Considering getting another cat, I am crazy!

[Fruitarian_Girl]

My friend Matt's girlfriend works at PetsMart, and someone brought a 2 week old kitten there because the mother wouldn't nurse it, and she didn't want to bottle feed it. Now, Matt and his girlfriend have the kitten. They are trying to find it a home, and I am trying to talk myself out of it. I already have 6 cats that are all fixed, have all their shots for this year, and all of my dogs have their shots and have been fixed. So, it wouldn't be expensive at first to have the kitten, and I really would like to take him. I just don't think it is rational lol. I don't have a small house, and there are only two of us living in it. It is a three bedroom house, and we made one room the "cat room". I just don't know how hard it would be to introduce a small kitten to our already grown cats. We would probably have to wait until he is larger, or introduce them one at a time. All of the cats we have came in pairs of two, so it was easier on them. They had a playmate until the other cats accepted them, this one won't have one. Which means I would have to get another kitten so it would have a playmate....Oh geez. Someone tell me it is a bad idea :P

[mysteriouspoet]

Personally I will never get another kitten. They're cute, but they grow up soon enough. There are so many older cats who need homes who are ignored.

Nothing to do with what you said, I know. Just a thought.

[veggigoddess]

I guess the question is when will you stop? When will the time come that you realize enough is enough? (not meant to be harsh) I and my hubby are major cat people and have 3 indoor cats and 2 strays which live in our yard (came w/ the place) which we feed daily. There will always be another kitty your heart melts for,ALWAYS!!!!!
I guess make a rational honest list of the pro's and cons and go from there.

[mysteriouspoet]

My friend Matt's girlfriend works at PetsMart, and someone brought a 2 week old kitten there because the mother wouldn't nurse it, and she didn't want to bottle feed it. Now, Matt and his girlfriend have the kitten. They are trying to find it a home, and I am trying to talk myself out of it. I already have 6 cats that are all fixed, have all their shots for this year, and all of my dogs have their shots and have been fixed. So, it wouldn't be expensive at first to have the kitten, and I really would like to take him. I just don't think it is rational lol. I don't have a small house, and there are only two of us living in it. It is a three bedroom house, and we made one room the "cat room". I just don't know how hard it would be to introduce a small kitten to our already grown cats. We would probably have to wait until he is larger, or introduce them one at a time. All of the cats we have came in pairs of two, so it was easier on them. They had a playmate until the other cats accepted them, this one won't have one. Which means I would have to get another kitten so it would have a playmate....Oh geez. Someone tell me it is a bad idea :P

Don't do it.

[jenna rose]

Well, if Matt and his girlfriend can't bottle feed it...you can take over and care for it until it's old enough to find a home for it.

But six cats is already a lot. I know people who have way more and they do alright, but it's overwhelming at times. I have 4 and I've thought, "well, if i had to rescue another one, i would." but i'm not going out and looking to ADD another one right now. can't afford it.

You could try helping them find a really good home for the kitten, if you would like to help out. Give them ideas and make up an adoption form for whoever is interested. homemade adoption forms are a good thing - it helps weed out a lot of people. (and ask for references)

[MollyGoat]

I know someone who has 10 cats and does fine.

If you have the money, space, and time to bottle feed, why not? You don't need to get another kitten as a playmate, it's totally possible to introduce a single kitten to a group of cats. It just takes some time and careful planning.

I don't see why everyone thinks this is SUCH a TERRIBLE idea. You know, the idea that people shouldn't adopt kittens because there are lots of adult cats waiting for homes is wrongheaded. Tons of kittens are born every year during "kitten season" (which has begun early this year) and many of them get euthanized because they can't find homes. Anytime you adopt a homeless cat, kitten or adult, ugly or beautiful, you are saving a life.

[Tom]

Fruitarian_Girl, only you and the other person in your house know whether you can handle it or not.

I've never taken care of as many cats as you have already. And going by my sister's dog, your dogs are even more work. I don't think I could pull it off. But some folks can.

If you know you can handle another animal and want to adopt her, go for it! But if you know you can't... or even if you just don't want to... you don't have to. You could compromise by bottle feeding the kitten until she was old enough to go to an adoptive home (although I don't know how to address the matter of the half-dozen cats you already have...)

[mysteriouspoet]

I know someone who has 10 cats and does fine.

If you have the money, space, and time to bottle feed, why not? You don't need to get another kitten as a playmate, it's totally possible to introduce a single kitten to a group of cats. It just takes some time and careful planning.

I don't see why everyone thinks this is SUCH a TERRIBLE idea. You know, the idea that people shouldn't adopt kittens because there are lots of adult cats waiting for homes is wrongheaded. Tons of kittens are born every year during "kitten season" (which has begun early this year) and many of them get euthanized because they can't find homes. Anytime you adopt a homeless cat, kitten or adult, ugly or beautiful, you are saving a life.

Since this seems to point to what I said...I am speaking from my own experience. Near where I live there is an animal shelter where generally, kittens are quickly adopted, and older cats can languish for months. Not really sure what your experience is, but this is mine.

[MollyGoat]

There are tons of kittens listed on petfinder.com in my area pretty much all the time...and some of them end up staying there for months (eventually they become adult homeless cats, obviously :) )

[Kiz]

I intend to keep one of the ferals I am currently fostering. They are finally over all their stupid illnesses, and are ready to be rehomed. The first one leaves today!! Yay! I am so in love with one of the kittens, but I guess I'll end up keeping mother cat, as adults are so hard to place.

[rabid_child]

I have four cats, and I can't imagine having any more, and I LOVE cats. I mean, jeez, I already need six litter boxes (y'know, 1 for every cat +1, + an extra upstairs in case the basement door is shut)... so with 7 cats... 8 litterboxes? AHHH!! Not that 6 is SO bad....

I guess you have to ask yourself if you're being fair to the animals you already own? Are you going to be able to give them each attention and time every day? Be able to afford all their food and medical costs? How close in age are the older ones? If they're in pairs, you have to figure on TWICE the geriatric animal vet bills at a time as they get old. Its really hard to pass up on a kitten! They're so cute and cuddley and funny but you have to consider its needs and the needs of your other animals when it gets older.

No one can tell you if you are going to be able to work this kitten into your life and home and family and budget. I don't think you'd need to get an EIGHTH though to make the seventh happy. All my four were adopted at different times (they're 15, 14, 4, 2) and they all get along!

[Irizary]

I think if you feel this is something you can do, and you want to, then go ahead.

It sounds like you have a special feeling for this animal. When people say that the little cute ones get adopted, of course it's not always true - and while I do not think that people should search out kittens in favor of older cats (and obviously anyone who buys from a breeder and creates a market for babies is a selfish pinhead), sometimes that's the animal who is presented to you; and also there's no guarantee that those baby animals who are so desired will have good lives. I knew someone who gave up a kitten and the new guardians tired of her and released her into a forest, not to be seen again :( And catgirl just had a kitten given back to her.

If it would make you feel better, maybe wait and say to your friend that if a *truly good* home - with a follow up visit etc. - is not found, that you would take the kitten.

[kpickell]

I wouldn't do it, but I'm not you, so I'm no help.

Why doesn't Matt keep it?

[Kiz]

I certainly don't intend to have more than two cats. Two is a good number for me. I already have one. I'd say, hand rear it since it appears someone needs to do it, but start looking around for a home for it when it is old enough.

[hopeforanimals]

I have 10 now, and we do just fine with that many. The newbies were always introduced to the veterans by keeping the new one in a bathroom the first few days and allowing the others to sniff under the door to become accustomed to the new smell. After that, the "personal" introduction wasn't so rough.