Selecting a Kitten
It is best to choose your kitten
from the whole litter, choose the frisky playful, friendly kitten that is
confident and happy to approach you rather than the one that hangs back and is
shy. The best time to take your kitten home is between 7 and 8 weeks old. Some
pedigree breeders like to keep the kittens until 12 weeks old so they can have
their initial vaccinations. Some things you have to look for when choosing a
new kitten or cat are:
·
The ears should be clean and no unpleasant smells.
·
White blue eyed cats are prone to deafness (all cats eyes are blue at
this age) Test this by making sounds outside its field of vision.
·
Eyes should be clear and bright with no sings of weeping.
·
Gums should be pink (not red) and teeth should be white.
·
The coat should be clean and unmated with no fleas or flaky skin.
·
Check under the tail - this area should be spotless in a healthy cat.
Setting in your new Kitten or cat
It is probably best to have a proper
pet carrier to take your new pet home in - to avoid extra stress. At let your
new kitten
or cat come out of the carrier at its own time. It will need time to settle
down, so make sure it has fresh drinking water and a little food also make sure
it can find its way to its bed and litter tray - then leave it alone for a
little while. Make sure that children behave gently and quietly around the
kitten, kittens need peace and quiet to sleep as well as needing laytime. It is
best to keep your kitten confined indoors for a week or so and accompany your
kitten on its first trip outside - continue to go out side with your kitten for
the next few trips. This will give the kitten a sense of security and encourage
it to come when you call. Your new kitten should integrate quite well with
other pets, make sure that you can introduce them slowly. Some pets will
integrate at all - make sure you keep small mammals and birds away from your
kitten as their natural instincts will take over. Once your kitten has overcome
its initial fears it will amuse it self for hours with very cheap simple toys
like ping pong balls, cardboard rolls and small stuffed animals.
What Equipment your cat or kitten
need
A bed: a cardboard box with a blanket or cushion in it - makes an
ideal bed for a kitten as the kitten grows you may like to find a more
permanent replacement, such as wooden box or a covered bed. You may like to
keep in mind that it should ideally be washable when choosing a bed. Place the
bed in a quiet, draught free, warm spot.
Grooming tools: - A brush - preferably with natural bristles is very
useful for grooming any cat - for long haired cats you will also need a wire
toothed metal comb and a pair of rounded scissors to cut out any tangles. A
pair of feline claw clippers will complete your pussy cats grooming set.
A collar or harness: Your cat should wear a collar complete with an
identification disk. The collar must be elasticized in case it gets caught -
for example on a branch whilst climbing a tree. Some owners train their cats to
go for walks on a harness or lead.
Toys: There are a huge range of toys available for cats making play of
exercising fun and providing stimulation. Many stuffed toys contain catnip -
this herb also called catmint appeals to many cats, creating an apparent sense
of wellbeing - this lasts for approximately 15 minutes.
A scratching post
- Cats love to scratch. Scratching
serves a couple of purposes - firstly it keeps the claws neat and trim - it
also marks the cats' territory as other cats will see the marks and smell the
scent. The cat has glands between the toes that release this scent as the cat
scratches.
A scratching post is the best solution - but the cat will need to be taught to
use it from the very beginning. This will save your furniture, avoid using a
carpet covered scratching post as the pet cat may see the house carpet as an
extension of the scratching post. If the cat ha selected a piece of furniture
where it like to scratch - by covering it with plastic for a while the cat will
stop scratching there. Cats do not like the feel of plastic.
A litter tray
- A litter tray will be needed when
your kitten first comes home and if you intend to leave the cat in at night.
Choose a tray
that is deep enough and roomy enough for your cat to turn around in easily.
There are numerous varieties of kitty litter available - choose one that suits
you. Also a covered litter tray is a great idea as it keeps the smell and the
mess inside also creating a more private spot for your cat.
A Cat flap
- Cat flaps are a great idea to
allow the cat to go in and out as it pleases. You must be careful however as
other cats may also come in. check what flaps are available and choose the one
that suits your needs. A cat is quite easily trained to use a cat flap - prop
the flap open at first and call the cat through form one side than the other.
When it has mastered this, lower the flap a little and use the same procedure -
continue to do this until you can close the flap altogether.
Feeding your kitten
Ask the breeder or pet shop for a
diet sheet so that you can continue feeding them the same diet and quantities.
This will avoid you giving it too much food or an over rich diet which can
cause tummy upsets. You should also find out meal times.
Food and feeding your cat
There are three types of cat food
available commercially -moist food, semi - moist food and dry food. Cats need
meat or fish everyday to be healthy.
·
Moist food as in the canned varieties is preferred by most cats because
it closely resembles fresh meat. It also has the
vitamins and minerals that the cat needs. How ever canned foods will not last
long once served and it is best to take the food away after an hour to
encourage your cat to eat its food in a single sitting rather that picking at
it all day long.
·
Semi - moist food usually comes in a sachet. It keeps well in a bowl
without drying out or losing its texture and tastes good to cats.
·
Dry food contains very little moisture so it is very important to have
fresh drinking water available.
Establish a feeding routine where
you feed your cat once or twice a day - at the same place and the same time.
Leave the food out for an hour then take it away. This will help to make your
cat a healthy eater and not pick at the food all day.
Worming
·
The most common worms that affect cats are round worms and tape worms.
Cats must be de-wormed regularly. Your vet will give you specific advice on
worming products.
Following these simple steps will
ensure you, your family and the newest edition to the family will have a happy,
healthy and rewarding time together.
Credit: Katharine Logan
