Buying a kitten

[Billbobray]

When is the best time of the year to buy a kitten?

(Understand that they have to stay inside for a period of time before going outside, so thought that this would be best as much as possible to be in the winter months)

[Jessalyn]

They have to be at least 8 weeks old, but I have never heard that there is a special time of the year in which to get one. They should stay indoors for at least two days, even longer, so they can impress on their surroundings and recognise their territory. Some friends of mine have never let their cats out, they stay in all the time as they live in a flat. The cats do not seem to suffer for this, indeed happier cats I have yet to meet. But there are two of them to keep each other company.

Please supervise it/them when he/she/they do go out. I would try putting your cat on a lead from it being little and let it get used to wearing a body harness rather than a collar. You can then train it to go for walks with you like a dog. Always get something recommended by a reputable pet shop though as if your cat is allowed out on its own it can get trapped or snagged if it is wearing the wrong thing. SOmetimes these harnesses are only for going out on a lead with, not wearing all the time. If you are traditional and let your cat go out all the time, then you need to de-flea it regularly, with "Frontline" from the vets or something similar. If you live near fields beware of ticks and get something to paint on them if your cat brings any back. Leaving them can make a cat quite ill.

Best to get plenty of advice from the vet or the RSPCA before you get one. And remember that the RSPCA (if there is one near you) always has cats and kittens to rehome (unless you are looking for a pure breed). If you go for a pure bred, it might be safer to keep it as an indoor cat as people will possibly try to steal it. That happened to a friend of ours who lost her cat that way.

Still, listen to me spouting off!! Hope it has helped and not put you off. I have had cats for 12 years now and loved every one of them.
Good luck

[Jessalyn]

Apologies, me again. I assumed you were in the UK. If you aren't the RSPCA won't apply but you'll probably have a similar agency for the protection of animals where you are.

[josaphine32]

My cat is due for kittens today, I would not let my kittens go to anyone to at least they are 8 wks old they need to be taught so much from there mum, If they are seperated any earlier they are not totally aware of what is wright or wrong, A kitten should stay in until it is at least 12 weeks old and after the 10th week i tend to have the upstairs window open so they get to know the smells of there surroundings as well as having a birds eye view. kittens come in to season mainly in the spring kittens are usually due now to the end of August, Cats mainly have seasons at this time due to daylight hours, you can buy kiten n the winter but they are alot less abundent to what they are in the summer. One of mine was born in febuary (19TH) he is now 16 but at that time of year more expensive. But its not about the money as long as you love and look after the cat thats all wht counts.

[les saisies]

Blackberry kittens (ones born in July/September) make the best house cats as they will spend the first months of their lives indoors. By the time the winter is over the kittens will be 6-8 months old and be well used to living in doors and will tend not to be that fond of the cold wet outdoor life.

Spring kittens, in contrast, will venture out early in life; 3-4 months old and will get used to being out and will tend to prefer it.

Not a hard and fast rule but tends to hold true in my experience. We have always had blackberry kittens and have found that they have always made good sociable friendly house cats.

[Billbobray]

Many thanks everyone for your advice

[danapie]

You should really consider keeping the cat indoors, There are SO many dangers for cats, especially kittens outdoors. Please!
Also, please check your local shelters for a kitten. Even an older cat, as the older ones are so thank ful to have a home. They will reward you so much if you adopt them.