Tips On Raising A Happy Kitten
are new to a home.
Tip #1:
NEVER play with a kitten using your hand as a toy. Your kitten will think it’s okay to scratch and bite flesh. Always use a cat teaser toy instead. Or, a shoestring can entertain a kitten for hours.
Tip #2:
Hold your kitten as often as possible. Let him/her know how good it feels to be cuddled and loved. This is especially important with shy or timid kittens.
Tip #3:
While holding your kitten, gently stroke his/her belly, legs, paws, chin, and other sensitive areas. This will help make your kitty use to being handled making it easier to clip his/her claws and medicate him/her.
Tip #4:
Brush your kitten often, daily if he/she is longer haired. There are many different styles of cat brushes available at pet stores. Brushing makes your kitten feel clean which is very important to them. Brushing will also reduce the dander in your home which can cause allergies.
Tip #5:
Clip your kittens claws about every two weeks when your kitten is tired or sleeping. After getting use to regular clippings, your kitten will probably enjoy being groomed and pampered. Your veterinarian can show you how to clip claws safely or you can find instructions in most cat care books. Well clipped clipped claws can eliminate scratched skin and furniture and prevent the claws from getting stuck on carpeting.
Tip #6:
If you are gone during the day turn on a TV or talk radio station to keep your kitten company. This can help a shy kitten to get acclimated to human voices.
Tip #7:
When holding your kitten, if he/she gets squirmy and wants to get down try sitting down and holding them. Kittens are small and to them it looks like a very long fall to the floor.
Tip #8:
If you have children, please remind them that kittens have very sensitive ears and that their squeals of delight could be painful and may even cause the kitten to be afraid of children.
Tip #9:
Yes, kittens can be trained! If your kitten performs an undesirable behavior, such as scratching furniture or climbing curtains, remember one simple word "No". Speak firmly (no yelling!) and remove the kitten from that area. Be consistent. After a short time your kitten will understand the meaning of “No.” Some people recommend squirting water at a kitten as a “bad behavior” deterrent. We do not recommend this. Unless you can squirt the kitten without being seen, the kitten will associate the water with you and not the “bad behavior.” Raising a kitten is a form of parenting and it’s doubtful you would squirt your child with water. Be a good parent by being firm and consistent.
Tip #10:
The most important tip of all is to give your kitten unconditional love and affection. If your kitten knows he/she is loved, he/she will grow into a happy well adjusted cat.
* Most of the tips can also apply to adult cats especially if they are new to the home.