FIRST TIME kitten owner (soon). Need help!?

1) I ended up getting a 4-month old cat earlier this year (he's just about to turn 7-months). You can get a kitten at 8 weeks, but they are definitely young then and need some special care. I did want to get a cat under 1 year old as well to help "train" it to be social like you are wanting for that very reason.

2) Most animal shelters have an "acquaintance" room to go play with a kitten or "as many as it takes" to find the right one. Find one that is social and is willing to cuddle and what not. Maybe bring a friend and see how it does with multiple people as well. It's not a guarantee, but you will see which of the kittens are most social at that initial point. Also unless you have a specific breed in mind Domestic Short Hairs (and their sub-breeds) are pretty much your "common" house cat and are fairly social, healthy, and playful in general. Realize when you first get the kitten it will likely "hide" for a couple of days in it's new surroundings. My kitten hid for about a day or two, then started slowly exploring the place, and was pretty much out and about in about a week. I took it to my parents house for Thanksgiving weekend (car travel and new surroundings) and he hid for about 4-5 hours and then was all over the house and being social.

In general try to expose your cat to as many social situations as possible as soon as possible (children, strangers, groups, travel, etc) without "overloading" it. Realize when it's getting to be too much for your cat and let him get away from it for a bit and calm down. Try to make them as positive (and controlled) experiences as possible at first, especially with the young kids. Cats tend to shy away from unfamiliar situations. That's why some don't like strangers and may hide or stay out of reach. Watch your discipline (methods) with your cat as well. Kittens will be kittens, but if you're too harsh they may grow up fearing punishment more than attention in most new situations.

3) A lot of this stuff they will give you pamphlets at the shelter when you adopt and/or at your vets. I have seen a "Complete Idiot's Guide for Cat Owners" at pet stores. I've found this line of books useful for other topics. Don't be afraid to talk to the people at the adoption agency, your vet, or workers at a pet store for a good book either.

In the end the things that effect their personality the most are: natural disposition (like I said...look for a social kitten to help on this one), history (why getting an older cat is a risk since you don't know 100% how it was treated), the cat's experience (expose your cat to as much as possible and make it a positive experience and it will not run and hide, as much, when it meets new people/situations), breed (some breeds are just plain more social than others).

1. Kittens should not be separated from their mothers until they are at least 8wks old. (10-12wks is best.) Kittens that are separated too early are more likely to have behavioral/neurotic issues.

2. Most cats are "sociable". Males tend to be more so than females. I said tend. Each cat is different. Getting a young kitten is not going to affect its social nature. I currently have a very friendly foster cat and her 2 kittens. Both kittens were raised in the same manner, with lots of human contact. One is extremely friendly, the other hides and has no interest in human attention.

The best way to ensure that your cat will be sociable, is to adopt an adult whose "personality" is already established.

Unless you are home 24/7, kittens should not be adopted without another animal companion. Kittens have a lot of energy, and if they do not have another cat/kitten to play with, they tend to find other, often destructive, ways to amuse themselves.

A cat doesn't have to be walked. You don't have to poop and scoop out side. A kitten or a cat needs lots of tender loving care though. I don't know of any shelter that will let a kitten be adopted younger that 8 weeks of age. I don't think this is healthy for the kitten either. However if you find a shelter and volunteer to help raise abandoned kittens (its a lot of work) you may get to hand raise them from a very young age and then adopt the one you like best when they let you. You may choose not to adopt, but to continue to raise abandoned animals who knows.

Most cats are very social with people, it often depends on how well they are treated by their owners. If you are gentle and loving and often wait for the cat or kitten to come to you, it often does and wants and needs attention.

Why don't you adopt a well adjusted cat from a shelter?

I definately recommend anyone who is willing to love and take good care of an animal to adopt and raise them, it is good for both of you.

1). Yes, you can adopt kittens. You don't want one too young though. It needs time to be with its mother cat to nurse and get strong.

2). Cats aren't like dogs. At least most of them aren't. Most cats will pick and choose who they want, like to be around but by handling them and petting them and allowing others to do so (if it is okay with the cat/kitten) then you can have a more sociable cat. There are times that kittens and cats just want to be left alone and not touched. By watching their body language you will come to learn that and give them the room that they need. It isn't a good idea to force a cat/kitten to be held, touched. You could get scratched and the kitten/cat won't trust you.

3). I like the Cats for Dummies book but there are others too that you may like. Just check your locat book store or Amazon.

4). Please have your kitten examined by a vet with a week or so of bringing it home. Also, please feed it kitten food not cat food.

Good luck. You are on your way to being a good pet parent.

What have you been doing with your dogs? You've had "several" you say. Pets are a lifetime commitment. I don't recommend you getting another pet of any kind if you just have them for awhile and then send them on down the line. Dogs can live for many years if properly cared for so I feel antzy about what's going on with yours. Cats are wonderful companions for small apartments and houses but they can live for up to 20 years. Unless you're prepared for this kind of commitment and responsibility, please don't get one. As for socialization, that depends on the cat. Most times older cats are more affectionate than kittens. Kittens are a toss up as to how their personalities will develop. Also, kittens should not be taken from mom earlier than 10-12 weeks. Most kittens younger than this will be in a foster home till they're old enough to be adopted. I don't have a book but this website is a winner. The information is right on and there are articles on several subjects.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/?action=library

1. Yes there are many kittens available at the shelter, at least the one in my town.

2. It is not hard to raise a sociable cat. Just be affectionate towards it. Dont raise your voice or be loud around her/him because that may scare her/him from being around people and not be as friendly.

3. Go to petsmart and ask them to refer you to a book.

Goodluck and enjoy him/her!!

Welcome to Catland. I sympathize as a long-time dog owner who recently got a cat myself. Yes, you should find kittens plentiful at a shelter. As for "sociability," you can attempt to socialize the cat by spending time with her, treating he/she gently, familiarizing her with yourself and others around you, etc. However, your attempts may only go so far as cats are very independent and individual in their personalities. You can find books at pet stores and much helpful information online. Be patient with her/him and yourself. Hope this helps and good luck!