ok where to start...
My boyfriend has always wanted a cat while i never really cared about keeping a pet. But since i love him i gave in and said yes to owning a cat/kitten. We will probably get one next month from a local shelter.

Thats where my 'problem' starts, he works all day so i pretty much have to raise and take care of it but i really have no idea how... I have never owned a cat and i dont think i even know anyone who owns one to ask about such things lol
so i guess first thing would be, how do you litter train a kitten? do you have to do anything specific or do they learn that by themself or...?
Next thing would be food, i would rather not end up with a fat and unhealthy cat so which food or food combination is usually best and most healthy?
Another thing is my boyfriend really wants it to become an outside cat but ive read this shortens their life expectancy a lot?! wouldnt want the poor thing to be run over by a car... we do live in a very quiet neighbourhood tho, theres mostly families with children living here. How would i go about letting it go outside? (cat proofing our garden is not an option btw) wont it just get lost and never come back?
Also ive seen a list somewhere... (around here? dont remember :P ) that listed all the things you should have before you get a cat/kitten, i have a rough idea about what to get but if anyone has such a list or can link me to one, id appreciate it

umm i think thats it for now, maybe ill think of more later. I hope somebody here can help me out, thanks!

edit: oh yea any name suggestions? xD

(sorry for my english, im not native and too lazy to write properly xD;; )

Hi there Taikoo and welcome to the pets forum. I hope we can help you with the multitude of questions you will no doubt be asking as a first time slave to a cat.

I'm posting you a link to a thread that you may find useful. Not all of the info will be relevant as you are getting a cat from a rescue centre but it also gives other good advice on what you will need etc.

Buying a kitten - A guide

One suggestion I would make, and it would actually make life much easier for yourself if you are going to be at home with the kitten all day, is to consider getting TWO kittens. They will play with each other and this will prevent them getting bored. Also, if you are alone with one cat day in day out, it could become very possessive of you and demanding of your time. Having two helps to lessen the likliehood of this happening.

Several people on the forum came here asking about getting a single kitten and were advised that two would be better. They got two and have confirmed it was the best move they'd made. I'm sure they'll post up their stories so that you can get their opinion on this.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

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Welcome to the forum first of all

Have you had a read about anything related to cat behaviour/habits/body language etc? The breeder I got my boy from gave me some info on body language and I got a book about kittens from Pets At Home which, although is very basic and doesn't cover everything is a start. Here is a bit about body language Cat Body Language Helps you Understand Cat Behavior and if you google cat body language have a look at the images to make it more clear.

Kittens litter train pretty quick so should already have mastered that by the time they come to you so you dont need to worry about that. When you bring him/her home for the first time let them have a look around, feed them and then put them in the litter box so they know where it is and you should be fine, try and use the same litter they're used to at the shelter for a while first and then gradually change it if you want to later on.

You should let a kitten eat as much as it wants as they have lots of growing to do and they don't tend to overeat so don't think about limiting food until they're a year old. Have a look here for some pointers on nutrition A-Z of wet food for cats there's lots of info about the different brands.

A great site for everything cat stuff related is zooplus.co.uk, at first you will need food bowls, litter tray, litter, food, scratching post...I think that's the basics but then I have a ridiculous amount of cat stuff and think it's all essential so I'm probably not the best person to advise

The indoor/outdoor thing you will need to decided between you, yes outdoor cats do have a shorter life expectancy but if you have a garden you could cat proof then that could be a compromise. Just make sure that your kitty is fully vaccinated and neutered before they are allowed out and really they should be a year old so that they can handle themselves with other cats.

Oh and you must share pictures when you get your kitten, it's in the rules somewhere

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Oh Dom85 has covered absolutely everything! So, that!

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Congratulations and welcome to the forum!
I'm sure you'll be a brilliant pet owner and any help you might need you will find it in here.
I'm very happy that you're going to adopt a cat.

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You will find a lot of answers here but the best buy I think I did is the complete cat care manual by dorling kindersly and RSPCA

It is has loads of info but also very nice to use - pics of how to groom (with a suitably grumpy looking cat ) etc which is prob helpful if English isn't your first language as everything is explained with pics

I would def recommend. It is the only book I got that I still pick off the shelf to have a look at

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Ps I got 2 kittens and they are def much less effort than one! They keep each other entertained and active. Especially if you decide to keep them indoors as they def won't get bored with each other as play buddies

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I left you name suggestions to answer lol

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Unless they are wanting utterly ridiculous names, I don't think I will be of much help

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Welcome to the forum.
I am sure when you get this little kitty you will for in love with him/her. Probably in a matter of hours.
Once a cat owner always a cat owner
You have already been given lots of advice.
As for letting kitten out, well she will be too young for this year anyway.
Then you will have the winter to go through so there will be enough time for you to get organised.
We didn't let ours out till she was 9 months old and that is in a cat proof garden.
Start as you mean to go on.
By letting her out in your garden fitted with a harness and walking her round so she gets use to the garden.
Only let her out at certain times that suit you.
We don't let ours out till it is very light so as they don't catch birds and then they are in before dark.

If you are both out at work all day then maybe a cat flap would help.
Also best to micro chip kitty if you are going to let her out.

Good luck and don't for get to up load some picures of kitty when you get one ot two

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