Smitten With Kittens!

in Houghton Village has oodles and oodles of kittens: White kittens, black kittens, tortie kittens, orange kittens, and everything in between!

Kitten season has peaked and so has the kitten population. Please stop in and say hello -- you might even meet your new best friend.  All kittens are spayed/neutered, microchipped, tested for FeLV/FIV, received a series of vaccines and dewormings and treated for any parasites (fleas, mites, etc.) if necessary.  Whew! 

Here are some tips about adopting a kitten. 

Selecting the Right Kitten

Making a lifetime commitment to a pet requires some soul-searching and homework. You must determine whether the right match for you is either a kitten or adult cat, a rescue or a pedigreed cat, and whether a new pet is practical and advisable in your life at this point in time.

1)     Consider your home and lifestyle

• Do you have other pets? Children?
• Will your kittens be home alone for several hours each day?
• Most importantly, are you prepared to make a 20-year commitment to a pet?

2)    Expect kittens to be kittens

• Kittens are energetic and into everything.  Are you ready for this?
• Have realistic expectations regarding use of scratching posts and litter box, and the possibility that they may wake you at 3am until they adjust to your schedule.
• You may want to consider adopting a calm, yet playful, young adult cat.

3)    Consider the cost of a new pet

• Are these kittens healthy?
• Spay or neutered?
• Vaccinated?
• Tested for viral diseases?
• Treated for parasites?
• Microchipped?

Kittens adopted at shelters are generally all of the above, saving the new owner hundreds of dollars in veterinary expense. Still, veterinary emergencies happen and owners should be certain that they are financially capable of caring for a pet.

Tips on Kitten Care

You can ensure a safe environment for a long and happy life with a few easy tips.

• Kitten proof your home.  Many household items can be dangerous or even deadly to a curious kitten.  Electrical cords, plants, loose screens, cleaning supplies, plastic bags, open toilet seats.  For a complete list, see:  http://www.meowcatrescue.org/kittenproofing.html.
• Have a plan.  If you are renting, have landlord or property manager approval.  Choose  appropriate litter and food for their age level, safe toys, cat beds, scratching posts and nail trimmers.  For tips on bringing a new pet home see: http://www.meowcatrescue.org/newresident.html.
• Time for Socialization.  Lots of regular human interaction in addition to healthy play with another cat or kitten will produce a very happy, content and socially well-adjusted kitten.  Avoid ‘Single Kitten Syndrome’ -  to read about this, see: http://www.meowcatrescue.org/singlekitten.html.
• Know your resources. Your new kittens should have their first “well-kitty check-up” with your veterinarian within a week or two of coming home with you. After that, have the phone numbers of your vet and other resources handy for future illnesses, injuries or behavioral support.