It’s always an exciting time when you first decide to own a kitten for the first time. All you can think about is the fun times you will have with your pet and how cute and lovely they will be. However it is important to consider what is involved with looking after a cat, as it is a life time responsibility of between 12 and 16 years sometimes even longer. It will involve certain costs and much time and effort on your part and if you are not fully prepared for these responsibilities, your cat will suffer and this is something no true cat lover would want.
Choosing the right kitten for you is the first consideration. The temperament and health of the kitten are vitally important if both you and your cat are to live happily together. You must consider the home environment your new pet is to come into and if it will suit their personality. For instance if you are looking for a pet that will be a companion to children and be able to interact with them, you will be looking for a lively and active pet. Whereas, if the kitten is for an elderly person, you may be looking for a quieter personality.
Always try to find out the kittens background and if it’s mother has any underlining health problems. This will help you be prepared for any ill health that may occur in the future and of course help you to decide whether or not you would want to take on that responsibility. Kittens should always have bright eyes, clean ears and nose and their coat should be glossy. Make sure they are not suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting and are generally in good health before you take them home.
Before bringing home a new kitten make sure all the essentials like, a comfortable cat bed or cushion, a litter tray and litter, food bowls, cat toys including a scratching post and grooming brushes have been purchased to make their arrival comfortable and secure. It is important that the kitten feels at home right from the first. This will help them settle in to their new home quicker and help them to build bonds with their new family.
Feeding a kitten also needs some thought. Just like a human baby they need a special diet, as their digestive system is not yet up to coping with all types of food. Look out for cat foods especially made for kittens, which provide all the nutrients and vitamins required to keep a kitten in the best of health. Kittens also need to be fed more frequently than adult cats. Feed kittens up to the age of 5 month old up to 5 times a day, this should gradually be reduced to 3 times a day once they reach 12 months old. Fresh water should be available for them to drink at all times.
During the first few months of owning your new kitten you will get to know your vet very well. Many visits to the vet will be required to fulfil your role as a responsible owner. Worming should be carried out from between the age of 4 to 16 weeks every two weeks until they are 6 moths old, after that it only needs to be carried out every 2 to 6 months. Vaccinations are also essential at around 9 to weeks old as this is when they start to become vulnerable to such illness as cat flu, enteritis, feline leukaemia virus and feline chlamydophilosis.
During these first few months you will also have to decide whether or not you wish to breed from your cat in the future, as they will become mature enough to breed after 6 months old. At that age it is recommended that you have them neutered if you do not want any unwanted pregnancies to occur. It is also a good time to have them micro chipped at this age.
Well now that all the practical things have been dealt with you can now get on and enjoy your time with your new kitten. Don’t forget play is an important learning tool for your cat, as it will teach them about the world round them and help them to hone their natural hunting and survival skills.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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