Kitten Care Tips

Although kittens will always have their wild instincts, they can actually make some of the best pets. For instance, most kittens are affectionate, sociable, versatile and have their independence. So, how to care for a kitten?

Caring for kittens at first might come off as an easy task, but it actually carries a set of responsibilities. And responsibilities raise questions that need be addressed.

How Do You Cat-Proof Your House/Apartment?

This is the first obvious step, as cats can display different behaviors and are playful/wild in nature. The first thing you'll have to ensure is the kitten's safety, hence you'll have to get rid of things that could be harmful to it.

Make sure you keep the dryer and cupboard doors closed. The reason why kittens are associated with boxes is because they actually prefer those warm, darkened places to sleep.

You'll also notice just how much they enjoy to bite, run around, climb and play with things. You'll have to put away some of your valuables (especially the breakable kind) and make sure there aren't any hazardous things left on the floor.

What Are The Right Foods And Drinks?

At first, kittens tend to have the smallest of stomach, although they need to eat every couple of hours. In order for them to stay hydrated, they're going to need fresh water available at all times as well.

Making sure you include some essential nutrients in your kitten's food is going to prove effective for its development. You can feed your kitten with both dry and canned foods, although you should never give it dog food. The reason why is because dog food is taurine rich. In addition, cow milk should be avoided. It's good for us but certainly not kittens.

Spend Some Time

Those first couple of weeks are among the most important in a kitten's life and you should treat them as such. Some of the most important things are simply cuddling and playing around with it.

You shouldn't let your kitten play with your finger because it's going to get used to the idea that it can get away with scratching and biting you constantly. Just play with it and enjoy its soft purrs.

Visit The Vet

The reason why visiting a vet is contently emphasized is because kittens need to get an adequate physical exam first. The fecal float is detrimental to find out about worm infestation, and vaccination is one of the most important things after the few weeks have gone by.

Your vet will recommend the vaccination, and in most cases the kitten will be protected against herpes, feline Panleukopenia and Calicivirus. When they're over a year old you'll have to visit again to get the booster shots.

Read More About How To Care For A Kitten by visiting our Blog howtocareforakitten.com. you can find Guidelines on Kitten Training, Feeding, Behavior and Development.

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Kitten Development

A kitten is not totally independent until about 6 months old. In the wild it would remain with its mother until then, if not longer. A kitten can be fully weaned at about 8 weeks old. It should not leave its mother until then. Pedigree kittens suckle for two weeks longer than non-pedigrees and are not fully weaned until 12 weeks old.

EYES

A kitten's eyes will open from 8 days old onwards, although, some take up to 3 weeks. All kittens are born with blue eyes, as they grow the eyes change colour. The final colour will be evident at 12 weeks old.

TEETH

At 8 weeks all the milk teeth are through, the adult teeth appear at 4 months old. However, unlike puppies they do not spend time teething, the adult teeth grow under the milk teeth.

CLAWS

A kitten is born with the claws extended. As they grow older they learn to retract them. Claws are used for climbing, grooming and protection. They often claw objects at the edge of territories e.g. a tree at the end of the garden. Therefore, it is advisable to move their scratching post to the back door, or near the door of the room they spend most time in.

De-clawing is illegal in the U.K. except for medical reasons. It still continues in the U.S. However it is cruel and involves removing all of the claw and the terminal bone in the toe.Cats are usually de-clawed to avoid them destroying objects and furniture with their claws.

HUNTING

Kittens begin to practice pouncing and hunting with their mother and litter mates from 6 weeks old. Once your kitten begins to hunt properly, you must worm regularly as worms can be passed on from their prey. If your cat brings home mice and birds, it does not mean you are not feeding enough! Your cat may bring you presents, some people believe they do this because they have seen that their owner is incapable of hunting prey for themselves, your cat is ensuring you don't starve!

PURRING

Kittens are able to purr at 1 week old. It is used as a form of communication between them and their mother. They usually purr when contented, for example just before they settle down to sleep. However, they also purr when frightened or in pain as this is less likely to attract the attention of a predator than other noises such as crying.

SCENT BEHAVIOUR

Cats have scent glands on their cheeks, chin, lips, feet and at the base of their tail. When they scratch trees, posts and other objects in their territory they are using the glands on their feet to mark. They can taste scent by opening their mouth, to allow air over this organ. They may rub themselves around you or objects in your house. This is known as chinning when they use their head and allows them to mark you with their scent.

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Kitten Development From Birth To 12 Weeks Of Age

Birth- Kittens normally weigh in between 3.0 and 3.5 oz. Smaller kittens have lower chances at survival. And I have found larger Persian kittens tend to also have difficult surviving. I believe it is related to the moms have more difficult birthing a larger kitten with a larger head, and that cuts off oxygen level to the brain- making them loss some of their natural sucking instincts.

Newborn kittens normally can manage on their own with the help of mom cat once they are warm and clean after being birthed. Warming a kitten should be done naturally if possibly or under a monitored watch if a heating pad is used. Heating pads tend to dehydrate newborns quickly so only use one during the warming stage if possible.

Newborns normally began nursing as soon as they are warm. If you see a newborn kitten not nursing within a few hours of birth- it may need your assistant. If you decide to give the kitten a booster meal- be very careful not to drown the kitten by feeding him/her too much too fast. A few drops is usually adequate- approx. 1 cc is a full meal.

My best advice to you would be to keep working with the kitten, placing the mouth on the nipple and trying to teach the kitten to feed off mom. Perhaps even express a little milk if possible.

1 week of age-still try not to handle the baby too much- most kittens eat and sleep at this stage around the clock. A crying kitten means he is either hunger or something is wrong.

The development of the kitten over the next 30 days will depend on how well and how fast the baby nurses on the first day of life. Usually- a healthy viable kitten will be seen either nursing or suckling around the clock the first 36 hours with brief naps time in between. The following 7 days - you may notice, kittens don't seem to be nursing as much- but yet, the meal time is longer. As the kitten develops and grows- meals increase in amount required and time between them lengthens.

Sometimes mom cats forget to eat while newborns are in the nest- afraid to leave them long enough to get a good meal in herself. If this happens- she will begin to loose weight- and the babies will not gain properly. If this starts to occur- add wet food to moms diet- A/D is a good choice. The opposite tends to happen at the weaning stage- mom tend to over eat and then has a very loose stool.

About 10-14 days after birth- eyes will open. If they are pus filled- express the puss- clean the area and treat it with an antibiotic ointment- you can get this from your vet. Do keep a close eye on kitten eyes- even before they are open to avoid infection.

About 3 weeks of age- kittens learn to sit up ad some are even ready to tackle climbing gin and out of bed and the litter box.. Watch your kitten at this age to insure he doesn't eat litter. Litter is normally registered about this timeframe.

4th week- they know how to get in and out of bed and use the litter box. Kitten area needs to be cleaned more often for they begin playing with toys and balls pretty good at this age.

5th week- kittens began to play very hard and even rough with each other, watch nails and eyes. Kitten butts are sometime seem at this age. Kitten butt is where they get in the litter box and they poop- but some of it remains on the fur. Sometimes they sit back into it and you need to be extra aware to have butts checked daily and keep them clean.

6th week- first vaccination is due. Check to verify kitten is healthy first, clear eyes and check the bite for teeth and gum issues.

7th week- this is the time to begin teaching kittens grooming skills, the first bath can be given at this time (as you can see from this photo- fur is separating and a bath is in need)- but do make certain to dry them completely. During this stage, kittens will also begin to nurse slightly less, both mom and kittens may get a loose stool. And once kittens do begin to eat reg food, watch the stools even more closely to avoid pooped butts.

8th week- moms began to teach kitten socialization skills beginning in the eight week and going into the 12th week. First de-worming is given as a precaution.

9th week- second vaccination is due. Toys are a big pleasure!

10th week- bath 2 is needed to help teach kitten bath routines. Nails are also clipped. Second round of de-worming is given as the final round for precaution.

11 weeks- vet appointment is sch'd to verify health.

12th week- final bath and nails due. Final vaccination is also given before kitten goes to his new home. Paperwork is gathered.

Try to let mom wean the babies when Mom a and baby is ready- some breeders wean at a certain age. Here at Purrinlot, we believe in mom and baby knows best- for every kitten, every mom cat, and every litter is different.

Laura Thomas is an author and designer for a better you. More information can be found at the Castle Baths Web Site- www.castlebaths.com Her hobbies include breeding and showing Pedigree Persians www.purrinlot.com , writing and sharing inspirational messages.

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