Your kitten is one of a kind, not to mention adorable. But training your li’l baby comes with some basic guidelines. Scroll on for a handful of our favorite kitten training tips.
Introduce your new kitten to their litter box as soon as they get home. Then always set your cat in their box right after meals and as soon as they wake up from naps.
And don’t forget to reward your kitten with a treat, toy or some extra love after they use it.
Kitty, meet litter.
Litter, meet kitty.
When Kitty forgets their manners and bites you or shows their aggressive side, say “ow” or “no” clearly and sternly.
Then slowly remove your hand — or other body part — from their razor-sharp clutches. Pick up your kitten, place them away from you, walk away and ignore them.
You can also redirect them to a feather wand or another toy or activity if you want. But that’s your call.
Ouch!
That’s my hand,
not a treat, tiny cat.
By giving your little feline lots of sturdy scratching posts throughout your house, especially where they like to hang out, you can save your favorite furniture from unwanted claw marks and damage.
Oh, and be sure to trim your kitten’s nails regularly.
Say it with me:
Sofas are NOT
scratching posts.
Teach your kitten that their cat carrier is a safe, comfortable place to chillax and feel protected.
Trust us, by making a carrier part of your fuzzball’s daily life, road trips and vet visits will be easier and safer for years to come.
Cozy up,
Buttercup.
It's midnight. Bring on the zoomies, furry one.
(Actually, please don’t.)
Want to stop your kitten from bouncing off the walls while you’re supposed to be deep in slumber land? Try these tips.
Have a long play session later in the evening.
Feed your feline a big meal of delicious, nutritious Opens a new windowIAMS™ Healthy Kitten or PERFECT PORTIONS™
Spend 15 minutes of purr-worthy snuggle time before you hit the hay.
Yep, it’s true! One of our favorite Opens a new windowstudies from the University of South Australia proved it.
To help train your kitten, pick the word that best describes them:
These anxious felines tend to run away when the doorbell rings and are fearful of new situations.
The key to training a skittish kitty? Practice lots of patience and never force them to face their fears, like meeting your house guests after they’ve already runaway and hidden.
Some call them nosy, but we call them fearless. Outgoing kitties are curious and adventurous. They love to explore and get into everything — and they sometimes act naughty because they’re bored.
One of the tricks to training an outgoing kitten is to give them lots of toys and actively play with them. It stimulates their mind and helps burn off energy.
“Bossy” best describes these kitties. They bully other cats (and even other pets) and hog things like food bowls, toys and litter boxes.
If your kitten fits this category, be consistently firm and make sure you play with them regularly so they have less energy to be aggressive.
You might also want to make sure your little CEO (Cat Executive Officer) has their own food bowl, water bowl and litter box.
Two words describe these felines: impulsive and erratic. Their behavior and moods are unpredictable, even if they’ve encountered the same situation before.
When training, never raise your voice — it’ll just ramp up your kitty’s nerves and make them more erratic.
Also, be sure to stick to a consistent daily schedule for feeding and playtime so your little fuzzball knows what to expect and doesn’t get stressed out.
This personality is every cat lover’s dream.
These sweeties can usually be found curling up against your shins, meowing loudly and purring away.
The key to training these kittens is to never yell and to socialize them early and often. That way, they’ll continue to be everyone’s best friend for life.
You had me at
meow, li’l feline.
Caring for a feline friend goes beyond cuddles; it also entails paying close attention to its dietary needs. One crucial aspect of cat nutrition is the role of high-protein diets. It offers numerous benefits, including promoting overall health, energy, and a strong immune system. A protein-rich diet has many benefits for cats, like:
Prevents obesity
Cats being carnivores thrive on diets predominantly rich in animal-based protein. The magical twist here is that such a diet significantly reduces the risk of obesity in your feline companion.
Wards off diabetes
Obesity in cats often opens doors to diabetes. However, a high protein diet acts as a preventive measure, keeping those blood sugar levels in check and reducing the risk of diabetes.
Aids weight loss
If your cat needs help shedding a few pounds – high-protein cat food is your ally. Not only does it keep its weight in check, but also supports weight loss by helping your cat feel satisfied and full.
Builds immunity
Protein-rich cat food goes beyond weight management. It furnishes the essential amino acids necessary for tissue repair, growth, and a robust immune system. Without ample protein, your feline friend might face muscle loss and a compromised ability to fend off illnesses.
This is a premium cat food designed to cater to the unique needs of indoor cats. This high-protein formula boasts quality ingredients like chicken by-product meal, L-carnitine, beet pulp, and natural fibre, making it an excellent choice for cat parents seeking to provide weight control and hairball care.
Quality protein:
With chicken by-product meal as its main protein source, this premium cat food ensures muscle maintenance and overall health in indoor cats.
Weight control:
The addition of L-carnitine supports the metabolising of fats, crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and preventing obesity.
Hairball care:
Natural fibre and beet pulp promote healthy digestion, reducing hairball issues, a common concern for indoor cats.
Grain sensitivity: This super premium cat food contains corn, wheat, and maize gluten, which may not be suitable for cats with grain sensitivities or allergies.
Individual dietary needs: As every cat is unique, consult with your vet to ensure this product aligns with your cat's specific health concerns or dietary preferences.
IAMS Proactive Health cat food for Mother and Kitten is a premium kitten food designed to nurture your young feline's growth and development. Packed with high-quality ingredients, including chicken by-product meal, Omega-3, and chicken, IAMS kitten food formula offers essential nutrients for your kitten's well-being. Notably, it contains Colostrum and DHA, supporting eye and brain development during those crucial early stages of life.
Quality protein:
With chicken by-product meal as a primary protein source, IAMS cat food provides essential amino acids for muscle development and overall health.
Omega-3:
The inclusion of Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil in IAMS kitten food ensures healthy skin and a shiny coat, enhancing your kitten's appearance.
Colostrum and DHA:
Colostrum supports a strong immune system, and DHA aids in cognitive development, making IAMS kitten food ideal for nurturing young kittens.
Grain content:
IAMS cat food contains ingredients like corn and wheat, which may not be suitable for kittens with grain sensitivities or allergies. Consider your kitten's dietary needs.
Transition:
When switching to this food, it is essential to gradually introduce it to your kitten's diet to prevent digestive issues.
Consultation:
For personalised recommendations and to ensure this high-protein kitten food aligns with your kitten's specific health requirements, consult with your veterinarian.
When it comes to your cat's nutrition, protein is the name of the game for keeping your furry friend in the best shape. But navigating pet food labels can sometimes feel like cracking a secret code. What is the trick to figuring out how much protein your cat needs?
Well, it all boils down to moisture. Pet food labels come in two flavours: 'dry matter basis' and 'as-fed basis.' Most labels use the 'as-fed' basis, including water content, which can be a tad confusing.
Locate the Moisture and Crude Protein values in the Guaranteed Analysis section. Subtract the Moisture percentage from 100 to find the per cent dry matter. Divide Crude Protein by the per cent dry matter, then multiply by 100.
When wondering how to choose cat food with high protein content, you will want to consider a few key factors:
Crude protein percentage: High-protein cat food typically contains 25-30% or more protein on a dry matter basis, excluding moisture content, for accurate comparisons.
Animal-based protein sources: Look for cat foods that primarily source protein from animals like chicken, turkey, beef, or fish, ensuring they get essential amino acids.
Limited fillers: Avoid cat foods with excessive grains and starches, as they can dilute the overall protein concentration in the food.
Avoid plant-based proteins: Check the ingredient list for plant-based proteins like soy or pea protein concentrate, which should not be the primary protein source in high-protein cat food.
Premium cat food: Choose well-known, reputable cat food brands with a history of producing high-quality, high-protein premium cat food options.
NOTE: Consult your vet to determine the ideal protein content based on your cat's age, activity level, and health, as individual needs may vary.
Muscle health: High-protein cat food supports the development and maintenance of strong, lean muscles in your furry companion.
Energy: Protein provides the energy needed for your cat's playful and active lifestyle.
Healthy coat and skin: Protein-packed diets contribute to a glossy, healthy coat and skin.
Weight management: High-protein cat food helps your cat maintain a healthy weight by keeping it feeling full on fewer calories.
Cost: Quality ingredients come at a price, but investing in your cat's health is worth it.
Kidney health: Some discussions suggest high-protein diets might strain the kidneys, but it is a topic of debate and does not apply to all cats.
Allergies and sensitivities: Keep an eye on your cat's reactions to different protein sources as they can develop allergies or sensitivities.
When transitioning your cat to a high-protein diet or introducing new foods, do it gradually to prevent digestive issues. For guidance on the right protein level for your cat's specific needs, especially if they have underlying health concerns, consult with your veterinarian. IAMS cat food provides your feline friend with the perfect balance of protein and nutrients, ensuring they lead a happy, healthy life.