Things to Consider before Buying Your Cat or Kitten by Pet Care 360

Are You Ready for a Cat?

If falling in love with a bright eyed and fluffy tailed kitten, then you really have to ask yourself if you have the life that will support a pet cat. It is important for you to work out whether you will be able to live in the same house with a cat, or if you will be able to take care of requirements. This guide will help you find the answer.

Allergies, Insurance and Health

The first thing that you should consider is whether you are allergic to cats. The simplest test is to play with a friend’s kitten or cat and let her come in contact with your boby or clothes. If there are no adverse skin reactions or sneezing, then you are most certainly not allergic to cats. If you want to be sure about this then you should consider having a special allergy test at your local doctors surgery.

Generally, cats should not cause health issues in your family provided that no one is allergic to animals. However, cats and kittens can fall ill. Most dangerous and contagious cat conditions can be prevented with vaccinations these days, but you have to be prepared to take care of your pet if she falls ill at any point.

The next thing to consider is cat insurance, you will need to find a good insurance comparison site. Finding the right site means that you will get the best comparison between all cat insurance providers. Doing this type of comparison means that you will definitely get the best insurance deal for your cat or kitten. There are many types of cat insurance so make sure you get the best one possible for you little kitty.

Cats are susceptible to parasites, Fleas can become a problem for humans when they are in the home. That is why it is important for you to administer effective flea control if fleas were to infestate your home. You should be prepared for dealing with fleas in your house by keeping powers and other flea controls, which you can purchase from a good pet shop.

These are important things to understand as owners have to know about the responsibilities of keeping cats as well as the joy of ownership. Be aware that kittens are very much like children, they will be into everything and they will do their best to destory your home:-)

Lifestyle

You really have to ask yourself whether a pet cat can fit into your home and of course your life! Cats are more independent compared to dogs, but they will still need some love and care. If you cannot devote enough time to playing with your cat/s then he/she may become aggressive and cause a lot of trouble with other cats or members of your family. Also, if you travel on business or stay away from home for long periods of time, then you may find it difficult to keep cats.

Our recommendation would be to get two cats if you are at work all day or if there is no one at home. You will find that your cats will keep each other company. however make sure you socializing with them at least once a day as this is really important.

Generally, cats do not need much space to play and be free. That is why keeping cats in an apartment or flat shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Make sure you give them a comfortable place to sleep and find a secluded place for their litter tray.

Are you prepared to care for a pet?

You have to be willing and able to care for your cat. Firstly, you have to consider the financial side! Caring for a cat can be very costly. Your new cat will need a bed, bowls, a litter tray, teeth cleaning accessories, toys and a grooming kit. Your pet will need good quality food. Cats require some vaccinations which are really important. Remember, even when vaccinated they are not completly safe from all disease, so you will have to provide drugs to prevent parasites and visits to the vet for treatment if required. There are ways to save such as buying pet cat insurance which will really help, but you have to be prepared financially to keep your cat.

Caring for your pet requires a lot of time and effort on your part. You have to be able to feed a kitten four times a day for example. You should brush your kitten once to twice a week depending on her coat. Clipping nails is an important part of the care schedule for your kitten, so are grooming and cleaning teeth.

You have to be able to provide a safe and secure home for your pet kitten. Remember cats prefer peace and quiet at least in the place where they sleep. Also kittens are like children so keep all hazards such as medicines and cleaning produced away and out of sight. Some plants and foods are also poisonous to kittens, so you have to keep those away from your kitten too. Make sure you have a safe and comfort environment when you bring your new cat home as they will explore their new surroundings

Pedigree or House Cats?

Most people prefer to get a pedigree cat. This has a lot of fundamental advantages over a moggy. Firstly, you will have a clear idea of what your pedigree cat is going to be like. You will also know how to cater for your cats special needs like grooming, food and health care.

On the other hand, common house cats are much less predictable when it comes to character and temperament. However, such a cat will cost you very little or virtually nothing to get. Generally, the choice of house cats is considerably greater than pedigree.

It is up to you to decide whether you prefer a pedigree cat or a common moggy? It should be highlighted that your pet’s affection for you and your relationship in general will not be affected by your choice of breed.

Kitten or Adult Cat

It’s natural to fall for a cute little kitten. However, you must bear in mind that kittens are much more energetic and will need much more of your attension. They play more and tend to be very mischievous until they are properly trained. You will have to devote lots of time and effort to making your kitten feel comfortable around you and in your family. You will need to train your cat to behave and to use the litter tray. Adult cats, are more relaxed and will get used to their new home much more quickly. They will require little or no training however it’s imporant that you choose the right adult cat before you take them home, so be selective when choosing cats.

Buying a kitten is a life changing decision that you will need to make before purchase. We always tell people to make a list of the pro and cons of owning a kitten, remember you will need adequate cat insurance just in case anything was to go wrong. Be prepared as things do happen more so than not in the first few months of a kittens life!

We have been involved with cats for more than 20years so make sure you go to a good breeder, and research the cat that you are buying for unwanted conditions.