Tips for Indoor Cats
Posted on 27 October 2008 by editor
If you are considering getting a cat or kitten as an indoor pet, there are some things you need to consider. Choosing a good cat litter and spaying or neutering your kitten should be on the list. You may also want to consider getting your kitten declawed.
Choosing a good cat litter is very important, especially if you already have other cats or if you are planning on getting more than one cat or kitten. You will want to find a clumping cat litter to make the task of cleaning the litter box easier. If you plan to have more than one cat, be sure to get a cat litter made for multiple cats.
The placement of the litter box is almost as important as choosing a good litter. Be sure to place the litter box where the cat(s) can get to it but other pets, such as dogs, can not (dogs seem to love eating cat litter). Also be sure to keep it out of reach of small children as they may think it is a sandbox for them to play in. Another option is to get an enclosed litter box which will help keep other pets and children out of the litter box.
Getting your new kitty fixed at an early age is important, especially if you have a male kitten. Once male kittens start to spray to mark their territory, it can be
difficult to get them to stop. Getting your male kitten fixed before he starts to spray should prevent him from doing it. If he does start to spray before you can get him fixed, he may not stop even after getting him neutered.
Declawing a kitten is an important decision. If there is any chance your kitty will ever be outside for any reason, it is best to leave his claws intact. This is their defense against larger animals. If there is no chance your kitten will be outside, you may want to have him declawed for the sake of your furniture. Kittens like to “sharpen” their claws on furniture and walls. I even have a cat who can climb the wall by digging his claws into the drywall. Needless to say, my wall is not very pretty.
As with any pet, before accepting the responsibility, be sure you are well prepared. Get all of your supplies first and then get the cat or kitten. Training the kitten to use the litterbox is easy; I normally just show them where it is and they always go back. Just be sire to keep the litter box clean or they may use the bathroom floor for dong their business.
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Tags | cat, cat care, kitten, litter box, neuter, neutering, spaying
March 25th, 2009 at 9:48 am
how much does it cost to get a kitten fixed? i live in auburn mass. plesae email me back some information? here is my email address.
lisa
arabicangel2005@yahoo.com
March 25th, 2009 at 10:50 am
It can be anywhere from free to +$100. You will save at a pet shelter near you, you can save a ton of money. There is also a list of places that will do it for free or cheap here – http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html
April 7th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I strongly urge that pet owners do not declaw their pets as declawing is actually an amputation of your cat’s last joint which is connected to the claw. With declawing, pain will be suffered by cats with every step/scratch – they’ll have to endure that pain while using the litter tray, walking, pouncing & playing. They will be and feel more vulnerable also without their claws to protect themselves when necessary.
Declawing is usually due to the scratching of furniture & there are tons of ways to protect your furniture without having to resort to declawing.
You can get:
1. bitter apple spray or a product from a pet shop which repels your cat from scratching – apparently they don’t like anything sticky as well so I think double sided sticky tape works as well.
2. scratching posts – ideal ones are the ones which are long enough for your pet’s body length
3. a nail clipper to trim your pets claws from time to time (you can ask your vet to show you how to trim your pets claws properly)
4. “soft paws” – these are pet-safe adhesive covers for the claws