Forum Topic

Buying a Kitten!

I may be perusaded to buy my son a kitten, but having never owned anything other than hamsters/rabbits in my childhood I haven't a clue the best place to buy one and what age is best.I'd appreciate any advice please, especially with regard to the likelihood of any sofa damage and how to stop it!Thanks

Diane Gill ● 5540d5 Comments

Sofa damage !! Can't think of anything which stops them. You can try a scratching post but you know cats, they are obstinate little devils and won't be told ! That's one of the reasons why I love them so much though....their contrariness. We have 3 re-upholstered and now damaged sofas and the ginger minx watches me while scratches ! We bought ours from pet shops but I think that's frowned upon! Gumtree is pretty good for finding them or you could try the RSPCA in Norwood Green. Or Battersea- they have cats too.

Penny Crocker ● 5540d

How about HAWS?http://www.haws-animals.org.uk/pets/cats-kittens/#animal159

Philippa Bond ● 5540d

Yes..... do try HAWS - they have an abundance of kittens at the moment, all will come fully vaccinated and microchipped.

Samantha-Jane Hunt ● 5540d

Thanks everyone I'll look at HAWS then.As for my sofa to make matters worse it a looped chenille so very easy for the claws to dig into!  Luckily new covers can be bought from Sofa Workshop.

Diane Gill ● 5539d

Hi Diane - I'm a volunteer for HAWS - there is no doubt that cats will scratch, you can buy scratching posts but there seems to be something irresistble about digging claws into fabric and rugs.  They can be trained up to a point, but you could always keep kitty out of the room with the sofas while you are out.  You can also have their claws trimmed regularly at the vets which will cut down some of the damage.  My cat leaves the sofas alone but LOVES digging holes in rugs.  Whatever you do please go to a reputable charity and not off the internet, they are not vaccinated and often unwell and too young to leave their mothers.  Should stay with the mother until 9 weeks at the earliest which is when the have their first vaccinations.  If over 5 months from HAWS they will also be neutered.  Essential to prevent unwanted kittens and the spread of Feline Aids.

Carol Atkinson ● 5539d