Getting a new Cat or Kitten

First thing you have to do is ask yourself some questions what you want with this new little life you add to your family! Yes that is what this little kitten soon will be a full member of your household.

Animals have feelings, too.
Ask yourself, "Would I like to have my pet's life?"

WHY CHOOSING A CAT?

PEDIGREE OR NON-PEDIGREE?

A KITTY OR AN ADULT?

A MALE OR FEMALE?

A SHORT HAIRED OR LONG HAIRDO?

WHERE CAN WE GET A CAT?

WHY CHOOSING A CAT?

Cat's are a kind of very lovely pets, they like to live with human, specially sleeping with you......, in order to make themselves happy. Further more, they are all very independent, they are easier to raise than other small pets. However, like other pets, they need your tender loving care, i.e. you can't buy a cat, leaving it in a empty house and go away for many hours. Little kittens (10 weeks and older) need food four times a day. Unlike dogs, cats can live within an indoor environment without going out for a walk everyday, they don't need to taken for long walks in the middle of the night. What I mean is, cats are a kind of ideal pet for the one who is living in urban areas.

A MALE OR FEMALE?

First, we have to adjust the advantages and the disadvantages of having male and female cats. A male have a larger body. He is more dependent than she is, she will always try to get things her way. Male cats have more time for cuddle than female. On the other hand a male cat will fight with others to confirm their leadership in a specific area ( if you let him out doors of course which I strongly don't recommend unless you live in the country side). Nevertheless, a female's temper is a bit softer than a males. All this changes if your cat is neutered or spayed which all cat's that are not for breeding should be. How to choose? It all depends on you.

A KITTY OR AN ADULT?

A little kitty needs more care than an adult cat. Kitties love playing all the day, also, they are extremely curious, so they must be closely watched. Hopefully your cat is toilet trained from the seller if they are not here is a tip; the trick is to have them in a small area at firs so they are never far away from the toilet. Then they watch the mamma cat and learn from her. When they have access to a lager area of the house put out as many litter boxes as you can.Little kittens need a lot of time to learn the the basic rules of the house, like never sit on the table. However, kitties learn much more quicker than adult cats. If you has already got a pet in your house, having one more kitty is better than an adult cat. Besides, a well-trained kitty is easy to take care when they grow up. On the other hand, a adult cat can have many bad habits which can make a lot of trouble for you.

SHORT HAIRED OR LONG HAIRED?

The value of the cats with long hair is, as their brand, their soft and beautiful hair which covered every inch of their bodies, as a result, they must be groomed everyday to prevent tingled and dirty hair, Nevertheless, their pretty look and their soft temper will undoubtedly make you feel it is worthy to spend some time on them. Compare with the long hairs, you need not much time to take care the short hairs grooming. The short haired kitties usually wash and clean their hair with their tongues, making them a very tidy outlook. If it gets parasites, it is easier to handle.

PEDIGREE OR NON-PEDIGREE?

One thing about pedigree cat's is that there are so many different breeds that you can first read and learn about the different breeds and se if you want a lively Burmese or a more regal Persian. Talk to breeders find out what your favorite breed is like in real life. If you bye a pedigree cat be sure that the cattery is very clean and look for how they keep the cats ( indoors locked in separate rooms, with the family or in the back yard). These are all very important things for how your cat will behave in your home.

WHERE CAN WE GET A CAT?

Pedigree cats can be bought at the breeders look in the yellow pages or bye a cat magazine. In the animal shelters, you may found lost or deserted cats. As soon as you decided if you want a pedigree cat or do some good for a lost cat in an animal shelter. You will have the best left. to take your new family member with you home and let him/her get used to the new environment.

BEFORE YOU GET THE NEW CAT HOME

Prepare all the necessities in all aspect for your beloved kitty:

DRY FOOD BOWL	Ideally cats should only have dry food, always available (it's better for their teeth) Use major brands that have research labs to know what is required for a balanced diet Friskies, Iams, Hill's Science Diet and Royal Canin are some of the good ones.
WATER BOWL	Which HAS to be scrubbed & changed everyday with fresh water.
CAT TOILET	The ones with roofs over protects you from a fit in the morning when the first thing you step into is SAND.
CAT LITTER	You can buy it in the supermarket or in pet stores your choice. But be sure to buy sand with good absorbency and dust free ( by scratching will get into your cat's upper respiratory if not dust free type).Scoop Spoon for In-between Changes. Litter pan is to be scrubbed with disinfectant and thoroughly rinsed&dried at least once a week (naturally depending of how many cats you have).
TRANSPORT BOX	Your cat's temporary home when going out. Always using this box can save both you and your cat, when driving to the vet, relatives friends and so on Never have the cat out in the car!
HAIR BRUSH	For short hairs use a rubber brush and wet hands to get rid of access hair. For the long hairs use a comb of steal and a brush ( ask in the shop) this both for you and your cat (to remove old hair the cat may ingest when grooming himself)
CAT CLAW CLIPPER	For once a week,use when cat is mellow or sleepy
SCRATCHING POST	Absolutely necessary because declawing prohibited. Pet shops sells some good ones, or visit a cat shows where there are a multitude of vendors that sell scratching posts at reasonable prices. Or just give kitty a special carpet square where she is allowed to scratch
VITAMINS	Are optional but ask your vet what to give.
CAT TOYS	For fun!!! The best toys are those that the cat find it self, for instance mama's used pantyhose rolled into a ball.

THE FIRST HOURS

BE CAREFUL when you approach to the cat, never try to give her a surprise she will only be startled and scared. You must stand still, wait still she come near to you. At this time, touch your cat softly. After she get used to your touch, you can cuddle her some more. Most of the cats enjoy being cuddled when it's voluntary. However, the cats hate to be cuddled for a long time. Usually, touch her and say her name will make her calm and happy.
If you bring home a cat to an older cat there are some things to speed up the acceptance process. First take something with you that smells a lot of you (like a pillow case that has been used) rub the cat in it and let it lay in the box. When you come home don't let the cat's meet the first 24 or so hours, let the new cat get used to the house. First let the cat out in one room with you and a litter box. then let the cat se more and more as she gets braver. Let her sleep with you alone ( this is the hard part if you are used to have the other cat in bed he/she will probably protest a lot for being shut out of the bed room).

BUILDING UP REGULAR LIFE CYCLE.

It's very important to build up a regular life cycle for her. This will make be both for your convenience, and most importantly, the cat needs it. Many cat's gets nauseous and throw up if they are'nt fed at regular hours, It can get so bad that the cat gets intestinal problems like irritated stomach and for a small kitten that's life threatening.Furthermore, it is very important to let your kitty know her own name. You can call her name every time you feed her and every time you cal for her.

LET THE INDOOR LIFE INTERESTING.

You can't lock up a dog inside a house for a long time, but cats will satisfy in an indoor environment, specially when they never know there is another type of living forma. How ever, you have to give your cat plenty of toys, for this gives a chance for her to move her legs and do some exercise.You can also buy two kitties. When they have a friend, they will not feel lonely.

MAIN THREATS IN YOUR HOUSE

The curiosity of the cats can cause danger in a house when she is alone, it may cause death. You should avoid danger such as closing your washing machine, dryer, waste bin, windows. Breakable things and poisonous chemicals should be placed where the cat cannot reach them.