Kitten Care Guide

Welcome to the Kitten Care Guide! If you are reading this then you probably already own a little ball of furry fun (unless, of course, you own a hairless kitten such as a Sphynx…then you own a little ball of skin and whiskers). Well, for those of you that are still contemplating the idea of getting a kitten…here are a few things to think about before you take that final leap into kitty world. 

Owning a pet (and I mean ANY PET) is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Pets (unless you own one of the rock variety) are living, breathing creatures that require proper care in order to thrive. Below are some questions to ask yourself BEFORE you take the plunge and either adopt or purchase a kitten. Think about each question and answer it honestly.  Millions of unwanted pets are surrendered to animal shelters (the pound) and rescue groups each year. Don’t fall into this category…do your research FIRST!!

First and foremost, are you ready to make a LONG commitment to your kitten? Kittens eventually turn into cats and cats can live a long time. When I say long…I mean possibly up to 18 years…maybe more! If that isn’t a commitment, I don’t know what is!

Can you afford a kitten? Nothing in this world is free, people. Sorry about that. The average cost of raising a kitten is $400 to $700 per year. Of course, your kitty will probably cost you the most when you first bring him or her home. You will need to buy all of the kitten essentials (which you can read about in an up-coming post). Plus, you need to consider medical and food bills. If money is tight and you can barely feed yourself, you may want to hold off on getting a kitty until you are more comfortable in the $$ department.

Do you work long hours or travel a lot? Cats are much more independent than dogs and can be left alone for longer periods of time. However, kittens need extra love and attention. ..especially during their formative months.  After all, someone needs to teach them good manners and how to behave when home alone! If you are not home the majority of the day, you may want to consider adopting an older feline. Trust me; there are many older, loving cats in the world that need good homes.

Do you or anyone else in your home suffer from allergies? Just because you have allergies does not mean that you cannot own a kitten. It may, however, mean that you have to put in a little more work when it comes to your kitty (and your health).  Giving your kitten frequent baths can reduce dander which may help those that suffer from allergies…however; bathing a kitten (or a cat) is easier said than done! Vacuuming and allergy shots may also help. Again, if you suffer from allergies, think long and hard before bringing home a kitten. Not only will you suffer from red eyes and uncontrollable sneezing you AND your kitten will suffer when you have to give him away.

If you own your home then you don’t have to worry about whether or not you are allowed to have a kitten. However, if you rent, it would be a good idea to check with your landlord or rental office before getting a kitten. Many landlords do not allow pets and if they do, they often require a pet deposit.

Are you a neat freak? Do you tend to freak out when things are out of place or if something in your home gets dirty? If so, then a clumsy, curious little kitten may not be the best pet for you. Kittens (and cats) have been known to knock over potted plants, unwind an entire roll of toilet paper, or worse, cough up a hair-ball or two. If the thought of the before mentioned things are causing your skin to crawl, consider getting a goldfish instead.

So there you have it….six questions to seriously think about BEFORE you get a kitten.  Kittens are adorable and a lot of fun, however, it is very important to determine if you are REALLY READY to care for and commit to a living animal that will depend solely on you for its health and happiness.  The decision to get a pet is an important one. Do your homework and don’t make any spur-of-the-moment decisions that you may regret later!

Filed under: General Kitten Information on February 2nd, 2009