Getting a kitten

[Lu Lu]

We have been thinking of getting a kitten for a while and with the prospect of no holidays and us working at home more we thought that it would be a good time soon, on the proviso that there is a relaxing of lockdown to the extent we can get one and register at a vet.

Anyway, started doing some research yesterday and completely unexpectedly we have reserved this little chap. He’s 8 weeks at the mo and we might not be able to get him for 3-4 weeks (I am hoping sooner).

Currently arguing with our 13 year old about what to call him. I wanted Thor to start with but also like Loki. Others on the table include T’Challa, Bilbo and various names after footballers but the boy doesn’t want to call him a character name and the only name we’ve got close to agreeing is Arlo.

Other ideas welcome - and also tips on settling a kitten in when we can get our hands on his gorgeousness.

[Rac20]

Your kitten is beautiful.

I like Loki as a name. I also like Arlo but not keen on Bilbo.. Frodo maybe.😉

When we got our kitten we kept him in one room at first and let him familiarise himself there with everything he needed. After a few days, we slowly introduced him to other areas. We actually kept him inside for over a year. We do live in a rural area but found it quite stressful letting him out at first. I think it was good that we waited so long as he really is more of a homebody and stays in more than goes out. We also keep him in at night.
Hope that helps a little.

[JLH]

He is so cute - I like Loki or Arlo too . Do tell us the football names 😀 my boys would probably be tempted to call any future pet Aubameyang after the arsenal player but it’s a bit of a mouthful 😂

[taffs travels]

Awww he is cute, we are waiting for the local RSPCA to start back up as we want to adapt a kitten as well. DH is home all the day and I am working from home so it's an ideal time to get one settled in.
we haven't been able to find any yet.

[Guest]

Jet, Lucifer, Bandit or Shadow.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by taffs travels

Awww he is cute, we are waiting for the local RSPCA to start back up as we want to adapt a kitten as well. DH is home all the day and I am working from home so it's an ideal time to get one settled in.
we haven't been able to find any yet.

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It’s still a little bit early, have you tried looking on Gumtree?

[Fairy Helen]

He is sooo cute!
Create a quiet space for him where he can have some peace and quiet. With food water and a cat box, where if possible he can be in a room.
Be super careful when opening outside doors as little kittens can make a run for it. Often better to close them in a room before opening outside doors.
Spend time letting him adjust and explore, they often hide at first until they are comfortable. He will need to get familiar with his surroundings, they can be quite skitty of noises etc to start with. I’ve had cats all my life and currently have 4, 2 of which were recent additions at 10 months old.
If he is to be an outside cat don’t let him out until he is over 6 months old and spayed. And keep him in at night. Supervise outdoors at this time in the garden with doors open so he can get back in if he gets scared. Short time outside initially with people.
Cats are fab pets and are very loving. Tom cats will often form close bonds with certain people in the house more than others. Both ours love DH and DS more than me. If they sit with me, the tom cats will go to them over me.
I bet you can’t wait to get him, you also might find when you get him home that his name comes to you as his personality shines. I hope you enjoy having your new little kitten in your family.

[jenn8400]

Aw he’s super cute. The only other bit of advice I would give is make sure he has a bell on his collar for the first few weeks as they are excellent at hiding themselves when they are tiny!

[Lu Lu]

All brilliant advice thank you. Forgot to say earlier he is from a cat rehoming charity so I was very surprised they had any kittens waiting for homes given the current situation.

We sort of have a plan for some quiet space for him. It’s not very big but that’s probably best whilst he gets used to us. Also definitely going to try to get him to stay in at night after he’s old enough to go out - black cats, night and cars on the roads scare me so I’d feel better knowing where he is.

Husband lifelong QPR fan so I have suggested Sir Les (Ferdinand), Stanley (Bowles), Kevin (Gallen) or Eze (although he would probably move on if we called the cat that!) might wait and see what he looks like properly before settling on a name for life.

Also, like the bell suggestion. Was going to get one anyway to help scare the mice away! But it’s a good suggestion so we can find him when he’s little.

Honestly the biggest thing I am worried about is our furniture and carpets getting scratched to bits - DH will never forgive me if the cat does that!

Was thinking we could also take him upstairs into a room a night to sleep in so we know where he is (a bit contained), safe and away from the furniture and also concerned he’ll set the house alarm off at night so we might need to change our sensors.

[hols2florida]

Choose a name you don’t mind shouting from the front door. My DB wanted to call one of our cats Rambo years ago, but my Mum refused & said she wasn’t standing at the front door shouting Rambo! He was named Rocky instead.