We want to get a kitten!

belfastgirl23

Just to say definitely try cats' homes etc. My friend rehomes cats that have been used as breeding animals and the state they're in is horrible. I'd say be really wary about buying from commercial breeders, some are reputable but there is definitely a really dark side to this industry

rita-rabbit

Feed them dry food - cheapest & best for them (less smells in the litter too)
http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/ they do kitten food now.
get a covered litter box - Argos is the cheapest I have found
Litter clumping is better for owner/cat - cleaner & more pleasant to use/clean - u only remove soiled litter:
Best/cheapest
from Lidles or Aldis - clumps up well.
Longest lasting & `nicer' smells (lasts 4 ages so good in t long run): www.zooplus.co.uk
Classy cat - talc scented (15kg)
or
Cats best, OKOPLUS (clumping wood - flushable) 10 litres
the above have 300% of normal litter absorbancy
don't spend much (or buy alot of) toys or on bedding - they often play with with cheap/free things & the bedding generally they sleep wherever they want to!
collars - optional (I use them on mine cos the collars are threaded thru the magnetic `keys' on the catflap in my door) if they are going out at night a reflective/flurescent one is best.

One of my cats is a rescue & the other is from Loot! I think rescue homes r best as they have the interests of the cats at heart & will have cared for them better than breeders. Moggies are also healthier than pedigrees.

two is better than one - a bit more expensive in terms of vets fees but they are happier.

Insurance
Better off setting up an account called `cats' in the Building Society than insurance - but make sure u set up a standing order/direct debit. Insurance doesn't pay for flea treatment, worming, yearly jabs or anything they consider `routine'

mountainofdebt

Whilst I agree that a pound cat (as my hubby calls them!) are the right way to go, also think about rehoming a slighter older cat as well they tend to more difficult to rehome as they have lost their 'kitten appeal' but are just as loving.

Some rescue charities also offer to neuter the cat once its old enough or give you a donation if you prefer your own vet to do it

eira

Agree totally-go round the shelters and look for a cat that looks for you.Difficult to explain this . Going round shelters is hard but the staff know something about the animals and they won't let an unhealthy animal go-they will usually insist on neutering and vaccinations. . Take your time and look at small local shelters , look at the cats and see if one 'finds you'.They almost inevitably do. Adult cats are just as endearing as kittens-an adult lasts a lifetime ,a kitten is only for a few months !Think of having two cats-no more trouble than one- but match the personalities.

There are also rescue centres for pedigree cats. A no of people buy Orientals and Siamese as a 'fashion statement' and then dump them when their constant talking gets on their nerves ! Phone nos of contacts will be on the web.

Please don't buy a kitten-the shelters are bursting at the seams at the moment. Nothing beats the satisfaction of having a rescue animal

Bun

I've had several kittens over the years, always in twos so they had company, and I would say never again. The damage they have done has been quite substantial just through them playing and being entertained, so when we are ready for new cats I will definitely get adult rescue cats. Bear this in mind in terms of your lifestyle etc. Also with adults you can pick the character you want, rather than get a kitten to find it won't sit on your lap, spend time in the same room etc.

scat

Bun wrote: »

I've had several kittens over the years, always in twos so they had company, and I would say never again. The damage they have done has been quite substantial just through them playing and being entertained, so when we are ready for new cats I will definitely get adult rescue cats. Bear this in mind in terms of your lifestyle etc. Also with adults you can pick the character you want, rather than get a kitten to find it won't sit on your lap, spend time in the same room etc.

We took in a rescue kitten a few weeks ago. Have to say I agree with you with regards to destructiveness! Especially as they have to be kept in until that have had their full course of jabs and neutering done.

Firstly there is getting used to having a litter tray in the house. I have a really sensitive sense of smell and even cleaning all the litter out every time she uses it ( which is costing me a small fortune ) I can still smell it!

Then there's the accident risk. Ours has thus far jumped from a first story window - fortunately startled her but didn't cause any damage.

Then the damages.. she's trashed my suede curtains by climbing them, scratched my leather sofa, broken a blind by hanging off it and smashed a butter dish! She also keeps me awake at night because all I hear are bangs and crashes as she jumps somewhere she shouldn't and knocks things flying!

She also bites and scratches, beware of blinking as eyelashes seem popular targets!

Love her to bits but kittens are definitely not for the faint hearted!!!!

Carrera74

scat wrote: »

We took in a rescue kitten a few weeks ago. Have to say I agree with you with regards to destructiveness! Especially as they have to be kept in until that have had their full course of jabs and neutering done.

Firstly there is getting used to having a litter tray in the house. I have a really sensitive sense of smell and even cleaning all the litter out every time she uses it ( which is costing me a small fortune ) I can still smell it!

Then there's the accident risk. Ours has thus far jumped from a first story window - fortunately startled her but didn't cause any damage.

Then the damages.. she's trashed my suede curtains by climbing them, scratched my leather sofa, broken a blind by hanging off it and smashed a butter dish! She also keeps me awake at night because all I hear are bangs and crashes as she jumps somewhere she shouldn't and knocks things flying!

She also bites and scratches, beware of blinking as eyelashes seem popular targets!

Love her to bits but kittens are definitely not for the faint hearted!!!!

This made me giggle. My 2 kittens were exactly the same when we first got them. The noises I used to hear at night and the running up and down the stairs drove me nuts! I lost one of the kittens and now the other one is nearly 4. He has mellowed out somewhat but still can drive me nuts I'm looking at getting a kitten from the RSPCA, they'll be ready in a couple of weeks but the only thing that is putting me off is the thought of all that training again - don't fancy my curtains and settee as a toy but we'll see.....

Ah