Introduction

Kittens are adorable, cuddly and playful — but they’re also a lot of work. If you’ve been thinking about getting a kitten as your first pet, here’s a quick guide to what you can expect once you bring one home.

If you’re considering a kitten for your first pet, here’s what you can expect

If you’re considering a kitten for your first pet, here’s what you can expect:

• Kittens need to be fed and watered. Depending on the breed of kitten, they might want food every two hours or so. You will also have to clean up after them (and keep the litter box from getting too gross).
• Kittens need attention. If you are going to get a cat as your first pet, prepare yourself for regular playtimes that last about 15 minutes each day; if not, then plan on spending more time with him when he does come out of hiding! It’s best not to leave your kitten alone for long periods of time during the day; in fact it might even help if there were two humans around most days (or at least one). You’ll want someone who can take turns giving each other breaks throughout those long summer days!

Buying a kitten from a breeder is one way to go.

If you’re looking for a kitten from a breeder, you’ll want to make sure that the breeder is reputable. Ask them about their credentials and how long they’ve been doing this. It’s also important that you ask about the parents of your potential kitten and what health programs they have in place at their facility. You should also ask to see health records for both parents as well as any previous litters that may be similar to this one. Finally, many breeders will tell you all about their breeding policies on top of it all so make sure you ask!

Another option is to find a rescue organization or animal shelter with kittens available.

Another option is to find a rescue organization or animal shelter with kittens available. Many people who adopt from these organizations are looking for a specific breed of cat, so they’re more willing to work with you if you decide on a different type of kitten. In addition, many rescue organizations allow you to choose the age and gender of your cat—you may be able to get one that’s already been weaned!

However, there are some drawbacks when dealing with rescues: most require either an adoption fee or an application fee (or both). Also, while most shelters will let you see their kittens before adopting them out in order to make sure they’re right for your family, some do not allow this kind of flexibility in terms of age and gender selection.

No matter where you get the kitten, what matters is making sure you’re getting it from someone who cares about its health and welfare.

When you’re ready to buy a kitten, make sure you’re getting it from someone who cares about its health and welfare.

• Check the breeder’s credentials. Are they registered with the local Humane Society or other animal protection agency? Have they been in business long enough that they have established a track record of selling healthy kittens? Do they hold themselves to an ethical standard of breeding practices? Do they have any complaints against them with your local animal protection agency or the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Ask to see where the kittens are kept. Is there adequate space for each cat in their pen or room at different times of day (e.g., not every cat is confined together all day long)? Does each pen have toys/treats/bedding/etc., according to what would be appropriate for their age and species? Is water available at all times (for those little guys who can’t reach their own!) And finally: Do not go anywhere that has cats living outdoors! This means that even if there is a large yard behind the home where you meet your potential new family member, do not buy from this breeder unless you can see inside his house first—and even then look at how clean-looking everything is before making up your mind. If none of these questions gives you pause when asking them—run away as fast as possible!

Once you’ve found a kitten that you want, be prepared to wait.

You’re probably excited to take your new kitten home and get to know each other, but be prepared to wait. Kittens may need to be weaned from their mother, spayed or neutered and vaccinated before you can take them home with you. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks!

The kitten will be yours sooner if you’ve adopted from an organization that lets kittens go home with their new owners as soon as they’re old enough to be weaned.

Some kittens are ready to go home with their new owners as soon as they’re old enough to be weaned. This is great for you, the kitten, and anyone else who wants a pet but isn’t in the market for an infant animal just yet. It means that your kitten can go from being a newborn baby to being a mature cat in less than two months! And if you adopt from an organization that lets kittens go home with their new owners as soon as they’re old enough to be weaned (usually by 6 weeks), then this process doesn’t even take up any of your time.

But if you want more information about what adopting at 4 weeks or 2 weeks entails (and why it’s not necessarily going to be easier), see “How To Care For A Kitten When You Adopt From An Organization That Lets Them Go Home At 2 Weeks Old.”

You may have to wait longer if you’ve bought the kitten from a breeder, especially if the breeder wants the kitten to stay with its mother until it’s old enough to be weaned.

You may have to wait longer if you’ve bought the kitten from a breeder, especially if the breeder wants the kitten to stay with its mother until it’s old enough to be weaned. This is done for several reasons:

• The breeder wants to make sure the kittens are healthy and well socialized.
• Until at least 8 weeks of age (and sometimes as old as 12 weeks), kittens can contract dangerous diseases such as feline panleukopenia (also called feline parvovirus) or ringworm infection. Because these diseases can be spread by human contact or even through fleas, breeders would rather not risk exposing their other cats or customers until all of their new litters are at least 8 weeks old.
• Kittens need time to bond with their new owner so they will feel comfortable coming back home once they are ready for adoption!

Your new arrival will need a lot of care for the first few weeks at home, especially if that home has other pets in it already.

Your new arrival will need a lot of care for the first few weeks at home, especially if that home has other pets in it already. Your kitten needs to be kept safe from other pets, including dogs, cats and even birds or hamsters. Even babies can be dangerous to your kitten as they could play too roughly with them. You should put any toys away that are small enough for your kitten to swallow or choke on and keep them away from stairs where they might fall down or get stuck while climbing up/downstairs.

If you have children in the house then you may want to keep an eye on them when they’re around your new pet too as sometimes children don’t know how much pressure they can put on animals; this could cause injuries such as scratches on their skin which could become infected very quickly if not treated properly so it’s best practice just keeping an eye out for anything suspicious rather than taking any chances here!

Right away, you’ll need to get your new arrival some basic supplies.

Right away, you’ll need to get your new arrival some basic supplies. The first thing you’ll need is a litter box, food and water dishes (and a big bowl for kibble), and cat litter. If you’re planning on taking your kitten anywhere outside of the house (to a vet appointment or cat show), then you also need an appropriately sized carrier.

In addition to these essentials, there are other things that can make life easier for both you and your kitten (and they’re not all expensive). For example:

• A grooming brush or comb will help keep shedding under control by removing loose hair before it has a chance to get stuck in carpets or furniture fabrics.
• A scratching post provides an outlet for all those natural instincts; plus it keeps scratching “off-limits” areas like furniture legs where damage could occur over time if not properly contained!

The most important thing is food and water dishes. Get ones that are made of metal or glass — kittens have needle-sharp teeth and claws and can chew through plastic in just minutes.

The most important thing is food and water dishes. Get ones that are made of metal or glass — kittens have needle-sharp teeth and claws, and can chew through plastic in just minutes. Make sure they’re big enough to not fit entirely into the mouth of your kitten (to prevent choking), but small enough that they don’t tip over easily. Also, consider buying bowls with a lip on them to help keep food in them longer and make it harder for younger kittens to spill their food all over their play area.

You’ll also need a litter box, cat litter and a carrier for when the time comes for vet visits.

When you bring your new feline home, you’ll need to have a few things ready. You’ll need a litter box and cat litter, as well as a carrier for when it’s time for vet visits or if they don’t get along with other pets that are already in the home. You should also think about what kind of food and water bowls to buy for them.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve made a great choice. Whether you’re buying from a breeder or adopting from an organization, your new kitten is sure to be a loyal and loving companion for years to come.