Hey kitty-kitty!
Taking ownership of an animal of any species is a massive decision for someone to make. Too often the decision is made rashly and the pet suffers because of it; falling victim to today's prevailing throw-away culture. A simple love of animals is not sufficient to be a successful pet owner. It requires a lot of time and it is a constant commitment. Cats can live for up to 20 years, perhaps beyond. This means that if you buy a kitten when you are 28 years of age, that same feline could be with you when you are 50 years old. That's quite a commitment; especially if you are a busy parent and/or already have a full time job, which requires you to start early and work late. Do you live near a busy road? Are you likely to have to uproot and move houses any time soon? All of these things need to be considered. If there are any doubts in your mind then it is probably best to delay your purchase of a cute kitten because they invariably grow in to bundles of responsibility.
For some it is the longevity of the commitment that appeals to them. They understand that pet care is a full-time obligation, much like being a parent. And they relish the opportunity to build up a close, loving relationship with a pet of their very own. They may be fully prepared to commit the time necessary and have the right facilities too. That's great! However, this is not to say that a cat is the right pet for them either.
There are a constantly expanding range of species of pet gracing the examination tables of today's veterinary clinics. From labradoodles to bantoms, from degus to geckos - there exists a veritable plethora of animal species to choose from. There is, in short, something for everyone.
People often choose to buy a kitten in the mistaken belief that they will grow into independent cats that can fend for themselves. Cats are often seen as the lower commitment option when compared to their canine counterparts. However, cats and kittens require just as much care and attention as any other animal - having the same needs of regular meals, ready access to clean water and a warm, safe environment in which to rest their heads. Buying a kitten and then conveniently forgetting about it when it stops meeting your particular definition of 'cute' is unacceptable. If you desire something interesting to look at but which requires only minimal care then we recommend that you buy yourself a goldfish, or better yet, one of those virtual pets that raise their metallic heads every year around Christmas time.
Family planning. I'm sure that is one subject that you did not expect to be broached by this article. However, if you are planning a family it is important that you are fully aware of the risks that cats can pose to pregnant women and their unborn children. Cats are the definitive hosts of a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which can be passed in their faeces and transmitted to people. Sadly, the parasite can cause developmental defects in unborn babies. Shockingly, this has even led some people to suggest that cats should be banned as pets. While, we do not agree with this extreme viewpoint, it is clearly advisable that pregnant women exercise caution when coming into contact with cats, even indirectly.
It is not the intention of this article to deter all would be kitten-buyers. Far from it, we believe that there are few joys greater than that of owning a pet and forging an incomparably strong bond with it. However, it is important for your sake and for the sake of any pet which you may at some point own, that you ensure you are fully prepared for the responsibility of pet ownership, or more specifically kitten/cat ownership.
If even after reading all of this pet advice you still have your heart set on buying a kitten and believe you would make a very fine owner then go for it! Once you buy your kitten it will be your job to help it grow into a strong, healthy adult cat.
Training Your Kitten - Tips and Advice
If you are the proud owner of a new kitten, you may be thinking about all of the fun that you will have with your pet. Along with playtime, you will need to teach your kitty acceptable behavior. Cats, like other animals, are easiest to train while young, so you should immediately begin training when you bring your new pet home. The following list includes the main areas to cover in your kitten training.
What items can be played with
Cats enjoy batting at objects, but you probably don't want him or her batting at your prized breakables. The best strategy is to keep these items in a locked, glass case. Otherwise, you will have to teach the animal that certain shelves and furniture items are off limits. Encourage your feline to bat at toys, feathers, and other acceptable targets.
Litter Box Training
This is a key task. You do not want your new pet to use your flooring as a bathroom. Make sure your animal has easy access to a litter box at all times. Luckily, many felines train themselves to use the litter box since they are clean by nature.
Where to Scratch
Scratching is natural kitty behavior. While a kitten's tiny claws may not do much damage, rest assured that an untrained adult cat will. Offer scratching posts and other devices that your pet can use and immediately redirect him or her to the scratching toy if you see scratching occurring in inappropriate places.
Areas that Are Off Limits
Cats like to climb which often leads them into trouble. You will probably want to keep kitty off of your kitchen table, counters and window coverings. Decide before bringing your pet home which places will be off limits so you can begin training immediately.
Socialization
Your new kitten may not have been exposed much to people, kids or other animals. You will need to teach him or her good kitty manners to reduce the chance of someone or another pet being hurt.
By addressing the areas mentioned above, you should have a good start on kitten training and eventually have a well-behaved adult cat.
Posted by Admin