The warmer months of the year mark kitten season and spring or summer is the perfect time to bring a new little bundle of fluff into your family. I just love the company of a cat- My cat, Milly keeps my lap warm while I am watching tv and also keeps me company while I work on the computer.
Kittens are such fun- they are fearless and frisky and it has is a delight to watch them as they play and explore the world around them.
Of course, cats are a big responsibility and you must be prepared to commit to the 15 or so years that you may have your feline friend. Cats are definitely a lot easier to look after than dogs- for a start, they sleep for 18hours a day. Cats don’t need daily exercise and are generally much more independent than dogs.
When choosing a new kitten to join your family, remember personality is far more important than looks. Your cat may live for up to 18 years, so you really want a pet that is adaptable and easy-going. Don’t choose a kitten if it is very timid or aggressive, but rather own who is playful and affectionate.
MOGGY
It is estimated that 90% of Australia’s pet cats are domestics , or ‘ mogs’. They come in all shapes , sizes, colours and coat patterns. Moggy’s are generally robust felines who adapt well to just about any situation and make undemanding pets.
They are usually readily available from animals shelters, pet stores and cat adoption centres in selected veterinary hospitals. It is always rewarding to adopt a homeless animal and give it a loving home. To adopt a homeless cat www.cat-match.com.au
PUREBRED
There are a wide variety of purebred cats available ranging from the glamorous long-haired Persian to the rough and tumble Burmese. My own cat Milly is a Burmilla- a striking looking cat that resulted from crossing Burmese cats with Chinchilla’s.
To find a purebred kitten : 1. look in Yellow Pages under Cat Boarding/ Breeding.
2. Search Internet by typing in your breed and Australia
3. Ask directory assistance for the governing cat body in your state. They will have a list of registered breeders.
KITTEN TIPS
BUY A STURDY CAT CARRY CASE. You will be amazed how many times you will use this for transporting puss- visits to vet, boarding kennels, moving house etc… It is a good idea to get kitty used to the carrier and travel by transporting him/her with you wherever possible- eg while you go to the shops or visit friends.
KITTEN PROOF- before you bring your kitten home you need to ensure it will be a safe haven for your new mischievous friend. Kittens are endlessly curious creatures that love to explore and often end up getting trapped in hard to reach places. The trick is to ‘think like a cat’- get down low and look for nooks and crannies such as behind bookcases and under the sofa. You may want to block these off with cardboard or double-sided tape- cats hate sticky surfaces. Be sure to remove all dangling cords and it might be a good idea to remove all precious ornaments from shelves for a couple of months in case kitty decides to be a climber and an acrobat. Remember to close drawers and cupboards after you have opened them as an investigative cat may curl up inside. I once spent an hour looking for Milly fearing she had escaped outside, only to discover she was fast asleep on one of my jumpers in the wardrobe.
INDOOR VS OUTDOOR-I am a big fan of confining cats to a life indoors. It is much safer for them- they can’t fight with other cats, dogs or possums and they won’t be stolen or hit by a car.
Generally, cats that live their life indoors, live to a much older age than those that roam outside. Provided you provide an environment full of stimulation with toys, a scratching post, a cosy bed and lots of interaction from you, cats adapt extremely well to an indoor situation.
PROVIDE SCRATCHING POST- scratching is instinctive for cats –they use it to communicate with each other and it is also the way they sharpen their claws. If you want to save your furniture then you must provide a scratching post. To encourage your kitten or cat to start using the post, try playing with their favourite toy around and on the post. Whenever they start to scratch elsewhere, lift them straight onto the post and start playing.
LITTER TRAY- cats are fastidiously clean and learn very quickly to use a litter tray. Most kittens will be litter trained by the time you bring them home and the most difficult part will be deciding which type of tray and litter to use. There are so many trays on the market but if your cat is going to be an indoor cat who may prefer one of the covered ones. Allow the kitten to get used to this type of tray without the cover on for a few days. Make sure the kitten knows where the tray is and always return her to the tray at intervals and always after a meal (this is when they are most likely to go).
It is personal preference as to what type of litter to use- I opt for the brand called ‘Breeders Choice’ which is recycled newspaper.
VACCINATIONS- Kittens should have had their first vaccination when they are 6-8weeks, so most kittens will have received their first shot by the time you bring it home. They require another vaccination at 12-14weeks, a third at 16-18weeks and yearly boosters after that.
FLEA CONTROL- these days with houses being kept warm throughout the year, fleas can be a problem all year round. Luckily it is very easy to control pesky fleas these days. I recommend Advantage, once a month. Its safe to use on kittens and you simply apply a pre-measured dose to the back of your kittens neck.
WORMS – intestinal worms are common in kittens. Kittens can become infected from their mother before they are born or later through their mum’s milk. Worm your kitten every two weeks until 12weeks of age and then every 3 months for life. Make sure you worm all other pets in the house at the same time.
PLAYTIME- all kittens need play time several times a day. Toys can be cheap- they love paper bags and ping- pong balls or try tying some scrunched paper to some string.