i want to adopt a kitten/young cat now that I am financially stable to do so?

Question

I just got my masters ad have a full time job so I can fully support an animal. My only concern now is working 8-4 everyday (well I will be gone 7-4:45) Mon - Fri. I am afraid if I get a young cat (around 6 mos old) it will get lonely and it will not be potty trained and scartch up my house when Im gone. I really want a cat though. Any suggestions???

Yes I will adopt from a shelter. I have read and you all have mentioned confining to one room- a bathroom or my bedroom - for a week whihc contains all necessary things (litter box, scratch post, food, toys). My bathroom is really small and I am leaning toward confining to my bedroom instead for the first week, but I am hesistant to initially put the litter box in my room, only to move it to the bathroom eventually. ANy suggestions??

Answer 1

I suggest you get two kittens who are litter mates. They will be able to keep each other company, play and sleep together, and then you won't have to worry so much about them during the day. Provide lots of toys for them so they can chase things. Kittens are trained by their mothers to use the kitty box so that should not be a problem. At first, you can keep them with their box in the bathroom during the day. They will get the idea real quick.

Congratulations on your accomplishments and your new baby kitten/s.

Answer 2

cats are very independant...in fact, you dont have to make lots of money to afford a cat...just enough money to buy some $2 dollar cat food every few weeks or so and maybe some litter every now and again unless the cat goes outdoors.
About being lonely while you are away...no such thing. I'm pretty sure the cat doesnt give a crap if you're home or not...it just wants to get fed. It'll just sleep all day if you're there or not. About the scratching...yes, it will scratch anything that is scratchable. Buy a scratching post for it and maybe sprinking some cat nip on it so it knows it is his pole and nothing else is his. About the potty training...I wouldnt try to make it use the potty..especially as a kitten...it might be kinda hard for it to get up there as a small cat. But as far as getting it to use a litter box, just put the box where you want it to be, show the cat where it is, it will figure it out on its own. If it doesnt, pick up the turds and put them in the litter box for him. He will then smell his own turds in the future and think he actually shat in the box and go in the box from then on. Good luck.

Answer 3

Good for you for waiting until you can support a cat!
A cat is ok if left alone that long. If you are worried and can afford it maybe you can get two cats?
For the most part, cats will start using the litter box immediately. All I had to do with both of mine was just show them where it is. Confining them to a spare bedroom or the bathroom initially will help them also.
Provide lots of scratching posts of different materials so that your cat has options other than your furniture. If you find that they are scratching your stuff, get soft paws (plastic covers for the nails). Also trim your cats nails often, that will also help.
Good luck with your new cat! (are you adopting from a shelter?)

Answer 4

Cats are littler trained within a few weeks of age.
Unless you adopt a cat that needs company, a cat will be fine alone by the that age.
Some cats really need more attention. But most cats are able to entertain themselves quite well.
If you are thinking of a purebred, check into the breeds to see which breed fits your lifestyle.
If you will be adopting from an rescue organization they should have an idea if the cat needs more attention, or will be content being alone for several hours.
Just be sure to have food, water and several cat toys for your little one to play with while you are at work.
If you train your cat not to scratch furniture and provide a scratching post, this should prevent any damage to your things.

I have included links to research breeds.
But I suggest adopting from a rescue organization.

BTW- Congratulations on your Masters!!
Go Girl!!

Answer 5

I think you'll be fine...most kittens are great with litter box training. Show it where to go and it will remember. I too am gone during the day for work. I shut off my two bedrooms and usually the bathroom (my kitten knows how to turn on the water in the tub!). She has reign of kitchen (where her food is located), living room and dining room. She still has her nails and I find that she only scratches one piece of REALLY old furniture that I don't care about anyway.
I think she sleeps during the day, so she is rarely into things.
When I lived w/ my bf, we had two kittens and they played with one another all the time. If you're worried about keeping the kitty occupied, that might be a way to go. They will literally wear each other out! ;-)
Good luck with your kitty and congrats on your Masters!!

Answer 6

I'd suggest going to a shelter or rescue organization that has an adoption counselor. Many of them do these days. These people are familiar with the personalities of the cats they have available and can usually find several for you to choose from who would be suitable for your life style, home size, and other requirements.

I would either get two kittens four months old or older, to keep each other company, or an older cat, maybe four years old or more. Female cats are usually more willing to be left alone all day.

If you get a kitten older than three months, it should be reliably litter box trained.

Kittens are more rambunctious than older cats, naturally, but if you have two they use up most of their energy playing with each other rather than with your possessions.

Many shelters have cats who have already been declawed who are in need of an indoor-only home that you can provide.

Lastly, choose a cat that chooses you...you will encounter one that you just "click" with.

Answer 7

A cat is an excellent choice.

A kitten usually is potty trained by the time it is weaned. So a six month old one should not have a problem with that.

Have a scratching pad for your cat.... and keep it's claws trimmed it will be less inclined to scratch at your furniture. Be sure to play with a lot when you are home.

Answer 8

you can go to an animal shelter and ask for a kitten thats already potty trained and ask for one that doesn't scratch things a lot (or you can buy them one of those scratching boards). Cats don't usually get lonely if they're with another cat so getting two is the best idea.

ps. i have 3 kittens they're litter box trained. if ur interested, email me

Answer 9

a cat will already be potty trained you just have to show it where the litter box is. there is spray you can buy to keep it from scratching things but you should buy it a scratch pad. and as for spending time with it just give it lots of love when you see it, and also lots of toys.because a cat would much rather be in a house then in a kennel somewhere.

Answer 10

get the cats from humane society..maybe you can get 2 related cats They need to be potty trained and they usually declaw them there before they are out up for adoption. try to get them on friday and youll have 2 days with them.. if you can keep them in kitchen while gone with food water and litter box till your sure they are potty trained,use pet or child gates to keepthem from other rooms when your not home.