Many people find having a cat for a pet is very rewarding. Getting a kitten allows both of you to grow into best buddies and to experience the fun of young cat antics.

Finding a kitten can be an experience. Be sure to check the place where the kitten is being raised to make sure the home is free from pests and that the animals there seem to be in good health i.e. have clear eyes, are not scratching themselves a lot, and seem to have a good disposition. You do not want an animal that is acting aggressively or one that is acting timid. An inquisitive attitude is normal for a kitten. If you want to adopt a kitten or cat from an animal shelter or a rescue operation, the people there will be able to tell you in detail about the kitten’s family, their circumstances, and the animal’s disposition.

After choosing a kitten, you should take the kitten to the vet immediately upon bringing her into your home to find out what shots and the routines that are necessary for the health of the animal. At the age of 6-8 weeks, the vet will recommend neutering and it is a good idea to do this as there are many benefits to having a cat that is neutered such as diminished spraying of urine to mark territory and the demands of a female cat in heat. To have a good pet, it is essential that the neutering occur and to prevent unwanted kittens from coming into the world.

Keeping a litter box clean is a daily job and will be much appreciated by your cat. Cats are naturally clean animals and you do not want to give your cat any reason to not use the litterbox. Find out by experiment what types of litter she likes and do not try to change the type once a routine has been established. Some cats do not mind a cat box liner of plastic that you can just remove along with the used litter. My cat prefers just the box without the plastic as every time a liner is used, she just scratches the plastic to bits. Each cat has her own particulars and it is best to keep her content and allow her demands. After all, using a litter box is so much preferred by many cat owners than having to scoop it out of the yard such as for a dog.

To have a lively cat, provide her with toys and play with her as much as you enjoy. Her instinct is to pounce and to stalk so find toys that cater to that instinct. Many cats love catnip and go crazy when they smell it. It can be a real treat when training as well. Cats love to play and having a cat tree that they can use for a scratching post is also very helpful to keep your furniture safe. Simply add some catnip to the post and your cat will more than likely find the scratching post to be to her liking. Cats have an instinct to scratch to keep their claws sharp and you need to provide a safe outlet to enable this desire. There are also some really nice tools on the market that will allow you to safely trim the nails and not cut the nail too deep.

Having a good quality food is also paramount to a cat’s health. There are many on the market and it is a good idea to use a canned product after so much of the dry food to keep hairballs down. Simply mix in a can with the dry food once a week. A good nutritious food can keep a cat healthier with a great shiny coat and help prevent diseases and, thus, less trips to the vet.

Speaking of the vet, after the initial vacination program, please keep a yearly appointment to assure the animal is looked after by a professional. The vet will make sure to give yearly vacinations and to head off any problem areas that might be developing. You want to keep your precious pet for many years to come.