How to take care of a new cat?

[jvrlopez]

I'm getting a kitten on Monday.



The one with the white.

Uh, how do I take care of it? Is there anything specific I should do or get?

Thanks.

[Nixon]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Cool, kittens are usually a lot of fun.

I could try think of all the stuff you should know, but I'll let the internet do that for me!
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Animal_Care/Cat

[jvrlopez]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Great!

Thanks.

[Nixon]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Their "how to hold a kitten" advice is kinda stupid, though. You don't grab them by the scruff of the neck unless they're being bad or won't budge. Plus if you do that enough, the cat will hate you.

As far at toys go, most cats are happy with junk around the house, like crumpled up paper balls and string. I get my cats those little fuzz mice sometimes, and they usually end up hitting them under the stove or the fridge.

[jvrlopez]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?



LOOKS PAINFUL.

[Nixon]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

I like how they add "How to feed a kitten. Do not grasp it in the way it hurts."

The only time you need to really keep them in place is if you're giving them medicine. If it's food or formula, they usually just sit there and let you feed them.

[jvrlopez]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Will it leave my house?

I don't want it wondering out the gate or anything.

[Nixon]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

I wouldn't let it leave until it's older. Otherwise something in the neighborhood (car, dog, etc) will probably take it out. It also needs to hang out for a while to pick up the sights and smells of the area, so it knows where to return to.

[jvrlopez]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Do I need to get it shots?

[Nixon]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Where are you getting this kitten? They should vaccinate them beforehand, but if not then just talk to your vet. You don't need to get it fixed until it's older (6 months, maybe).

[jvrlopez]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Off a friend.

I guess I'll get it taken to the vet.

Any cost estimations?

[Seraph]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Get the shots, for sure. It's expensive, but it's very important to the cats health even if it's an indoor cat. Our cat got it's first three shots, and will continue to get a new one every year. If your gonna have a pet, you have to make the sacrifice. As far as caring for it goes, it's like a little kid so just be prepared to give the cat lots of attention and affection. And do not buy cat food from the grocery store, but from a pet store. Name brands like Whiskas are known to give cats urinary tract infections and kidney stones.

Edit: We paid $60 per first three shots (Canadian). Each yearly shot should be about $40 I think.

[Nixon]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

I think it's pretty cheap, shouldn't be more than $35-40. You can always ask beforehand. They tack-on some BS fees sometimes, depending on the city/county.

It would be cool if your friend if they got them shots already, but if not it's nothing major.

[jvrlopez]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?

Yeah, I'm gonna give em a call.

Thanks everyone.

[Reki]

Re: How to take care of a new cat?