A little kitten is adorable.When well taken care of, these balls of fun can become adult cats that can provide years of friendship.Buying a kitten is more than just picking the prettiest one in the bunch.It's important for you to know how much goes into buying a kitten, and whether or not you want to own one.
Step 1: Determine your budget.
The costs of cat ownership need to be considered if you are planning on buying a kitten.A kitten can cost anywhere from $500 to over $3,000 in its first year of life, depending on how much you are willing and able to spend.The lower the amount, the less expensive it is to meet your cat's basic needs.Considering that the average cat can live up to 15 years, you'll need to think about whether you can make such a long-term financial commitment for a pet.It is a good idea to think about this before buying a kitten.Even though it costs less to care for a cat than a dog, there are still expenses that need to be covered to meet your kitten's needs.
Step 2: Do you have the time for a new kitten?
A kitten requires a lot of your time on a daily basis.You will need to feed her, change her water, and scoop her litterbox every day.You have to change the litter in her litterbox every few days.Your kitten will need a lot of playtime to release her energy.It's important to give her enough time to sleep before she goes to bed.In addition to playtime, your kitten will need some quieter interaction with you, like laying in your lap or cuddling.Basic training like where to scratch and how to use the litter box are required for quality time with your kitten.As they grow older, kittens who have a lot of time with their owners tend to have less behavioral problems.
Step 3: Is it possible to handle a new kitten?
In her quest to explore her new environment, a little ball of fun can turn into a lot of destruction.Your kitten will want to experience everything in your home, even if that means jumping all over your furniture or trying to climb up your curtains.Your kitten may want to dig in your plants, explore the inside of your toilet, or hop into the washer and dryer.After one year of age, kittens tend to become less active and exploratory.You have to decide if you have the patience to wait out the year before she calms down.Cat-proof your house if you think you have the patience for a kitten to explore.Keep all toxic substances out of reach, close the toilet bowl lid, and hide any small objects that she could swallow, for example, safety pins, yarn, rubber bands.
Step 4: If your other pets would like a kitten.
It can be difficult to introduce a new pet to your home.The new kitten could be seen as a prey by dogs.Depending on the ages and temperaments of your other pets, the new kitten's boundless energy and curiosity could be very troublesome.If you have a bird, the kitten may take a keen interest in him, which could make your bird very stressed.If you decide to buy a kitten, you should not leave her alone with your other pets until you are sure she will be safe with them.If you're interested in buying a kitten, a good breeder, animal rescue group, or animal shelter will want to know if you have other pets.
Step 5: You can visit your local animal shelter.
Once you make the decision to buy a kitten, you will realize that there are many places to find kittens, such as animal shelters or cat breeders.You should research each possibility before making a decision on where to buy your kitten.A kitten can be found at an animal shelter.Shelter kittens have received basic veterinary care.The temperaments of kittens from an animal shelter have already been evaluated by a vet.Knowing the kitten's personality can help you decide if she would be a good fit in your home.If you want to know how to care for your kitten after you take her home, the staff at the animal shelter can give you useful information.
Step 6: You should research your local rescue groups.
Buying a kitten from an animal rescue group is a great option.Often, animal rescue groups coordinate with animal shelters to provide foster homes for animals that are available for adoption.You may be able to find a local breed specific animal rescue group if you are looking for a specific cat breed.
Step 7: Ask what you need to know.
Ask the staff at the animal shelters and rescue group centers a lot of questions.Ask if the facility is a 'no-kill' shelter.If the animals have not been adopted by a certain time, the shelters will not kill them.What type of veterinary care do the animals receive?You should ask about the adoption process and what happens if the kitten becomes sick after you take her home.If you want to know more about a particular kitten, ask about her history, such as where she came from, what type of veterinary she has received, and how old she is.Ask as many questions as you can think of.
Step 8: You can visit local cat breeders.
If you're looking for a specific cat breed, you need to buy your kitten from a breeder.Some breeders do not follow ethical breeding practices and are only trying to make more money.Before buying a kitten, it is important to research the breeders.Before buying a kitten from a breeder, be sure to check out the premises.Walk around to make sure everything is well lit.Check for overcrowding.It's a sign that the breeder doesn't care about properly caring for the cats.Adult male and female cats will be separated by a good breeder.The smell of urine is most likely from the adult male cats, as their hygiene is less than desirable during breeding season.If the smell is not old, you don't have to worry about it.A good breeder may separate the adults from the kittens in order to prevent viral transmission.The kittens are not exposed to germs from the other adult cats.Take a look at the adult cats and kittens to see if they are well cared for and healthy.
Step 9: Ask questions
It is important to ask a cat breeder a lot of questions.An ethical, responsible breeder will be happy to answer your questions.Ask the breeder how they prevent or minimize the development of genetic diseases in the cats since intense inbreeding can lead to genetic defects.A responsible breeder will not only explain how he or she does this, but will also be very honest with you about the possibility of a kitten having a genetic disorder.Ask if the kittens have been tested for infectious diseases, as well as how sick cats are treated at the breeding facility.A good breeder will be able to provide documentation of veterinary care.You can ask the breeder what he or she feeds the kittens.After they have finished nursing, kittens that are fed high-quality food are likely to be healthy.If you want to be a responsible pet owner, the breeder will probably ask you some questions.The breeder wants you to take good care of the kitten you purchase, just like you want the breeder to sell you a healthy and well-adjusted kitten.
Step 10: Read the contract.
Before purchasing a kitten, a responsible breeder will have a written health guarantee and contract for you to sign.The documents outline everything you need to know about buying a kitten before you sign the dotted line.If you have questions about the documents' content, ask the breeder.
Step 11: Do not buy a kitten from a pet store.
This can't be emphasized enough.Similar to how puppies come from puppy mills, the cute kittens you see in pet stores could very well be from kitten mills.The staff at a pet store may not be as knowledgeable about animal care as those at an animal shelter or rescue group center.The staff at a pet store may be more interested in making a sale than making sure you buy a kitten that is best for you.Puppies and kittens are no longer sold at many chain pet stores.Adoption events will be hosted at their stores.A local animal shelter or rescue group will have some pets available for adoption at the events.
Step 12: Do not buy a kitten on the internet.
It is easy to see all of the adorable kittens that are for sale on various websites.You should not buy a kitten from the internet if you have not visited the breeding facility.You can view kittens in your area.You can see which kittens are available for adoption on the website.The kitten can be seen in person at the shelter location.Many shelters and rescue groups have websites where you can look at pictures of their pets.
Step 13: A good time to look at the kitten is when it is young.
You should observe her to be certain she is a good fit for you.It is a good time to see her in action.Older cats tend to get sleepy after dinner.The kitten will probably be too tired to show off her personality if she has been playing with her littermates.If you want to purchase a kitten from a shelter, it's a good idea to ask when the kitten is likely to be the most active.
Step 14: The kitten is interacting in her environment.
You can tell a lot about your kitten's personality by how she interacts with other animals and people in her environment.If she is right for you, this interaction can help.A kitten that is playful, but not aggressive, with her littermates is showing that she is confident and not a bully.A kitten that is well socialized plays well with her littermates.A well-socialized kitten is less likely to have behavioral problems later in life.A kitten that hides from her littermates or other people may not be ready to be adopted.She might need more time to socialize.Ask how much the kitten is handled.A good indication of how well she has been socialized to people is how often a kitten is handled.The kitten's mom and siblings should be observed as well.You can find out more about the kitten you are interested in by looking at how they interact with each other.
Step 15: Take care of the kitten.
It is important for you to interact with the kitten yourself after observing it from a distance.She approaches and interacts with you on the floor.A confident and inquisitive kitten will walk up to you.The kitten should be encouraged to play with you.If you want to play with the kitten, you should ask for a kitten-safe toy.Pick up the kitten after playing with her.She probably won't mind being handled by you if she's already used to it.She may be a little timid, but she shouldn't bite you.If you're going to be around a kitten for the first time, you might want to ask the staff how to keep the kitten safe.
Step 16: Take a physical exam of your kitten.
Your kitten's personality should be assessed along with her overall health.It is a good idea to have your own vet examine her.It is best to have your kitten examined before it is adopted.Your kitten will be examined by your vet from head to toe, as well as listen to her lungs and heart.Your vet may also do an exam on your kitten.Your vet will check your kitten for parasites.A good body condition, soft fur, clean ears, white teeth, and a clear rear end are some of the indications of good health.It's not necessary for your kitten to have a clean bill of health before you adopt her.Before taking her home, you need to know her health and physical condition.