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How can you help your kitten live a long and healthy life? Although you can’t predict the health of your cat with certainty, you can increase the probability of both her general health and a long life through proper care that begins as soon as you bring her home. Your veterinarian can advise further on these five key considerations for taking care of your kitten.
Feed your kitten high-quality food designed to meet nutritional needs during specific stages of her life. Your kitten’s nutritional requirements will depend on her life stage and lifestyle. No matter the life stage, cats are carnivores and require nutrients from animal protein and fat for optimal health.
Prevent obesity with prudent portion control and frequent play activities. Exercise relieves stress, reduces aggression and keeps cats alert. Just 15 to 30 minutes of play a day can help keep your cat in shape and strengthen the bond between the two of you. In addition, getting your kitten used to playtime early on will help you get used to playing with your cat routinely.
Keep your kitten inside to help reduce the risk of illness or injury from accidents, fights and disease. As your kitten gets older, you can help avoid the stress of harassment from other animals by keeping your kitten inside. You should make your home safe by protecting your cat from environmental dangers, such as household cleaners and secondhand smoke. Cats frequently groom themselves with their tongues, and over time, even small amounts of harmful chemicals can have adverse effects.
Groom your kitten early and often to get her used to brushing. When brushing, check for bumps or abnormalities, and promptly seek veterinary advice if you discover anything suspicious. Take your cat to the veterinarian at least annually for a complete physical exam, and follow your veterinarian’s advice regarding preventive health care measures.
Your veterinarian may also recommend periodic professional cleaning of your cat’s teeth, which may preserve years of her life.
Last but not least, give your cat lots of love! Despite some cats’ aloof demeanor, all cats thrive on affection. Both you and your cat will reap the benefits of spending quality time together.
It was once thought that one year in the life of a cat was equivalent to seven years of a human life. Below is a revised way of looking at how a cat year stacks up to a human year.
| Cat Age | Human Age |
|---|---|
| 6 months | 10 years |
| 8 months | 13 years |
| 10 months | 14 years |
| 1 year | 15 years |
| 18 months | 20 years |
| 2 years | 24 years |
| 3 years | 28 years |
| 4 years | 32 years |
| 5 years | 36 years |
| 6 years | 40 years |
| 7 years | 44 years |
| 8 years | 48 years |
| 9 years | 52 years |
| 10 years | 56 years |
| 11 years | 60 years |
| 12 years | 64 years |
| 13 years | 68 years |
| 14 years | 72 years |
| 15 years | 76 years |
| 16 years | 80 years |
| 17 years | 84 years |
| 18 years | 88 years |
| 19 years | 92 years |
| 20 years | 96 years |
| 21 years | 100 years |
Bringing a new kitten home can be exciting, especially if it is your first time. The day you have been looking forward to has finally arrived and you are ready to take on your responsibilities as a cat parent! However exciting it may be to embark on this journey, a caregiver should not forget to prepare their home for a kitten’s first day and night.
Start establishing a routine during your new kitten’s first week at home. For instance, start taking it to the vet, and introduce it to friends, family, and other pets. You should also be fully prepared for its first outings once it is fully vaccinated. Lastly, kitten-proofing your home is highly recommended. Bringing a new kitten home is no different than bringing a baby home. As a caregiver, you should put away all hazardous items in the house and create a safe space for your kitten.
For caregivers who are bringing a new kitten home, this article is the ideal read! Here’s what you need to know about introducing a new kitten to your home.
There are multiple things you need to do before getting a kitty into your house. For example, you must find a credible veterinarian in your vicinity. Especially because you have to take your newborn cat to the vet as soon as you adopt it. So, let’s explore other crucial steps to take before bringing a kitten home:
Kittens are tiny and delicate; hence, anything that can hurt or harm them should be put away. Make sure you have set up a sleeping space for your kitten, a food bowl, and a water bowl. Apart from that, place one or more litter boxes around your house depending on the size of your home. Make sure you cover any sharp edges of your furniture and don’t expose your kitten to any dangerous figures. Moreover, keep harmful plants and any toxic substances out of its reach.
For the first few nights, it is normal for new kittens to be anxious. It will take some time for a kitten to get used to its new home. It is also normal for your kitten to cry for the first few nights. You can make this experience better for it by setting up a cosy sleeping space. Once it gets comfortable in the new home, the kitty can even sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
It is not recommended to suddenly change your kitten’s food. Thus, find out what it was being fed by its previous caretaker. Stick to that meal plan for a few days and then gradually start changing your kitten’s diet. The best person to give you any advice on the right diet for kitties is a vet. Visit a veterinarian to receive a comprehensive feeding chart for your feline friend’s diet. For kittens between two to 12 months of age, IAMS Proactive Health Mother And Kitten dry food is ideal. It is loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to support healthy brain and eye development. This kitten food also contains colostrum and DHA – two essential nutrients that provide immunity and protection against diseases.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into understanding the things that must be done once you have brought the kitty home:
The first step after bringing a kitten home is to introduce your new feline friend to its new family. Kittens can feel nervous around strangers; hence, familiarising them with their new family is imperative. Ensure that the atmosphere is calm and not too loud as they tend to get anxious. Your kitten should be handled gently if being picked up by anyone. Give your kitten the space it requires and let it explore the house by itself.
If you have any other pets or more cats, introducing a new kitten to the rest of them is important. After all, they have to coexist and should get along as soon as possible. The best way to make them accustomed to each other is through scent. Keep switching sleep blankets so your pets can get used to being around each other. You can also place one pet’s towel under the other’s food dish. By doing this, all your pets will slowly get used to the new kitten.
Maintaining your kitten’s health is a priority. One of the most important things to do as soon as you bring a new kitten home is to set up a vaccination plan with the vet. Hence, make sure you visit a veterinarian at the earliest. Stay consistent with all vaccination doses for your kitten’s overall well-being. Later on, start taking your pet for regular medical check-ups. The doctor will examine your kitten’s weight, teeth, ears, etc. to gauge its nutritional needs.
Once your kitten starts feeling a little comfortable in your house, it will start exploring the space. If you see your kitten roaming around, it is great news. This means that it has started trusting the people and environment. However, make sure your kitty doesn’t get hurt while exploring its new home. You also don’t want to keep interrupting your pet to protect it from sharp edges. Hence, do not skip kitten-proofing your house. When your kitten gets up to move around, resist the urge to cuddle; let it explore and find the most comfortable spot for itself.
We all know that a new kitten requires some time and space to adjust to its new surroundings. However, once your new feline friend is all settled in, you can start playing basic games with it. For instance, play with a string. Cats love to play hide-and-seek or peek-a-boo. Start rewarding it with treats when it plays with you. It will soon start trusting you. And when your kitty rubs its body against you, licks your hand, or shows any form of affection, you will know that you have earned its trust.
