Leaving new kitten

IvyFlood

Hello

We are hoping to get a kitten tomorrow that is 8 weeks old and ready to leave.

Only thing is we both work full time, 8 hours a day. I just worry about leaving him alone all day.

We have a big garden room that we don’t really use that he will have free reign off (kitten proofed prior!) it has a wall of windows which overlook our garden which I thought could be good and keep him interested?

What are people’s thoughts/experiences on this?

Thanks

Barny1979

IvyFlood wrote: »

Hello

We are hoping to get a kitten tomorrow that is 8 weeks old and ready to leave.

Only thing is we both work full time, 8 hours a day. I just worry about leaving him alone all day.

We have a big garden room that we don’t really use that he will have free reign off (kitten proofed prior!) it has a wall of windows which overlook our garden which I thought could be good and keep him interested?

What are people’s thoughts/experiences on this?

Thanks

Will it be litter trained at 8 weeks? Personally I don't think it is fair to leave such a young kitten alone on it's own for so long, so soon after moving into a new, strange environment.

Catswhiska

Yes it’s very young to be on its own. Could you get 2 so they are company for each other? Can you get some time of work for the first few days?

Silvertabby

I know 8 weeks seems to be the norm with moggies, but reputable pedigree cat breeders won't release their kittens until they are at least 13 weeks old because that is the minimum age they will be able to cope without mum.


Even then, I wouldn't dream of leaving the poor little mite on its own for 8 hours a day, every day.

Mojisola

IvyFlood wrote: »

We are hoping to get a kitten tomorrow that is 8 weeks old and ready to leave.

Only thing is we both work full time, 8 hours a day. I just worry about leaving him alone all day.

What are people’s thoughts/experiences on this?

That you've left it too late to work out any alternative arrangements!

Could you get the breeder to keep the kitten for at least a few more weeks while you make plans to reduce the time the kitten will be left alone - someone to leave the little one with during the day, someone to come in a couple of times a day to spend time with it?

Robin9

Don't leave the little one alone at such a young age. Have someone there to play and get the kitten used to people - a lap to sit on - and its surroundings. If you don't you may find that the kitten makes its own entertainment and your furniture, curtains and carpets suffer.

IvyFlood

We are going to view him tonight so not made any formal commitment yet but we have wanted to get a cat for a long time. We will speak to them and see what can be done. He is a tabby.

We do have some time off in October but not straight away unfortunately. Though my partner could pop back during his lunch break to check on him. He will get nothing but attention once we are home.

I’ve read mixed things some saying it’s fine, others saying it isn’t.

Barny1979

IvyFlood wrote: »

I’ve read mixed things some saying it’s fine, others saying it isn’t.

Would you like to be left on your own, in a strange place, which might feel scary for a number of hours, not knowing that someone will return?

[Deleted User]

I work shifts full-time and have coped with a young kitten, even after a mature cat.
I just got two litter trays for her and put plenty of food and liquid out with access to most of home except bedroom. I've a colleague who has kept their kitten locked in a cage when at work or not. :eek:

She's swung of the curtains but that's what kittens are meant to do.

Only now teething at past three months has kitty quietened down and that was found out when I had, actually worked got home and discovered her not feeding.

If I couldn't go to work then she wouldn't have treats or such luxuries.

I was greatly upset when I couldn't get the time off to be with her when she gets spayed end of month but my family are like within 3 hours she'll be up and it will be what op!

She's not a lap cat preferring to be by my feet. And deeply fascinated with the toilet flush. Have fun

IvyFlood

No but then I’m not a cat. Ultimately I want to do the right thing of course and like I said I have read condescending information so I am unsure. By having a large window to look out of I’m hoping he wouldn’t find it that strange and alone. I will speak to the current owner and see if it’s possible for us to take him early October when he’d be 11/12 weeks.

[Deleted User]

I did this many years ago, but the kitten did have my older cat for company, at least after the first week once I was sure that they were safe to be left alone together.
That said i think it will be fine if your husband can go back at lunchtime to check on the kitten. At that age it will sleep a lot of the time anyway and will also soon get used to the routine of you being out all day. Just make sure that it can't get out and that there aren't any electric wires that it can chew through.
I think you will get conflicting advice on this but it's your call in the end. For what it's worth my kitten grew up to be friendly, happy and healthy.