|
Responsibilities Of Owning A New Kitten - Are You Prepared? |
By:
Jane Tompsett |
|
|
Responsibilities Of Owning A New Kitten - Are You Prepared?
Jane Tompsett
One thing many people don't consider when they first decide to adopt a kitten or two is the expected lifespan of those new additions to your feline family and the ongoing responsibilities it will bring. Newborn kittens are the cutest baby animals ever but if you are to give them a permanent home you will need to be responsible for their health and well-being for between 15 and 20 years.
There are additional factors that need to be taken into consideration and one of the most important is the ongoing expense of owning a kitten that will very quickly grow into an adult cat.
Obviously you're going to need to spend money on food and good nutrition but there will be additional expenses such as vaccinations and other veterinarian costs that need to be considered. Pet insurance is a great idea but be careful to read the small print as many companies reduce the level of cover progressively as the cat grows older - but without a corresponding reduction in cost!
Also, in the same way that people have different characters and personailites, cats' characters are many and varied. Your expectation of owning a soppy lap-cat may not be met so you must be prepared to accept your developing kitten's personality come what may.
Ideally you should find a cat whose personality matches your own and there are many excellent books available in libraries and bookstores that will give you a good description of the type of personality to be expected from the various different breeds of cats.
Indoor cats will require significantly more attention than those able to spend time outside and you will have to be happy to give them this. Will you also be willing to keep a litter box clean on a daily basis? Do you have a suitable place in your home to accommodate this box? All these questions must be answered before you can take on the responsibility of a new kitten.
Are you prepared to invest time in grooming your pet? Most cats take care of keeping their fur clean and well groomed themselves but as they get older, aching joints often prevent them from doing such a good job. This is when you may need to take over their grooming for them. And how do you feel about them shedding thier fur over your furniture? If you love cats, you may see this as just another part of cat-ownership but less enthusiastic owners may find the constant need to clean their clothes and furniture of pet hair too much to cope with.
If you like to travel or are away from home a lot of the time, you will need to arrange for someone to care for your cat in your absence. There are several options to consider: a friend who is willing to visit twice a day, a commercial 'home visiting' service or a stay in a boarding cattery. All options have their advantages, disadvantages and costs to take into account before making your choice. And as always, the emotional wellbeing of your cat is paramount.
Once you have considered all the negative aspects of giving a kitten a home and if you feel that you are able to meet all these needs happily, then the fun part of sharing your home with a kitten can start.
There is nothing finer on a chilly, dark evening than having your feline companion sit purring contentedly on your lap after a hard day's work is over. The love and loyalty a cat can bring to your life has been shown to have positive health and life benefits for its owner but personally, I just think that sharing a few, purr-filled moments with your pet is reward enough.
Discover the joys and responsibilities of giving a home to a new kitten. Learn all you need to know about http://www.howtodeliverkittens.com/ caring for your kitten's needs and subscribe to Jane Tompsett's free http://www.howtodeliverkittens.com/ Cat Owners Confidential newsletter by following these links
|
|
Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article67302.html |
|
|
|
|
|
