Facts About Adopting a Kitten

Before adopting that precious kitten and bringing it into your home, there are a few simple facts to consider. To ensure the best quality of life for the kitten, check each item on the list to confirm you can provide the necessary requirements of raising a healthy kitten to adulthood and maintain its well-being into its senior years. 

Use the following list to ask yourself if you are ready to commit both financially and emotionally in order to become a responsible, adoptive caregiver to an adopted kitten. 

• The financial ability to provide food, litter, approved flea treatment products, ear mite and parasite medicines, grooming tools, veterinary visits, and prescribed medications, is required.


• Unexpected emergencies arise and you must be able to afford emergency treatment, which can be expensive. Monthly pet insurance is available.


• Kittens and cats require a secure pet carrier, collar, and leash for transportation to and from vet visits or feline grooming salons.


• Boarding arrangements will need to be made when you are traveling.


• The home should be cat proofed to eliminate any obvious or hidden dangers to the kitten.


• If other pets live in the home, bringing a new kitten into the established territory of an adult feline or dog can be problematic and dangerous to the kitten. 


• If the kitten is the only pet, it will require extra time and attention.


• Educate small children living in the home about the treatment of animals to prevent unintentional harm to the kitten. 


• Before bringing the kitten home, confirm the adopting agency has provided the necessary vaccinations. Ask if the kitten has been spayed or neutered. If not, ask at what age the procedure can be done and what the cost will be.


• Ensure the kitten is old enough to adopt.


• Kittens require maintenance that includes cleaning the litter pan, providing fresh water daily, and feeding a quality brand food formulated especially for kittens. 


• Provide kittens with clean bedding, assorted toys that are safe for small mouths, and quality daily interaction and playtime with family members.


• Consider the fact that kittens grow up quickly and can remain with you and your family for 15 to 20 or more years.


• Kittens can be adopted from multiple sources, including animal shelters, local humane societies and individuals. Make sure you adopt from a reputable source that clearly has been mindful of the animal's health and well-being prior to adoption.