Kittens, are they really that hard work?

[finaltimes]

We have finally reached the stage in life where we have someone at home the majority of the time and are able to offer a home to a cat/pair of cats. At first I thought we might look for 18 months plus but I’m wondering if we should just look for a pair of kittens. How difficult is it to raise them? The last time we had kittens was about 1992

I found four abandoned kittens this year and they were slightly hard work but an absolute joy; it was like living in a Disney film for the weeks I had them. They were already litter trained and apart from one chewing through my fairy lights and one thinking it was doing the right thing by poo-ing in a large houseplant pot, they were really easy and so much fun. I would recommend you get two siblings so they are more secure and entertain each other and don’t feel lonely when you’re out. Remember to consider what you will do with them/ if you go on holiday, and outside space and cost of neutering and vaccinations, and any other costs, obviously.

Oh and personally I’d try and get them at 12 weeks old at least, rather than 8 weeks.

I’ve had 3 cats from kittens over the years. None of them were hard work. Just fun.
Source them carefully and you should be ok. Any animal comes with the potential to be difficult. No matter the age. Our 5 year old cat has suddenly started being hard work in various ways and we can’t figure out why for the life of us. Nothing has changed and they’ve had extensive vet checks. Still none the wiser.

Nope, kittens aren’t hard work at all in my experience - they are absolutely bonkers though and great fun to watch

Kittens are an absolute doddle to look after if you ensure you get at least two at a time. Our last two pairs both came from Battersea, aged about 9 weeks, fully litter trained and very well socialised. Hugely entertaining too 😻

Not at all, they are an absolute joy and really easy.

We've also had a puppy, my goodness, totally different kettle of fish!

We adopted a 1 yo girl. She technically wasn't a kitten but still had / has the energy of one. I can’t say she is hard work, just wrecking havoc and it very loud in the early hours of the morning. If you can deal with that, then have fun!

Not hard work in the least. A total delight. Enjoy every minute because the kitten stage is so fleeting.

Yes.

had bengals, had Persian kittens. Worse than kids.

Full on, but much easier than dogs. Great fun though.

Depends on the cat I think! My current one has been a dickhead since we got him but I’ve had other kittens that have been lovely and very easy

i have two 7 month old ones currently. We got them at 13 weeks. They have been very good in that there hasn’t been a single accident however they are bonkers.

They go in anything you open - cupboards, washing machine and tumble drier, fridge, larder.

they love sitting in the bath and now some running every time they hear a tap run. They chase each other round. They come to wake me at 4.30am which is not so nice.

they are really friendly - love lots of cuddles when people come round.

they are food monsters which my previous cats weren’t and you cannot leave treats around as they rip open the bags.

we all love them to bits.

Do bear in mind that in general kittens tend to go from rescues quite easily, whereas once they get to over about 6 months to a year then people are less keen on them so harder to rehome.

Less hassle with neutering, initial jabs etc as they will have all been done, and the rescue should have a good idea of the personality of the cat by that age whereas kittens could turn out any way. Plus any issues the cat was born with are more likely to have shown themselves by the time they get to about 12 - 18 months.

We have two 2yo cats and a 7 month old kitten.

Original cat was a 7 week old rescue. He was a doddle. He’s fiercely independent so is the one that causes us the most stress now - going to retrieve him from a couple of miles up the road on a fortnightly basis is a ballache 🙄

Next cat just kind of moved in. He’s officially been ours since he was just under a year old but he’s been coming into ours since he was about 4 month old. He’s first cat’s best friend. He used to steal things from us and take them next door (where he originally lived) but has been very easy and chilled! Other than insisting he needs to sleep with his nose on my mouth.

Smallest cat is absolute chaos. Honestly. Nothing is safe from being eaten or jumped on. However she is also the sweetest little thing. Nobody can sit down without becoming a cat seat. She has slept between DH and I since she came to us at 13 weeks. Wouldn’t change her for the world, even if the house is significantly less tidy and more broken thanks to her 🤣

I love having smaller kittens (have hand reared before).

If you get two, they're a lot of work in terms of having two tiny fuzzball agents of chaos rampaging through your lives from week 9 onwards - I call week 9 the 'I didn't really like those curtains anyway' week.

But when they are actually asleep? It's the easiest job in the world, except for being unable to concentrate upon anything else because all you want to do is watch the cuteness - or listen to the crashes. Or most of all, listen for The Silence.

The Silence is what you fear most. If they're halfway up the window in pursuit of one another, you know where they are and what they're doing; but The Silence is when the trouble really starts.

The main thing with kittens is a tendency for them to get lost in obscure places and wrecking your curtains because they're up and down them all day long.

The kitten phase is very short considering the lifespan of a cat. Compared to puppies, kittens are a walk in the park! If mum hasn't already housetrained them (they copy her if she uses a litter tray) they learn very quickly, and it's easy to teach them to come when called, using treats.

Small kittens are great. I have had mainly individual ones though, with no issues. They get very bonded with the family. I keep them in a confined place for a few weeks, like the conservatory, warm and safe. Lots of attention and cuddles. They like peace and quiet and safety, as well as love and attention.

Would love another kitten but not sure Arthur would.

Worst thing we ever did 😅 nightmares. On everything, in everything, furniture ruined. Kids moaning the cats are all over them at night.. they are literally the worst. Wish we could rehome them but I don’t like to think of anything bad happening to them.

They have a nice life here and are safe, they’re just arseholes.

Shut the kittens downstairs at night. They really shouldn't be causing you that much hassle.

I’ve only had one kitten. I usually rescue cats aged 3+. We got our kitten from the rspca - he came on his own and they chose us because we already had 2 young cats. He was 9 weeks when we got him. He was a tiny ginger wrecking ball… but within a few weeks he became adorable. He’s nearly 7 now, I lost my old boy in October and his sister is at end of life. However, my ‘kitten’ is a giant ginger Tom cat, very chilled and fabulous.

So, as others have said, kittens are chaotic but it’s really such a short time that it’s worth it.

I’m planning to visit the cat shelter soon. I am still unsure about kittens, for practical reasons mainly but I think as soon as I see the wee fluff balls I’m going to quickly make a decision! I only really have the living room to keep them in overnight so I’m a bit unsure of the safety regarding wires they might chew etc. Also work 2 early shifts a week where they would be disturbed hearing me get up and ready but I don’t have time to go in and interact with them so I’m wondering if that would be quite disruptive for them

I personally wouldn't get a kitten again, I would get an older cat, having had kittens & hate the wildlife they bring in as 'presents'. I do love cats though & have been very lucky that all ours have been total sweethearts (but little psychos when they're out & about(

3 kittens.
They are a doddle. Get them!

I found it fine. I had a Sphynx kitten (at the same time as a 6mo old DD lol). They're a very high energy breed, but it was still fine. I'd recommend 12 weeks instead of 8 as they are a bit sturdier by then. We had one kitten proof room at the start, and would only let him roam in company, but after around a month, he had free range of the house.

I would get two, as they will play with each other. The main thing is they need somewhere safe where they can't get into too much trouble, and they need plenty of stimulation. But they also sleep a lot!

Don't get me wrong, my Sphynx was an absolute menace, constantly committing crimes, but think that must just be his personality, as he's no different as an adult when he's hungry/playful 😁 And he's very entertaining. He just needs a lot of play! But equally he's my best bud, sleeps under the duvet with me, and follows me everywhere.

If you cycle through a lot of toys, tire them out, and give them plenty of interaction, they will be fine. Like adult cats, they'll still sleep a lot of the day!

After the settling in period when depending on personality they may be nervous, they’re really easy and we get so much pleasure from ours. As others say, two are so much easier than one as they amuse each other and can be left longer than one.