The Truth About Free Kittens

Let me tell you the truth, kittens aren’t free! 

Photo byShelley Wenger at Canva

It is the season for kittens. Everyone around you probably has kittens that they found, and they are trying to find them good homes. While some people feel like they need to charge a rehoming fee (to ensure that they find the right home), others are willing to give them away for free. 

However, it is important that you know, just because your kitten is free, doesn’t mean that it is going to stay that way. 

You are going to need to take your new kitten to the veterinarian to ensure that he or she is healthy. Kittens need to be seen regularly when they are young. They need multiple rounds of vaccines in order to become properly protected. Even if your kitten is going to stay inside, you are going to need to get your kitten a Rabies shot. 

Then, when they are around six months of age, they should be fixed. This may cost you a few hundred dollars, but it is much healthier for them. It will also keep you from having to deal with any unwanted litter. 

Even if you don’t take your kitten to the veterinarian right away, you are going to have to feed your new kitten. You need to make sure that you feed your new kitten high-quality food. That being said, just because it is expensive doesn’t mean that it is good food. There are many foods out there that are rather expensive that aren’t the best food. 

I don’t want to name names, but our clinic recommends Science Diet and Purina ProPlan. These foods have been around for a long time, and studies show they are reliable. We also recommend that all cats and kittens eat some canned food to help with their urinary tract. The best cat food is pate-style.

You also need at least one litter pan and a good quality litter. It is even better if you can provide two litter pans. As you get more cats (and probably will), you want to ensure that you always have at least one more litter box than you have cats. If you have six, you need at least seven or eight pans for all of them to use. 

Plus, most people buy some extras for their new kittens. This may include toys and a bed. Some even buy their kittens outfits and other fun things. Cat trees are also popular things that new kitten owners like to buy. 

Free kittens don’t stay free very long. They need to be seen by a veterinarian rather quickly, in order to get make sure that your kitten is properly vaccinated. Even if you don’t plan on letting your kitten outside, you should ensure he or she gets a Rabies shot as soon as possible. You should also plan on spaying or neutering your new kitten when he or she is six months old. 

Veterinary care isn’t the only cost that you may be dealing with. You are going to want to buy the best food that you can so that your new kitten stays as healthy as possible. You also need to buy litter pans so that he or she has a place to go to the bathroom. 

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