Cat Chat Feline Forum

What are everyone's thoughts on new kittens?

When we got our baby boy last year, I took a week off work to stay at home with him and get him settled in. He seemed to make himself quite comfortable by the second weekend and I never worried too much about leaving him at home alone while I was out at work!

Having lost our little boy to FIP, we are ready for another. We can give so much love to a little one. However, I was speaking with a breeder yesterday who said we shouldn't get a kitten if we are going to be out at work all day. Honestly I cannot tell you how loved our last boy was and how spoiled he was. Even though we were out working, the house was his playground and I don't think he ever got stressed being alone. But now I'm worried!

Has anyone else had any experience of this? And what are your thoughts on leaving little moggies at home? If I could take them to work I would!!!

you might be better off going for a pair of rescue kittens, Heather, as FIP is more prevalent among pedigree breeders' kittens

have a look at the much respected Dr Adie's advice here

http://www.dr-addie.com/Choosekitten.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As a rescue we never home single kittens where they will be home alone all day, the average person does and 8 hour working day with travelling time before and after added to that, that is a really long time for a kitten that is missing it's mum and litter mates to be alone. If you really only wanted one we would suggest you look at kittens aged 6 months plus......

When I adopted Pip as a kitten she was my first cat, my ex and I then spent the first couple of months taking it turns to work from home so she wouldn't be on her own. It soon became apparent that she needed a playmate and we adopted a year old Hector to keep her company, it was definitely the right decision.

We definitely want a kitten again, rather than a mature cat. I'm slowly working on the hubby for 2 rescue kittens! We loved our purebred boy but maybe a move away from that would be good?

As you're probably aware most rescues are overrun with cats and kittens at the moment so adopting two rescue kittens would go a small way to helping that situation and a donation would help the rescue to continue their good work over lining the pockets of a breeder.

As a rescue I also don't home single kittens either especially if they're going to be left for periods of time.

I think if you see how a litter of kittens interact together as a family you would understand why it is just not possible to send a single kitten into the world to be alone for long spells of time.

Pedigree cats are a far higher risk of FIP and you can't test against it before some breeder tells you you can. So, so many rescues in the world, please don't pay a breeder!!!

Cat Protection popping in next week for a home visit!

Good luck!!!! I'm sure you'll be fine

Hi Heather ,
How did things go with the visit ? x