A couple of weeks ago, I found something special at the farmer’s market. I heard a cat calling to me, and then spotted this 5-month-old kitten coming my way from across the street. He just missed being hit by a pick-up truck. No one claimed him, so I took him to an animal shelter. They were filled to capacity with cats, and said they would put him down immediately. So I took him to a vet. He’s now neutered and has had his vaccinations. He was treated for ear mites and dewormed. Tomorrow I’m going to take him to Petco and try to find a new home for him.

I made up a personality description and tip sheet for his new mom and dad, and thought I’d post it. Some of the tips might help someone adopting their own kitten.

This cat’s personality:

• Litter-trained.
  

• Outgoing and affectionate.
  

• Gentle with its paws/claws.
  

• Gets along with other cats and dogs, but need supervision around older animals, as older animals may find a kitten’s high energy levels annoying. A medium to large-sized dog might trample him until he’s grown.

• Is trained to a sisal-covered scratching post.

• Is harness trained.

• As of September 10, he is still less than 6 months old. However, the vet says that he is “crazy big for his age” and will probably be a large cat. 

• Suited to an indoor life only. He hasn’t been outside much, and is not street-savvy.

Tips:

• If you use a harness on your cat, keep in mind that this is more of a psychological than physical control. Most cats, if determined or spooked, can and will pull out of it.
  Use only a soft-sided, flexible harness. Cats have delicate skin.
  Put your kitten in a harness and attach a leash. Now use toys to play with your kitten, so the harness becomes associated with something fun. Playing games while in the harness also allows your kitten to see that it can still move when the harness is on.
  Cats cannot be walked like a dog. They will wander, and it’s up to you to follow. If you do not wish to go in a certain direction, simply stop so the cat cannot go further. Continue walking once the animal has selected a different route.

• Even if trained to a scratching post, most cats and kittens will claw furniture in new settings. When you see your kitten scratching inappropriately, tell him no. Take him to his scratching post and demonstrate using your fingernails. Most cats prefer two or more posts in heavily-trafficked thoroughfares. If your kitten persists in scratching furniture, put heavy-duty, double-stick tape on any upholstered areas that the kitten seems determined to scratch. The tape lasts approximately six months. You can discontinue the tape once the kitten has developed the habit of going to its post instead of to the upholstery.

• It is advisable to keep young children away from your kitten. Kittens handled roughly – or disciplined with swats or spanks – have a tendency to become “mean” cats. If your kitten swats at you, avoid the temptation to swat back.

• If your kitten is raised with gentleness and trained to a scratching post, it should not be necessary to declaw it. Declawing is a traumatic operation, involving the removal of the first section of the cat(s) toes (similar to surgically removing your fingertips). As a cat grows, the first section of its toes and the second become fused. To remove the section with the claw, the veterinarian must cut through bone – very painful.

• Cats that live outdoors tend to have short, brutal lives. They are killed by cars, roving dogs, people who hate cats, hawks, coyotes, and even other cats. If you want your new friend to have a long life, it should be kept indoors. Indoor cats can live up to 20 years, while outdoor cats typically live less than 4.

• One of the best ways to avoid health issues is to feed your pet a premium food (e.g. Science Diet, Eukanuba, etc.). Although discounted foods may be cheaper, they often do not contain the nutrients necessary to keep your cat healthy. Or they may contain the necessary vitamins, but in very low quantities – so to obtain the nutrient levels needed, the cat must consume massive amounts of low-quality food, leading to obesity.

• Use a high-sided litter pan, and fill it generously (2-3 inches deep). Scoop it twice a day to keep down odor. Some cats will begin soiling floors or bed linens, rather than use a dirty toilet.
  Many cats will not enter an enclosed litter pan, or one placed in a tight area where another animal might corner it. In multi-cat households, it may be necessary to have one litter pan per cat.

• Supervise your cat when it is around stoves or heaters. Cats do not have many temperature receptors in their face and paws. They may not realize there’s a danger until they’ve been burned.

• Use a product like Frontline for flea control. Never put a flea collar on your cat, since these often cause severe allergic reactions. If you have flea medicine meant for dogs, DON’T use this on your cat. This is deadly.

• NEVER use a product meant for dogs on cats. Cats are different than other animals. Most of the medicines given to dogs and people are poisonous to cats and kittens. If you’re in doubt, don’t use it or ask your vet.

• Keeping a collar on your cat can be difficult. Cats often pull collars off. Some catch their lower jaw in them, which can be dangerous. The best way to identify your cat is with a microchip. This is a procedure which must be done under anesthesia and requires an appointment with a veterinarian.