how hard is it to take care of a kitten?

Answer 1

A kitten is much like a baby when it starts to toddle around a house. Things must be "kitten proof", like small things that could be swallowed on the floor, needles and thread are particularly dangerous.

Kittens need training -- it probably will use a litterbox right away and it has to be in a place in can get to handily -- not in the basement! Two boxes would be better as, like young children, a kitty is not neurologically mature enough to "hold it" while it searches for its box.

Kittens also need to learn not to bite and scratch people's hands. Always play with a kitten with an interactive toy such as a cat dancer or feather toy. Kittens take a while to have good control over the retraction and extension of its claws so you must keep its nails trimmed and even then be prepared that there will be some unintentional scratching.

Kittens need a clean environment. Litterboxes should be emptied daily, their bedding kept clean, their food and water dishes washed daily. They need fresh water to drink.

You have to WATCH them so they don't get out the door and get lost. If you get a kitten now it should not be outside the house until April or May of next year.

You will be making many trips to the vet -- for worming, basic shots and later for a rabies vaccination. It's a good idea to plan to have the kitten spayed or neutered no later than five months.
That's going to be around Christmas time if you get a two month old now.

Then if you decide you want the kitten to go outside you had best start saving your money as it can be hit by a car, attacked by a neighbor's dog, or just have an emergency injury requiring immediate (and expensive) vet care.

Care of a kitten is a life-time obligation, financial and emotional, all the cat lovers here feel it is well worth the "cost".

Answer 2

Well, in order to give you the basics, I'd be sitting here for like, three hours typing, haha. Adopting a kitten is no small task, my dear. There's no "easy" way to take care of a kitten. It's not just something you get and then think it's going to take care of itself. It's really pretty much like having a child. You need to feed it, love it, brush/groom it, play with it, take it to the vet when it's sick, scoop out the litter box twice a day, clean the litter box fully once a month, trim the cat's nails, (don't be selfish and ignorant and declaw), and I know that seems easy from a distance, but it's a heck of a lot more work than you think. Trust me. It'll totally make the house smell if you don't keep the litter box clean. And you have to put in the time and effort to train/teach the kitten that scratching and biting isn't okay and not to jump up on stuff. I'd type more, but it's just such a huge topic about this that I can't possibly cover everything. But if you can think of any specific questions like how to train a cat, or what to feed it, or why keeping a domestic cat outside is horrible, or anything that pops up, just email me (click on my little picture thing here!) & I know books are lame, but check out "The Cat Bible" by Tracie Hotchner. It's like, everything you'd ever need to know about adopting and taking care of a kitten. It's kind of a big book, but the first chapter is absolutely perfect for all your questions. Just go rent it out at the library, it's so worth it. I hate books too, but I saw it at PetSmart, and it was too expensive so I got it at the library. Ended up buying a copy for myself on Amazon anyway because it was so great! I always go back and look things up in it.

Answer 3

i currently have a kitten and an older cat (which i got when it was a kitten) its not really that hard to take care of, it just love having attention most of the time, especially at dinner time, its always wondering what we are eating. when you have a kitten you must train it that way when it is older it knows how to behave. when it is a kitten you must leave it inside, that way it lessens its chances of getting hurt or killed by cars and other animals. all it needs is kitten food, a litter box w/ litter, which you must clean every day, and water. if it doesnt like water do not feed it milk, you can go down to your local petsmart or petco and buy kitten formula. as cats get older they become lactose. i wish you the best of luck! oh and most kittens love toys, even in expensive things like a ball of tinfoil works :)

Answer 4

Are you talking newborn or 8 weeks old? A newborn or one that still nurses needs to be fed every 3 to 4 hours. A weaned kitten needs food, water, litter box and brushed. And kittens like to climb curtains and run up the couch and across the table and over the back of the chair.

Answer 5

well kittens like 2 bite and clow things so if u love your couch or anything close 2 that keep the kitten away thay also like curtains and blinds so if that matters 2 u then a kitten will b hard 2 care 4 good luck

Answer 6

Not hard at all. Get one that is 8 weeks old or older and knows how to use the litter box. Warning: vet bills are expensive and the kitten must get shots and regular check-ups.

Answer 7

I just want to add a little something to all the great answers you already have gotten...

I have found that it's much easier to raise 2 kittens at a time...they play with each other and, while sometimes that means there are 2 of them on the curtains, they also entertain each other and keep each other out of trouble...

Answer 8

Kittens are easy to care for providing you give them what they need....Kitten food(i perfer dry food),A litter box( i clean daily),plenty of water at all times,a quiet place to rest and plenty of love. Also regular trips to your vet for check-ups and vaccinations. I found that 2 kittens are easier andkeep each other company when you are away and are twice the fun . Good luck. P.S. a healthy cat is spayed/neutered and kept indoors.

Answer 9

Not hard. You need to know the basics of petcare & grooming, and you have to be prepared for accidents. You need a litterbox and a lot more... go to your local petstore/shelter and ask for advice.

Most petstores and shelters will not release cats and dogs (kittens and puppies) to families with children under three years of age, or to college students. Just a fyi :P

Answer 10

Kittens need a lot of attention, especially young ones who are separated from their mothers. Mine used to sit on my shoulder and cried like a baby every night unless I let him sleep on my bed. They're used to having their mother and litter-mates around so get used to it.