4 Pet Care Tips for New Kitten Owners

A kitten can bring joy and years of companionship into your home, but it’s also an enormous responsibility. The decisions you make in your kitten’s early years can shape their health and well-being for the rest of their lives. Below are a few key pet care tips for new kitten owners.

How to Keep Your Kitten Healthy and Happy

Like humans and babies, young cats have different dietary needs than adult felines. Kitten fare is easier to digest and provides the energy your pet needs for healthy growth. Whether you’re buying dry or wet food, look for options formulated for the cat’s stage of development. You can typically switch to adult products when the feline reaches age 1.

2. Start Crate Training Early

Most people think this type of training is only for dogs, but cats also benefit from getting used to a crate. Having their own place will help reduce separation anxiety and make trips to the vet less upsetting.

When bringing your kitten home, place the container nearby and fill it with cozy blankets. Feeding your kitten in the crate will help them feel comfortable and safe enough to ride quietly to the vet or sleep through the night.

3. Expose Your Kitten to New Experiences

Cats are naturally solitary, so many don’t respond well to new experiences. Regularly petting your kitten will get them used to physical contact. You should also slowly invite friends and family members to interact with the feline as it grows.

Playing loud music and offering appropriate scratching surfaces will help your kitten adapt to new environments. Once your vet has given the cat its vaccines, you can start taking them outside to explore.

4. Follow Your Vet’s Recommendations

Many kitten owners assume that cats are hardier than dogs. While they may not be as vulnerable to hereditary diseases as canines, they still require vaccines and regular checkups. As soon as you adopt a kitten, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. The young feline will need a few visits for the first year, as the pet care professional will monitor their growth and look for potential health issues.