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When you have kids, there’s a good chance that they’re going to come home one day asking for a pet. Perhaps they’ve visited a friends house and grown fond of the four legged companion that lives in their house. Maybe they’ve spotted a cute animal on television or in the local park. Whatever the reason, you’re bound to experience the begging and tears that come hand in hand with a child wanting a pet somewhere down the line. Now, you should never take on any animal on a whim. When you introduce any creature into your home, you take on a huge amount of responsibility and it becomes your role to care for this companion for the rest of its life. It’s also important to bear in mind that animals do not grow up in the same way that children do – they will be needy and dependent on you forever. However, there are all sorts of benefits that you will gain from introducing a pet to your family. So, if you think that a pet is definitely for you, here are a few things that you should bear in mind before heading the shelter to pick the right four legged friend for you and your family. For now, let’s focus on cats!
The Basics
Having a cat requires a lot more financial involvement than merely the cost or adoption fees of the cat in the first place. There are a few basics that you will have to provide your pet with throughout his or her entire life. You will need to find the best cat litter, the best food, the best toys, the best beds, and the best scratching posts – all which will need to be replaced time and time again as they are used or worn down. You will also have to ensure that your pet has a good insurance policy in order to cover any vets fees from unexpected accidents or illnesses.
Vaccinations
If you have your cat from a kitten, you’re going to have to put them through vaccinations in order to ward off disease and illness. These will also need to be repeated as your vet prescribes. Routine vaccination will greatly reduce their chances of contracting feline diseases that can prove fatal or harmful down the line. Two vaccinations that your cat definitely need are for Feline Infectious Enteritis and Cat Flu. The first is a severe and often fatal gut infection that is caused by the feline parvovirus. The virus is widespread in most environments and unavoidable, so vaccination is the best way to prevent it. The second, cat flu, comes in two varieties – feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). While the vaccination will not completely destroy the threat (as there are too many strains to completely combat), it is effective in reducing your cat’s chances of becoming susceptible to the illness.
These are just a few things you should be aware of before taking a kitten into your home. There are, of course, other areas that you will need to research, but this should get you started in the right direction!
