New Kittens
Congratulations on your new kitten! Here are a few pointers for the care of your kitten that are vitally important at this stage.
Nutrition is always important for cats and particularly so during the rapid growth stage of kittens. Kittens may need canned food during the transition from their mother’s milk to dry kibble (weaning). This is usually accomplished by 4-6 weeks of age and so by the time most kittens reach their new home they are eating dry kitten food (kibbles). It is important that a kitten does get a formula suitable for the growth stage. We can advise you on a proper food for your kitten. The amount fed is roughly based on your kitten’s weight and guidelines on how much to feed are found on the food bag. It is important to note that this amount varies with an individual’s activity level and stage of growth as well as many other factors. Ultimately the amount fed is the amount that maintains proper body condition for your kitten. You should be able to feel your kitten’s ribs and be able to see a slight ‘waist’ appearance when viewing from above. If you can see the outline of your kitten’s ribs, chances are he/she may be too slim. If you cannot feel the ribs or see a ‘waist’ when viewing from above then chances are he/she may be overweight. Animals that are predisposed to obesity early in life tend to be overweight adults and are more prone to a number of disease problems, like diabetes. Clean fresh water should always be available for your kitten.
Litter Box Training is usually quite easily accomplished. You should have one box per kitten in the household or one box per floor of your home. It is a good idea to confine a kitten to a small room such as a bathroom with a litter box until it is using the litter consistently. (This often will only take a few hours!) Have food and water available during this period. When your kitten is using the litter box consistently, allow him/her access to the rest of the household. A kitten or cat should always have ready access to a litter box. Consider where your litter box placement is as well, if it is in a noisy high-traffic area of the house, or near a noisy dryer, the kitten may be less apt to use it. Monitor closely that your kitten is using the litter box and that urine is being produced. Urinary problems tend to become very serious, even life-threatening, very quickly and if little or no urine is being produced, you should have your kitten seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Indoor vs. Outdoor: A decision you will make right away is whether or not to allow your kitten to go outside. Cats are very territorial animals and are generally content to occupy a small territory (such as your household) particularly if they have never been allowed to go outside and are spayed or neutered before reaching maturity (5-7 months of age). You can provide lots of exercise by interactive play (something as simple as a balled up piece of paper or shining a light on the wall) or with commercially available play toys. Indoor cats are much less at risk to parasites; poisons; attacks by other cats, dogs or wild animals as well as being hit by cars or other trauma. Give this decision some thought, as it is an important one.
Vaccines are typically given at 8 and 12 weeks of age. Until this initial series is complete your kitten can still be prone to infection by the potentially deadly viral diseases we vaccinate against. Contact with other cats should be restricted to healthy animals that have been vaccinated.
Parasites are common in young pets. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to people. We can recommend safe and effective treatments or products to eliminate or prevent internal parasites (worms or protozoa) and external parasites such as fleas or mites.
Kitten proof your home. Kittens and cats are inquisitive and show a strong penchant for playing with string, yarn and elastic bands. These, if swallowed, can cause life threatening illness. Kitten proof your home by eliminating access to these types of objects as well as household cleaners, pesticides, herbicides or any other substance that is or could be toxic. Many household plants can be toxic as well. It is best to have plants and planters out of your kittens reach.
