Buying A Kitten: What to Look Out For
Cats are more popular than ever. Around 15.7 million felines live in Germany alone. Perhaps you too are planning to become a cat owner and therefore want to buy a kitten.
In the following, we will explore whether this is a good choice for you and what you need to consider when buying a cat.
Buying a kitten – the main points at a glance
- Keeping a cat will require some of your time and money, which is why the decision to buy a kitten should not be taken lightly.
- Prospective cat owners should contact a reputable breeder they can visit on site to get an idea of the well-being of the animals.
- Kittens should not be separated from their mother and siblings until they are 10 to 12 weeks old.
- Before the kitten can move in, the apartment must be prepared for it and the required equipment purchased.
- Adopting a cat from a shelter is a viable alternative to buying a kitten from a breeder.
Cats need to be looked after
Cats are generally considered to be very independent. Compared to dogs, that may well be true. However, it does not mean that you can leave your cat alone from day one whenever you feel like it.
Cats also need care and attention. This applies not only to kittens, but also to adult animals. In any case, you should be prepared to regularly spend time with your cat and to ensure that your cat has a pleasant life by playing with it and extensively stroking it every day.
Also keep in mind that you need somebody to take care of your cat if you want to go on holidays. Ideally, a family member or friend can do this for you. Alternatively, you have the option of hiring a cat sitter or putting your four-legged friend in a cattery during your absence.
Cats have a long life expectancy
If they are spared from serious cat diseases and are kept in a species-appropriate manner, cats can easily live to be 15 years and older. With the purchase of a kitten you are making a long-term commitment. You should therefore think carefully beforehand whether getting a cat is really the right decision for you. After all, your circumstances can change over time. Therefore, only buy a kitten if you are sure that the four-legged friend can still be an integral part of your life in a few years time.
Only buy kittens from reputable breeders
If you want to buy a kitten, you should contact a reputable breeder who always puts the well-being of the animals first. They should give you the opportunity to see the environment in which the kittens are raised. You should also be shown the vaccination card and proof that the kitten has been de-wormed. A responsible breeder will be happy to do this and answer any questions you may have about his animals.
In addition, they will only give the little four-legged friends away 10 to 12 weeks after birth at the earliest. This ensures that the kittens are already largely independent and have been socialized so that they can thrive and adjust to their new home after being separated from their mother. On the other hand, if kittens are given away too early by the breeder, this can have a very negative effect on their development.
How much does a kitten cost?
The costs for buying a kitten vary. Depending on the breed of cat, you can generally expect a price between 500 and 1,500 euros. Mixed breeds are usually a bit cheaper than pedigree cats, but they also usually cost several hundred euros.
One-off and recurring costs
Buying the kitten is only the beginning. In addition, there are various other one-off as well as ongoing costs. Your cat needs accessories such as toys, a scratching post, a carrier, a litter box and a drinking and feeding bowl. In addition, the four-legged friend obviously wants to eat every day. You must therefore provide a regular supply of high-quality cat food.
In addition, cats can also become ill or injured. The treatment of chronic diseases and surgeries in particular are often associated with high veterinary costs. Even if this is not the case, you must at least attend regular check-up appointments, for example to have your cat vaccinated.
So, without a doubt, a cat costs money. In any case, you should expect 100 to 200 euros per month. Therefore, only buy a kitten if you can easily afford it. After all, neither the animal nor you should lack anything.
Preparing your home for the kitten to move in
As move-in day approaches, it's time to make the necessary preparations. Eliminate possible dangers in your home. This includes, for example, the removal of poisonous plants and the safe storage of food that is poisonous to cats and toxic substances such as cleaning agents.
Many of these products may seem perfectly harmless to you. But for an inexperienced kitten, a common household item can easily turn out to be a serious hazard. It is therefore better to play it safe so that there are no nasty surprises for your new four-legged room-mate in store.
Basic equipment for the kitten
In addition to kitten-proofing your home, you must of course ensure that the little cat has everything it needs on the day it moves in. It is therefore essential that you acquire the initial equipment in good time.
The following items are essential for kittens right from the start:
- Feeding bowl and drinking bowl
- A batch of kitten food
- Litter box and cat litter
- Scratching post
- Cat toys
- Cat carrier for vet visits
- Several comfortable sleeping places
Patience during transition time
It is not uncommon for the kitten to initially hide away after moving in with you. After all, the little four-legged friend has to get used to its new environment. So don't rush it and give it time. After a few days it should normally start to feel more at home and move around with increasing confidence.
Until then, you just need a little patience. Make the little kitten as comfortable as possible and make sure that it is not further frightened by excessive noise in the home. If you take good care of your new room-mate, you will soon have a loyal friend who you will definitely not want to be without.
A cat from a shelter as an alternative
If you would like a cat as a pet, buying a kitten isn't the only option you have. Alternatively, you can also adopt a cat from an animal shelter. In this way you give an abandoned four-legged friend a second chance at a loving home.
Of course, you have to decide for yourself whether this option is suitable for you. In view of the full animal shelters, however, you are undoubtedly doing a good deed by taking in a cat from there. The four-legged friend will thank you after a short adjustment period and will certainly turn out to be a lovable room-mate.
Our conclusion on the subject of buying a kitten
As you can see, there are a few things to consider when planning to buy a kitten. Don't rush your decision and be aware of the responsibilities that come with owning a cat. After all, cats can easily live up to 15 years of age and the costs for food, accessories and vet bills should not be underestimated.
Therefore, only buy a kitten if you are willing to take care of the animal with all due diligence for many years to come and you can permanently offer the four-legged friend a species-appropriate cat life.
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