Here are some tips on how to care for a kitten:
- Make sure you have all the necessary supplies before bringing your kitten home. This includes a litter box, litter, a scratching post, a cat tree, a bed or crate, food and water dishes, and food.
- Kittens need to eat frequently, so make sure to have a consistent feeding schedule. It’s recommended to feed them high-quality kitten food, either wet or dry, and make sure they have a calm area away from the litter box to eat at.
- Kittens should have access to clean water at all times. Keep at least two water dishes available at all times. Check and refill the water dishes daily.
- Litter training should begin as soon as your kitten comes home. Place the litter box in a quiet, easily accessible location and encourage your kitten to use it by placing them in the box after meals and play sessions.
- Kittens have a lot of energy and will need plenty of playtime. Provide toys for them to play with, such as balls, string toys, laser pointers, cat trees, and scratching posts. This will help them burn off energy and prevent them from getting into mischief.
- Kittens are very curious and will want to explore their surroundings, so it’s important to kitten-proof your home. This means securing any potential dangers, such as toxic household plants, cords, and small objects that could be ingested.
- Kittens need to be groomed regularly to keep their coat healthy and free of tangles. Brush your kitten’s coat at least once a week and trim their nails as needed. Do this more often when they are under 3 months to “socialize” them to being brushed.
- Kittens should be seen by a veterinarian regularly to ensure they are healthy and up to date on vaccinations. It’s important to follow a vaccination schedule recommended by your vet and helps to socialize them to future vet visits.
- Cats are prone to developing dental problems later in life, so it’s important to brush their teeth regularly as a kitten to keep their teeth and gums healthy and get them used to the process. This should be done at least once a week using a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically formulated for cats. *Do this more often when they are under 3 months to “socialize” them to also being brushed.
- Kittens can be trained. Think about clicker training your cat. You can even teach your cat to talk with special buttons they can learn to press.
- Most importantly, give your kitten lots of love and attention! Socialization with a variety of situations and interaction with their owners is very important.