Giving Kittens A Healthy Start
Vaccinations For A Healthy Start
The first thing to do when you get a kitten is to make an appointment for a veterinary visit. Your kitten needs immunizations for several viral and bacterial diseases that can affect her, even at a very young age. Talk with your veterinarian about the appropriate vaccination schedule for your kitten.
Something To Consider
Kittens have special nutritional needs. Look for a food that's specially formulated with extra protein, vitamins and minerals that kittens need. You can moisten your kitty's food with one part warm water to four parts dry kitten food, to encourage your kitten to eat.
Use the recommended feeding guidelines on your kitten food bag as a starting point on how much to feed. But kittens are individuals and how much you feed will depend upon your kittens size, activity and metabolism. Watch your kitten carefully to make sure she doesn't become overweight. If she seems to be putting on too much weight, reduce the amount of food you feed.
Let's Eat
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Feed your kitten at the same time and in the same place each day. |
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Kittens tend to be "occasional" eaters; don't consider this as unusual or as an aversion to the food, it's simply normal. |
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If you are feeding a nutritionally complete and balanced kitten food, there is no need to add any supplements unless recommended by a veterinarian. |
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Do not give your kitten any table scraps. You can not only create a finicky eater, but also an overweight kitten. |
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A kitten should not be fed dog or cat food. Kittens have unique nutritional needs that are not met with these foods. |
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If milk is fed, it should only be given as a treat, not as a meal. It should be room temperature and should not represent a major portion of the diet. |
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Always keep plenty of fresh water available. |
Training Makes Better Kittens
Cat training is not an oxymoron. You'll want to train your kitten to keep her from misbehaving, so you'll need to provide toys, a box, paper bag or crumpled piece of paper to keep kitty occupied. Also provide a scratching post to help your kitten exercise and peel away the dead surface of the claw.
And because cats are clean by nature, housebreaking should be easy. Show your kitten where her litter box will be kept, and put her there after long naps, first thing in the morning, last thing at night and periodically throughout the day. If you catch your kitten making a mistake, firmly but gently place her in the litter box. Do not scold your kitten after the mistake. Wash and deodorize the soiled area so your kitten will not return to it. Keep her litter box clean, and avoid moving it, and you should have a trained cat without too much time or trouble.