| Kittens are, without a doubt, some of the cutest | | | | Instead, they will learn to sleep a lot and reserve |
| little critters on the planet. And they are loads of fun, | | | | more play time for night, when you are home. But if |
| too... if you can keep up with them. | | | | you are trying to sleep, this could be annoying. |
| Because they are so irresistible, many people think | | | | To be completely fair to kittens, they shouldn't even |
| they want to get a kitten, sort of like a "starter cat," | | | | be removed from their mothers and siblings until they |
| so it and the kids can all grow up together. | | | | are at least 3 months old, or, 12 weeks. These first |
| But that is actually the worst reason to get a kitten, | | | | weeks are critical to normal development, not only |
| and could actually wind up being a death sentence for | | | | physically, but emotionally and mentally. It is during |
| the little guy. | | | | this time that they learn certain skills, too. Their |
| Kittens are fragile, tiny, naive and too trusting. If a | | | | mothers teach them how to use a litter box, how to |
| child hasn't yet learned the difference between a live | | | | "hunt," even if it's only a toy, and how to interact |
| animal and a furry toy, the "live toy" may not survive | | | | with other cats and people. Without those basic |
| the experience. | | | | abilities, they will have behavior issues later, and their |
| When the single dad who lived next door to my | | | | owners will be frustrated as they try to figure out |
| shelter was annoyed that I refused to let him adopt | | | | how to manage this tiny pest that used to be so |
| one of our kittens for his little girl (so she could "have | | | | cute. |
| her very own little kitty to play with"), he easily | | | | Unfortunately, most people think nothing of giving |
| found a local farm with the usual "excess cats" on | | | | kittens away at 6, 5 or even 4 weeks old. That's like |
| the place and got not one, not two, but FOUR little | | | | sending your child to kindergarten at age 2 and |
| kitties for her to play with. | | | | expecting him to successfully fit in, learn to read, |
| They didn't live long. One simply disappeared, or so | | | | color, stack blocks, and behave correctly. They |
| he said. One got stepped on (by him). Another was | | | | simply do not have the ability to do these things yet, |
| strangled to death by her "hugs." And the last one | | | | but no one gets angry at them over it. However, if a |
| was found having convulsions in the yard. I took it to | | | | tiny kitten makes a mess, some people will punish it, |
| the vet, but it was too late. It, too, had been | | | | because they don't "get it" that this kitten is still |
| strangled. | | | | learning everything. |
| Sadly, in this rural area, like many others, this is not | | | | Many of these "failed relationship" cats wind up at |
| considered cruelty, and no charges were even | | | | shelters, or simply tossed outside to fend for |
| considered. | | | | themselves. Since they do not have outdoor survival |
| In those cases, there should be no small pets in the | | | | skills, they often die. But if they make the transition |
| home unless parents are willing to completely | | | | to outside cat, they become unfriendly, untame, and |
| supervise the children. If that's not possible, then only | | | | just another of the many stray pests in a |
| large, kid-friendly pets that can defend themselves | | | | neighborhood that everyone thinks should be trapped |
| should be allowed. Still, supervision is always the best | | | | and killed. |
| policy when animals and children are together. | | | | If your life doesn't have room for the extra work |
| However, even if you don't have small children, it's a | | | | involved with a baby animal, then give an older cat a |
| good idea to give the kitten adoption idea some | | | | chance. It may take a little longer for an adult cat to |
| serious consideration. | | | | learn to trust you, especially if it came from a home |
| If you work all day, it's not fair to isolate an active, | | | | where the people couldn't be trusted, but once you |
| energetic kitten, as they really need to be able to run | | | | bond, the relationship will be very rewarding... for both |
| and play at normal intervals throughout the day. | | | | of you. |