Caring For a Young Kitten

If a small kitten has found her way into your home and your heart, she’ll need special attention to thrive.

Although cats are considered independent creatures, when young they need extra special care. If you’re lucky enough to have a kitten, help her to thrive by following these simple tips.

Make a bed. Select a spot in your home for the kitten to sleep that’s warm and separate from other animals. In a corrugated box or cat-sized carrier, place an old towel or soft throw to make it cozy. Kittens can’t regulate their body temperature well, so they need you to help. If the space is drafty or cool, wrap a towel around a hot water bottle or use a heating pad at the lowest setting. Check the box daily for accidents and change the bedding as needed to keep it a place where your kitten will want to nestle.

Feed often. Kittens need nutritious food and they need it often. Experts advise feeding a mix of protein-rich dry food specially formulated for kittens, plus canned food available throughout the day. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right amount of food for your kitten. Feed your kitten in the same place consistently and be sure to keep fresh water nearby.

Litter train. According to The Complete Home Veterinary Guide, “Kittens will be instinctively drawn to litter or dirt in which to eliminate as early as four-to-six weeks of age.” Use this to your advantage. Bring the kitten to the box upon awakening from a nap and also after meals. Not getting the hint? Gently place the kitten inside the litter box, lift her paw and use it to demonstrate scratching the litter.

Visit the veterinarian. To ensure that your kitten is healthy and receives the appropriate vaccines at the proper time, make a veterinarian appointment as soon as possible. While there, discuss the best age at which to spay or neuter the cat. Also request to have your kitten microchipped so that she stands the best chance of being found and returned to you if she strays.

Try going for a walk. If you accustom your kitten to wearing a halter and leash early, she will become at ease and even enjoy taking walks with you. To begin, let her walk around the house (supervised, of course) for a few minutes every day, wearing a kitty-sized halter and trailing the leash.

Lavish with love and attention. Add in plenty of playtime, cuddles and petting, and your small kitten can grow into a devoted and affectionate adult cat who loves you right back.