Are you longing to introduce a little bundle of fur into your life? Kittens are a stress reliever and a sweet companion that can brighten up your days. If you are thinking of adopting a kitten, there are plenty of rescue groups and animal shelters that you can choose from. Pet stores and breeders can also be reputable sources, or you can get your kitten from a friend whose cat had a litter recently. No matter where you get your lovable little feline, you shouldn’t take your kitten home until he or she is about 8 weeks old. Make sure that your cat is handled and well cared for before you purchase. Cats that spend their first months of life in a dirty environment are more prone to diseases.

When you are picking out a kitten, more than one little feline might catch your eye. In some cases, you may be stuck wondering if you should get two kittens instead of one. If you have the space, time, and money to care for two kittens, then go ahead and get double the fun. If you purchase two cats, they will be able to keep each other company. In some cases, a cat with a companion is healthier than one who is the only animal in the home. Before you take your kitty (or kitties) home, you will want to prepare. You will want to buy water and food dishes, a litter box with kitty litter and a scooper, cat toys, and a small kennel to put your kittens in. Bring that kitty kennel with you to the pet shop or shelter so that you will have a way to transport your animal. It’s not safe to let a kitten crawl around the car. Also, before your pick up your kitten, put away all household chemicals and clear up any spots where the kitten could be in potential danger.

When you are purchasing a cat, you will need to think about whether this cat will be kept indoors or outdoors. Normally it is safer to keep a cat inside. This eliminates the danger of predators like hawks and coyotes who may think that your precious pet is the perfect late night snack. Yet if you keep your cat indoors you should provide him or her with plenty of space to walk around and play, or else the animal might become bored and scratch your furniture or cause other damages. When you bring kitten home, make sure to have the right food ready. Call the pet shop or breeder that you are getting your kitten from ahead of time to ask what sort of food they are feeding the felines. That way, you won’t switch them to a brand new food right away. This can sometimes cause kittens to have digestive problems.

When you kitten is little, he or she will eat twice as many calories as an adult cat to fuel his or her growth. This is why it is important that you feed your pet kitten food for his or her first year. You will want to talk to your vet to found out whether you should feed your kitten dry food, wet food, or a combination. Make sure to have plenty of fresh water available for your thirsty kitten as well! When your kitty first comes home, you will need to teach it where the litter box is. When your pet fails to use the litter box, reprimand him or her and then take him or her to the litter box right away.

This will help your kitten to learn where he or she needs to head when nature calls. If you have more questions about bringing home a kitten, talk to your local vet. It is imperative that you take your kitten in for a check-up within the first week of bringing him or her home. You vet can tell you how to best care for your pet’s health and what shots he or she still needs to get. Try to locate a veterinarian that you can stick with for the remainder of your cat’s life. By bringing your animal to one vet, that pet doctor will be able to diagnose your animal more accurately and know his or her needs in a better way. Remember to spend time playing with your kitten every day. Felines have natural instincts to hunt and attack, and they manifest this in how they play with you. Playing with your kitten will give him or her the healthy exercise that he or she needs. Talk to your local vet right away for more kitty rearing tips!