Things a beginner kitten owener must know?

[DMR]

What are a few things that first ever kitten owners must be aware of?

I know they NEED 3 different vaccines between the first few weeks after 8 weeks old?
Can you give me estimates of how much they each cost?

Do they need to be neutered (male) or spayed (female)? I've heard it makes them happier and it's good too but should I have it spayed/neutered and how much does it generally cost to do?

Worm tablets? if anyone can inform me specially about that, that would be great.

What will my kitten need for sure? I know it'll need a Litter box, scratching board, what else does it need?

 

[Davidp123]

Don't know much about cats because the last time I had one I was around 6.

But this might help a little http://cats.about.com/od/newtocats/tp/topmistakes.htm

 

[DMR]

I've read countless amount of sites but I don't think I know enough yet. I would like a user's input on what is a must to know.

Thanks for that sites, nothing there kinda scared me or worried me except the neuter/spay thing :/

My parents aren't really with me about getting a kitten. They're always like this until I get it. Once I get it, they're usually in love with it and give it much care. It was like this for with my parakeets anyways. For now, I would have to come up with all the expenses and I'm pretty young and don't work so I don't know if I would be able to afford all the neuter/spay procedures. Hopefully its not expensive. I'm not too worried for the vaccines as I'll probably be able to pay for given they don't exceed $50-$60.

 

[DMR]

Bump!

 

[Soccer is Life]

My family adopted a cat a few months ago, but we got the cat with all the vaccines and he was neutered already, definitely get the cat a scratch post/mat and have litter boxes on each floor of your house. My kitten was independent from day one and used the litter box every time, I don't know if every cat is like that but it is amazing. My cat also likes the toys on strings where you can control them with stick. If you look around your area you may be able to find low cost animal hospitals/shelters where they will spay/neuter and give vaccines for cheap.

 

[DMR]

Yeah, I called today and was told my cat would only need the base vaccine which cost $59 as it will be an indoors cat only. They also told me it would be $300-$350 for having it declawed and neutered/spayed. It will cost me nearly $400 before tax for just the health aspects. I will also need to purchase all the other necessary things like litter box, litter, bowl, etc which I estimate to be about $100. So In all, I will need to spend about $600 on this kitten which to me is a lot. I love cats, I LOVE them so much but then again, I'm pretty young and don't work.. I don't even have that cash amount on me. I'll see what I can set up with my sister.

 

[x339]

I know this may sound stupid, but it worked for me.

Chances are your kitten is going to ask for petting of the tummy, and then scratch you. When they do that get very angry with them. Use a loud, angry tone of voice and scold them for what they have done. Do not pet them anymore after that. Eventually they will learn that if they do that, they get no more huggles or lovies, and will no longer do it.

 

[epacsenur]

cats are pretty much unstopable as long as you don't crush them obviously. as for the vaccines you don't HAVE to get them for it to survive unlike a dog which has many sickness's that are deadly when young. other than that as long as it can eat on its own it's fine feed it once in a while and make sure it has water then just prepare for the crazy-ness

 

[Soccer is Life]

We didn't declaw our cat, but he did end up damaging some furniture but it wasn't that bad, but still, that could happen to anyone. Owning a cat is kind of expensive, you have to buy a lot of litter and food and different toys from time to time, it all adds up. If your sister would split the cost with you that would help a lot.

 

[DMR]

Yeah, but I would imagine a dog being much more expensive to raise. I think I'll put my plans to purchase one on hold until I can come up with some money to purchase it. I would have gone through with it if my parents or sister were willing to pay little of it but they are stacked with their own expenses for the time being. Thanks for the help.

 

[TheNoob1]

you might look into an animal shelter, depending on what size town you live in or are nearby im sure you could find a young kitten or even one that ran away from home and has the declawing and everything else done. Not only would you have your cat and save money but you would save an animal from being uthinised.

 

[Chris.N]

Declawing is something you dont need to do my cat has a scratching pole and he has no need to scratch the furniture from time to time he does but ohwell nothing severe