- Never take a kitten away from its' mother before 6 weeks of age, ideally the best age to get a kitten is 7-8 weeks. Of course, you can get an adult cat.
- If you want a purebred, get it from a breeder who has taken the parents to shows to prove they are a good representation of the breed, worthy of passing on their genetics. If you want a regular cat, always check your local shelters first. Never support pet stores or people giving away kittens, typically free kittens cost more in the long run.
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- Never pay for a pet that has not been vet checked, vaccinated, or come with some sort of health guarantee.
- Keep your new kitty in a small room for the first few days, with food, water, and a litter box. If it is a young kitten it should be put in this room at night or when you are away for the first few weeks.
- Keep your new pet on its' current food for the first few weeks, and make any changes to diet gradually.
- Investigate food quality, generally any food purchased at a grocery store is not good quality. Better food means better health, and fewer poops in the litter box. Most cat foods are low quality. Make sure your cats food is a good source of meat, not corn.
- Use stainless steel, or ceramic bowls, never plastic. Change the water twice daily.
- Clean the litter box regularly, a dirty litter box will result in a cat that refuses to use it. If the cat does ever refuse to use the litter box, always check for medical reasons.
- Provide several toys, and rotate them every two weeks, cats like toys they think are new.
- Be tolerant of a cats natural behaviors, like clawing, if you cannot accept that a kitten will claw things, do not get a kitten, select an older animal, or invest in a claw protective product. Declawing should be a last resort and risks many side effects.
- Start your kitten wearing a safety collar, even if it is to be indoors only, this is a good idea.
- Spay female cats at six months, neuter males at eight months. This is the best thing a pet owner can do if they are not going to be taking their pets to shows. With millions euthanized every year, there is no point in breeding more unless your pet is in the top 1% of the breed, and has been to shows to prove such.
- Do not let a kitten outdoors if it has not been spayed or neutered and is not wearing some kind of permanent identification.
- Ideally do not let your pet outdoors unless you have a way of keeping it safe, either a cat run, or have it harness trained. The kitty in the photo is lucky, she has a cat run so can go outside, and be safe.
- Vaccinate regularly and be willing to take your cat to the vet if there are concerns
- Own your cat because you can give it a good life, not because having it makes your live better.
- If at any time you cannot provide proper care for your cat, seek help.
- Do not move into a place that does not allow pets.
- Remember, compared to your own, your pets life will be short, you are their whole world, they depend on you for food, love, care, and companionship, make sure their life is full.
- In the end, the toughest thing for you to do will be to say good bye to them, however this is the one time they need you most of all. Do not extend the life of a suffering animal for your own needs, do not turn them over to a stranger. Be there for them in the end. As painful as it may be, you will not regret it, this is the one thing, above all else, you must do for them.
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