Bringing up a new kitten
April 21, 2021
Kittens are as cute as buttons but in those formative weeks and months they can occasionally be little devils too and their enthusiasm for life can prove a bit destructive.
But so long as you’re prepared you and your kitten can have hours of fun without the downside. Here at the practice in Oakleigh Road North we’ve plenty of experience with kittens, so here are some suggestions to make those first few weeks and months a happy learning curve for both you and your pet. If you’ve any questions after reading this, don’t hesitate to contact us for advice.
Contact us for kitten care advice
When you bring your kitten home it will need your help to get used to its new surroundings and to become socialised into your way of life. To make things easier all round make the most of this impressionable age to:
- Ensure it is introduced to all members of the family and gets used to being around people of all ages, as well as other pets.
- Introduce your kitten to various essential items it will need to get used to, including litter tray, grooming tools and its pet carrier – essential for journeys away and trips to the vet.
- Start a routine for feeding and try to stick to it.
- Bring in plenty of toys and a scratching post to distract your kitten from the soft furnishings.
- Expose your kitten to as many experiences as you can – have a think about the encounters it is going to make throughout its life.
- Keep any potential poisons, such as household cleaners, out of your kitten’s reach.
- Introduce play time. The more time you spend playing with your kitten the more it will bond with you.
- Make sure your kitten has a safe space of its own to rest and sleep in.
Your kitten will need vaccinations and parasite prevention treatment too, so bring it along to The Vet Whetstone where we can chat to you about what’s needed and get it used to being handled by our team too.
We look forward to meeting your new arrival but in the meantime we are here to offer kitten advice when you contact us.