Kitten Care Basics
So you’ve taken the plunge and adopted a new kitten – congratulations! Get ready to be entertained, delighted, and perhaps a little frustrated… at times. Most of all, if you haven’t already, be prepared to fall head over heels for your adorable new friend!
These early days and weeks with your new little furball are fleeting and at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we want to help you get a great start by sharing some of our top kitten care basics. After all, making sure your kitten is a happy, healthy, and a well-adjusted member of your family is a top priority!
Kitten Care 101
Our understanding of what your kitten needs to grow into thriving adult cat has come a long way in recent years. Kitten care is not difficult. You can set your kitten up for success by making sure you have the following basics set up in advance:
First Veterinary Visit & Vaccinations
Make your kitten’s first appointment to see us as soon as you bring it home. The first few weeks and months are an important time for us to evaluate your kitten’s overall health. Making sure he or she is disease and parasite free, starting the vaccination protocol. And when the time is right, we can also discuss the benefits of spaying or neutering your kitten.
Quality Kitten Food
Keeping current with the latest in pet food research, we only recommend kitten and cat foods that meet our high standards. We’ll gladly guide you through this important decision during your kitten’s initial check-up. Our veterinarian can guide you on what food to feed, how much to feed each meal, and the number of meals to feed each day (instead of leaving out a full bowl). We can also help you decide if canned food or dry is best for your kitten’s needs. These recommendations will help establish a feeding schedule for your kitten. Following a routine supports healthy development. It also helps prevent excess weight gain and other health problems as your kitten grows into adulthood.
Housing
We always recommend that kittens and cats live exclusively indoors. It is a well-know fact that indoor cats live longer lives. They are protected from outdoor dangers such as cars, attacks by dogs, other cats, wild animals, and environmental hazards and toxins. Provide your new kitten with several safe indoor scratching surfaces. Make sure to have cat trees or perches to climb and explore. If you want to take your cat outdoors, we recommend leash-training your cat and allowing outdoor activity only on leash with you.
Litterboxes
We recommend one for each cat, plus one extra. This is particularly helpful in multi-cat households, potentially reducing stress and competition, especially if the cats aren’t well-acquainted or if a dominant personality is present. In larger homes or those with multiple levels, having at least one litter box on each floor is advisable for convenient access for all your feline companions. For a fresh and clean environment, regular scooping and periodic litter changes are essential for your cats’ litter boxes.
Tip: Cats prefer their food and litter box to be kept separate. Be sure to place their food dishes as far from the litter box as possible within your space.
Traveling With Your Kitten
It is more important than you may think to help your kitten adapt early on to its travel carrier and see it as a comforting, non-threatening place. We recommend a carrier with a removable top and comfortable bedding, and using it in your home for play time and treats. Once your cat seems to have accepted the carrier as a non-threatening place, try taking your cat on short car rides in the carrier. Always end the trip with happy playtime and treats once back home. Not only will these efforts make trips to the veterinarian much easier for you and less threatening for your companion, it will allow your cat to arrive less stressed when you reach any destination all throughout its life.
The First Days At Home
Introducing a new kitten or adult cat to your home should be done with care, especially if you already have other pets.
Create A Safe Space
Prepare a safe, kitten-proofed room for your pet to stay in during its first few days. This should include food and water bowls, a comfortable bed, and a low-sided litter box (placed away from food and bedding) and interactive toys. This is where your kitty will acclimate to the sounds and smells of its new environment.
Introduce the Kitten To Other Pets
If you have a dog, introduce it to the new kitten slowly. Always keep your dog on a leash and supervise all interactions. Provide treats and praise for your dog’s polite behavior around the kitten. If there is the threat of aggression, you may need to seek the help of a professional. Our certified dog trainer specializes in helping pets live well together and would be happy to assist you in this process.
Introducing the Kitten To Your Cat
Adult cats tend to tolerate kittens, but be sure to supervise the early meetings. Make introductions during feeding or playtimes to help create a positive association. Try spraying or diffusing an artificial cat pheromone such as Feliway to help ease the process. We carry this product in our lobby and online retail store.
Supervise Children and Kittens
Always supervise interactions between children and kittens. Use this as an opportunity to teach your kids safe pet handling techniques. Equally important is to teach them an overall respect for animals. And to be kind and gentle with their new friend.
Socialization is Key
The first 6 to 12 weeks of your kitten’s life are critical when it comes to socialization. This is the time to gently handle your kitten. Touch its paws often, and encourage fun, yet gentle play. Do not allow your kitten to bite or scratch. Try to avoid forms of aggressive play. This could set the stage for future negative behavior. Introduce your kitten to new people, and start the crate/carrier training process now!
Have Kitten Questions?
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center with any questions you have about your kitten or your adult cat.
