House Cat

[Gill1941]

I need some advice and know several people have cats on here.
I have been wanting a cat for sometime now having had them in the past and love them.
Have been watching rescue centre websites and not been lucky there.
Question is. I have seen a lovely house cat advertised privately on web. I am a bit suspicious as there are two 6 month old kittens for sale but not siblings. No sign of mothers and no reason for sale.
They also say they have their claws trimmed every 2 weeks. Is this normal for a house cat?
I know I am probably being too cautious but have seen so much about puppy farming and I presume the same thing can apply to cats.

[Rockrose]

Chances are they got the kittens and then didn’t want them.
Every 2 weeks is extreme if they have scratching post or mats they shouldn’t need trimming.
Go and see them but personally I would get both of them as they are probably bonded

[Rosetta]

I'd be inclined to have them checked over by a vet before accepting one or both, just to ensure you are getting healthy cats and not being palmed off with a cat with major health problems

[spathiphyllum]

I'd steer clear.

There is reason to be cautious.

The same thing can apply to cats, but it's more rare, but still out there.

[spathiphyllum]

make sure they're wormed and fleed maybe even neutered. This should happen at 8 weeks old.

[furrypusscat]

I would be inclined to go to Cats Protection or RSPCA for a cat/cats.
They are usually microchipped and would come with a clean bill of health. You would know what you were getting.

[Gill1941]

Thanks, everyone. Just wondered if anyone else thought it suspicious.
She is microchipped and vaccinated but not spayed. Wormed and flead too it says.
I have been going to rescue centres and their websites but generally too late. That's the trouble with relying on other people for transport.
Have had a few rescue dogs in the past but not cats. I wanted an older cat really but she is beautiful.
Still undecided! She looks healthy and the house looks nice.

[Rockrose]

Spath you do not neuter or spay cats at 8 weeks old!

[spathiphyllum]

yeah you can. 8-12 weeks. most shelters will.

[spathiphyllum]

it's best to neuter at 8 months, but it's possible (and very common) for shelters to neuter at 6-8 weeks.

[Rockrose]

Every cat I have got from a shelter is to be done at 4 months on also no vet I have attended will do it at 8 weeks due to the tubes being to small and the ovaries etc being easy to miss.

[pastafreak]

Spath...google is your friend. 4 months is recommended.

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&;client=tablet-android-samsung&source=android-browser&q=at+what+age+should+cats+be+neutered

[Rockrose]

Have a look at the cat and see what you think sweetie.
I have had over 20 cats and can honestly say all barring 1 have been rescued give her a chance x

[pastafreak]

Maybe they are houseproud, hence the claw clipping. I've never clipped Caspars claws. They shed off naturally any way.
I'd go have a look. You may fall in love.

[Rockrose]

That’s my problem pasta I have a look and bring them home hence why I have 4 and one little feral

[pastafreak]

I once took on a whole family of feral kittens. They were in the yard of an unoccupied house. I also chat with all the local cats when I'm out with Sally. One little guy loves to say hello to her. I'd have more, but Caspar wasnt happy when he had a "sister".

[jakep]

Kittens can be castrated/spayed at 6-8 weeks but it is not routine and is tricky due to size and difficulty in keeping them warm during the surgery.
Usually only carried out by charities when they try and TNR (trap, neuter, return) on feral colonies.

[jakep]

Apologies Gill, to answer your original OP, I do think it could be suspicious.
Could you arrange to visit with a friend and see what your gut feeling is when you are there?

[Canary42]

Why not interview the seller to assuage your doubts - if they're genuine they won't mind.

[dunnitall]

IMO this is where there should be strict legislation for all animal welfare. Licenced by government for breeders to supply animals....and under strict control.

Please don't buy animals from people churning them out for profit. Animal rescue centres re-home and care about the animals. Even if you have to wait, surely it's better to do so than pay some unscrupulous dealer selling the poor hapless animal. Don't think of yourself, please think of the animal. X

[wolf63]

I was adopted by two siblings when they were 18 months old. I didn't pay for them - they were just needing to be rehomed.

I would be slightly suspicious if someone wanted to sell older kittens or cats.

Frankie (13½ years old) is still with me but his sister died at the beginning of November. They, at best, tolerated each other but it was often all out war. Princess Merlin was a stroppy bully.

I am not against anybody buying pedigree cats or dogs but if you just want a moggie a rescue centre is usually a good place to go. Our local Cats Protection branch is excellent.

Neutering - there is no hard and fast rule, it depends on the vet who will be doing the operation. But the girls can get pregnant at a very young age.