Healthy Kitten. Healthy Cat.
Cats are wonderful. Plain and simple. Their canine counterparts are the ones with the renowned title as “Man’s Best Friend” but that has not cut cats out of the rat-race for affection.
While dogs get the label of Man’s best friend, they also require a lot of extra work in comparison to cats. Cats are a very self-sufficient specie and do not require much cat care. They do not require potty-training (in most cases, you can even toilet train some cats) or behavioral training as with most dogs. They are a loving, devoted, self kept treasure. They provide companionship without a ton of effort.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying we bring a kitten home, slap them a litter box and go on our way. Cats may be self sustaining by nature but they require nurturing, affection, a healthy diet, exercise and stimulation, vaccinations, and all of the general bases for a happy and healthy life. A cat with a healthy and happy life with carry a happy and loving relationship with you their entire life.
There are general rules to follow when you bring a kitten home. As with all kittens you must be wary of disease, infestation, malnutrition, dehydration, and other varying forms of an unhealthy kitten.
Before bringing home a new kitten be sure to take the kitten in for a veterinary exam. Feline Aids, or FIV, can be spread from Mother to kitten and then to other cats that may already be present in your home. This is a measure of prevention that is the safest way to introduce a new kitten into your healthy home. This initial visit will also introduce your kitten to proper vaccination and de-worming which is a critical step in a kittens first months of life.
Now it is time to bring your kitten home. Be sure that your kitten has a special area for a clean litter box. Generally kittens take to a litter box automatically without any help. Only a few kittens need to be placed gently into the box a few times before they assume the responsibility of using the box permanently. If you have a cat already in the home, using the litter box, the kitten will get the idea right away.
Follow a steady routine for mealtimes to appease your cats desire for structure. And remember to make or purchase stimulating toys for your cat to enjoy. Exercise and mental stimulation are very important for a healthy kitten/cat. Also a scratching post is necessary for healthy cats. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats/kittens. It helps them sharpen their claws and pull away any loose claw material. Don’t let this natural behavior ruin your furniture. You must provide the kitten with a post or they will leave their mark on the furniture.
Keep your cat/kitten updated on all vaccines, monthly medications and prevention treatments for fleas, ticks, FIV, heartworms, and ear mites. Following the basics are simple and prevention is your strongest link to a healthy, happy cat. Taking small steps to create a loving environment will result in big benefits. Your cat will become your best friend. When you take special care of your cat your cat will return the favor with love and affection for years to come.