How to Raise a Healthy Kitten

Selecting a Kitten

It is best to choose your kitten from the whole litter, choose the frisky playful, friendly kitten that is confident and happy to approach you rather than the one that hangs back and is shy. The best time to take your kitten home is between 7 and 8 weeks old. Some pedigree breeders like to keep the kittens until 12 weeks old so they can have their initial vaccinations. Some things you have to look for when choosing a new kitten or cat are:

  • The ears should be clean and no unpleasant smells.
  • White blue eyed cats are prone to deafness (all cats eyes are blue at this age) Test this by making sounds outside its field of vision.
  • Eyes should be clear and bright with no sings of weeping.
  • Gums should be pink (not red) and teeth should be white.
  • The coat should be clean and unmated with no fleas or flaky skin.
  • Check under the tail ? this area should be spotless in a healthy cat.

    • Setting in your new Kitten or cat

    It is probably best to have a proper pet carrier to take your new pet home in ? to avoid extra stress. At let your new kitten or cat come out of the carrier at its own time. It will need time to settle down, so make sure it has fresh drinking water and a little food also make sure it can find its way to its bed and litter tray ? then leave it alone for a little while. Make sure that children behave gently and quietly around the kitten, kittens need peace and quiet to sleep as well as needing laytime. It is best to keep your kitten confined indoors for a week or so and accompany your kitten on its first trip outside ? continue to go out side with your kitten for the next few trips. This will give the kitten a sense of security and encourage it to come when you call. Your new kitten should integrate quite well with other pets, make sure that you can introduce them slowly. Some pets will integrate at all ? make sure you keep small mammals and birds away from your kitten as their natural instincts will take over. Once your kitten has overcome its initial fears it will amuse it self for hours with very cheap simple toys like ping pong balls, cardboard rolls and small stuffed animals.

    What Equipment your cat or kitten need

    A bed: a cardboard box with a blanket or cushion in it ? makes an ideal bed for a kitten as the kitten grows you may like to find a more permanent replacement, such as wooden box or a covered bed. You may like to keep in mind that it should ideally be washable when choosing a bed. Place the bed in a quiet, draught free, warm spot. Grooming tools: ? A brush - preferably with natural bristles is very useful for grooming any cat ? for long haired cats you will also need a wire toothed metal comb and a pair of rounded scissors to cut out any tangles. A pair of feline claw clippers will complete your pussy cats grooming set.
    A collar or harness: Your cat should wear a collar complete with an identification disk. The collar must be elasticized in case it gets caught ? for example on a branch whilst climbing a tree. Some owners train their cats to go for walks on a harness or lead.
    Toys: There are a huge range of toys available for cats making play of exercising fun and providing stimulation. Many stuffed toys contain catnip ? this herb also called catmint appeals to many cats, creating an apparent sense of wellbeing ? this lasts for approximately 15 minutes.

    A scratching post

    ? Cats love to scratch. Scratching serves a couple of purposes ? firstly it keeps the claws neat and trim ? it also marks the cats' territory as other cats will see the marks and smell the scent. The cat has glands between the toes that release this scent as the cat scratches.
    A scratching post is the best solution ? but the cat will need to be taught to use it from the very beginning. This will save your furniture, avoid using a carpet covered scratching post as the pet cat may see the house carpet as an extension of the scratching post. If the cat ha selected a piece of furniture where it like to scratch ? by covering it with plastic for a while the cat will stop scratching there. Cats do not like the feel of plastic.

    A litter tray

    ? A litter tray will be needed when your kitten first comes home and if you intend to leave the cat in at night. Choose a tray that is deep enough and roomy enough for your cat to turn around in easily. There are numerous varieties of kitty litter available ? choose one that suits you. Also a covered litter tray is a great idea as it keeps the smell and the mess inside also creating a more private spot for your cat.

    A Cat flap

    ? Cat flaps are a great idea to allow the cat to go in and out as it pleases. You must be careful however as other cats may also come in. check what flaps are available and choose the one that suits your needs. A cat is quite easily trained to use a cat flap ? prop the flap open at first and call the cat through form one side than the other. When it has mastered this, lower the flap a little and use the same procedure ? continue to do this until you can close the flap altogether.

    Feeding your kitten

    Ask the breeder or pet shop for a diet sheet so that you can continue feeding them the same diet and quantities. This will avoid you giving it too much food or an over rich diet which can cause tummy upsets. You should also find out meal times.

    Food and feeding your cat

    There are three types of cat food available commercially ?moist food, semi ? moist food and dry food. Cats need meat or fish everyday to be healthy.
  • Moist food as in the canned varieties is preferred by most cats because it closely resembles fresh meat. It also has the vitamins and minerals that the cat needs. How ever canned foods will not last long once served and it is best to take the food away after an hour to encourage your cat to eat its food in a single sitting rather that picking at it all day long.
  • Semi ? moist food usually comes in a sachet. It keeps well in a bowl without drying out or loosing its texture and tastes good to cats.
  • Dry food contains very little moisture so it is very important to have fresh drinking water available.
    • Establish a feeding routine where you feed your cat once or twice a day ? at the same place and the same time. Leave the food out for an hour then take it away. This will help to make your cat a healthy eater and not pick at the food all day.

    Worming

  • The most common worms that affect cats are round worms and tape worms. Cats must be de-wormed regularly. Your vet will give you specific advice on worming products.
    • Following these simple steps will ensure you, your family and the newest edition to the family will have a happy, healthy and rewarding time together.

    (c) Katharine Logan 2005 http://www.pet-library.com

    Katharine Logan is author and content manager for Pet-library.com She conducts research on specified subjects to help people with day to day issues. For more click on:http://www.pet-library.com

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Training Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits

    Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize... Read More

    Animal Deathing

    What happens when we die? In our society, death is... Read More

    The Lowdown on Dog Vaccinations

    Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More

    Good Dog Care Is Vital

    Dog careAccepting responsibility of your new pet friend is truly... Read More

    Preparing For Your New Dog - What You Need to Know Before He Comes Home

    Preparing yourself and your household before, during, and after your... Read More

    Pet Friendly Vacations - 10 Tips for Hassle-Free Travel with Your Pet

    Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after... Read More

    Puppy Development

    Puppy development and growth is very exciting. After a puppy... Read More

    Need a Low-Maintenance Pet? Try a Tarantula!

    If you're like me, then you don't really have the... Read More

    Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 3 of 3

    Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More

    Dog Tricks: Understanding Your Dogs Capabilities Before You Teach Buddy New Tricks

    The performing of dog tricks, while not a necessary part... Read More

    Agility Training For Dogs

    Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More

    Why Does My Cat Drink Dirty Water?

    You know that cats should always have a supply of... Read More

    Westies for Sale - Avoiding the Perils of Purebred Puppy Purchases

    In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are... Read More

    How To Stop Your Cat Spraying

    The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail... Read More

    How to Increase Your Fishkeeping Fun

    Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More

    Dog Lover Gifts

    Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More

    Broken Trust

    The large animal organizations and the public money.It is said... Read More

    How To Save Money By Testing For Feline UTI Yourself

    Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty,... Read More

    West Highland WhiteTerrier Grooming - Key Considerations

    Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him... Read More

    Larger Dog Food Isles

    Grocery Stores could use some larger Dog Food Isles. Not... Read More

    Got Fleas? How to Spot and Care For Fleas on Your Dog

    Your poor pooch is scratching himself all over. Plus, you... Read More

    Worms in Your Dog... Gross!

    Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms take... Read More

    Dogs Get More Human Every Day

    First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels... Read More

    Top 10 benefits of Natural and Holistic Pet Care

    There are a number of reasons for choosing natural pet... Read More

    Petting a Dog is Good For Both of You

    Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More

    Providing The Best Care For Your Goldfish

    Goldfish care is critical for the health of your goldfish.... Read More

    Puppies, Kittens, Rabbits, Hamsters, Fish Tanks, Exotic Pets and Bird Houses!

    Pet's, any kind of pet can be a welcome addition... Read More

    How to Deal With a Noisy Dog - Curing Uwanted and Excessive Barking

    Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the... Read More

    Ensure a Good Relationship Between Your Cat and Your Kids

    Many parents know that the best way for children to... Read More

    Scottish Terrier Dogs - Important Facts

    Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten... Read More

    Care for Your Dogs Ears

    I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years,... Read More

    Your Guide to Cat Breeds

    For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans,... Read More

    Dogs And Their Allergies

    A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching... Read More