It’s almost time to bring your new kitten home. Soon you will have an adorable ball of fur running around. Kittens can be a lot of work but they are very rewarding and very fun. Winslow Animal Hospital is here to tell you how to properly take care of your newest family member.
Basics
Here are some of the items you are going to need on hand for when you bring kitty home.
- Collar and ID tag
- Food and water bowels (preferably metal or ceramic)
- Carrier
- Scratching post
- Tooth brush
- Tooth paste
- Bed
- Litter box
Before Kitty Comes Home
It is better to prep your home for kitty before hand. Your new friend is going to be very curious and will want to explore. You should make sure all medications are locked up, especially the Tylenol (acetaminophen). Anchor the window cords are anchored, cap outlets, and bundle electric cords.
Make sure you are aware of everything that could potentially be poisonous to your furry friends. You can do this by calling Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 , keep this number on hand in case of emergencies.
Of course, have a veterinarian picked out and make an appointment with them so your kitten can get their first visit as soon as possible.
Make a Space
It is very important to create a safe space for your little ball of fuzz. Being in a new environment is very stressful, so giving them some place to escape to will help ease them. Make sure that they have their food and water in this location along with their litter box and bed. Make sure that the litter box and water and food aren’t too close together, kitty won’t like this.
It is always best to introduce them to the litter box at an early age. You should do this with the scratcher too. Doing this will save you a lot of frustration down the road.
First Veterinarian Visit
Your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination of your new furry friend. Some topics that your veterinarian will discuss with you include:
- Vaccination schedule
- Kitten illness
- Safe options for treatment of internal and external parasites
- Diets appropriate for kitten
- Spaying/nurturing
- How to introduce the kitten to the household
When discussing these items, your veterinarian will make recommendations to you based on:
- Breed
- Age
- Your lifestyle
- Any current health or behavioral issues
Food
Your kitten should be on a high quality food specially formulated for kittens.
Your veterinarian can help you choose a good brand, especially if your furry friend has any kind of dietary needs.
It is recommend that you don’t free feed your pet. While it may be easier, this can lead to obesity. Instead, give your pet two meals a day. Not only will this help keep them on a regular schedule, but it will also give them some stimulation.
Signs of illness
Kittens are very susceptible to illnesses. Always keep an eye on them for any changes such as:
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Wheezing/coughing
- Lethargy
- Nasal discharge
- Poor weight gain
- Swollen red eyes
- Discharge from eyes
- Pale gums
- Inability to go to the bathroom
If any of these are noticed please call your veterinarian.
