Are you considering adopting a kitten? Perhaps your own feline pal has recently given birth, or maybe you found a litter of strays that needed help. Kittens are super cute and lots of fun, but they are also quite fragile, and can easily get themselves into trouble. In fact, these adorable little balls of fur are more or less experts at getting themselves into mischief! Read on as a local vet answers some common questions about keeping little Fluffy happy, healthy, and safe.
How Do You Take Care Of A Kitten For Beginners?
Some aspects of kitten care will vary, depending on how old the little ones are. If you’ve found yourself with a litter of newborns, then your main duty will be to keep mama comfy and fed and provide a clean, warm place for them. This doesn’t have to be fancy. A box, laundry basket, or closet will work. You just want to make sure there are plenty of clean, soft towels or blankets, and that it’s easy for mama to get in and out of. You’ll also need to provide food, water, and litter.
Later on, you’ll need to get the little ones their initial vaccines and parasite control products. You’d want to talk to your vet for specific instructions.
Why Is It Important To Keep Kittens Warm?
Baby cats can’t regulate their own internal temperatures until they are about four to five weeks old. Before that, they can only stay warm by snuggling up with their mamas and littermates. For those first few weeks, you would want to keep the kittens’ bedroom quite warm, at about 90F. After about three weeks, you can bring it down to 80.
If you have orphaned kittens, you may also need to add a separate heat source, such as a heating pad, near their crate or bed, as they won’t have mama to curl up with. You’ll also need to keep a close eye out for signs of hypothermia. These include cold skin, lethargy, pale gums, and difficulty breathing. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these.
Orphans also need to be fed frequently, so be prepared to offer round-the-clock care for those first crucial weeks.
Don’t Skip Socialization
Socialization is absolutely crucial for kittens. This helps them grow up to be at least somewhat friendly and well-behaved adult cats. (Some of our feline friends are just naturally grouchy, but that’s another topic.) If little Fluffy isn’t properly socialized, she will be much more likely to become fearful, wary, or aggressive as an adult. You don’t want to overwhelm the little furball: just help her get used to being held or petted.
Kittenproof
As soon as your tiny buddies are able to move around, they’re going to become very, very interested in exploring, and will want to investigate their new kingdoms … and everything in them. This can be quite dangerous for a frisky ball of fur. Kittens are very playful, but they won’t necessarily know what is and is not safe for them. You’ll need to be really careful about petproofing! Down the road, you’ll be able to relax on this a bit, but for now it’s best to be super diligent.
Here are some of the things you would want to address:
- Small/Sharp Objects
- Ropes/Cords
- Rubber bands and elastics
- Toxic plants
- Chemicals
- Candles
- Plastic bags/ties
You’ll also want to seal off openings behind and beneath furniture and cabinets, and secure things like vents and air ducts. We also suggest that you get into the habit of keeping major appliances, such as dryers and toilets, closed when not in use.
What Are Signs That A Kitten Is Sick?
Kittens are very vulnerable to infections and disease. You’ll need to keep a close eye out for signs that something is wrong. Here are some of the key things to look for:
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Bad breath
- Eye or nose discharge
- Increased vocalization
- Diarrhea
- Hiding
- Limp
- Behavior change
- Grooming problems
- Lethargy
- Constricted or dilated pupils
- Swelling
- Improper use of litter box
- Coughing or wheezing
- Dehydration
- Fever
If you notice any of these issues, contact your vet immediately.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Cats are pretty easy to care for, but they do have some specific needs … not to mention lots of quirks. There are plenty of do’s to keeping little Fluffy happy, healthy, and purring, but there are definitely some don’ts to be aware of as well.
One of the big no-nos is using negative reinforcement. Scratching is a good example of this. Your kitten will be instinctively driven to sharpen her claws and teeth, and she may very well try to practice her murder skills on you and/or your furniture. Punishing your feline pal for this isn’t going to be very effective. Cats don’t understand the concept of punishment. Your little buddy won’t understand why you are suddenly angry, and may get scared of you. After all, she’s just doing what feels natural.
You’re much better off rewarding your furry pal for good behavior. If little Fluffy does act up, correct her with gentle methods. You can reprimand her verbally, squirt her with water, or clap your hands. The key is to just annoy her and startle her. That’s often all it takes to form a bad association with the undesired action, which will steer her towards better petiquette.
You will need to be consistent with matters, though. Don’t reprimand her for pouncing on your toes one day, and then ignore it the next.
Avoid Letting Your Kitten Out
We always advise people to put their pets’ safety first and foremost. One of the most important things you can do in this area is to keep your furry friend safe and sound indoors. Kittens are exposed to a whole slew of dangers outside. The list of threats includes cars, weather, traffic, predators, parasites, disease, chemicals, and other hazards. Keeping your pet indoors will be much easier if you raise her to think of herself as an inside cat from day one!
Provide Proper Veterinary Care
Your little buddy will need to come in a few times in order to get started out on the right paw in life. Kittens need their initial exams and vaccines fairly early on, and will also need to get started on parasite control. Microchipping and spay/neuter surgery should also be on the agenda during those crucial first years. Ask your vet to recommend an appointment schedule.
This is of course a great time to get some advice about your kitty’s health and care needs. We are always happy to answer questions!
Using Adult Products
With some products, you can go with things made for full-sized kitties from the start. Beds, for instance, don’t need to be kitten-sized. You can get kitten-sized furniture, but your pet will outgrow it very quickly. However, you will need to take little Fluffy’s age into account with some things. Litter is a good example of this. Clay and clumping litters are fine for adult cats, but should never be used on babies. Kittens are quite clumsy, and may accidentally ingest litter when grooming themselves. This can be very dangerous, as it can cause blockages, which are both painful and life-threatening.
You’ll also need to get kitten-formula food for your furry pal. Your vet will be able to advise you as to when you should change your furry friend over to adult-formula food.
Not Providing Enrichment
Kittens are super playful, which is one of the most adorable things about them. Make sure to provide little Fluffy with lots of toys, and take time to play with her regularly. That’s also part of the fun of having a kitten! Remember to take lots of pictures: that fun stage won’t last long!
Not Bonding
While we can’t help but poke fun at cats for their aloof natures, the truth is that kitties are very emotional, and get extremely attached to their humans. You do need to forge that bond, though. Spend lots of time with your little buddy, and make sure that she feels loved and safe. Many kittens instinctively want to be cuddled and held, as it makes them feel safe. Indulge those adorable requests for attention.
Make An Appointment At Your Vet
Have you just adopted a kitten? Does your feline pal need veterinary care? Please do not hesitate to contact us. As your local pet clinic, we are here to help
