Getting a new pet is exciting. For some people, it’s their first time having another living creature in the house. Others think of pet adoption as a time to add another member to their family. You can tell a lot about a person based on the animal they want to bring into their home. If someone wants to adopt a kitten, they typically enjoy relaxing. Kittens are a popular first animal to get because a lot of people think they’re easier to raise than dogs.
Unlike dogs, cats don’t need to be walked every day. Cats are self-sufficient, and many owners claim that there are days they don’t ever see their animal. Plenty of cats enjoy playing in boxes or relaxing in dark rooms where they can’t be found. For many people, the idea of raising a kitten is more ideal than raising a dog. There are still plenty of questions you need to ask yourself before splurging on a kitten, though.
Getting a kitten is a huge responsibility, whether it’s your first pet or you’re a seasoned professional. For starters, it’s important to ask yourself if you can afford a kitten. It would be unfair to your kitten if you got one that financially overwhelmed you. This isn’t the most fun question to ask yourself, but it’s important to reflect on it. Another important question to ask is if the kitten has been neutered and dewormed. If it hasn’t, it’s important to know how much it will cost. For more pet content, click here to read about 10 things you did not know that dogs could do.
To compile this list of 10 questions to ask before buying a kitten, 24/7 Tempo consulted animal-related sources. These include Everypaw Pet Insurance, RSPCA, and PETA.
Can I afford a kitten?
This is a question that many people don’t ask themselves and fully think through before getting a kitten. They think that a kitten doesn’t come with a huge financial burden, since they usually don’t require as much attention as dogs do. However, kittens still have needs. For starters, kittens require litter boxes to go to the bathroom in. Lots of people opt for automatic litter boxes so they don’t have to clean up the mess their pet makes.
Another thing kittens need is food. Kittens require tons of food to keep up with them while they grow to their adult size. Kittens also love play sets, so pet owners often set aside money for that. Keeping pets healthy is a must, so tons of pet owners decide to get pet insurance. All of these bills add up quickly if you aren’t careful, so take the time to think about if you can afford a new pet.
Can I trust someone to watch the kitten if I’m gone?
Finding someone to watch your kitten is important whenever you go on vacation. While kittens are able to fly and drive places with you these days, occasionally, it’s nice to enjoy alone time. This means that whenever you’re planning a trip somewhere, regardless of how many days it is, you’re going to need someone reliable to watch your kitten. There needs to be food in the bowl and fresh water for your kitten to access.
Kittens feel like part of the family when you adopt them. It’s vital to make sure you have someone who you can fully trust with your animal whenever you’re gone. If you don’t have someone you trust to watch you’re kitten, you’ll be forced to either bring the kitten wherever you go or not go anywhere at all.
Will I still want the kitten in a year?
Every year, tons of people make the impulse decision to adopt kittens without thinking about if they’ll still want the pet in the future. If you don’t ask yourself if you’ll want to take care of a kitten every day for the rest of its life, you might gain resentment towards the kitten for taking up space in your home. This isn’t fair to either you or the kitten.
Before getting a kitten, take time to think about if you’ll want to look after it every day for its lifetime. The first year is usually the hardest for pet owners since they’re incorporating a new animal into their home and lifestyle. If you think you’ll enjoy getting a kitten and taking care of it every day for its lifetime, then your plans to adopt a kitten are on the right track.
Have I taken care of anything before?
Taking care of a kitten is a huge responsibility that some people don’t realize until they get the animal. The kitten will rely on you to feed it, give it water, and clean it. If you fail at any of these things, the kitten can get a disease or die. It’s important to think about if you’ve ever taken care of a plant or anything else that requires attention. If you have, then you’re more likely to remember all the things a kitten needs to survive.
If you’ve never taken care of anything, that’s still okay. You’ll just have to remember that your daily routine is going to change, and might even change drastically. It’s normal to be nervous about taking care of a living creature, but if you’re willing to adapt to the new life, then a kitten is the perfect pet.
Would I rather have a different animal?
There’s a dramatic difference between cat and dog people. If you’re the type of person who wants to take your animal out on a walk to see other pet owners, a kitten likely isn’t the best pet for you. Cats usually like to stay home and keep to themselves, whereas a dog would be a better pet for someone who’s more social.
If you don’t want a pet to climb on top of your couch or bed, it might be better to get a fish or a smaller-sized animal that stays in a cage. If you get an animal that doesn’t stay in a cage, you have to be willing to clean up hair and face moments where the kitten is crawling on top of different pieces of furniture. Kittens are a great pet, but it’s important to make sure they’re the right pet for you.
Will I get along with my kitten?
Cats are notorious for being mean to their owners on occasion. When looking for a kitten, it’s vital to think about if you’ll be patient enough to live with your kitten when it gets older. The best way to cultivate a good relationship with your kitten is by adopting it while it’s still young. That way, it can get used to being with you.
If you’re the type of person who always wants to cuddle your kitten, make sure to do that early in the relationship. That way, the kitten becomes accustomed to doing it. The key to getting along with your kitten is by doing the things you want to with your kitten early on. When you factor these things in at the beginning, the kitten will get familiar with your preferences.
Would a kitten cause more stress than happiness?
There are occasionally times when getting a new kitten causes more stress than happiness. If you’ve never had a kitten before, you’ll probably get stressed when it’s hiding in the closet somewhere. You might think it ran away, when in reality, it’s been in the house the whole time.
Another stressful part about getting a kitten is the financial factor. If you know you’re living paycheck to paycheck, there’s no reason to incorporate a new animal into your home. You’ll undoubtedly get more stressed about money, which isn’t fair to you or the kitten. Reflect upon if a kitten is truly going to bring you happiness before getting one. It will save you future agony.
Would a kitten get along with my current pets?
It’s normal for people to get multiple pets, but some don’t fully consider if a kitten will get along with their current pets until they bring it home. If you have an animal that’s used to having the space to itself, there’s a chance it will become protective over the areas it likes to be in. Since a kitten is small, there’s a high chance they will feel bullied.
If you think there’s a chance your current pets wouldn’t get along with a kitten, find a place where you can test the experience of having one. This will give you proper insight into making the best choice for yourself and your family. If they don’t get along, then don’t get a kitten – regardless of how badly you might want to.
Has the kitten been neutered and dewormed?
Getting a new animal means administering its shots, getting it neutered if it’s a boy, and getting it dewormed. If you’re adopting a kitten, there’s a chance the place you’re getting it from already did these things. If they did, that will be a huge weight off your shoulders. Getting an animal neutered isn’t fun for either the animal or the owner.
If they haven’t been neutered and dewormed, that’s okay, but you’ll have to get it handled yourself. It will be a costly first expense, so you’ll need to make sure your finances are in order before adopting the kitten. Finding a kitten that’s already had these things done will make the transition for you and the kitten a lot easier.
Do I have enough room at my house for a kitten?
Kittens might not seem like they take up a lot of space, but they still will invade at least a small portion of your home. If you already feel cramped as it is with your family, it wouldn’t be smart to add another kitten to the mix. You’ll likely notice that you and your family are stepping on top of each other more.
There will be less floor space in the bathroom to make room for the litter box. There will be less floor space in the kitchen where the kitten’s food bowls should go. The kitten also will need a place to sleep, so making room for its bed is also key. If you don’t feel like there’s enough space in your home for a kitten, don’t get one. You’ll only grow to resent it. For more animal content, click here to read about the 10 most ridiculous animal cases on “The People’s Court.”