Caring for Your Pet

When it comes to cuteness, nothing beats a kitten. But while getting a kitten can be an exciting and joyful time, it also comes with responsibility. After all, a kitten is a lot like a human toddler - he doesn't walk well yet, he puts everything in his mouth, and he's endlessly curious. Keep these tips in mind to be sure that your kitten has a safe and happy toddler-hood.

Get proper veterinary care.

Within the first week of getting your kitten, take him to the veterinarian for the initial check-up and his first round of vaccinations. Bring a fecal sample with you so the veterinarian can check for parasites. After that, your veterinarian will want to see your kitten every few weeks to administer boosters. This is essential to giving your kitten a healthy start in life.

Make your house kitten-safe.

Just as you would with a toddler, make sure toxic chemicals and cleansers are out of reach, and there's nothing around that's small enough for your kitten to swallow, like paper clips, pen caps, and earrings. Remove plants that might be poisonous, like azalea, daffodil, rhododendron, and mistletoe. Keep the toilet closed so he doesn't get in the habit of drinking there - he can drown or get stuck. And close up any small openings where a kitten could crawl in and get stuck, such as under couches, or in the box springs of a bed.

Make sure you provide a good diet.

Kittens need roughly twice the calories that an adult the same size requires, so make sure you provide plenty of high-quality food designed specifically for kittens. In the first days after arrival, you may want to continue feeding the kitten whatever kind of food he was eating at his previous home, in order to change as few variables as possible, then switch to a new food after consulting your veterinarian. And always make sure your kitten has access to plenty of fresh water at all times.

Start good grooming habits early.

You want to get your new kitten accustomed not only to being brushed, but also to being touched and examined. Get him used to having his ears, bellies and paws touched by holding them on your lap and touching them gently for 2 to 3 minutes. If your kitten gets antsy, take a break and try again later.

Get him used to the litter box.

There are several kinds of litter. At first, provide your kitten with a few different litter options in an accessible place. Within a short time, you'll know which he prefers.

Provide plenty of toys.

Kittens love to play, so make sure he has plenty of safe toys to keep him entertained. Anything from your local pet store should be fine.

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