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