| Even if you have had years of experience with | | | | and 14 weeks and possibly a Rabies vaccine, |
| adult cats, taking care of a kitten is a | | | | depending on local laws or if your cat is |
| whole new world. Kittens eat differently, | | | | considered at risk. |
| sleep differently, and need time to adjust to | | | | |
| changes both inside their bodies and in the | | | | Two procedures that may be taken care of at |
| outside world. Learn about a kitten's basic | | | | different times are spaying/neutering and |
| needs and how to help your kitten grow into a | | | | declawing. Some vets prefer to spay/neuter at |
| happy, healthy adult cat. | | | | a younger age, as it may be better for the |
| | | | cat. You need to make a separate appointment |
| Make Your Home Kitten-Proof | | | | for this. Unlike spaying and neutering, |
| | | | declawing is a more debatable procedure. You |
| What, exactly, does kitten-proofing entail? | | | | should aim to understand more about the |
| Particularly if you already have older cats, | | | | benefits and disadvantages of this procedure |
| what more do you need to do? | | | | before you make a final decision. |
| | | | |
| For one thing, kittens are much more active | | | | Social Growth |
| and curious than older cats. Like human | | | | |
| babies, they often satisfy their curiosity by | | | | In his first month and a half of growth, a |
| chewing everything in site. For this reason, | | | | new kitten experiences tremendous changes. |
| you should purchase all-natural cat litter | | | | Typically, new cat owners will not bring home |
| and not the clumping clay variety that is | | | | a kitten until week 6, when it has been |
| commonly used with older cats. | | | | weaned off its mother's milk. For this |
| | | | reason, typically new kitten owners will be |
| Another element of kitten-proofing your home | | | | more involved in the social growth than |
| is giving the kitten a safe place to be. This | | | | physical growth. |
| need not be an entire room, but it does need | | | | |
| to be quiet and closed off from other | | | | If the mother was comfortable with humans, |
| animals. After a few days, give the kitten | | | | the kittens will usually learn that behavior |
| and the other animals some closely supervised | | | | and learn to socialize easily with people. |
| time to get acquainted. If your new kitten | | | | However, if your kitten has not become |
| has not been to the vet, keep it quarantined | | | | accustomed to being handled by humans by the |
| from other animals until you can be certain | | | | age of six weeks, it will be difficult to |
| he does not have any infectious diseases. | | | | train this behavior later, and the cat may |
| Give the animals a few weeks to get used to | | | | always be somewhat more skittish than others. |
| each other and do not push too hard; before | | | | |
| you know it, the safe room will be a thing of | | | | Be sure to teach your kitten at a young age |
| the past! | | | | that hands are not toys, they feed, pet and |
| | | | hold the kittens. |
| The First Visit to the Vet | | | | |
| | | | Introducing Canned Food |
| The first visit to the vet should take place | | | | |
| shortly after you have gotten your kitten, | | | | Kittens need many more nutrients than adult |
| particularly if it was a stray and you do not | | | | cats. However; with smaller stomachs they |
| know its medical history. This is | | | | must each more regularly. A six-week-old |
| particularly important if you have other | | | | kitten should have four daily feedings until |
| household pets that could be infected if the | | | | he reaches 12 weeks of age. From 12 weeks to |
| kitten has any communicable diseases. Until | | | | six months, she can take three daily |
| you take the new kitten to the vet, you will | | | | feedings. After that point, feed your kitten |
| need to keep him away from the other pets. | | | | once daily, like other adult cats. |
| | | | |
| At the veterinarian's office, your kitten | | | | When choosing food, keep your kitten's health |
| will undergo a detailed physical exam. This | | | | top priority. Do not feed your kitten:table |
| will include looking at baby teeth to | | | | scraps or milkdog foodadult cat food |
| determine age, measuring temperature, | | | | |
| palpating organs, listening to the heart, | | | | All of these may be easy options for you, the |
| brushing fur for signs of fleas, and checking | | | | pet owner, but the kitten will not receive |
| eyes and ears. After the physical examination | | | | the nutrients she needs. Instead, feed her a |
| is complete, the vet will perform several | | | | well-balanced diet of food made specifically |
| tests, such as: | | | | for developing kittens. Begin with canned |
| | | | food, which is more calorie-laden for |
| Fecal float checks for worms | | | | energetic kittens. Later on, you can start |
| | | | supplementing with dry food. |
| Blood Tests check for FeLV and FIV viruses | | | | |
| | | | Now that you have learned the basics of |
| Depending on your kitten's age when you first | | | | kitten care, bring home your new kitten and |
| take her to the vet, she may be vaccinated. | | | | enjoy the time you spend together. She will |
| Vaccinations take place at 9 to 10 weeks of | | | | be an adult cat before you know it! |
| age. Kittens are given a booster shot at 12 | | | | |