Well, kittens are babies, like human babies and toddlers, YES they can be destructive and yes they will be messy. You can work full time and have a kitten with other adult cats in the house. It is thought that kittens are viewed as less threatening and more easily introduced to older cats. However, you still need to do the proper introductions. Keep the kitten separated from them for a time. Let them smell and hear her from the door. Expect hissing, growling, and swatting the first few meetings and for possibly some time. Cats do not like change. And they won't be happy at first. Keep interactions short at first. And always be there to monitor and supervise. Then separate again. Do this for the first few days at the very least.
Honestly, I have a kitten who is now approaching adolescence (I've had him since 11 weeks and he is now 5 and 1/2 months) and didn't experience anything like this. He did have to be kicked out of the bedroom and cried a bit over that, but adjusted within two days and overall has been pretty easy. Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe I went into this expecting puppy-levels of work, but we've been fine. All I did was buy the standard cat toys, climbing tree and a few scratching posts and haven't had any serious problems with scratching or inappropriate climbing. We do occasionally have some play aggression, but when it happens it's generally been a few days since he's had a long play session and he does not break skin, so I'm figuring it's pretty mild and he'll likely outgrow it. The level of effort required probably depends on the kitten, as Hunter does have lower energy (he's a ragdoll, so not entirely unexpected). I don't know how he'd be with adult cats, as he is an only kitten, but I was honestly a little surprised at how smoothly everything's gone, as it seems like half the internet was trying to convince me a kitten was going to ruin my life. Adolescence I imagine will bring some challenges, but kittenhood really wasn't bad and I'd be fine if he retained this level of energy into adulthood. He's just chilling next to me on the couch as I write this and I don't think he's moved for the past two hours. No guarantees your kitten will be the same, as it seems a lot of people do get demon kittens, but some of them are just fine. He is an absolute moron, who adores all strangers, is a terrible climber and is far too acclimated to sudden noises (probably because we live in the city and there's always loud noises), but he's a real sweetheart who is super lucky he's an indoor only cat. And yes, he is healthy, just a calm kitten. Once again, he may be a rarity but he certainly doesn't fit the nightmare kitten profile I'm always seeing online.
Well, that was your experience. And I never said that kittens are "bad" so I am not sure where you got this from? I was speaking from a medical standpoint and an experience of my own standpoint. Each kitten is different. But, generally this is good advice. You are welcome to disagree. And as far as "nightmare profile" for kittens... Again, this site isn't trying to make kittens seem that way. We are trying to make people see that they are babies in general and like human children, they are not perfect and you will have to be understanding of that and not be overly sensitive. We are not trying to scare anyone from getting a kitten, just give them a realistic picture of what to expect. This saves a lot from being turned in to the shelter or on to the streets later. The biggest thing is that kittens are not kittens for very long... They grow up and become cats but they are still your responsibility for their life. You are making a lifetime commitment to them and that is the biggest thing those on this site are trying to stress.... Not that kittens are bad. You are taking the wrong message from advice I am afraid.
Honestly, I have a kitten who is now approaching adolescence (I've had him since 11 weeks and he is now 5 and 1/2 months) and didn't experience anything like this. He did have to be kicked out of the bedroom and cried a bit over that, but adjusted within two days and overall has been pretty easy. Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe I went into this expecting puppy-levels of work, but we've been fine. All I did was buy the standard cat toys, climbing tree and a few scratching posts and haven't had any serious problems with scratching or inappropriate climbing. We do occasionally have some play aggression, but when it happens it's generally been a few days since he's had a long play session and he does not break skin, so I'm figuring it's pretty mild and he'll likely outgrow it. The level of effort required probably depends on the kitten, as Hunter does have lower energy (he's a ragdoll, so not entirely unexpected). I don't know how he'd be with adult cats, as he is an only kitten, but I was honestly a little surprised at how smoothly everything's gone, as it seems like half the internet was trying to convince me a kitten was going to ruin my life. Adolescence I imagine will bring some challenges, but kittenhood really wasn't bad and I'd be fine if he retained this level of energy into adulthood. He's just chilling next to me on the couch as I write this and I don't think he's moved for the past two hours. No guarantees your kitten will be the same, as it seems a lot of people do get demon kittens, but some of them are just fine. He is an absolute moron, who adores all strangers, is a terrible climber and is far too acclimated to sudden noises (probably because we live in the city and there's always loud noises), but he's a real sweetheart who is super lucky he's an indoor only cat. And yes, he is healthy, just a calm kitten. Once again, he may be a rarity but he certainly doesn't fit the nightmare kitten profile I'm always seeing online.
EDIT: For diet, he is on mostly wet, but I do leave out dry during the day as I work full time and that's too long for a young kitten to go without food. I'll probably start weaning him off it in a few months as he doesn't really like it anyway but he'll eat it if he's hungry. Also, buy pill pockets and use them as an occasional treat. Hunter goes crazy for them and swallows them whole, which makes him super easy to medicate. He actually gets excited when I take out medicine (he's had to be on pills after swallowing some string from one of his toys, which is now garbage, and for pain management post neuter).
