So you’ve taken the decision to adopt a new kitten but have you really considered the ongoing responsibilities that will bring? Or the expected lifespan of your new pet? A newborn kitten is possibly one of the cutest, most appealing things on this earth but if you are to give one a permanent home, your responsibility for its health and well-being may last for up to 20 years.

In addition to the general welfare of your new pet, there is a financial consideration to be aware of too. Your kitten will very quickly grow into an adult cat and there will be ongoing expenses to meet.

Obviously food and good nutrition will be needed but have you properly allowed for the cost of vaccinations and other veterinary expenses? Many people rely on pet insurance to cover unexpected medical bills but do make sure that you read the small print first - often the level of cover reduces as your cat ages whilst the premiums remain the same.

Also, in the same way that people have different characters and personailites, cats’ characters are many and varied. Your expectation of owning a soppy lap-cat may not be met so you must be prepared to accept your developing kitten’s personality come what may.

If you want to get an idea of a particular cat’s personality before you choose a kitten, there are many excellent books available that will list the character traits of different breeds of cats. This should enable you to select a breed whose natural personality closely matches your expectations.

Cats permanently living indoors will naturally need a lot more attention than those allowed to roam outside and you will also need to be prepared to clean a litter box on a daily basis. Do you even have a suitable place for your cat’s litter box in your home? These are important questions that require an answer before taking the decision to welcome a new kitten into your home.

Are you prepared to invest time in grooming your pet? Most cats take care of keeping their fur clean and well groomed themselves but as they get older, aching joints often prevent them from doing such a good job. This is when you may need to take over their grooming for them. And how do you feel about them shedding thier fur over your furniture? If you love cats, you may see this as just another part of cat-ownership but less enthusiastic owners may find the constant need to clean their clothes and furniture of pet hair too much to cope with.

Should you need to be away from home regularly, you will need to make arrangements for your cat to be cared for. There are several solutions available and each has its own advantages and disadvantges. You may be fortunate enough to have a friend or neighbor who is willing to call in twice a day and feed your cat. There are also professional pet visiting services or you may prefer to book your pet into a boarding cattery. Whichever you choose, the happiness of your cat should be your main consideration - not the financial cost.

Once you aware of the downside as well as the upside of taking on a new kitten and feel that you are happy to take on that responsibility, you can really start to enjoy your new family member.

There is nothing finer on a chilly, dark evening than having your feline companion sit purring contentedly on your lap after a hard day’s work is over. The love and loyalty a cat can bring to your life has been shown to have positive health and life benefits for its owner but personally, I just think that sharing a few, purr-filled moments with your pet is reward enough.

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