kitten

Bringing Your New Kitten Home

kitten wellness

Bringing home a new kitten is a very exciting time for you and your family, but it also requires a lot of responsibility. There are several steps you should follow when bringing your new kitten home. This is a crucial time in your kitten’s life as it lays out the foundation for the health and behavior of your cat.

Verify Your Kitten’s Age

The first thing you should do is verify your kitten’s age. It is vital to verify your kitten’s age, because they have many developmental needs the first ten weeks of their life. Kittens need the proper nourishment, warmth, and socialization during the first weeks of their life. If your kitten ends up being younger than ten weeks, then find a good vet immediately to learn how to properly take of your kitten.

Schedule First Vet Visit

After you verify your kitten’s age you should schedule a visit to the veterinary clinic. This visit is also very important for the owner too, because it allows you to ask questions. The first vet visit will entail testing for health issues such as birth defects, parasites or feline leukemia. The veterinarian will also schedule out future visits for vaccinations and to establish a wellness plan for your kitten. We recommend asking questions about food type, portion size, illness signs to watch for, and how to introduce your kitten to any other pet you may have.

Quality Food And Feeding Schedule

Once you have your kitten home, it is a good idea to establish a feeding schedule with quality food specifically designed for kittens. When purchasing food for your kitten look for Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) displayed on the packaging. This ensures the kitten food is full of nutrients. If you have questions about how often and how much to feed your kitten, contact your veterinarian. However, when your kitten reaches three months, they should be fed 3 times a day to keep up with how fast he or she is growing.

Designate A Quiet Area

If you want your kitten to feel comfortable and safe, you should designate a quiet area for the kitten to sleep. In this area, you should have a small bed that is easily accessible, a scratching toy, food and water, and litter box. However, do not put the litter box near the cat’s feeding area, because cats do not like when they are close together.

Now that you have your kitten home, you should have a better understanding of what your kitten will need the first few weeks. Remember to give your kitten a substantial amount of attention during this time. This will help your kitten adjust smoothly to its new home. If you have any other questions related to brining home your new kitten, then contact the veterinarians at CountrySide today.