Hi guys im getting a kitten soon and im looking for some people to post me some good tips to help me achieve the puuurrrfect cat :D
all tips are welcome :)
also wondering what is the best age to get a young kitten, on some sites it says 6 weeks others it says 10, confusing :)
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
Getting A Kitten a Few Tips Please ? :)
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Why do you want a kitten? When we adopted Oreo from the shelter, my children were very small and my main priority was a cat who was gentle with children. We looked at a lot of cats. but then my daughter, who was less than a year old, tried to pick up Oreo and gave a loud baby squeal. He didn't even flinch.
Please consider adopting a shelter cat.Posted 8 months ago by ClaudesMommy #
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Hi Megan. Welcome to TDK. Congratulations on getting a kitten soon.
I notice you posted as having read through the long thread from Paradox about his getting a kitten recently. Lots of great advice and guidance there.
As to the age of a kitten, although kittens often are taken away from the momma cat at 6 weeks because they are mostly weaned at that point, it really is awfully young to deprive them of their momma. Kittens need that close care and sense of security only a momma cat can fully provide until they are about 10 to 12 weeks old.
That said, if you are adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group, there will often be lots of small kittens no older than 6 to 8 weeks up for adoption.
Please, please, please do NOT buy a kitten from a pet store that gets animals from puppy and kitten mills!!! There are thousands of wonderful cats available at the Humane Society, other animal shelters, and rescue groups.
The PetsMart chain of stores has a program where they have kitties from animal shelters and rescue groups there at most stores where you can see and meet the kitties. These are not the same as buying from a pet store. They are simply showcased rescue kitties and it's okay to adopt one of those!
Most important, make sure you are getting a kitty that you bond well with when visiting to see what cat to adopt. Also, look to see if it has clean eyes, clean ears, clean nose indicating good health.
Also, please don't be closed to the idea of adopting an adult kitty. Yes, kittens are cute and wonderful to watch grow up. But you'll find that adult cats make equally wonderful additions to your family, don't have the wild kitten growing up messes to deal with, and can make such wonderful pets.
Any questions in particular you have that we can answer for you? Most people here on the forum read and post after they get home from work in the evening and again first thing in the morning. So post your questions and check back later this evening. If need be, make an additional post to this thread now and then to "bump" it to the top of the list queue for people to notice.
Good luck. Let us know your questions.
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Thanks for that,
i will definately consider an older cat!
:D
I am thinking of adopting from my local animal santuary they look after animals so well and i recently applied to do some voluntary work there.
at least i know now to wait until 10-12 weeks, if i go for a kitten, thanks for reminding me not to buy from a petstore. I have heard alot about these kitten mills and it is really disgraceful.
I was also wondering what breeds are quite relaxed? I dont want a cat that as it grows up will be lazy but something that would still like the occasional play, if thats possible XD
I have owned kittys in the past an theyve been the cutest and most enjoyable pet ive had yet. Unfortunately due to work commitments had to rehome them, i made sure they went to perfect homes and checked up often. Now its the schools holidays i would like to get the cat so it can settle in with someone in the house all the time.
But thanks so far :) -
Megan you said that due to work commitments you had to "rehome" your cat. Do not get a cat just because it is a school holiday. This is a serious responsibility. If you get that cute kitten and have the next few weeks with her and then work interferes again are you planning on rehoming again? Wait until you know that you are settled enough to be able to care for a cat before you adopt one, please. That is only fair to the kitten, who will love you, and yourself.
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Sorry if i gave out the wrong impressions,
work isnt as bad now and the kids are alot older now so they know responsibilities and my mother moved in with us shortly so i feel it would be a great companion for her. she fully agrees with this aswell. we have all agreed on this as a family and the kids are fully briefed on what looking aftter a cat involves, and they are still adament that cleaning litter boxes wont phase them :) -
Megan, if your mother is moving in with you, I'd definitely consider an adult cat rather than a kitten that will be wilder, go through its own version of the terrible twos and back talking teen age and be underfoot to trip up people far more than an adult.
If you are volunteering at the animal sanctuary, why not see what adult cats have the personality you are looking for in terms of being a nice snuggle companion that isn't too wild but also is playful and reasonably active. Some careful time and thought up front in choosing will provide you with a pet that fits well far better than setting an arbitrary date for getting one.
Also, I'd strongly suggest waiting until AFTER your mother moves in and gets settled before bringing a new cat home. Kitty will be dealing with great stress in adjusting to your family and home. Having to also cope with the upheaval of your mother moving in and settling will make things that much more difficult for the cat.
Besides, if you wait until your mother is there and unpacked, then she can help pick out the kitty, since you say you want the cat as a companion for your mom.
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I got xena and zeus from the SPCA and think you should do that because some of the cats there had terrible, terrible lives before and want a new nice caring home and family =]
Posted 8 months ago by itty-bitty-kitty #
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Hi Megan, see you're from the UK - nice to have another Brit TDKer!!
Any shelter that you adopt from should undertake a home visit, and will be able to advise on the best "type" of cat to consider - it's in their best interests to match cats to owners after all. The Cats Protection League certainly do this; at the very least you should be asked some detailed questions to help facilitate a successful adoption.
Keep checking back on this thread, and please feel free to jump in on any others! Look forward to chating with you :o)
Posted 8 months ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Some lucky rescue cat gonna get a loving furever home. Sounds perfect with your mum being there during the day, and it'll be great company for her. How bout getting 2 cats! Often in shelters, there are pairs of cats who've either come in together or have made fast friends at the shelter - I think that'd be so lovely, for them and for you and your family. Welcome to TDK!
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Thanks guys,
i would love two cats! but at the moment one would be enough,
plus it would all depend on wether my mother could cope with two cats and having to feed and fuss them. thats something to discuss at the dinner table though :)
SPCA? In the UK its RSPCA,, Very similar im guessin :)
i have arrange with my children to take a drive up to the sancturary and see what cats are available at the weekend. Hopefully we will find one that likes us and my mum! -
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Me and the kids went to the Animal sanctuary today. They had so many cute little kittens and cats! i wanted to take them all home :)
We saw a 2 year old black and white one, It was so friendly and wouldnt hurt a fly. We thought this would be perfect for my mum. Also We have decided to get an older cat for my mum and a Kitten for the kids. They loved a little ginger girl, She was the last one left and was so small she could fit in your palm!
There was also another small black one that was a little bit older but played with my youngests shoelaces :)
Would an older cat and a kitten be okay together?
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An older cat and a kitten would do fine together. If you take them home at the same time, the home will be new to both of them so neither one will think the other is moving into its territory.
There are lots of tricks that will help a kitty settle into her new home. Our power company is about to shut off this area's electricity so I don't have time right now to keep writing but lots of others here can help.
Let us know as soon as you get your precious new family members and you'll get lots of advice.
Posted 8 months ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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An older cat and a kitten is great. The older one will teach the little one lots of stuff, and the little one will probably cuddle up to the big one, specially if she's so gentle, as you describe. I brought a kitten home to my 9 month old kitten, and it took a month of rage on the older one's part before she finally accepted the kitten. Now they adore each other, and are constantly playing and cuddling together. The older one actually seeks out the little one, and misses her when she's not in the room. If that combination worked, anything can! And as Cheetahboysmommy says, there are no territory issues with your two new kitties. They will be glad of each other in their new home. Get each one a bed, and for the little one it would be very settling and comforting for her to have a warm hot water bottle (covered with a towel or piece of soft material) to cosy up to during the night - it feels like her mother's tummy. Don't give them milk, they'll only get diarrhea. Don't crowd them (specially with the kids and the tiny kitten) - or you may have problems with them being timid and scared. Give them a quiet room to be in at first, a 'safe room' so they can get to feel secure and not overwhelmed with a whole big house (where they can easily get lost too).
Keep them indoors for at least a month, better 2, whether you're going to let them be indoor/outdoor cats or not. That way they will really know their home. They sound gorgeous, best of luck with them, and it is wonderful that you're taking two! -
Thanyou all so far!
I rang the sanctuary owner this afternoon. We are going in tomorrow and we are going to go into the empty cattery room and join the kitten and cat together to see how they react. The owner says we have chosen the right ones to be together so thats a plus :)
Will see how it goes tomorrow and post back soon! -
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