Kitten Care

     Kittens adapt slowly to new environments. It is helpful to take your new pet into your home when it is quiet and calm. Prepare a room in your home for your kitten in advance in order to help him adjust.  Have food, water, litter box and bedding available.  Take the carrier into that room and let him out.  Do not be alarmed if the kitten hides. Go into the room often and check on him.  When he approaches you, talk quietly and pet him.  Introduce family members to him in a calm manner.  When he seems comfortable, allow him to roam into another room.  However, always allow him access to the original room.

 

Introducing your kitten to other pets

     After a few days, it is time for your kitten to meet the other pets.  Make sure all pets have been fed and there is a calm atmosphere in the home.  Allow the kitten to roam into the area where the other pets are.  Ignore the new kitten and give the other pets plenty of attention.  Do not yell at your pets or tell them “No” when they are around the kitten.  The pets will work it out.  There may be some hissing, smelling, and fluffed up bodies, but in time they will adjust to each other.  However, continue to confine the new kitten when you are not around for safety reasons. 

 

Food: 

     Keep your kitten on the diet he has been on.  Sudden changes can cause upset stomach.  If you desire to change the food, mix some of the new food with the old for a few days so his system can have time to adjust.  Always offer plenty of fresh water.  Also, because kittens can quickly dehydrate, it is suggested that canned kitten food be used along with dry food as a means of keeping him hydrated.  Kittens do not have the enzymes in their systems to digest milk; therefore, milk will make them sick.

 

Types of Food:

     Kittens need protein in order to grow.  Dry food should contain 30% protein and about 15% fat.  Canned food should contain 10% protein and 6% fat. Extra protein will not harm your kitten.  Kittens also need amino acids which can easily come from fish and meat-based ingredients.  Taurine is very important for cats and can be found in these fish and meat-based ingredients.  Also, ash and magnesium should be low in the list of ingredients so as not to cause urinary problems for the kitten. These ingredients can be found on the back of the kitten food bag. You will need to compare several brands of kitten food to find the one that best fits these suggestions.

 

Frequency of Feeding: 

     Kittens should be fed 3 times a day until they are 6 months old.  Kittens older than 6 months old should be fed 2 times a day until they are a year old. 

 

Toys:  Paper bags with handles removed, cardboard boxes, and chasing “prey” toys all provide excellent interactive time with your new kitten.  Because kittens are curious, provide safe areas for their playtime.

 

Harmful Toys:  Yarn, ribbon, string, cords on blinds, electrical cords, and plants.