choosing a new cat or new kitten photos american curl siamese samoa gems

There are advantages in choosing a cat as well as advantages in choosing a kitten. Here are some guide lines to help you in this choice. One myth must be pointed out and that is - A grown cat will only live a few more years. Unlike a dog, a cat lives up to 20 years in good conditions and the record is more than 32 years. A dog lives in a pack where the other members are his life, a cat lives in a home and accepts you as part of the family. Thus if the cat likes the new home, you are welcome to stay there too.

Homing a new cat or kitten Keep the cat/kitten in a single room with all the necessities for a few days until it is at home. The toilet-box should not be placed next to the food. Place a large warm bed in the middle of the toilet-box and the food. Give the cat or kitten attention and above all plenty of love. Place the cat or kitten back ever 3-4 hours to eat, drink and use the toilet.

Choosing a new kitten. A kitten needs attention, especially if the kitten was removed from the mother cat at a very young age. Do not remove a kitten, where possible before the kitten is 10 weeks old. The mother cat will teach him to use the cat-toilet much better and quicker than you. The kitten will learn body language which he needs to survive, to socialize, how to play-bite softly and because the kitten feels safe with her watching 24/7 over him, the kitten will grow up without neurotic traits like being fearful. ( If only we humans had the patience and love towards our children that a mom-cat gives to her kittens).
You or somebody in the household must be willing to give the kitten attention and be a playmate. A kitten locked up while the owners work all day is bound to develop some neurotic trait and while the kitten may seem normal when you are home, there is no doubt that it will be very unhappy and lonely. Another pet (dog or cat) for company is fine.
Be prepared that a kitten will do some damage, especially with a short hair breed like the Siamese. Their energy is unbelievable. However this is not a very big price to pay for what you get in return watching tumbling and playing kittens enjoying life to the full. A kitten will relax your nerves and put most anybody in a good mood.

These two 9-10 month old kittens (Cornish Rex and American Curl) decided to race up the trellis at the back door with a friend watching on the outside as referee. No harm done.
A heavy kitten will not run up curtains, but if they do run or play where you do not want them to play, hang a few balloons. They will burst one or two and stay away from that spot. The loud bang does the trick.

Choosing a new cat. A grown cat will live a long life with you. The adjustment is from your side, not from the cat. The same goes for a kitten but it is not so obvious so we do not notice that by the time the kitten is grown, we do exactly what the cat wants us to do. As we pride ourselves with being more intelligent than the cat, that should be easy enough to let the cat show the way.

First get the cat to like you and give yourself time to know the cat's preferences. Bad habits can be sorted out later. Any cat loves a nice warm lap and being stroked. If family members are willing to help that is so much better.

A grown cat can be left alone when you are out working. It will enjoy to sleep. Some cats are real loners, while others would want some company. Get some back ground if possible. If the cat is a rescue cat then you can opt for leaving him alone, or if it was obvious that the cat had a friend in the rescue center, take that cat as well. Double the joy.

Do not be fooled by a shy cat that hides and seems to be fearful. Once those cats are at home, they form a very special and strong bond with you. The outgoing friendly cat will make friends with anybody and they are very easy to re-home, but they will go to anybody and if that is your special cat be careful as they do get stolen.

The advantage of choosing a cat above a kitten is that the grown cat is set in his ways, you know what you have got. The kitten has not developed a true character yet and if you feel that you can form the kitten the way you like, then you do not know cats.

Keeping pets are as popular as always. In this world of concrete and machinery, we need the warmth and contact of our pets.


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A new cat or a new kitten - your choice