How to Raise a Kitten

Kittens make great pets.

Kittens are a wonderful addition to any family. However, if you want your kitten to grow into a great cat, you will need to start right away. Taking the proper steps in the beginning will keep it from destroying your furniture, ruining your rugs, and making a giant nuisance out of him or herself. Read on to learn how to raise a kitten.

Things You'll Need

• Kitten
• Kitten food
• Two dishes
• Several small litter boxes or pans
• Cat litter
• Scratching post
• Cat toys
• Water squirt gun
• Cat carrier

Instructions

Bringing the Kitten Home

1. Before you purchase a kitten, make sure you have everything that you need. This includes food, litter box, litter, a scratching post and cat toys.

2. Choose a good quality kitten food. Kittens need more nutrients than adult cats. Do not feed it adult cat food.

3. In the beginning, you will need several smaller litter boxes. Kittens have small bladders and can not always make it back to the main litter box in time. You can use boxes cut down to size that are lined with trash bags. Place them in visible areas in the main areas of the home. As the kitten gets older, you can slowly reduce the number of litter boxes.

4. Pick a kitten that is healthy. It should also have a shiny coat and clear eyes. Also look for one this is friendly, outgoing and does not mind being handled.

5. Although it may be very difficult, have the kitten ride home in its cat carrier. This will help get it used to it as well keep it calmer because it will feel more secure. Plus, you don't want it darting out of the car and getting hurt.

6. You should plan on taking your kitten to the vet within as soon as possible. Not only will it need shots and worming, but it should be thoroughly checked out for any other problems.

Feeding TIme

1. Feed your kitten at least three times a day until it is six months old. If you work during the day, you can feed it right before you go to work, immediately after coming home, and then before you go to bed.

2. 

   Because kittens do not have as many or as strong of teeth as adult cats, feed them canned food or moistened dry food. Add about one part warm water to four parts kitten food.

3. Start training your kitten to use its scratching post by taking it to it several times a day. You can make it more attractive by rubbing catnip on it. If you catch your cat using the furniture, scold it and take it to the scratching post. Gently place its paws on the scratching post. Eventually, it will get the idea.

4. 

   Although they will sleep anywhere, you should provide your kitten with a soft place to sleep. An old towel or blanket in a box works well.

5. Water pistols are a great training device. Keep a few loaded around the house. If you catch your kitten on the counters or scratching the couch, shoot it with a couple of squirts of water. Do not squirt it in the kitten's face.

6. 

   Baby gates can be a great tool for protecting your kitten from your dogs. Simply place the gate in a doorway with enough room for the kitten to slip under but the dogs cannot. However, you may find your kitten likes to use it as a climbing toy.

7. Don't forget toys. Kittens love to play and needs lots of stimulation, especially when you're not around.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider adopting a cat from a shelter. Eight to 10 million dogs and cats die in shelters every year because they have no home.