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Pet Medication Home -> Caring for a Kitten
How to Care for Your Kitten
Caring for a kitten is a lot of work. With her high energy and
intense curiosity and sense of adventure, raising a kitten will
keep you on your toes. Careful attention during the first year of
life will set a strong foundation for a long, loving relationship
with your cat.
Kittens aged 8-12 weeks need four meals a day, 3-6 months three
meals, and kittens over 6 months old, two meals.
Follow the guidelines on the food packaging as to how much to provide
in each feeding. Give your kitten both moist and dry food, so she
is less likely to become a finicky eater later. When you offer moist
food, be sure to pick it up after about 30 minutes. Cats love moist
food, but if you let them eat it at their leisure, they will become
"lazy" eaters. Limit the availability of the good stuff,
and your kitten will learn to "get it while the getting is
good." It is a good idea to leave dry food out all day so she
can snack on it as she pleases. It is vital that your kitten learn
to eat dry kibble, as the crunchy food helps keep her teeth and
gums healthy.
Your kitten will likely spend a lot of time licking her fur, so
you won't need to bathe her. Both she and you will benefit from
regular brushing sessions, however. Time spent grooming your kitten
gets her used to handling and lets you monitor her health and development.
Many kittens are afraid of a brush at first, or think it are a toy.
If you are patient and loving, you can teach your young cat to enjoy
the soothing sensation of being brushed. Cats often mutually groom
each other, so by brushing her you are expressing your "love"
to her.
While you groom your cat, begin getting her used to having her
ears, eyes, mouth and paws handled. Move your hands over her body,
restraining her from time to time as you touch and manipulate different
body parts. At first you may only be able to touch her lip, but
over a period of days and weeks you should be able to lift her lip
and touch her gums. When you handle her paws, gently squeeze her
toes to extend her claws. This the technique you will use later
to trim her claws, and the sooner you begin getting her used to
it the less traumatic it will be for both of you.
Kittens have a lot of energy. If you don't provide an outlet for
it, she will find one of her own. Chasing a wind-up toy or ball,
stalking and pouncing on a lure attached to a string or just racing
around the room are all positive outlets for her energy. Be careful,
however, to keep the rough play under control. Never use your hands
or feet as a lure. Strongly discourage her from attacking your hands
or feet; what seems cute when she's a kitten encourages her to be
aggressive with you. Always keep a stuffed toy within reach so that
if she tries to attack you, you can rub the animal against her tummy
to encourage her to wrestle with it.
To care for a cat you will need to:
- Provide plenty of human companionship
- Provide regular, suitable meals with a constant supply of fresh
water
- Provide a clean and comfortable bed
- Provide the cat with outdoor access or be prepared to empty
and clean a litter tray on a daily basis
- Groom it regularly. Longhaired cats require daily grooming
- Have it neutered between 4 and 6 months old
- Vaccinate against the major feline diseases regularly
- Worm regularly and provide treatment for fleas
- Take the cat to the vet when it shows any sign of illness -
pet insurance can help offset the cost of veterinary treatment.
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