It’s always an exciting time when you first decide to
own a kitten for the first time. All you can think about is the fun
times you will have with your pet and how cute and lovely they will be.
However it is important to consider what is involved with looking after
a cat, as it is a life time responsibility of between 12 and 16 years
sometimes even longer. It will involve certain costs and much time and
effort on your part and if you are not fully prepared for these
responsibilities, your cat will suffer and this is something no true
cat lover would want.
Choosing the right kitten for you is the
first consideration. The temperament and health of the kitten are
vitally important if both you and your cat are to live happily
together. You must consider the home environment your new pet is to
come into and if it will suit their personality. For instance if you
are looking for a pet that will be a companion to children and be able
to interact with them, you will be looking for a lively and active pet.
Whereas, if the kitten is for an elderly person, you may be looking for
a quieter personality.
Always try to find out the kittens
background and if it’s mother has any underlining health problems. This
will help you be prepared for any ill health that may occur in the
future and of course help you to decide whether or not you would want
to take on that responsibility. Kittens should always have bright eyes,
clean ears and nose and their coat should be glossy. Make sure they are
not suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting and are generally in good
health before you take them home.
Before bringing home a new
kitten make sure all the essentials like, a comfortable cat bed or
cushion, a litter tray and litter, food bowls, cat toys including a
scratching post and grooming brushes have been purchased to make their
arrival comfortable and secure. It is important that the kitten feels
at home right from the first. This will help them settle in to their
new home quicker and help them to build bonds with their new family.
Feeding
a kitten also needs some thought. Just like a human baby they need a
special diet, as their digestive system is not yet up to coping with
all types of food. Look out for cat foods especially made for kittens,
which provide all the nutrients and vitamins required to keep a kitten
in the best of health. Kittens also need to be fed more frequently than
adult cats. Feed kittens up to the age of 5 month old up to 5 times a
day, this should gradually be reduced to 3 times a day once they reach
12 months old. Fresh water should be available for them to drink at all
times.
During the first few months of owning your new kitten you
will get to know your vet very well. Many visits to the vet will be
required to fulfil your role as a responsible owner. Worming should be
carried out from between the age of 4 to 16 weeks every two weeks until
they are 6 moths old, after that it only needs to be carried out every
2 to 6 months. Vaccinations are also essential at around 9 to weeks old
as this is when they start to become vulnerable to such illness as cat
flu, enteritis, feline leukaemia virus and feline chlamydophilosis.
During
these first few months you will also have to decide whether or not you
wish to breed from your cat in the future, as they will become mature
enough to breed after 6 months old. At that age it is recommended that
you have them neutered if you do not want any unwanted pregnancies to
occur. It is also a good time to have them micro chipped at this age.
Well
now that all the practical things have been dealt with you can now get
on and enjoy your time with your new kitten. Don’t forget play is an
important learning tool for your cat, as it will teach them about the
world round them and help them to hone their natural hunting and
survival skills.
