray and some good quality kitten food.

To be honest, the best thing you can do for your kitten, and probably for you AND your staffie, is to find it a companion of a similar age!

Kittens are insane little bundles of non-stop energy, mischief making, and terrorism who then suddenly drop into a coma where they stand for a recharge. They will need to play with you and you dog until you feel like screaming, they will destroy your furnishings, shred your curtains running up them, and steal your heart completely. The number one potential mitigating factor in the damage and pestering is a playmate with very similar energy levels - which I can almost promise your ddog won't have.

I'm an indoor only cat person myself, which has turned out very fortunate as my latest rescue boy was an unneutered street cat for 2 years and has recently been diagnosed with FIV, so would probably have caught something & died if he'd been outdoors at all. So no judgement on that from me.

I'm also quite a fan of staffies, and know that if that've been brought up properly they can be the sweetest and gentlest of breeds, so again no judgement there from me!

Get two kittens so they can entertain each other.

Too tiny at present - born two days ago!

I am definitely only having one!!! (Although I understand why you might recommend two.)

I get the impression the kitten is a specific breed?

No - just a moggy :-)

I really wouldn't recommend a solo kitten - they are best in pairs when they're so young.

I'd also have a big think about keeping them indoors (sorry to sound so negative) as I've seen multiple threads on here over the years from cats with behavioural problems who aren't allowed outside.

Good luck with your little kitten, I hope you have a lovely time. I am a cat lover. I miss having a cat as my boys died several years ago now.

Thank you for replying.

I've had cats many times over the years, and always had a solo kitten (rescues) without problems and also had several indoor-only cats and am happy with that decision.

Main thing I'd say is keep the staffie away from the vulnerable kitten.

But what if your kitten isn't happy living indoors with a dog?

I'm not saying don't do it - but you do need to think about what you'll do if your cat wants to go out and develops behavioural problems as a result of being kept in - it's not uncommon sadly.

Apart from the fact that it's a condition of the gift, I have read many, many MORE stories on here of cats being killed or crippled in road accidents, attacked by other animals including other cats and badly injured, eating poisons or toxins and being very unwell and sometimes dying.

Obviously it depends on the individual cat, but one brought up from kittenhood as indoor will usually be content to stay that way - you can't let them out for the first few months anyway.

My first cats spent their first year as part of a feral colony, then a year in the rescue before they came home. Apart from one early incident of trying to climb the flat cat screens and a couple of curious looks out of the front door, there have been no attempts at getting out.

When I lost Boycat to CKD, I got Girlcat a toy boy for company, Tobias. As far as the rescue can work out, he was a kitten in a home until he got to about 6 months & needed things like neutering, and was then turned out on the streets for the next 2 years before being trapped. He's been here almost 2 years ago, and though he likes watching the great outdoors has also never tried to escape - in fact he's LESS keen on sitting by the window if it's open (with the screen still on of course).

Indoor behaviour issues in many cases are down to not enough or the wrong kind of stimulation - Jackson Galaxy has many YouTube videos on the subject.

I recommend watching some Jackson Galaxy videos. My cats are adults, but I've always found his videos helpful.

@Allergictoironing ultimately it's down to the owner but many will argue that it's unfair to trap a cat inside four walls even if it's safer long term.

Cats are hunters and are designed to be outside and to roam and explore. They're not bred to live inside an artificially heated house without ever experiencing grass under their paws or the wind in their fur.

Of course the ideal compromise in terms of safety is a cat proofed garden or some kind of catio.

I'd also argue that most indoor cats wouldn't have the behavioural issues they do if they were allowed to live a natural life outdoors - I don't dislike Jackson Galaxy but you do have to remember that he makes his money from "fixing" behavioural issues in indoor cats!

Thanks to those who have stayed on topic. It's a shame others weren't able to.

Leaving the thread now.