I've never had a cat but am considering getting a kitten. Do they chew/scratch your house, is my main concern. It wouldn't stop me getting one, I just want to know what to prepare for. Anything else I should know?

Yes. In short! Some are lucky it generally if you gt a kitten, expect scratched walls, sofas and the like. They need as much attention when young as a pup. Some cats never grow out of scritting but others with good training can be stopped from his your furnitureM

Basically childproof your home is the best advice I can give, beware of leaving wires/cables about as some, not all cats/kittens love a good chew on them. Get kitten sized scratch posts, and gently direct or encourage them to use them, by gently rubbing paws on them. Meh it really depends on the individual cat/kitten, get covers for your settee just in case. beware of gaps between kitchen appliances, I learned the hard way and had to remove a kitchen unit to locate a happily sleeping 9 week old kitty, he was fine, I tore my hair out though! He was 'missing' for over 45 mins! But I was worried he could get stuck.

Cats are mischief makers about two toddlers worth when they are kitties at the worst. I would rather adopt an adult cat now

depends if it is going to be an indoor or an outdoor cat either way chewing and scratching is the norm for a kitten

Yes there is. There is a lot more you should know and you should do some proper research because you apparently do not know very much at all and your main concern is what concerns me most. Please do not get a pet.

Thanks very much for the replies, they're very helpful. I've only just started looking into getting a kitten and I know this forum is a wealth of helpful information. I shall of course do plenty of research as I am an animal lover and an extremely responsible all round good egg.

^^ amen ^^

Kittens need plenty of care and constant attention. Don't forget they are babies.

Then the first thing you should be thinking of is rescuing a cat rather than a kitten.

Thanks again, I'll look into rescuing a cat. This forum is very helpful.

The OP has come on here to ask for advice, you have to start somewhere. Cut him some slack for god's sake, he might be able to give a needy cat a home yet you just want to put him off based on your own assumptions.

OP, cats are great pets and you're right to find out about them.

When someone comes on here saying 'I want a kitten', funnily enough I don't automatically think they've even thought about rescuing a cat. Maybe I'm just a bit jaded....

I agree tb. The op didn't say that it was their first consideration, just something they were wondering about. I'd be more concerned if they HADN'T thought of it.

Op, if you are set on a kitten and can put the time in the go for it, or if you want an easier time of it for your first cat, try a young adult from a shelter, say 6 or 8 months, still get the baby cuteness but they're a little less trouble!

Having been a Mummy to a kitten and a human baby lets just say I'd never get another kitten but may well one day have a second child

If the OP is serious about wanting a pet then I agree much more research is needed. I'd advise against a kitten unless you are fully prepared to put in the time, effort (and money!!)

Our kitten is now a beautiful and [semi] well behaved 5 year old and she is part of the family but God she was a nightmare!

scratch and maybe chew wires, the scratching doesn`t generally stop.

scratch and maybe chew wires, the scratching doesn`t generally stop but they soon grow out of it.

Thanks all, I'm going to a cat rescue place at the weekend.

it really depends on the cat, ive had a cat who completely ruined 2 sofas by clawing them to death but have another who wont scratch on anything except the scratching post...i've had 2 chewers though, one grew out of it at about 8 months old after chomping her way though as many wires as she could find...luckily i had covered all the electrical ones but shes eaten head phones, phone cord, wii sensor wire (two of them!) aeriel lead ...and i have one who still chews on anything he can get into his mouth now and he's 13 months old. Of course they've accidently broken things while they've been running around and my indoor plants all got totally destroyed but thats soemthing you get used to.
cats and kittens need a lot of care and can drive you up the wall ...but they can be a complete joy to have in your life too, i cant imagine life without mine.

If you want to see what kittens are like you can do no worse than watch these kittens born in Seattle on May 8 - it is highly addictive though!

http://new.livestream.com/FosterKittenCam/Mythbusters

I always go for rescue cats. Kittens are lovely but hard work.

God that is addictive!

I popped on for about 90 seconds and they were all asleep but then one kitty got up to suckle and another kitty followed and say on suckling kitty's head! Too cute!

I have a 14 week old kitten and most times my flat looks like a warzone lol.
Nightime is the worst he'll be running around like a loon knocking things over , randomly growling and making brrr noises , attacking me on site , running across the furniture lol.
It's hard work but well worth it.

I've had no experience at all in owning pets until i got my kitten. But thanks to peoples advice on here and a bit of research i seem to be doing a good job.
You shouldn't tell the op not to get a pet just because they're inexperienced in your world people shouldn't have children if they're not experienced then?
We all have to start somewhere and learn , i'm sure the op will be fine there are plenty of people on here alone who will be more than happy to answer questions and give advice. Also there are plenty of animal/pet forums around the internet too.

And that's how it begins - slowly at first then a few litters later - you're trapped. I'm just glad they're in the States and too far away for me to adopt!

I've got two cats who both turned one last month. Compared to having a puppy it was much easier.

Yes they scratch stuff, but I'm not precious about my belongings, it's just stuff at the end of the day. One of mine managed to smash my flat screen tv at the age of 5 months old, but it didn't matter, I claimed on my contents insurance.

Yes they scare the crap out of you when they're ill, and cost you a fortune in vet bills occasionally (GET INSURANCE! One of mines bill came to £750, and I thank god for insurance )

BUT it's worth it, the love they repay you with is worth everything I've just mentioned. I've just got back from 2 weeks away, and again they cost me a fortune in cattery fees, but I missed them like crazy and wouldn't have it any other way.

Do it, provided you can cope with all of the above.
From the fast becoming crazy cat lady of Bristol!