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How
to Take Care of a Kitten
Raising a kitten correctly ensures that it will grow up
to be a strong, healthy, and active cat, who will bring
years of joy and affection into your life. The following
steps will show you how to take care of a kitten.
By 10-12 weeks kittens should be fully weaned
and ready to leave their mother. Remember
that this is a very stressful time for your
pet. Transport your kitten to its new home
using a cat carrier lined with a blanket or
towel. If the kitten is especially frightened,
try confining it to a single room for the
first few days, allowing to get accustomed
to its new surroundings and gain in confidence.
Introduce your kitten slowly to other family
members and pets.
If possible, find out which brand of food
the breeder has been feeding the kitten -
a sudden change in diet can result in an upset
stomach. Changing the variety of food should
be done gradually, with a small amount of
the new food mixed in with the old. Always
use high-quality kitten food. Give your kitten
access to both wet and dry food - both types
have nutritional benefits. As well as food,
a kitten needs constant access to fresh, clean
water. Do not give your cat cow's milk. If
you wish to give milk, then use one formulated
specially for cats.
Kittens can be trained to use a litterbox
from as early as 4 weeks. Cats enjoy privacy
when using their litterbox, so locate it somewhere
quiet, away from high-traffic areas. There
are numerous variety of litter types available.
If possible, match the kind of litter used
by the breeder. This will help the kitten
settle in and avoid any unnecessary accidents.
A cat bed is not essential but most kittens
will like having a place that they feel is
their own. Like all young animals, kittens
will sleep for a lot of the time. A great
variety of styles of bed are available but
it is recommended that the bed be fully washable
so that you can keep it clean.
Grooming your kitten with a brush or comb
can begin as soon as you bring it home. Regular
handling like this will help your kitten get
used to human contact.
Visiting the veterinarian is an important
part of how to take care of a kitten. An initial
exam can be carried out as early as 8 weeks.
The veterinarian should vaccinate your kitten
against Feline respiratory disease and Feline
Infectious Enteritis. A kitten should never
be allowed outside until it has received these
vaccinations. Prior to reaching sexual maturity,
your kitten should be neutered. Beyond this,
yearly check-ups are recommended to keep your
cat healthy.
Play with your kitten every day. Their are a myriad
of toys available, but you'll soon find out which types
your kitten enjoys best. House cats are social animals
and daily exercise will help your kitten stay fit and
happy.
NOTE: This article is for information only. See your
veterinarian for medical advice.
About the author: Rutchell Laquihon
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