Tips For Buying A Kitten For The Family Home
Buying a kitten for the family home is no small feat and while they may be small to begin with, they come with a lot of responsibilities. They might not need much walking in comparison to a dog, but they still may require attention on a daily basis, as well as the basic needs to keep them alive – which they’ll rely on you for.
It should be a decision that you carefully consider and understand fully before committing yourself to getting a kitten. While they look cute and you love the idea of having a kitten, they can be hard work and like dogs, they’re not just for the festive season or for gift giving. They’ll take up a lot of your life, so it’s good to know you’re choosing the right one.
Identify the types of breeds available
There are lots of different cat breeds available nowadays and like dog breeds, it’s good to get familiar with all of them. It’s useful to do your research because there will be some kittens that will be readily available and others that are harder to find.
You might also have had an idea of what cat breed you want and if it turns out that the cat isn’t a good match for you and your household, it might have been something you could have avoided and looked at with some initial research.
Take a look at all the types you’re interested in and look closely at what cat breeds are going to work best for you and your household.
Set a budget
Setting s budget is important because not all cats are free or cheap. Whether you get them through a breeder or from a shelter, you’re likely going to be exchanging some money in order to have them in your home.
Therefore, you should identify what budget you have available and where your limits lie. While you might want certain cat breeds, some of them might be out of your price bracket. You also have to think about their upkeep to keep them healthy and happy which might be expensive for some breeds in particular.
Find a breeder or shelter
Breeder or shelter? It’s a personal preference with some people preferring one to the other, while other cat owners aren’t that fussed. It’s good to have a decision on which route you’re going to take unless you’re not that strict and would explore both options.
You should be picking out reputable and licensed breeders and the same goes for the shelters that you go to support.
There are plenty of great options out there whether you’re looking for a British Longhair for sale or a Siamese. But make sure that they are ticking all the boxes when it comes to safety and reputation.
Prepare your list of must-haves
A list of must-haves is super important when you first get your kitten. You want to make sure that you’re making a note of all the things you’re going to need to keep your kitten happy and healthy day in, and day out.
From a cat bed to scratching poles, toys, and medication, you’ll want to check that you have everything prepped and ready ahead of their arrival. Just like dogs and babies, cats can often come with a lot of purchases, so it’s always good to drip-feed the purchases in order to spread the expense that will certainly come with getting a new kitten.
Cat-proof the home
Cat-proofing the home is something that you should definitely do in order to get your home in the right state for a small kitten. There will be lots of exploring and playing with your belongings, so it’s good to hide anything you don’t want to be scratched or knawed through.
Cat proofing should be done on all fours but also in places that a cat can climb. There are plenty of plays that a cat can lounge or explore, so you want to ensure all ground is covered and protected.
Take time off work to settle in
It’s always a good idea to take some time off work when you get a new animal in the home. Whether it’s a bird, dog, or cat, taking time off to allow them to settle in and for you to build that initial relationship with the pet is imperative.
These tips will hopefully make buying a kitten a little easier and a lot more exciting. It’s always good to be well-prepared!
This is really great info. Thanks for sharing.