Many people consider getting their children a little sweet kitten as the holidays near. While they look cute with a little bow on their collar, adopting any pet is a big decision. Kittens are adorable, and watching them grow can be amazing. However, caring for a new kitten takes a lot of patience, time, and hard work. Raising a kitten is not for everyone—here’s what you need to know about kitten care before you take the leap.
Caring for a New Kitten: Six Things All Kittens Need
1. Proper Diet and Hydration
Your kitten will need a special diet to get all the nutrients they need to grow. They also need to drink lots of water to stay healthy. Look for kitten food at the pet store, and try placing more than one water bowl around your home.
2. Play Time and Rest
Play time is important for building a kitten’s confidence and keeping them fit. Rest is equally important for their developing brains and growing bodies.
3. Socialization
Positive interactions with other family members will help your kitten learn how to socialize. It is up to you to protect your kitten from unsafe situations. Always monitor interactions between your kitten and small children or other animals to keep them safe.
4. Handling
The more you touch your kitten, the better. When they’re used to your touch, it will be much easier to do things like trim their nails, groom their fur, and get them into their carrier.
5. A Steady Routine
Daily routines help cats maintain a stress-free lifestyle. Try to feed your kitten at the same times every day, and schedule routines for playtime, rest, and grooming as well. Remember, caring for a kitten is a big time commitment. You’ll need to feed them more than once a day and make sure they aren’t left alone for too long at one time.
6. Veterinary Care
At the very least, kittens will need vaccinations and a checkup to make sure they’re in good health. If you’re adopting from a shelter, your kitten probably will already be neutered and have a microchip. But if you adopted from a breeder, you’ll want to talk to your vet about those procedures.
How Old Should Kittens Be When They Leave Their Mom?
Kittens can leave their mothers when they’re around eight weeks old. If they are younger than eight weeks, it can be extremely damaging to take them away from their mothers. A legitimate breeder will understand this, and will not allow you to take a younger kitten. Some might even require that kittens stay with their moms until they are twelve to thirteen weeks old.
What You Need to Do Before You Bring a Kitten Home
- Gather the Essentials
Go to the pet store to buy kitten food, bowls, a collar, cat toys, kitty litter, and a litter box that’s shallow enough for a kitten to step into. Litter boxes and food bowls should be placed in areas that are quiet and easy for your kitten to reach.
- Cat-Proof Your Home
Kittens are curious. Make sure there is nothing around they can eat that will harm them. And try to reduce the number of nooks and crannies in your home. Little kittens have been known to get stuck in small spaces, and sometimes even wander into vents!
- Make Veterinary Appointment
Selecting a veterinarian before your kitty comes home can save you some stress later on. Setting up their vaccination appointments and physicals before they arrive is always a good idea. You can ask your vet all sorts of questions about kitten care, and if there’s ever an emergency, you’ll know where to go.
East Valley Animal Hospital Can Help You Care for Your Kitten
From vaccinations and check-ups to surgeries and emergencies, we have you covered here at East Valley Animal Hospital. Our team of skilled veterinarians, highly-trained veterinary technicians, and compassionate support staff can help take some of the stress out of caring for a new pet. If you’re planning to adopt a kitten, contact us today to schedule their first appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/30/24). Photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash.