Kittens

Kittens are born with their eyes closed and they open at about 2 weeks. A kitten's eyes are blue until are about 3 months old. Several breeds color up during the first 6 months, so the color of the kitten may not be the color of the cat. Kittens should not be removed from their mothers until 8 weeks of age, when they naturally wean from their mothers and begin to eat kitten food. 

  
Kitten ChoiceChoose your kitten by the temperament that you observe. Don't go by color and markings alone. You will be living with the personality, markings are incidental and may change. If you are getting your kitten from a reputable breeder, the genetics are what matter at this stage.

Health

Choose one that is free of discharge from any orifice. This may be your best indicator of health.

Kitten Sex

The sex of the kitten may matter to you, depending on your temperament. "Feel the underside" and if there are bumps, it's probably a male. Although some females will exhibit these characteristic bumps at an early age, all males will have them. Regardless of the sex of the kitten, plan on spaying or neutering your pet. Your new kitten can be neutered as soon as 12 weeks of age according to a new study. Males have the reputation of being more independent, but I have not found this true. Both sexes make good "mousers," but while males will play with a mouse, a female will kill it.

Flea Control

Flea control should start as soon as the kitten is weaned. Use flea wipes or powder instead of drops or baths for the first 6 months. After that, you can graduate to the drops and flea baths. Collars are also a good choice. No matter which method you choose, watch your cat closely for the first 24 hours after applying the treatment in case your cat has a reaction to it. Keep the package handy so you will know what to do to stop the reaction. In the case of a collar, remove it; in the case of flea powder, you will have to bathe your cat.

What to Feed Your Kitten

Feed a high quality diet designed for kittens. Your veterinarian is your best source for information regarding an appropriate diet for your kitten. Dry foods are usually most economical and have the advantage of providing a rough surface that will help reduce plaque and tartar buildup on your kitten's teeth, but canned foods can be fed as a supplement if desired. The amount fed will depend on your cat's diet, as well as the age, size, and activity level of your kitten. Kittens can be fed free-choice or at set mealtimes; however, many veterinarians recommend feeding all pets at set mealtimes because intake can be more easily monitored. Canned foods should always be fed at set times, because if left unrefrigerated, they can spoil. I recommend use of stainless steel bowls because plastic and ceramic bowls can scratch, leaving crevices for bacteria to hide. The plastic and ceramic types of bowls (and resultant resident bacteria) have been associated with feline "acne" and skin irritation.


Special kitten foods make sure your new kitten will get the nutrition it needs to grow and thrive. If your kitten is removed from its mother too early, it is even more important to feed the kitten well, and use KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement until the kitten is properly weaned. This will prevent health problems later on in life, such as blindness, kidney and liver problems, or other digestive issues.

Try not to change your cats diet radically. This can cause stomach upset.

Play With Your Kitten:

Use a flashlight or Laser Toy, and never aim toward the face. Aim about 6"-8" away from the kitten and get its attention. Drive the baby nuts trying to catch it. This is really good during the "crazies" when they are all tooth and claw! There are also bubbles you blow, Balls, mice and other toys to wear your baby out. Remember to rotate the toys regularly so the kitten does not become bored and decide your shoes, feet or hands (or worse!) are the toy of the day.

Litter Box Training

Pick a litter box that is the right size for your kitten. Too large and she may not be able to get into the box in time, causing accidents. Too small and your new kitten may outgrow the box too quickly. You may need more than one box during the first six months your kitten lives with you. They can be consolidated into one, larger box later, as your kitten gains control of her functions.

Your cat should be able to turn around comfortably in the box without having to step out. If the box is too small, you will set the stage for other problems later on. If you have a very large breed cat such as a Maine Coon or just a big kitty, your litter box may become too small very quickly. I have found that the large storage boxes make excellent litter boxes for exceptionally large cats. I get them at the discount store, discard the lid and fill with litter. As long as the cat can turn around comfortably and it holds enough litter to be useful, you can use it.

Cat Beds

You kitten may want to sleep with you at first, but provide a bed for your cat to sleep in. Allergies can develop that will make you very uncomfortable around your cat.

Training

Your new kitten's personality can be influenced by its treatment, so handle and groom your kitten daily. Be kind, and watch your step. If you accidentally step on its tail or foot, apologize to it. Your relationship with your kitten as it grows will be better for this. A kitten is very small compared to a human, so treating your cat with respect will incline your cat to do the same, and at the same time, not be afraid of you.
Never strike or yell at your cat. A firm "no" is all you need. If your cat ignores you, use a soda can with a penny in it, taped up, and shake it before you say "no." If you use this gimmick, it alerts your kitten by sound and gets its attention. Alternatively, you can use a clicker to mark the good behaviors you want your kitten to exhibit. The correct use of the clicker is described on Cat Training Tips.

Redirect your kitten's attention to something else if it gets into something you don't want it to. Kittens are easily amused, and this is better than any discipline I've ever found. Redirection is the most important tool in the trainer or owners list of tricks.

Kittens and Furniture

Wrap the sofa or chair (kitten height) in bubble wrap when introducing a new kitty into the house. They scratch, it pops, they jump! Some cats actually think it's fun! (Uh-Oh!) If this happens, uses double sided sticky tape instead. Provide your kitten with a Blitz^TM TurboScratcher Cat Toy as a place to sharpen her claws. This is an instinctive behavior, and if you cater to it, the household will be happier for it.

If you want to be a better cat-owner, here are some pointers to help you take care of your cat in the best way possible. Hygiene, training, and grooming are all addressed in a logical, easy to understand format. How to use treats is addressed, so that they stay treats, not a general practice.

Cats need food, litter boxes, and flea control. Their people need the correct supplies to take care of them. While there are many good products in the general marketplace, there are specialty items you may not be aware of or may be paying top-dollar for. I can help with the latter. Specialty items can be purchased directly from the suppliers at a price that makes their use more appealing, often with free shipping.

Cat care consists of attending to the physical comforts of your cat, emotional and intellectual stimulation, and love. The physical is easy. All the "things" you need are easily accesible. Emotional and intellectual stimulation are in the way you relate to your cat. Talk to your cat. Treat it as a friend and it will be one to you. Allow your cat to express it's unique personality. Stimulate it's natural intellect with toys, games and training.

By simply relating to your cat as you go about your day; talking to it when you enter the room, calling it for food or bed; your cat will become attentive to you. You will find your cat coming around to say "hello," asking for cuddles and play.

Tickler wands and other interactive toys will always help your cat to relate to you. Because these toys are only available for play when you offer them, your cat will ask you for them. Your cat can easily be trained to playing with these toys by offering the toys, and when your cat loses interest, give a treat and a cuddle. The treats and toys will give your cat an added reason to play with you besides the exercise and enjoyment it gets by chasing the toy you offer.

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