taking care of your kitten

There are many things a cat owner should do to ensure a kitten is healthy and stays healthy, such as taking her for her first visit to the vet, feeding and grooming her properly, and giving her plenty of time to play and love.

Time of the first visit to the veterinarian:

The first visit to the vet can be traumatic if you don’t prepare in advance. There are a few things a cat owner should do to prepare for a visit to the vet.

You will need to have any medical records that came with your kitten, such as a record of worming or vaccinations. A detailed record of what the kitten is currently eating, a fresh stool sample, a suitable cat carrier, and a list of any questions you or other family members have about the care of the kitten. You will also need information on any pet insurance you may have. It will be important to arrive fifteen minutes early for this first visit, as you will need to complete paperwork for your new kitten.

After completing the paperwork, a staff member will call your kitten’s name and escort you to an exam room. The kitten’s temperature and weight will be taken and recorded. Weight is important because young kittens (less than 6 or 8 weeks old) can weigh less than a pound, and small fluctuations in weight can be significant indications of health. Knowing the changes in weight from visit to visit is one way the vet can tell if the kitten is experiencing a health problem. Weight is also used to determine the proper dosage of medications.

The vet will perform a physical exam that will include listening to the cat’s heart and lungs. The vet will look at all parts of the body from nose to tail, including the eyes, nose, skin, mouth, and throat. The vet will examine the teeth and look at the genitals. Sometimes, the owner is surprised by the announcement of an unexpected sex, since it is common for those who sell them to mistake the sex of a young kitten.

The vet will determine that all is well with your kitten’s neurological and musculoskeletal systems and do an overall body condition assessment. A parasite check will usually be done by combing the kitten and checking the stool sample you provided.

Nutritional needs will be discussed and the vet will take the time to answer any of your questions about the care of your kitten.

Necessary vaccinations will be administered and medications for parasites will be administered.

Ask your vet about your kitten’s proper grooming needs and to show you how to groom your kitten.

Time to eat:

Three-week-old kittens are ready to start eating soft kitten food, so when you buy your kitten at 6 or 8 weeks of age, the kitten will already be used to eating solid food. It’s best to continue to feed the kittens the same food they’re used to, so be sure to ask what it is, the person you’re getting the kitten from. Be sure to establish regular feeding routines to help your kitten stay in good health. Your kitten’s diet is an important factor in her overall good health.

Your kitty will want to have her own bowls (preferably non-plastic) to eat and drink fresh water. Make sure your kitten has fresh water every day.

Game time!

Kittens love to play and will respond well to kitty toys such as balls, feather lures, flashlights, and anything else you can find around the house to keep them entertained. Never leave a string, thread, or piece of string with a kitten unattended, as a kitten can easily become entangled in these. Supervise a kitten while it plays with anything with feathers, as it can swallow the feathers and choke. A kitten will love playing in a paper bag if you cut some holes in it. An empty spool of yarn also makes a great kitty toy. You’ll find that playtime is an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your new kitten.

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