You have a kitten

Kittens are usually bought at 2-3 months old, but it’s better to get an older kitten, especially if you’re new to cats. You can buy a purebred kitten from a club or at an animal show. When you take a kitten home, get its feeding and vaccination schedule from the breeder. The first vaccinations are given at 8-9 weeks. Stick to the breeder’s feeding plan to avoid digestive issues and weakened immunity.

Mixed-breed kittens are generally healthier and don’t have many hereditary diseases. Don’t hesitate to adopt young cats from shelters - they are quarantined, vaccinated, and sterilized. They adapt quickly and are friendly and loyal.

A healthy kitten has clear eyes, a cold and wet nose, clean ears, a rounded but not swollen belly, and shiny fur. It should move freely and react actively to toys. The skin around the anus should be clean and healthy. If you find a kitten on the street, it might have ear mites or worms, shown by crusts in the ears and a swollen belly. These are easy to treat.

After getting a kitten, visit a vet. The vet will check the kitten and give advice on vaccinations and deworming. A kitten’s bond with humans and other animals forms between 2 to 7 weeks old. Good breeders know this and help kittens get used to being handled and learning good habits like using a litter box and scratching post. Studies show that holding a kitten for 20-30 minutes daily helps them bond with people. Mother cats also teach kittens to live peacefully with humans. Well-socialized cats are less afraid but can be at risk outside. Poorly socialized cats, often kept in cages, can be fearful, aggressive, and less active.

Don’t punish kittens for playing actively; it’s important for their brain and muscle development. By 14 weeks, their intense play naturally decreases. Play fights help kittens socialize with different species, like dogs or ferrets, but not with prey animals like birds and rodents. Even if they seem to get along, a kitten’s hunting instincts can kick in, so don’t let small pets roam unsupervised. To stop a kitten from scratching furniture, use special sprays with unpleasant tastes and smells. You can also use a water spray during the act, along with a firm “no.” Physical punishment doesn’t work well with cats. Instead, provide a good scratching post or play area.

Cats are naturally clean and like to bury their waste. Kittens usually use a litter box happily but can be scared by loud noises or crowds. If scared, they might choose an inappropriate spot. Make sure the kitten feels safe and take them to the litter box when they show signs of needing to go. Praise them when they use it. It’s helpful to have two litter boxes at first. Clean the litter box 2-3 times a week with special pet-safe cleaners, not regular ones with chlorine, which is toxic to cats.

Kittens need a quiet place to rest and sleep. You can buy a special house for them. If you have small children, explain that kittens need quiet time. Kids can help with simple tasks like brushing the kitten or filling its food bowl, but full responsibility should wait until they are 13 or 14 years old. In the wild, cats choose their food based on taste. An adult cat eats small meals 10-15 times a day. Their diet includes mammals (55-80%), reptiles (1-10%), birds (5-8%), plants (4-6%), and sometimes food from human homes (20-30%). A cat’s taste preferences are influenced by what their mother fed them. Studies show that kittens fed soybeans with mackerel early on will prefer that food later. Cats choose food by smell, texture, and taste, based on their experiences, similar to young children. Cats like food at room temperature, slightly sour, with a dense texture and high fat content. However, fatty food is not good for sterilized cats with low activity due to the risk of obesity.

Kittens can digest milk well until they are one month old because of the enzyme lactase. Older kittens might get diarrhea from milk, so it’s better to give them plain yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, or kefir.

At home, kittens usually eat commercial food, chosen based on their breed and needs. It’s important not to give them expired dog food or food meant for adult cats. Kitten food has extra minerals and vitamins for growth. For the first 1.5-2 months, follow the breeder’s diet plan. If you need to change their diet, do it gradually over 2-4 weeks. Feed kittens 4-5 times a day. They should have fresh water available all the time. Teach them to drink enough water to prevent urinary problems. Many cats like running water, so you can buy a special drinking fountain.

Feeding kittens from the table isn’t always good. Cats are picky and might only eat meat or fish, avoiding other foods like cottage cheese and vegetables. This can cause health problems. In the wild, cats eat not just meat but also the stomach contents of their prey and grass for fiber. Balancing a homemade diet is hard, so it’s better to use high-quality commercial food. Premium and super-premium foods are made to strict standards and checked for safety. You can find both imported and domestic brands in stores.

A healthy kitten’s body temperature is 38.5–39.5°C (for adult cats, it’s 38.0–39.5°C). Use a rectal thermometer with petroleum jelly to measure it. Hold the thermometer in place for 2-3 minutes, inserting it about a centimeter. A kitten’s pulse is 130-140 beats per minute, measured on the inner thigh. They breathe 20-40 times per minute. Healthy urine is yellowish with a pH of 5.0-7.5, depending on their diet. As a pet owner, you should be concerned if your kitten shows any of these signs: coughing, eye discharge, constant meowing (which can mean pain), strange postures (like walking on bent legs or moving in circles), frequent need to urinate, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation for more than 48 hours, not urinating for more than 18-24 hours, extreme sleepiness, drooling, or not eating for more than 24 hours. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your kitten to the vet immediately. It’s best to go to a clinic with all the necessary equipment, like X-rays and ultrasound, so they can quickly do blood and urine tests. Young animals can get sick quickly and often become dehydrated, so it’s important to diagnose and treat them as soon as possible.

Cats are very sensitive to medications. Many human medicines are not safe for them. For example, aspirin can poison their bone marrow and liver, and ibuprofen can cause poisoning. Only a vet can prescribe safe medicine for your cat. Some safe human medicines include hydrogen peroxide, activated charcoal, white petroleum jelly, and some antibiotics.

Some plants are also poisonous to cats, such as ficus, dieffenbachia, evening primrose, chrysanthemum, ivy, and morning glory.

With quality food, regular vaccinations and deworming, fresh water, and a little patience and attention, your kitten will grow up happy and healthy!

References You have a kitten - ZooMedVet