How to Take Care of a New Kitten

Kittens are are not a difficult pet to care for but they are rather fragile so care must be given when planning how you will care for your new kitten, preferably before you bring your new kitten home with you.

Things You'll Need

• Kitten Food
• Cat Litter Box
• Kitty Litter
• Veterinarian
• Cat Toys

Instructions

1. Cats live longer and stay healthier when they are kept as indoor pets. If your kitten is to live indoors with you, your first purchase will need to be a litter box and cat litter. Thankfully, training a kitten to use their litter box is relatively easy. Place some of their feces on top of the kitty litter and show it to them. It helps to have a cover for your kitty litter box or place it in a secluded area. Cats enjoy their privacy.

2. Purchase specially formulated kitten food. Kittens have a much different nutritional requirement than that of adult cats due to their rapid growth. It's recommended that a kitten under 6 months of age be fed 4-5 small meals a day. Avoid giving your kitten cow milk from the store (fresh from the farmer is good). Many cats will lack the proper enzymes to digest cow milk as it's been homogenized and they will get diarrhea. Fresh or canned goat milk is quite healthy, however.

3. Take any new kitten to your veterinarian. The kitten will need to be wormed and started on a vaccination program to prevent disease and parasites. Your vet can also check the kitten for other common issues such as respiratory infections, ear mites and fleas among other things. Cats can be carriers of disease that is transmittable to other pets and even humans. Make sure to keep your new kitten healthy.

4. Grooming your kitten is important despite the fact that cats are notoriously great self groomers. Grooming encourages the natural oils which are beneficial to the coat, prevent mats and works as a great bonding opportunity for you both. Start early and your kitten will bond with you much faster. Grooming is not just brushing. Filing their nails, wiping their ears with a soft cloth and washing them are important, too. (wash cats with dry shampoo or by rubbing them down with a moist cloth)

   *If you have a white faced kitten, a tiny dab of Vaseline near the tear duct area of the eye will prevent tear stains.

5. Purchase a variety of kitten toys. Kittens love to go after things that bounce and wiggle and to explore things with 'caves' and pockets.
   Purchase an inexpensive laser toy and you will will not only entertain and exercise your new kitten but it definitely serves as cheap family entertainment!
   It's important to keep an indoor cat's mind active to ensure a healthy, happy cat.

6. Kitten proof your home. Kittens love to find out of the way places to snuggle and hide. This includes your washer and dryer as well as other places that can pose a danger to your new kitten.

7. Once old enough, be sure to have your new kitten spayed or neutered. Once a female cat begins having kittens (and they can at very young ages!) it can be close impossible to stop. They can breed before their kittens are weaned and as spaying can dry up the milk for the current kittens, it can become a vicious cycle. Male cats will spray if not neutered and will be more aloof in personality. They are also known to live longer if altered due to the decrease in stress over their animal instincts and hormonal changes.

Tips & Warnings

• Empty paper bags make excellent cat toys. Put one down for your new kitten and watch the fun!

• Do not allow a small kitten to sleep with you if you are a sound sleeper. You could accidentally roll over on them in your sleep.

• Avoid 'flushable' cat litter. Those clumps can form blockages in your toilet or septic system.