These tips on how to raise a kitten will make sure you know what to expect before you bring the kitten home, and will have a good understanding of what is needed for the kitten to settle into its new home quickly and easily.
Your kitten will probably be about 6 to 8 weeks of age when you bring it home, which is a good age to be separated from its litter mates. By then it will be fully weaned, eating solid food and have some idea about clean toileting habits. Kittens younger than 4 weeks may not thrive.
Make sure your kitten has had all the necessary vaccinations for its age, and adhere to any local registration regulations that apply in your area. Have your new kitten checked by your local vet as soon as possible after you get it home, to make sure there are no health issues. Ask the vet about future health needs like worming, spaying and vaccinations.
There are some things you need to have on hand before your kitten comes home. These include a litter tray and litter, dishes for food and water, cat food, bedding and a couple of toys. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and if you provide a litter tray with clean litter in it, your kitten will quickly learn to use it. It is important to keep the litter tray clean and fresh, as a cat will not use a dirty tray. Put the litter tray in a quiet place for privacy.
It is a good idea to continue using the same food the kitten is used to, for the first two weeks. This helps to avoid stomach upsets which can be caused by a change of diet, and also limits the number of new things the little kitten has to get used to. Feed your kitten at the same time each day, and keep fresh water available. Don't allow children to interfere with it at feeding times. Wash the kitten's dishes regularly.
You can buy all kinds of cat bedding and while a cat likes sleeping in a basket, a blanket or soft towels will do the job. Take the kitten to its bed after feeding and at night, and it will soon get the idea. Remember that a kitten is still a baby and needs to be able to sleep a lot in the first few weeks in your home.
You need to provide toys for your kitten for activity and to prevent boredom. Kittens love to play and without toys may well decide to play with something inappropriate. Make sure you have several play sessions with your kitten each day; this creates a bond between you. While there is a huge range of cat toys available, a ball of paper or a stuffed sock is just as much fun for the kitten.
Cats are fairly independent creatures and generally settle in to their new home easily. Discipline is a necessary part of life to allow everyone to live comfortably together, and you may need to prevent your kitten from sharpening claws on furniture and climbing the curtains. A cat scratching post is a really good idea, as claw sharpening is a natural instinct.
When you know how to raise a kitten properly, you will enjoy the company and fun that living with a cat represents.
Do you have a new kitten or cat? If you are new to owning a feline, Cat Keepers is a great resource for helpful advice on how to raise a kitten for the first time. If you arent sure how to raise a cat we have everything you need to help you begin.
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