pettips

Litter Box

For the first few weeks it is good idea to keep your kitten in a small bedroom or bathroom at bedtime and during the hours that you are not home. It is instinctive for a kitten to use the litter box but with full run of the house he may get confused and forget where the box is. Do not use scoopable litter for the first few weeks. Kittens sometimes pee on their feet and the litter will stick. Later when the kitten cleans himself, he will ingest the clay like litter and this can make him ill.

Food

Kittens should have access to dry food and water 24 hours a day. Wet food should be fed to a kitten twice a day. I prefer Purina Kitten Chow because of the small bites and price. Any wet food should do. If funds allow- Eukanuba and Iams are great for your pet.

Kids and cats

Make sure your children are taught the proper way to handle and play with a cat. Kittens especially are very delicate and can easily be hurt by a small child. While cat scratches do occur, I have yet to come across a cat that scratches for no reason.

Toys

You can spend lots of money on toys for your new pet, but a wadded up piece of paper or an aluminum foil ball will also do. Cats and kittens love playing in PAPER bags and a piece of string can entertain them for quite awhile. Kittens don’t enjoy the smell of catnip until they are between 6-12 months old. So you may want to save those toys until later on.

Neuter and spaying

A female kitten will go into her first heat between 6-8 months. She will begin meowing very loudly and become extra affectionate. She will claw the screens and the doors to get outside and find a mate. A cat has a gestation period of 63 days, so if you don’t have your female spayed, chances are; you will end up with kittens.

A male kitten is able to mate at about 6 months. He then begins to mark his territory, which means he will spray the inside and outside of your home. An un-neutered male is likely to roam and fight other males when out doors. Fixing him solves these problems.

Declawing

Scratching with the front claws is normal, instinctive behavior for cats. The purpose of this activity is to remove old, worn fragments of nails. Though scratching is normal for cats, this behavior can be destructive and costly in the home. Clawing furniture and carpets can be very frustrating for the owner. Giving your cat a scratching post or sisal board often works. Use the “pets off’ spray found in pet stores to discourage your cat. Try a simple spray bottle of water to let your cat know his behavior is unacceptable. Declawing should be the last option for a pet owner since it is not just like trimming a nail. It is the amputation of the last joint of the cat's paws. Regardless of what your vet tells you, Recovery is extremely painful and can last for months. Declawing is also an expensive procedure ranging from $300.00 to $500.00.

Introducing your new pet to your current pet.

No matter how affectionate your current pet is, he will undoubtedly show jealousy at having to share you with a net pet. Keep them separated for the first few days letting them adjust to each others smell in the house and on your clothes. Introduce them for a few minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not be surprised if your cat hisses and growls and attempts to scratch either you or your new kitten. It can take cats a few weeks to adjust to new family members. Do not leave the two unsupervised until you are positive the get along.