We would like a kitten, our local cattery says its not ideal with young children, as often kittens are timid..

Question

we feel really gutted about the decision, we can adopt an older cat, yet we were searching for something that will grow with the family. We have checked local adverts and there are none available... as much as i could get an older as a substitute, we really wanted a young cat. We feel that the cattery is treating us unfairly, after all most cats are timid, until they get to know you... why is it ok for them to see a kitten go to a person who will be in work all day, than to a family who will give the kitten the love it needs?

Answer 1

I would look for a different place to find a kitten. There are plenty around in the right places. Seems they are pushing you towards ones they want to get out. Kittens are fine with children, we took in 2 from a friend (2 weeks old) and they were fine with our children.

Answer 2

I'd agree with most of the other people who've answered your question - do try somewhere else ... or on another day when there is a different person running the cattery. (I'm assuming that the local cattery is a rescue centre, rather than a breeder of cats.)

These places can be odd though ... my friend, about 15 years ago, was looking for a pair of kittens. He was refused by the RSPCA because he lived in a cul-de-sac & planned to let the kittens outside once they were older. (The RSPCA suggested he got something like a Jack Russell instead of a cat - they said that the cats would not be used to cars because of the cul-de-sac & that if they roamed outside of it, they were likely to get knocked over!! Do you think that they had a glut of Jack Russels at the centre??). My friend then contacted the Cats Protection League - explained his situation again & they were delighted for him to have two kittens. Sometimes some people seem very weird indeed.

You sound like a sensible person who plans to superivise the children to ensure they realise that the kitten is a little living thing & not a toy. I see no reason at all for you not to have one.

I'd keep scanning the local adverts - sooner or later there is bound to be an advert for kittens & wouldn't it be just perfect if they'd been raised in a home with young children.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I agree if kittens are brought up with kids they get used to them. I left my kitten with my sister when I went on holiday & when I got back she had adjusted to the kids just fine one is 3 the other is 5. It may be a good idea to search the web for ways to teach a kitten acceptable & non acceptable behaviour. Try a search engine they have many sources of info for this. Get the kids to play with the kitten using cat dancres etc & involve them in the care of the kitten by getting them to take turns on the feeding. This way you can also teach them what is acceptable. Try setting some ground rules with the kids like not to pick it up and how to play dead with the hand. If a kitten bites or scratches then you must not pull your had away, instead make it limp and give a high pitched ow noise and the kitten will loosen the grip slowly pull you hand away & say no then walk & ignore it. Its very important for kids to learn this as kids dont recognise an overexcited kitten & can make the situation worse. Kittens are then mistaken as being aggressors and that is how many are returned to catterys as older kittens or cats. As long as you are aware of the work you will need to put in to either bring a kitten out of its shell or tone a more excitable cat down then there is no reason why you cant get a timid or excitable kitten to one day become a part of your family. Ps a kitten may take time to become a part of your family it can take time to build a relationship. I've had my kittens for 3 & 4 months and each week I notice new gestures that they give to say they trust & like you.It may also be a good idea to search cat body language so that you understand your kittens gestures & warnings. Sorry for going on but Im assuming that you havn't had cats or kittens before. From my experiance (I've had 3 other cats over the years) I know that learning a cats behaviour & respecting it can bring a very close bond to you and your pet. If you are able to give a cat this kind of home then I think you and your family should go ahead & get a kitten. Local papers can also have kittens for sale if the cattery still refuse to give you one

Answer 4

when you say "grow with your family" - er cats are adult within a year. They can reproduce long before that.

I'd advise you not to get a kitten, not because they are timid but because you don't know the kitten's temprament. With an adult cat you do. A kitten may turn into a very timid cat or one that want's to scrath your face or may just be perfect for you. But you don't know, and if you do get one that is psycho what are you going to do in 6 months when it has scratched and bitten everyone and your kids won't go near it?

Cats Protection should be able to set you up with a cat that will fit with your family. Most of their cats are looked after in foster homes so they are in a family enviroment and can be assesed.

eg the cat I'm fostering now is quite timid but very loving. She would probably not be suitable for your family because most children like to play with their pets and this one doesn't play.

However some that were rehomed last year, two boys who were about 9 months old were be perfect for a family with children. They would play with each other or any available human for hours. One would jump in the air to catch a soft ball between it's paws.

If you are really set on a kitten then get one but IMHO I think a young cat is a better option.

BTW it's the wrong time of year for kittens, wait until spring there will be loads.

Answer 5

Yes, I think the cattery are treating you unfairly, I have experienced both a cat being brought up with children and without. We had our first cat when our children were babies, the cat grew up with the children, and as the children grew all of their friends came around, the cat would not care a less, it also never attacked anyone in it's life. Unfortunately our family cat died at 11 yrs, and after a few months we decided that we would have another. My youngest then was aged 11, this did make a huge difference. When children are young they make a fuss of pets, and pets like that. Pets become used to their surroundings, and if that means a few children running around, they will love it. My cat now is very timid, (because she did not grow up in the mayhem of children) she jumps sky high at the slightest sound, and when she hears the vacuum going she runs a mile. I had very young nieces and nephews around when our cat was young, she did not like that at all, but that was because our children were older then and she was not used to the noise. I say go for it, don't miss out on the love a cat can bring you and your family by stupid remarks, the cattery ought to be happy that you care, and would give it a good family home.

Answer 6

I'm trying to figure out what you mean by 'cattery'. Is this a cat breeding place? Or is it a rescue place?

I'm sorry to say but if someone who works with animals tells you that you aren't a suitable home, then you probably aren't. That doesn't mean that it won't always be like this, but young children and kittens are hard matches. Kids can easily kill a kitten accidentally and many places feel that finding a safe home outweighs fining just *any* home.

Kittens are very fragile. What happens if one of the kids jumps on him or falls on him?

Kittens are very curious. What happens when the kids leave the seat up on the toilet and the kitten falls in and drowns?

Kittens like to explore. What happens when a kid locks him in the closet accidentally?

Kittens like to roam around. What happens if the kids leave the back door open and he escapes?

Kittens like snacks. What happens if the kids give the kitten something poisonous - or accidentally leave something poisonous out?

As far as a person who works all day getting a cat - cats are independent enough to be alone for 8 hours a day and to have no problem with it. It's not like a dog where they need constant attention and such.

If you feel that you are a suitable home, then keep checking with rescue groups. Once they meet your kids in person and feel that they are responsible enough, they would probably be more than happy to have a kitten join your family. Just give it time. : )

Answer 7

The problem is that young kittens are small and fragile, and sometimes young children can unintentionally injure the kitten. Also remember that the young kitten will be full grown sooner than you think. There are many cats waiting on death row at animal shelters that are not baby kittens but still young (ie six months and older) that would still be able to grow with your family for a long time and would probably be a perfect fit for you and your family. Plus, you would be saving a life.

Answer 8

Rather than timid, I possibly think they mean fragile. Kittens are very small and fragile and liable to get hurt easily albeit unintentionally by your children. Older cats are more assertive in their ways and can move when they've had enough.

Whether you get a kitten or an older cat it is VERY important that you teach your children to respect the cat's personal space. It is not a toy and your children need to learn quickly how to play with it and handle it properly and sensitively. Kittens are babies themselves and need plenty of rest and very gentle handling. If your children are too rough or too "in-it's-face" this will lead to the kitten being timid or vicious.

There are so many older cats just as deserving of homes as kittens. They may not be that old, i.e. one or two and still have many years to grow with your children. I adopted a 3-legged cat when she was one and she gives me joy every day. Good luck.

Answer 9

Go to your local shelter, and spend some time looking and petting the cats. Any reputable place will let you hold and play with the kittens/cats you are interested in. They all need homes, and all have their own little personalities. Some kittens are timid, and some are not. Some adult cats are shy, others are not. Age isn't a good way to judge that. Going to look and interact with them is.

Answer 10

The reason the cattery have told you this is because that have a lot of older cats that need a home I have had kittens around young children and they are fine to be honest sometimes it makes the cat more playful with younger children as they tend to play with them more get your kitten and good luck

Answer 11

kittens can be timid little creatures but do adapt well to humans, go to another cattery, rspca are always looking for sensible people to adopt young kittens and grown cats. have you thought about an older cat that has been around children before. kittens are so cute and adorable and find homes fast, please consider giving an older cat a good home. you will be well rewarded with your cats lov and affection.