Kitten Care
Choosing the perfect kitten!
Think carefully you choose a kitten!
Choosing the perfect kitten!
Think carefully you choose a kitten!
1. The rear should be clean.
Lift the tail and check for any signs of diarrhea or discharge!
2. The kittens ears should
be clean and dry. If there is any dark coloring it may have ear mites!
3. Bright eyes, free from
discharge, are a sign of a healthy kitten.
4. The nose should feel velvety
and slightly moist. Nose should be free of discharge!
5. Open the kittens mouth.
A healthy kitten will have pale pink gums, white teeth and oder-free breath!
6. The abdomen should be
rounded but not pot-bellied. The kitten should be a little heavier
then it looks!
7. The coat should be smooth,
soft and glossy. Look for evidence of fleas or flea dirt (tiny black
spots)!
Male or female?
Before making your choice, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of owing a male or female cat. The female cat is usually more docile, and affectionate than the male. The males are sometimes more active and playful then the females. All pets should be spayed or neutered therefore does not make much difference in which sex you choose!
Long hair verses short hair!
A short haired cat will make fewer demands on your time than a longhaired cat. A short hair cat does not need to be brushed daily, usually only 1 -2 times a week. Also many of the coat problems such as matted hair, are less likely to occur, and it is easier to tend to wounds and remove fleas and ticks! If you lead a very busy lifestyle a short haired would be best. The spectacular coat of a longhair is its main asset. It requires daily brushing and untangling. If you do not groom your longhair cat daily, clumps of swallowed hair, known as hairballs, accumulate in its stomach, upsetting its digestion. However, the look and docile nature compensate for the grooming demands. If you like the longhair's appearance, but don't have time to groom daily, consider a semi-long hair, which has a long top coat but a much thinner undercoat. Such as a Main Coon Cat, Snowshoe, Norwegian Forest Cat, Angora, Turkish Van or Ragdoll!
What does your new kitten need?
Be prepared for your new kittens
arrival by having all your essential cat-care equipment ready. A
wide variety of products, at a range of different prices are available.
You will need Kitten food (I recommend Iams Kitten or Science Diet (feline
growth) available is pet stores and grain stores) purina also makes a kitten
chow and is available almost anywhere! You will also need food and
water bowls, Cat Litter,
and litter box. I recommend
using a clay litter (non-scoopable) for kittens, since it sticks to there
paws and they lick it off. You will also need a brush and scratching
post and kitten toys. A bed for a new kitten would be a good idea,
especially one with a covered hood, so the kitten can have it's own place
to sleep. A Travel carrier is essential, so your kitten doesn't get
away from you when taking it to the vet!
Indoors or Outdoors?
AN INSIDE CAT IS A SAFE CAT! Although some people believe cats should be able to go outside and that it's cruel to keep a cat indoors only. As long as your indoor kitty has toys and scratching posts and maybe even another kitty to play with, he should be very happy and also very safe! All cats should wear collars with an Identification tag! Even Indoor only cats need an ID tag so that if they escape from the house they can be found and returned. Whichever type of collar you select, make sure it fits properly and that is has an elasticized safety section! Test the collar for tightness, make sure that the collar fits well, If it is too tight it may irritate the skin, if too loose, the cat my learn how to slip it off. Yes you can walk your cat, if you start from the beginning and get him use to a harness. First, train the kitten to wear a harness, then attach a leash, and let the cat become used to trailing the leash. Once it is accustomed to this, try walking it in the house and then yard. In time you can take your kitty with you anywhere you would like to go. IF YOUR CAT RESISTS DO NOT FORCE HIM TO WALK!!
Take your new kitty to the vet!
As soon as you get your new kitten call your vet for an appointment. Your vet will give your kitten a complete health check up and the vaccines needed for your kittens age! Always remember you should not take a kitten home until it is fully weaned (at least 8 weeks old)!
You can train your kitten when he is very young!
Start training your kitten early! You CAN teach your kitten to like to be brushed, bathed, walked Etc. You CAN take your kitten with you on rides in the car, get him use to the car when he is young! You CAN teach your (some) kittens to come when he's called by his name, to fetch a ball, to beg and to do other "tricks". A cat will only do these things "IF HE WANTS TO" so it takes a lot of persistence and patience!
