Preparing For Your Kitten
Your home should be well prepared for your kitten before you bring it home.
Your kitten will need :
. A warm,safe place to sleep
. A cosy bed
. Two cleans,unbreakable bowls for food and water
. A supply of the kittens current food
. A litter tray if your kitten is to be kept indoors
. A ligth collar
. A few simple toys
. A name - choosen before your cat arrives and used whenever you are freeding,patting,playing or grooming it.
In the early days keep the household quiet and limit visitors.Children should be reminded thah the kitten needs to rest and settle in without too much interference.Given time and a comfortable environment,the kittens natural playfulness and curiosity will guarantee many hours of happy play.
It is best to confine the kitten to the house for the first couple of weeks so that it becomes fimiliar with the feeding and sleeping routine and will be sure to return.Other pets should be introduced to the new arrival slowly and under close supervision.To avoid jealousy,make sure you do not neglect your other pets.
Bedding
Kittens need to feel safe and secure especially when they first arrive in your home.A nice cosy bed goes a long way toward making them feel protected.A special cat bed,a basket or even a cardboard box lined with blankets or old towels make an ideal bed provided it is warm,cosy and easy to clean.Whatever you decide on,make sure it is easy to access and kept in a draught-free area.
Toilet Training
Cats are naturally clean animals and toilet training is relatively easy.While you may eventually want your kitten to go to the toilet outsied,it is a good idea to provide a litter tray for the first few weeks while it settles in to your home.Like humans,cats tend to be rather secretive about their toilet habits so place theirt litter tray in a private spot and well away from their eating area.Be sure to remove any deposit from the tray to catch any spills.Above all,never punish your kitten for accidents.It is far better to be alert enough to catch your kitten when it ready to 'go' and place it in the litter tray.
Training
To help your kitten learn to respond to his or her name,use his name every time you play with,stroke,feed or talk to your kitten.Before your kitten comes homw decide which behaviours are unacceptable e.g. jumping up on kitchen benches,sleeping on beds.The most effective way to discipline your kitten is to use a gruff,loud tone of voice.This deterrent must be administered the instant the undersirable behaviour occurs.Always remember to praise and reward appropriate behaviour.Chasing or hitting a cat achieves nothing except a frustrated owner and a scared,unsociable cat.
Preventing Parasites
An important part of keeping your kitten happy and healthy is regularly treating it for parasites.Fleas become a particular nuisance in the warmer months when they become more active,so its a good idea to control program as soon as possible to ensure your feline stays flea-free.Remember,cats can qucikly become re-infested so be sure to also treat its bedding,surrounding environment and your other pets.Be sure to discuss a flea and worm treatment plan with your veterinarian.
Vaccinating
Disease prevention is one of the most important parts of responsible pet ownership and that means regular vaccinations to ensure they live a full and healthy life.Kittens from reputable breeders are likely to have received their first vaccination by the time you take them home,so make sure you obtain a copy of the vaccination certificate and take this with you to your first vet visit.If your kitten has not been vaccinated,you should visit your vet as soon as possible.
Dental Health
Like humans,good dental hygiene is an extremely important part of a cats general health.Without proper cleaning,plaque and tartar can build up aorund the teeth and gums.This can lead to disease.For the best advice on how to maintain your kittens dental health,speak to your vet.
Grooming
While most cats tend to groom themselves very well,they do occasionally need to be combed and brushed to keep their fur clean and tangle free.This is particularly important for longhaired cat breeds like Persians.The earlier you start a regular grooming routine,the more receptive your cat will be to the practice in later life.
Microchip Identification
An increasing number of cat owners are using microchip technolgy to permanently identify their pets.The microchip is implanted under the cats skin by your vet and,like a barcode,can be scanned to help trace your cat back to you through a central registry.
Desexing
Unless you are planning to breed your cat,both male and female kittens can be desexed from six months of age.There is little different between male and female cats once they have been neutered.Both will make affectionate,home-loving pets.If you would like your cat to have kittens,ensure you find homes for them by the age of eight weeks.
Visit Your Vet
The golden rule for maitaining your cats health and well being is ti visit your vet regulary.Your vet can show you how to examine your cats eyes,ears,mouth and coat at home and provide you with further information.
Mealtime
Growing and playing is hard work and your kitten will no doubt develop a king-sized appetite.However,the type of food you provide during your kittens firts 12 months is extremely important and must include the right combination of protein,fat,vitamins and mineral it needs for a full and healthy life.Meat alone wont provide all the nourishment your kitten needs so it is a good idea to feed food that has been specifically developed for kittens.
Feeding Prengnant & Lactating Cats (Queens)
Food Containers
Hungry kittens can be very enthusiastic when a bowl of food is placed in front of them so its a good idea to make sure tout food and water containers are unbreakable and difficult to tip over.Both food and water containers should be clean,shallow and kept in an easily accesible spot.
Daily Meal Recommendations
Based on your kitten/cat food that you bought.Refer the chart for futher information.
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