New Kittens, will I regret it?

[Passedproblems]

So I have wanted a Cat since I was a child, I'm now nearly 50 so I thought it's now or never! My dd's are all super keen, we've seen 2 gorgeous 16 week old Ginger boys who I will be collecting at some point this week... However I am worried about how they'll fit in.. where they will sleep at night. My dd's are aged 6, 9. & 11 so part of the back room is filled with dolls and doll houses. The downstairs is pretty much open plan apart from our front room where we have curtains and a treadmill so I'm not sure if it would be safe for them to be there. I don't want them to shred either 🤣.

Any words of wisdom or advice would be much appreciated.

Your daughters are such a perfect age and will love the kittens! I've just got terry myself with DC of 11 and 8 and it's endless fun and playing.

You do ideally need somewhere the kittens can be contained for the first few days while they find their feet, and I'd definitely advise shutting them in one room at night so they don't keep the whole house awake.

They will be neutered reasonably soon (5-6 months?) and need to be kept in the house until then, but once they're allowed out you'll miss them!

Look up cat welfare group's page on settling new kittens in, I've always find it a good starting point.

Enjoy

If the back room has a door I’d give it a good declutter and tidy up and put them in there at night.

Two ginger toms sound like a good choice and should be fairly cuddly once they’ve grown

Congratulations on deciding to adopt 2 kittens. So glad you’re getting 2, they will really benefit from having each other for company.
My advice- watch people like Jackson Galaxy to educate yourself on what to expect, realistic expectations are so important. He gives great advice on how to prepare for your kittens. Kittens can be incredibly active! And get into everything, they’re so curious. Kitten proof your home, think about windows etc… because you don’t want them escaping when they’re little. Provide plenty of toys, cat trees are great, we have 3 for 2 cats!! They use all of them plus scratching posts. You need at least 3 litter trays. Keep them on the same food as they’ve been having, & change slowly so not to upset their tummies. Teach your children how to be gentle with them & to give them space when the kittens need it. Play with them lots. Kittens are so entertaining & fun!

Op come back here when you get them. More advice once dcat tax has been paid.....

Long term you won’t regret it but having kittens is like having a baby. They don’t have any idea of night and day, are often crazily active in the middle of the night and exceedingly needy. We had a few months of zoomies at 2 am which was very trying!

but like babies they grow up and mellow and become part of the family and mostly don’t disturb you in the night anymore. You just have to ride out that period.

I would suggest you keep them in 1 room with food, litter tray and toys, to get them used to their new surroundings.... especially at night don't let them run around everywhere...but at daytime's you can have them around you. Congratulations 🐈 🐈

It will be easier to advise once youve posted some photos.

Probably about five times a day and three times every night for the next six years.

They'll take over the back room and the dolls' houses and if they have any sense, they'll pick a DD each to make their personal servant (although this might cause ructions with the 3rd DD, unless one has the bright idea of enchanting them in shifts).

It'll be worth it to have one supervising homework and one listening to reading, though.

Definitely agree with one safe space / room when they first arrive. Kittens get into everything! (Always check your washing machine before loading, one of ours uses it like a hamsters wheel when he’s bored, another likes to ride around on the robovac…). Use the safe, kitten proof room when you are out or they can’t be supervised. They do get more sensible as they grow up, but the early days are a bit like the toddler phase with DC.

As for where they sleep - I always start with good intentions of training them to stay downstairs. This seldom lasts longer than about one night before I have them curled up on the bed with me.

You will have so much fun. Watching them play is better than anything on the telly.

Agree with @Drfosters - I had two kittens and, although I have three children, for a while I found it much harder than babies. I’d only rescued an 18-month-old cat before so this was completely new! I gradually introduced them to more rooms but it was chaotic for some time. They are nearly four now and I love they each have very different characters. Currently one is sleeping upstairs and the other is roaming around outside (I hardly ever see her). They just find their own place to sleep and it changes from time to time! Your daughters will love watching them develop and grow up, it’ll be well worth the short-term chaos.

Oh and yours and your daughters’ phones will soon fill up with cat videos even if (like me) you don’t think you’re filming often 😂

Ha ha I have more cat photos than child photos!

Oops now you mention it - so have I!

Always had cats but got last boys when youngest child went to uni. They are 12 now-still get zoomies and demolished a wood pigeon in the open plan kitchen last night-carnage to clean up this morning. They will live until they are 16-18 years old and I pay q a bit for cat sitters when I take my many holidays now.

Thanks so much for your wise words. I bought a lot of cat stuff yesterday only to be called by the Vets that have the cats in the evening saying I won't be able to have them as they are currently having soft poo's and one of them has an undecended testicle. All seemed a bit wishy washy. Back to my search. At least I'm slightly more prepared now 🙃

I’m reading this feeling nervous too. I currently have a 15yo cat and we are getting two kittens at the weekend. My other cats have all been older when I got them. I am terrified about accidently letting one out or damaging the house / themselves. I am planning to completely cat proof one room which will also involve taping up the chimney I think just in case.

We visited them a couple of weeks ago to meet them. They will be 12 weeks when they come to us.

Joining the nervous new kitten owners group … these two will be joining our family in two weeks. I’m a dog person (sadly work commitments won’t allow) so this is all new to me! I’m getting the kittens for my teenage daughters really but must admit they’re very cute.

We have a loft extension starting the week before the kittens arrive so it really will be total chaos here … what have I let myself in for …

I got two ginger boys 14 years ago from a rescue and they bring us joy every day. They do still run around like loonies at 4am occasionally but for the most part they just love being with us. They are both quite different characters and like their space from each other but still give each other a good wash from time to time. Here is a photo of when we first got them and one of them now.

Can't you just wait until they're better?

I'm not sure what you mean by wishy washy? Obviously you want any kittenhood heath issues dealt with before they move in with you.

Lots of helpful information here:

icatcare.org/articles/making-your-home-cat-friendly

@TryingAgainAgainAgain, the Vet nurse actually told me to try other cat charities and the kittens wouldn't be available. I meant their reasons were wishy washy.

I did get some Orange brothers from the RCPCA today! They are currently taking in their new surroundings and doing lots of hiding in my front room. I'm going to do lots of research in setting the kittens and keeping them happy. Pics when I am able to get some!

😍

How bloody exciting!