[Lezman]

Me and the missus have been in our new house for most of the year now so we're settled. We want to get a new kitten, but I'm unsure how to go about it, what is required straight away, costs per month and up front etc etc.

I've had cats with my parents my whole life, so am used to looking after them- just never had to sort out vets, insurnace etc. I do want to make sure that we know what we are getting to to- in terms of finances especially.

Any advice or useful wqebsites would be muchly appreciated

thanks

[Greg]

If you are getting a new kitten, get it from somewhere like the Cats Protection League or similar. They normally ask for a donation, £20 usually does.

Pet Insurance is a must, would imagine about £5 per month for a kitten, maybe even less. Go through Quidco and you will get money back too. I have mine with RSPCA and got £10 per policy.

Pet Food about 50p per day for a kitten

Vets Fees - Can't remember what it cost for ours as it was 9 years ago, but the annual injections are about £50 and neutering is about £150 possibly. But don't quote me on those as it could be way off.

So probably one off fees £20, then neutering after six weeks at £150. Injections £50. So £220 total.

Then about £5 insurance + £15 food + £5 'goodies' = £25 per month.

[Lezman]

Thanks Greg

More or less what I thought for all the insurance and food and bits and bobs. Will look in to vet fees as obviously I want to make sure we tick all the boxes on the health side of things.

Our family has got both the cats from the cat protection league (i think its changed its name now) so was going to do the same.

Now- does anyone know how to kitten proof your AV kit

[Johnny Thunder]

Originally Posted by Lezman

Now- does anyone know how to kitten proof your AV kit

Do what everyone else does.
Send it outside to kill birds. That should keep its mind off the AV.

[Lezman]

Does that work with the missus as well?

[Johnny Thunder]

[Kebabhead]

You'll need to buy worming tablets and flea treatment such as Frontline which thankfully you can get off the internet at a fraction of the cost the vets charge you

[Decadence]

get it used to a collar with a bell on it to protect the birds.

[buzlightyear]

I would say get two kittens so they can keep each other company when your not about.

[kendoll]

Originally Posted by Lezman

Me and the missus have been in our new house for most of the year now so we're settled. We want to get a new kitten, but I'm unsure how to go about it, what is required straight away, costs per month and up front etc etc.

I've had cats with my parents my whole life, so am used to looking after them- just never had to sort out vets, insurnace etc. I do want to make sure that we know what we are getting to to- in terms of finances especially.

Any advice or useful wqebsites would be muchly appreciated

thanks

As far as insurance goes make sure you check the fine print. Some only cover up to a maximum amount for any one condition, and once that is reached you are on your own.

I have my insurance with pet plan, and they will cover the condition for life. I think it is about £15 per month for both of them.

My old boss got stung when he moved insurers for a cheaper premium and excess, but only realised after his dog develoed a problem with it's hip that they would only cover a certain amount, and he ended up a few grand out of pocket.

I think the cats from the protection league are already chipped, but if not I would definately recommend getting it chipped. Also get a collar with 2 bells unless you want dead birds for present on your doorstep

We are taking ours back to Aus with us and as such have to meet all of the requirements from there as far as injections and immunisations go too.

[Lezman]

I've actually thought about getting two, but might only do it if they are togethor when we first see them as I wouldn't want to split them up. Double the cost as well- but double the fun.

[Digger]

Originally Posted by Decadence

get it used to a collar with a bell on it to protect the birds.

Originally Posted by kendoll

Also get a collar with 2 bells unless you want dead birds for present on your doorstep

A neighbour recently lost their cat to a couple of dogs who attacked. I wouldn't want my pet advertising its presence to those higher up the food chain.

[kingfats]

Originally Posted by Decadence

get it used to a collar with a bell on it to protect the birds.

Very good advice!

[kendoll]

Originally Posted by Lezman

I've actually thought about getting two, but might only do it if they are togethor when we first see them as I wouldn't want to split them up. Double the cost as well- but double the fun.

Yeah, our 2 are brothers (from the same litter, but with different fathers ). Got them through a friend at work for free (and that is the last thing about them that was free ).

They keep each other company and sleep on each other at night (big girls )

[kendoll]

Originally Posted by Digger

A neighbour recently lost their cat to a couple of dogs who attacked. I wouldn't want my pet advertising its presence to those higher up the food chain.

It can happen, same happened to my next door neighbour back in Aus.

However a bell is handy in Aus as you can get SEVERE fines if your cats kill native (protected) wildlife.

[kendoll]

Originally Posted by kingfats

Very good advice!

Yep, however they are clever little bu**ers! We had to put 2 bells on one of ours at home because she had figured out how to move without the bell ringing!

[Decadence]

Although this time of year the birds might make themselves easy prey, pretending to be asleep in the mistake that the jingling noise getting closer is actually Father Christmas.

[mjn]

I wouldn't bother with a collar, as they tend to "lose" them, but make sure you get it chipped.

[Greg]

Our two never got on with collars. We tried so many, but gave up in the end. Half the time they would lose them and the other half the poor buggers would come home with an arm stuck through the collar.

If you can afford it, I would definitely get two. My two are sisters (hate each other though) but still keep each other company (when they are not trying to fight).

[Urien Rheged]

My partner breeds British Blues and we have 3 ourselves. We have found M&S the best for pet insurance. No excess, they payout for continuing illnesses and cover dental treatment. As said before, check the small print, some insurance companies don't cover these things.

Also, keep your cats indoors for at least 1 month when you get them until the know where 'home' really is.

[sim667]

Im guessing a british blue is a type of cat?

Im in the process of moving into a new house and intending on getting me a cat for company

Want to get a 3-4 year old so i dont have to go through all the kitten stuff, I've never really had pets before (i guineapig which i gave away because we didnt see eye to eye and have been a fishkeeper for a couple of years). I would like a bulldog, but I just dont have the time to dedicate to walking and its unfair to leave it at home (I also really like staffs but they're much more hard work)

anyway good thread, lots of info for me here.

Luckily when i get a cat I also have a good freind who is lodging with me, she used to live abroad and had about 20 cats, a mixture of feral and domestic so im sure she'll give me some pointers, she has a pet bearded dragon, will be interesting to see how the cat and lizard get on.

[Urien Rheged]

Originally Posted by sim667

Im guessing a british blue is a type of cat?

Yes British Blue is a type of cat. Here is a picture of two of the kittens we had in the last litter and their mother. They have a fabulous temperament and make excellent house cats. Not cheap though!