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Responsibilities of Owning a New Kitten - Are You Prepared?

The decision has been made - you're going to adopt a new kitten! The excitement level is high but have you really thought this through? Newborn kittens are so cute and fluffy that few people can resist giving them a home but their lifespan can be as long as 15-20 years and you will be responsible for their health and well-being throughout the entire period. Are you prepared to take on that responsibility?

In addition to the general welfare of your new pet, there is a financial consideration to be aware of too. Your kitten will very quickly grow into an adult cat and there will be ongoing expenses to meet.

Obviously you're going to need to spend money on food and good nutrition but there will be additional expenses such as vaccinations and other veterinarian costs that need to be considered. Pet insurance is a great idea but be careful to read the small print as many companies reduce the level of cover progressively as the cat grows older - but without a corresponding reduction in cost!

Also, as with people, the personalities of cats are many and varied and you really wouldn't want to end up with a standoffish cat when what you really want is an affectionate one.

Ideally you should find a cat whose personality matches your own and there are many excellent books available in libraries and bookstores that will give you a good description of the type of personality to be expected from the various different breeds of cats.

Indoor cats will require significantly more attention than those able to spend time outside and you will have to be happy to give them this. Will you also be willing to keep a litter box clean on a daily basis? Do you have a suitable place in your home to accommodate this box? All these questions must be answered before you can take on the responsibility of a new kitten.

Are you prepared to invest time in grooming your pet? Most cats take care of keeping their fur clean and well groomed themselves but as they get older, aching joints often prevent them from doing such a good job. This is when you may need to take over their grooming for them. And how do you feel about them shedding thier fur over your furniture? If you love cats, you may see this as just another part of cat-ownership but less enthusiastic owners may find the constant need to clean their clothes and furniture of pet hair too much to cope with.

Should you need to be away from home regularly, you will need to make arrangements for your cat to be cared for. There are several solutions available and each has its own advantages and disadvantges. You may be fortunate enough to have a friend or neighbor who is willing to call in twice a day and feed your cat. There are also professional pet visiting services or you may prefer to book your pet into a boarding cattery. Whichever you choose, the happiness of your cat should be your main consideration - not the financial cost.

Once you aware of the downside as well as the upside of taking on a new kitten and feel that you are happy to take on that responsibility, you can really start to enjoy your new family member.

There is nothing better in this life than coming home after a long day's work and sitting contentedly with your gently purring feline companion on your lap. Owning a loving and loyal cat has been shown to have positive health and life benefits but for me, just sharing my home with my cat is reward enough.

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