Is it troublesome to take care of a kitten?

Question

I am thinking of adopting a kitten. I have no prior experience of little animals and I heard cats are easy to take care of.
What might be the negative things about having a cat in the house and what I should watch out for.

Thank you!

Answer 1

I have two number one things that I believe is the most important when getting a new kitten. One is to not leave them to run free of the house at first. They will naturally use a litter box but they need to get used to your house and you before you let them run around. You need to start off with a smaller area for them so they can learn where the box is. We had several kittens once when our cat had babies. When they were little they pee-ed on my computer cords not once but three times. You want the kitten to start out with good potty habits from day one.

Also when you are not around I suggest a crate at first. With a small litter box in it.

Also one tip. If you want a sweet gentle kitten play gently with it. Don't ruff house too much.

Oh, not to forget....Don't neglect your kitten shots. A healthy kitten is a happy kitten. I would suggest having the kitten fixed as soon as the vet gives the OK.

Answer 2

Cats are very independent , so they don't need as much attention as a dog. Kittens/Cats are very curious and may get into things. I use pet repellent spray to spray on things I don't want my cat to get into - example phone wires. Some people de-claw there cats to stop them from scratching on the sofa. I strongly recommend spaying/neutering your cat. This keeps them from coming into heat ( leaving blood stain in your house and a moody cat isn't fun :( ) Neutering helps male cats from urinating around your house. When I first got my cat I took him straight to the vet to get her shots done. Potty-training a kitten is easy for the most part. Cats can live up up into there mid twenty's and beyond with good care. My aunt has a cat that is twenty-five and is perfectly fine. The "curious-kitten" stage with pass quickly and then a mature, mostly calm :) cat with grow. Cats normally sleep 2/3rd of the day, and the rest of the day they like to play. Every month I buy Purina Cat Chow, treats and litter. which you will have to buy. Food cost around $7, treats- $3, and good, scoopable litter- $10. I hope you adopt a kitten from the humane society- there are tons there!Cats are a very fun pet and I hope you enjoy a new kitten into your home.

Answer 3

they are very energetic. They can climb very high on your furniture. They will make a mess of their food if the bowl isn't heavy enough. They will claw things you might not want attacked (esp when they're climbing). They can get stuck places- I got a kitten last year and she fit in a little hole under my kitchen cabinets and loved exploring a little crawlspace in the corner between the cabinets, while she was still very small.

But they are the most adorable little things. They sometimes sleep on your bed while you're asleep. It is so cute to see them attack a ball or a catnip mouse.

They're not that much work, really, but you have to be there in order to train them. Well, in a sense... cats really can't be trained...

And there is nothing better than a cat's purr. That's your reward.

Answer 4

Nope. Try to get one that is quiet and affectionate if you want one that isn't troublesome, but if you want one that is fun and entertaining, you may have to clean the occasional mess. Or dry the occasion fall into the toilet.
All a kitten demands is food, love, and a litterbox. I suggest just getting the following:

Food/water dish
food

Litterbox
litter

Fake mouse toys (cheap, and many (they get lost, keep some handy))

A "kitty condo"

You may want to get a cat bed, depending on whether or not you want the cat to sleep with you. Generally, however, these things will satisfy a cat. If you aren't going to be home much, you may want to consider getting a pal for the kitten. The kitty condo isn't necessary but it is amusing to watch a cat pop in and out.

Answer 5

I don't know if 'troublesome' is the right word. Challenging, maybe. One of my cats was only one month old when I got her. She was abandoned along with two of her siblings in my neighborhood. When you get a kitten that young, they are not yet toilet trained and cannot yet jump high or clean themselves, and they also often have a habit of biting its owner's toes. For a couple of months, it was a lot of work. But I taught her how to use a litter box and the toe-biting stopped after about 3 months. She is the most loving baby now, and over a year old. Just be aware that kittens are very playful and active. Protect your furniture by getting a good scratching post and clipping their nails often.

Answer 6

Make sure the kitten you adopt is litter trained. It will make it a little easier for him/her to adjust to their new environment. You will also need to make sure that the litter box is easy for the kitten to get in and out of. They don't jump as high, or as well as an adult cat. You may have to use a cardboard box with a very low lip, until he/she gets a little bigger.

Keep cabinet doors shut, and buy the child safety locks for them. Kittens are very curious and like to get into EVERYTHING. (My adult cat still likes to climb into cabinets if the doors are left open.)

For the first year of life, he/she will need kitten food. Whole milk isn't recommended for them, as it can cause digestive tract problems. Your vet will more than likely recommend the food he/she feels is best for your little bundle of fur.

Kittens love to play with things. Anything dangling is a potential toy. (And I do mean ANYTHING) Just don't play too rough, or you'll have a rather mean cat when it reaches adulthood.

Cats are rather independent. They require food, water, a clean litter box and a place to sleep. Provide that, and you'll have a happy cat under your roof.

Answer 7

Troublesome isn't the word for it. Its a challenge. Cats are fairly easy to take care of, but cats are like toddlers, no matter how old they are. Cats love to put things in their mouths (even if it isn't edible). They love to get in things that they know they shouldn't get into.

Cats love to keep mainly to themselves. They will come and show you affection when they want it. They decide when they want held, when they want petting.

When you do get a kitten, remember to keep the area they will be living in clean, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep themselves occupied, keep the liter box clean (cats are easy to literbox train). Keep food and water out for them all the time, show them affection when they want it, and make sure to get the kitten fixed. If you get a male and don't fix it, they will spray when they reach maturity and it reeks. If you get a female and don't fix her, you'll have to deal with constant crying for a mate.

The only negative I can really think of is that the cat will constantly use its claws. You can buy a cat scratcher from wal-mart for really cheap and train them to use that (DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT!) If you think about declawing your cat, consider using claw covers instead. There is no pain for the cat if you use the claw covers and it keeps them from clawing your furniture.

And remember, you don't own the cat, they own you.

Answer 8

Kittens for up to a week after taking them away from the litter will meow A LOT. If you get a kitten that is not already litter trained, make sure you have 2 days off from work to take care of that problem. Make sure food is always available and change it's water ATLEAST once a day. Lots of attention and love will make them more sociable and allow them to forget their litter mates faster.

Answer 9

Cats are fairly easy. They are pretty much born litter box trained...it is natural for them. All you have to do is provide them with one and make sure you show them where it is. Kittens can free eat (have food out all the time). They can eat as much as they want when they are little and will not over eat. The only thing you have to watch is clawing of furniture. Scratching is a normal thing for cats to do. They shed the sheath around their nails every few weeks which is why they scratch. You will need to provide them with an alternative to your furniture (ie scratching post). I personally do not believe in declawing and you definately won't want to do this if they are going to be outside at all. I have two cats and my furniture is in perfect order and they are not declawed. I use a product called "Soft Paws" for their claws. They are little rubber caps you glue on their claws. They stay on well and you can even get them in colors. You just replace them as they loose them. I usually don't see them start loosing them for about 4-5 weeks. So not hard to maintain. Cats are fun to have with lots of entertainment with little maintenance. Good Luck!

Answer 10

it really isn't hard, but remember, it is a living, breathing thing, so you do need to pay attention to it. You need to keep the cats litter box clean. If you don't, the cat will pee on the floor. Once that starts, you can't get the smell out, but the cat wont quit either. You need to make sure you get you male kitten neutered as early as you can and before they first spray. If you do, that will make sure they wont spray anything in your house. It is best to keep an indoor cat period. Cats don't need to be let out. They get sick, become food for other bigger and wild animals, get killed by cars, and kill animals them-self. Only get a cat if you are serious about taking care of it. They really can't defend for them-self for everything.