Kitten Care

As an owner of a 12 week old kitten, I can tell you few stories about some of the wild but adorable things that a kitten can do to both make your heart skip a beat and melt it. Raising a kitten can be one of the most rewarding things you can do as a young family, as caring for a young cat can strengthen the bond he/she has with you as well as other household members, including other pets.

The Home Environment

Getting your first kitten can seem like a daunting task. One of the first things you may fear is that the kitten will get into trouble exploring your home. Having never owned a kitten or an adult cat before, I behaved like a worried parent. I was trying to “kitten-proof” everything I could. However, kittens are crafty little animals and there will be only so much you can do. They will climb almost anything that they can get their paws on (even you). They love hiding in small nooks so they can peak their heads out to stalk your feet. They may be young acrobats, but they are learning, so a careful eye should be kept on them in a new space. Even as I write this article, my kitten found her way onto my kitchen table and nearly knocked over a vase, which is something she hadn’t done before. Luckily, kittens are cautious and aren’t bulls in a china shop.

Outside

If you plan on letting your cat outside at some point, there a few things you should be aware of or have done before they wander outside. As a kitten, it is important for them to establish your home as their home. This is why it is essential to get them acclimated to the inside and surroundings outside of your home gradually. As you might keep a kitten in one room for the first week or two in your home, you can do the same with easing them into the environment outside your home. It might sound strange, but I got a harness leash for my kitten and have been taking her outside occasionally to let her explore the house outside so she can familiarize herself with home. Each time, I let her decide where she wants to go, always staying close. If you have a fenced in backyard, this can be even easier and safer. Also, it is important that if your cat will be an outdoor cat, that you do not have your kitten declawed. You might be saving your furniture, but it could cost your cat’s life outside the home if he/she gets involved with another animal around your neighborhood. Furthermore, make sure your kitten has received all his/her vaccines and treatments before bringing him/her outside.

Basic Care

There a many things you will need to help your new kitten feel at home.

1. A deep litter box with kitten friendly litter. The deeper the litter box is, the better it will be at keeping litter in the box when your kitten scoops it over her excrement. There's litter on the market specifically meant for attracting kittens into their boxes so training is easier. Pour a good amount in to cover the bottom with about 1-2 inches of litter. Then check the box a few times a day and just scoop and discard their “presents”. You may want to get a motorized automatic scooper, but from experience, motorized machines can scare your kitten and deter them from using it.

2. A soft bed space. When I brought home my kitten from the shelter I completely forgot about a bedding space. She used some towels of mine until the next day when I was able to get her one. As your kitten gets older, you will discover their preferred sleeping locations/spots/ types and can tailor their bedding to their preferences.

3. Toys. Kittens can be entertained by a plethora of items you may even have lying around the house. You may want to get a few toys designated for them to use such as stuffed mice, springs, balls, and danglers. However, shoelaces (with the aglets pulled off so they don’t choke), laser pointers, and even your own feet can be toys to your kitten.

Food

Food choice might have been the most difficult decisions I had to make. The shelter I adopted her from gave me some food that she had already been eating. I continued to use that combination of wet food and hard food for the first few days at home and she seemed healthy and content. My veterinarian approved of the use of these two foods as well. A few days later I tried some new flavors of the same brand of wet food. However, they didn’t agree with my kitten’s stomach and she had some unfortunate bowl movements. I returned to using what she was used to from the shelter and she became regular again. My veterinarian advised me that kittens tend to have sensitive stomachs and she could try the flavors again as she gets older. Obviously, there will be brands of hard and wet foods that vets will recommend over others, but really it depends on your kitten’s taste preferences and how their stomach handles them. I do recommend feeding wet food morning and night and having hard food out all day for them to snack on. Occasionally, you can mix the two to encourage more solid bowel movements if all they seem to like is the wet foods. I use Friskies Poultry Platter Pate and Science Diet Kitten Hard food. The combination of these has kept my kitten regular and happy for some time now.

Loving Your Kitten

This might be the most crucial part of raising a kitten. They are an extension of your family, and they need attention too. They may be the most independent of the common house pets, but they will still yearn for your affection. If your kitten isn’t already friendly, they will associate your actions with that of their mother. Supplying them with food, treats and cuddles helps make this bond stronger. If you want to share in this bond, have members in your house hold trade the duties of feeding, treating, cuddling, and scooping litter. This way the kitten makes these associations with all of you.

I never thought I could be a kitten owner and caregiver, but with the advent of the adoption of my beautiful calico, Zalea, and the help of pointers given to me by other owners, I have gained the confidence that it is plausible even for rookies. Good luck and happy tails!

Victor Gagliano, Guest Writer

Victor Gagliano is a certified middle school math and science teacher, self proclaimed handyman and liberty activist in NJ. A recent kitten owner and lover of animals, Victor loves the outdoors and frequents local fishing spots to pass the time.

Victor can be contacted regarding his writing services via his Simbi profile.