| Congratulations! You either have your new kitten | | | | jungle gym for your cat until you know that he or |
| already, or you are seriously thinking about adopting | | | | she will like it. For instance, cats are natural born |
| one. This is no doubt a very joyous time, but at the | | | | hunters, and I've found that toys like the little felt |
| same time, a little nerve wrecking. Don't worry, I | | | | mice are excellent, and most cats love these. |
| went through the same thing, and I'll tell you some | | | | Another simple "toy" is a paper ball. I know it sounds |
| things that will put your mind at ease. | | | | wacky, but the cats I have come into contact with |
| Like with most species of animals in the world, there | | | | absolutely love to play with paper balls, and will do so |
| are differences between males and females. The | | | | for hours. Just make sure there isn't any newsprint |
| males tend to be more independent and more prone | | | | on it. A piece of computer paper or notebook paper |
| to fighting, if there is more than one male in a | | | | is perfect. |
| household. This occurs even if they are both | | | | Litterbox training. Kittens come "potty-trained" once |
| neutered, only the severity of fighting decreases. | | | | you adopt them, usually. The biggest problem of |
| Females are more loving, and tend to be a little more | | | | course is the task of finding the litterbox in their new |
| "clingy." So its good to decide which type of behavior | | | | home. A good way to do so, is a way my |
| you prefer before picking a kitten. A good age to | | | | grandmother and my dad taught me. That is to take |
| adopt a kitten is around 10 weeks old. 8 weeks is | | | | the kitten to the litterbox, place him in the box, then |
| actually too young, which is a good adoption age for | | | | let him follow you away from the litterbox. |
| puppies. 12 weeks is very late to adopt a kitten if | | | | A serious decision you want to make is whether or |
| you want to start from scratch and make sure that | | | | not you want to declaw your cat. This depends on |
| he or she is very well socialized with other people | | | | whether or not you want your cat to be strictly |
| and animals. | | | | indoor, or indoor/outdoor. Consider this: your cat may |
| A good thing to remember when attempting to train | | | | be strictly indoor but what if he accidentally slips out |
| your new kitten is that cats are different from dogs. | | | | the door and is missing for a few days? This is a |
| Cats have a "I'm number one," mentality while dogs | | | | terrifying thought, but it is a reality that needs to be |
| have a "I live to please you," mentality. That doesn't | | | | considered. A cat's claws are his only defense should |
| mean cats do not care for anyone else but | | | | he have a run in with another cat or dogs. If the cat |
| themselves. In fact, he or she will adore you, but | | | | does not have his claws, and therefore he cannot |
| they tend to want to please themselves first. | | | | defend himself. This is why many people decide |
| Remember this when training, and this will eliminate a | | | | against it, even though their cats are indoor cats. |
| lot of frustration on your part. | | | | Some state laws even prohibit declawing, so make |
| Cats, just like dogs, have certain instincts that we | | | | sure to check your state laws on this subject. |
| may find unacceptable in certain situations. Like dogs | | | | Another part of being a responsible cat owner, is to |
| need toys that they can chew on, cats need | | | | make sure your cat is current on all of his |
| scratching posts to scratch on. For cats, scratching is | | | | vaccinations and examinations. A major cause of cat |
| one of their ways of showing other animals that that | | | | deaths is feline leukemia virus (FeLV). It is very |
| is their territory, and they prefer to scratch where it | | | | important to have your kitten tested for this disease |
| is noticeable. This is why they love to scratch your | | | | as soon as possible. If your kitten tests positive, it is |
| lovely couch or walls. Try purchasing, or even building | | | | NOT the end of the world. Many kittens, if cared for |
| a scratching post and putting it right next to the area | | | | properly can actually overcome the disease as they |
| where your cat scratches. Then over time, move the | | | | get older. The kitten may never show signs, or |
| scratching post to a less awkward area of the room. | | | | suffer from the disease ever in his life, and can live a |
| Another unattractive habit that cats have, is they | | | | long happy and healthy life. |
| love to dig in flower pots. If you have plants, this | | | | Lastly, and most importantly, make sure your new |
| section is for you. A great remedy for this is either | | | | kitten feels loved and attended to. Your kitten may |
| purchasing or finding rocks to put in the flower pots. | | | | even let out a literal "chirp," to show you that he or |
| Cats do not like this, and this will deter them from | | | | she is happy with their new home, and with you. Yes |
| digging in the plants. | | | | I said chirp. My kitten does it, and it puzzled me at |
| Getting toys for your new kitten is very exciting, but | | | | first, but this is something that is normal for kittens |
| just like a human child, he or she is not going to like | | | | and cats to do. It's a happy sound. So go forth, and |
| every toy that you purchase, so its not a good idea | | | | enjoy your new kitten! |
| to drop a good amount of change on a toy or a | | | | |