Tips for Taking Care of a Kitten

Kittens are adorable and mischievous. There is no doubt that your new feline friend will bring you joy and keep you intrigued for hours as you watch them explore their surroundings and grow in confidence.  

If you have recently adopted a pet kitten into your family and want to know the best way to care for him or her, then follow these terrific tips.

  1. Help them to Settle into Their New Home.

Your kitten must be 7 to 8 weeks old then only you bring them in your home. It will be daunting for him at first because he will have been separated from his mother, siblings and the people who used to care for him. It will take time for your new furry friend to feel at home, but you can help him by keeping the house as quiet as possible while he gets used to his new surroundings.

  2. Choose a Room.

For the first few days at least, it's best to keep him in the same room most of the time while he gets used to his new environment. He is tiny and if he has the run of the house he could get into bother. Be sure to put his food and water bowl in this room and his litter tray, but don't put them close together because cats are clean animals and don't like to eat where they go to the toilet. Once he grows in confidence and size it's okay to leave the doors ajar so he can go and explore.

 3. Vaccinations.

Your new companion will need to have vaccinations at nine and twelve weeks, then every twelve months thereafter. It's paramount that your kitten is vaccinated because it will help to keep him healthy and prevent him from passing on anything nasty to other animals.

4. Flea Treatment.

Fleas are nasty little tormentors so it's best to stay on top of treating them. Some people use sprays and flea collars, but one of the best remedies has to be spot-on-treatment. You simply put the solution on your kitten's neck. While doing this, be sure to put it directly onto their skin, rather than their fur. It will last for up to a month then it will need to be reapplied on a monthly basis.

  5. Scratch Post and Toys.

Cats like to scratch rough textures because it feels nice and it files their nails. It's a good idea to buy them a scratch post early on. If you don't, he will probably make do with the sofa or armchair. And even if you do buy him a nice scratch post, he still might scratch the furniture. If you catch him scratching the sofa, just guide him toward the scratch post and give him plenty of praise and a little treat when he does use it.

6. Cat Shelves .

As your kitten grows, he will like to climb on shelves and cabinets because cats feel secure when they are up high, looking down on everyone. If you don't already have cabinets and shelves with space for your kitten to walk on, be sure to get some and install them so that your kitten can easily climb from one shelf to the next.

7. Kitten Hideout.

As well as being elevated, cats also like to hide in small, sheltered spaces. If you have a spare store cupboard, that'll do nicely, but if not, invest in a cat cave. Your kitten will feel safe and free at their place.

8. Neutering .

From between four to six months, it is a good idea to get him neutered. Cats become sexually active from around five months so it's best to get this done sooner rather than later, especially if they go outdoors or live with other cats.

9. Worming.

Kittens should get bath every month until they are six months old, then every three months after that. 

10. Playtime.

Like human infants, kittens explore the world through play. Your furry companion will love to chase and pounce on toy mice, and anything else that looks interesting so be sure to schedule in some playtime. A good workout will also keep him healthy and can even prevent behavioral problems from occurring.

Caring for a kitten is a rewarding experience and the bond that you establish with them in the early years will last for their lifetime.