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 have had four cats from kittens (13/15 weeks old)
they have all been incredibly smart and really not that much work at all but very entertaining.

They are quite scratchy, tiny little pin sharp claws used to climb all over you. They usually get ill at least once, causing worry anx stress. You need quite a few vet visits in first year for injections and spaying which is a pain. Kitten litter trays are sometimes a bit hit and miss for a while. Stopping them escaping from the house or room they are in is constant and tiresome. But SO CUTE and FUNNY!!

They are quite scratchy, tiny little pin sharp claws used to climb all over you. They usually get ill at least once, causing worry anx stress. You need quite a few vet visits in first year for injections and spaying which is a pain. Kitten litter trays are sometimes a bit hit and miss for a while. Stopping them escaping from the house or room they are in is constant and tiresome. But SO CUTE and FUNNY!!

We rescued two older kittens at 7 months. They’ve been really easy - house trained, friendly with each other and other cats, spend most of their time outside or sleeping. I trained them not to jump up on kitchen surfaces very quickly just by telling them ‘no’ and lifting them off. They were very nervous when we first got them ( the rescue centre said that they’d come from a ‘chaotic’ household where they’d been roughly handled) but bonded with us very quickly, though they’re still jittery when other people come into the house or they hear sudden loud noises.

We’re about to get a puppy and I’m gearing up for a very different experience!

None of mine or the several pairs we had at home have ever chewed wires or been hard work at all. The only work is teaching litter tray use- very easy, hold front paws and dig, move any poos there and model covering. Then teach cat flap use. Feed. Vets for injections and neutering. Play, gaze adoringly and take hundreds of photos. Job done.

The endless climbing up my decent curtains was the low spot.

Ugh. They are literally the worst.

if I could save just one person from getting cats, I will have done my job on earth 😂

kittens are fab! But beware, you will lose them on multiple occasions.

We lost ours up the chimney once and another time in a sofa bed!

Kitten - well cats, generally - are experts at vanishing into thin air. Especially when you need to take them somewhere.

and when you go looking for them eventually you will see a pair of eyes glowing in the dark!

I wouldn’t say they’re hard work as such, more that it’s just more chaotic. Chewing, scratching that kind of thing. Trying to entertain them so they don’t destroy your house!

Chaos but unbelievably cute!

Kittens are easy pets, not in the least hard work.

I don't think this is the thread for you somehow

Easy peasy.😻😻

This - and just make sure you put anything breakable in a cupboard for the first year!

Definitely get two - they are amazing! My babies are nearly 8 now and I would love to add a couple of kittens but time isn't right unfortunately.