File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hey /an/,

About to be a first time kitten owner. A friend of mine had a cat who gave birth, and wants me to take one off her hands. She'll give it up after it being with its mother for six weeks.

Any help to a newbie?
Are shots necessary?
if so, what kind?

pic slightly related.
>> Anonymous
Take it to a vet, get it dewormed & deflead.
It will need 3 rounds of vaccines (I forget exactly what they are, but the vet will know).
It may not be completely weaned, so buy some kitten milk replacement in case it won't eat solid food.
Get an electric heating pad for it so it has someplace warm to nap when there's no lap available.
Take lots of pictures and video of it, because kittens are fucking precious.
>> Anonymous
>>82879
Any clue to what it will all cost?
>> Anonymous
>>82880
over 9000 dollars
>> Anonymous
>>82882


...any...REAL answers?
>> menchi !IgWlr3a0sk
cat food $10-15
litter box and litter + scooper $20-30
vaccinations and neutering $250-400
toys $all yer monies

the fun and pleasure of owning a kitten $priceless
>> Anonymous
The shots & deworm/deflea will probably cost a total of a couple hundred bucks.
I forgot to add that you will need to have the kitten spayed or neutered around 12 weeks.
That's gonna be around $75-$100 for a male, closer to $200 for a female.
Being a responsible cat owner isn't cheap :(
>> Anonymous
>>82886
Do not waste any money on cat toys (except maybe a laser pointer).
My cats LOVE to play with wire ties, q-tips, and the plastic seal ring from milk cartons.
I bought a $30 robotic mouse that changes directions when something hits it. My cats were afraid of it because it makes so much noise. Most cat toys are a waste of money and you could find or make something for free that will be more effective. The only exception is a laser pointer, which provides lots of entertainment and exercise.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Here they are, 2 days old.

Any other things i should know?

BTW, the black loner one...in the corner...he's dead.

=[
>> Anonymous
>>82889
only thing is, watch it if you're letting them play with wires, twist ties, or rubber bands.

if they're eating them, stop letting them play with the things--they can perforate their guts or cause constipation.

either of which can equal death... so string is generally a better choice for your kitty.
>> Anonymous
>>82890
Play with it every single day, untill it gets bored. Make sure there are no loose wires or electrical cords, cover all of them if possible to prevent biting. Clean all those "nook" places, kittens like to explore, and dusty kittens are happy to roll all over your bed.

Pick it up as much as possible, reward it if it comes to you when called. Brush and bathe it while its still young.

if the cat does something you dont want it to do, make it VERY clear that you do not approve of such behavior, but do not express directly like hitting the cat.

You have to get the cat used to these things early.

Oh and dont let it outside untill the vet says you can.
>> Anonymous
>>82894
Hmm, I never had that problem, but I guess it's something to be concerned about.
My kittens loved to play with string too.
>> Gingitsune
careful with string too...one of my cats ate some and nearly died, had to go into the vet for surgery...she's hail and healthy now, but skittish as all get out because when she was sick it was probably painful for her to be held.
>> menchi !IgWlr3a0sk
true you don't have to "buy cat toys" per se.
mine like cheap stuff like plastic bags from the store (noise makes them happy) and some cheap plastic bead necklaces from this novelty catalog I get, or silica bags from computer parts rders.. silly stuff.. but you will want to invest in a few one-time things, like a carrier for trips in the car, and a "cat condo" (cheaply had on eBay) as all cats seem to love having their own cat tree.
Also, and this one is vital to their health.. get a scratching post for them. the taller, the better.
having a place to stretch and exercise their claws saves furniture, and keeps their muscles well-developed and healthy.
also, getting some fresh catnip now and then is fun with some cats.
both of mine love the stuff.
>> Anonymous
The best cat toy ever is a foil ball or one of those fake mice with real fur tied to the end of a kid's size fishing pole. I can play with the cat in the other room without getting up off the couch. My cat will actually beg for the fishing pole if she sees it. I have to hide it behind the couch, but now she just goes up to the couch and cries until I get out the fishing pole. She plays for about 5 minutes, then sits down in her boxes. If I put the fishing pole away the cycle repeats itself.
>> Anonymous
if you want to go all el cheapo and still have an effective cat toy.

One thign you can do is take random cardboard boxes, cut holes in them and tie them all together with string. Never use staples or tape, my cats tried to eat em.

You will end up with a sort of terrain park, the cats will climb around it and sit inside it.

For an added bonus cut holes all over the boxes and use them to play with the cat inside, string works well but other toys do just fine.
>> Anonymous
>>82878
The spaying thing can't be emphasised enough. If you have a male and a female, you'll be overwhelmed with cats faster than you would ever think it possible. From a health stand-point; unfixed females are prone to uterine tumours, males are prone to urinary problems. If you don't allow your cats outside (as I don't),fleas are hardly an issue at all unless it does get out (and there are no other animals in the house that do go out). Playtime? Kittens will play with anything, but cords are not always possible to keep completely out of their way. They do repond to discipline and are not nearly as stupid as most people think that they are. I have had literally hundreds of cats (no exaggeration, anybody want one?), and a lot of cords and I have never had one actually bite through an electrical wire. Wires don't move around a lot and they prefer things that do. Forget "bought at market" cat-toys, they will most likely ignore them. A string with a noisy object(s) tied on the end will amuse them for weeks. If you buy milk in the kind of bottles that have a plastic sealing ring on the cap, the circular bit that you throw away has always been my cats' favorite toys. I have taught many of them to fetch using one. They're easy for the cat to bat around, get a grip on, and they roll.
>> Anonymous
research your city about free spaying. pet over population has spurred many such services nationwide for your convenience, sparing monies.

Also kittens nibble like bastards. Here's how to handle it: when he/she got your hands in a deathlock and nibbling ferociously, gently but firmly put your forefinger into its mouth and push down on its tongue gently. It'll eventually hate biting you because it'll know it'll get its tongue pushed down (gently, don't hurt it).

If it's just being a bastard/bitch, hiss at it threatingly. Say it's constantly nibbling on your ankles. HISS at it. Some even recommend pinning it down by the scruff of their neck and hissing right behind their ears because its how their mothers would socialize em.

Have fun and do take pictures/video. Kittens grow up, and aren't nearly as playful and fascinated with the world when they mature.
>> Anonymous
in my opinion you shouldnt have the kitten til its at least 8 weeks old.neutering should be done at 6 months old,they rarely do it earlier.shots are vital if the kitten is going out.lukemia shots are recommended too.cats dont need to be washed unless they get really dirty.never rub the kits nose in pee or poo,it can burn and hurt.wenever u catch them in the act of peeing out the tray,just pick them up asap and put them in it.whoever sed about silica bags from computers ect didnt u kno that stuff is poisinous??last point of advice,use a toy not yr hands to play with,it saves yr fingers!
>> Talec !gKQv5IanZU
     File :-(, x)
>>82889Do not waste any money on cat toys

Seconded. I entertained my kitties with peacock feathers and a nice sturdy stick with a strong string tied to it.

I'm going to need to restock. =O
>> Anonymous
Cat toys are made by super intelligent cat scientists to distract humans. Because who spends more attention to the purple string with a shiny mouse on it? The cat or the owner?
>> Anonymous
ifs u hads mo spells erros it wo be funy likes

is in yo gutta clogin yo drain

os sumtin buts yo gramas sucks
>> Anonymous
>>83255
I didn't make the pic...
>> Anonymous
Keep plastic bags away from them
>> Anonymous
>>83266
i'm eyeing my room for random objects that can be considered toys.


how bout an empty (or full) water bottle?
or a shark hand puppet?
>> Anonymous
Get books. Read books. Google subject. Read sites. Why on earth would you rely on 4chan for being a good source of information?
>> Anonymous
miniblind strings, very dangerous, untie them at least.
>> Anonymous
A kitten will have a ball with a tennis ball.
It will practice pounching on it, and do such a bad job that it usually just jumps up and down in the air.
>> Anonymous
>>83282
dude, its an animal forum, chill.
>> Anonymous
wait til she's 8 weeks and get her to the vet to be vaccinated. she'll be fine. cat's automatically know how to use the litter box.

good luck. :)