Were thinking of having a pair of kittens

Mrs_pbradley936

I have had one older cat from a shelter who decided it liked the neighbours house more and went to live with them.

I then bought a pedigree Siamese (a Seal Point male) kitten. He was the best pet ever and died aged 17.

The cost of keeping them was about the same in terms of cat food and putting in a cattery when you go away. But the cost of getting them was vastly different, for the moggy I made a donation and he was already "done".
For the pedigree the cost was £120 (more than 20 years ago) plus the cost of having him "done" also I think he had already had some jabs. But I think it is pricey to have a course of injections.

crazyscientist

I got my first kitten just over a year ago. Its the best idea i ever had! I only got one, although there are other cats on the street i have seen her playing with. She's lovely company in the evenings and seems to know what time i'll be home as she is often sat on the drive waiting for me!

As for being left for 2 hours, there would be no problem at all with that. Cats are ideal pets for people who work. Some of the posters above have explained the possible problems you may have with settling in etc - but it doesnt always have to be like that. I've never had to clear up any "mess" outside the litter tray when she was a kitten and she now goes outside to the toilet. Similarly, if you pick kittens from a litter where they have clearly been cared for and the mother seems healthy and of good temperment i think you have a better chance of finding one good with kids. I would disagree with the advice to go to RSPCA / other rescue homes for an older cat because these are the ones which have been mistreated in the past and are more likely to have behavioural problems / poor temperament. Obviously its great for the people who can take these poor creatures in as they are in desperate need of a good home - but not ideal for you with a small child to consider.

Slinky

We got my cat from the RSPCA about 11 years ago, he was between 2-3 years old and had been found wandering on an estate where there was a history of a woman who kept getting kittens then kicking them out when they grew into cats and she'd then get another kitten.

Despite this rocky start my darling moggy is a superstar, no problems with temprament and very affectionate. So intelligent that when you tell him it's bedtime he trots off to the kitchen and climbs into his bed!

Don't dismiss an older cat just because they've had a difficult start in life.

milkydrink

http://www.petremedies.co.uk/product.asp?cookiecheck=yes&P_ID=275&strPageHistory=related

This web is THE CHEAPEST place I have found to get frontline (flea remedy to be used every 5 weeks) & Drontal (worm remedy every 13 weeks).

I feed my cat Royal Canin Persian. Royal Canin is probably the best food you can buy, Hills Science Diet is also good. Both of these can be bought from pets at home (the pet shop superstore) or good pet shops, do look out for offers.
If you're not prepared to pay out for either of these two, then Iams dried food is probably the best supermarket food you can feed you cat.
These three brands all do kitten varieties. Dried food is better for your cat, your not paying for water (most tinned food is 80%+ water) & better for general health & teeth. Actually can save you money on vet bills for teeyh probs. Also it doesn't smell, attract flies & look disgusting dried in the bowl.

HTH
Kim