The Purrfect Place to Buy Everything for Your Cat

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .The New Kitten

Cats have been domesticated since 1600 B.C. (or have they?) If cats are not cared for, they can quickly revert to a "wild" state of self sufficiency, so are they really domesticated? We need to understand instinctive behavior to understand why they do what they do. For instance, scratching upright surfaces is instinctive behavior even shown in declawed cats. Social play between kittens is most prevalent from four weeks to four months.

Discipline- a simple but effective technique to express your displeasure is to place fifteen pennies in an aluminum can and tape up the top. Kittens (and cats) hate the sound made by shaking this can, but your voice is not associated with the negativity. Another valuable disciplinary tool is a child's simple water gun. You can let a cat know that going outdoors is taboo from across a room or help define acceptable scratching surfaces. Incidentally, this tool is great for introducing new cats to a household. First of all, introduce a new cat gradually. Allow the new animal time to roam around the home alone to establish it's scent and become comfortable in this foreign land before introducing to the present cat(s). Have the squirt gun ready for fights, but be cautious not to spray any animal in the eyes.

Toys- kittens are a joy to watch as they play naturally. You can encourage this fun by using simple items such as string (be careful that a kitten does not swallow string though) or paper bags. Also kittens and cats need a carpeted scratching post that is OK to use if they are not declawed. There are many other beneficial toys to be found at pet stores that encourage good exercise.

Feeding- kittens are like people in a lot of ways, they are also quite different. We can promise you that your animal will be healthiest if you feed it one quality dry kitten food for the first year, and one quality dry kitten food only. Human food (especially pork or bones) can cause digestive upsets. This occurs because kittens develop enzyme systems to digest the protein in their food, not ours. People need variety but domestic cats (and dogs) do not. Also try to use quality kitten and cat foods that are low in magnesium and designed to cause an acidic urine. These are important factors to help prevent painful cystitis and even a more serious urinary blockage. This is a severe problem in male cats; in fact, if a male is straining to urinate, consider it an emergency and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Considering frequency, we recommend feeding free choice until twelve months of age, then twice daily. Finally, be careful not to feed a kitten near a dog and always provide plenty of fresh "human" water.

Fleas- these ectoparasites are very difficult to control after they are established, so it is much better to treat aggressively at first signs. The best recommendation anyone could ever make in this regard is to treat all animals and the total environment every two weeks until the cycle of flea and resistant egg-pupal-larvae stages is broken. If you treat only partially or only occasionally, fleas will probably remain a problem in your home. Fleas and the health related problems they cause are frequently the reason for a client visit to our hospital during the warm months in Memphis. The more aggressive you are, using the proper insecticides from the start, the least you will have to spend and endure in the long run.

Grooming- first of all, never use human shampoo on a kitten. Their skin is another area of difference between animals and people. Animal shampoos are properly pH adjusted. Generally, you should bathe your kitten as seldom as possible; bathing too frequently washes away protective oils and may even create dermatitis problems. Once every few months may be sufficient. Additionally, if a specific shampoo for a skin problem is prescribed, that same shampoo may be incorrect for the skin condition several months later. Ask your veterinarian to look at an animal for the best shampoo recommendation.

When bathing, place a protective ophthalmic ointment in the eyes first and always allow 5-10 minutes contact time for medicated shampoos.

Kittens and cats should be brushed frequently to minimize shedding and promote healthy skin. Early on, make a habit of touching the kittens feet, nails and ears daily to avoid anxiety problems later.

It is also a good idea to brush a cat's teeth at least weekly with a specially formulated animal toothpaste for good oral health. Can you imagine what would happen if you never brushed your teeth?

Medications- most medicines may be more easily administered by placing the animal on a high slick surface (like a washing machine or a table). Be careful to only use recommended medicines. Aspirin and Tylenol for example, may be fatal to a cat. Never give cough medicines without prior instruction.
One important exception to all this is Kaopectate. This product is basically a clay that absorbs toxins and adds to the bowel movement to effectively treat simple diarrhea. It can be used safely in kittens at approximately one-eighth to one-fourth teaspoonful twice daily for an average ten week old kitten.
For vomiting, the best initial management is to give nothing by mouth. Take up all food and water and give small amounts of liquids or ice only after 1-2 hours of normal behavior. If the vomiting continues or is uncontrollable, seek veterinary attention.
General dewormers for kittens will treat the most dangerous types of worms, but if you notice small white worms in the feces, please contact your veterinarian. These are probably tapeworms (transmitted by fleas) and require special medications to treat. There is nothing available over the counter to treat these worms. For reference, a kittens normal rectal temperature is 101-102"F.

Problem felines - there are many specifics your veterinarian can help you with as they occur. One of the most common is inappropriate eliminations or non-use of the litter box. Ask your veterianarian about individual problems as they arise.

Vaccinations - an important fact to remember is that kittens get immunity from their mothers through nursing. While this maternal immunity is important to protect the young kitten, it causes vaccination problems so that at least two vaccinations are necessary. Cats that will be allowed access to the outdoors should also be protected against Feline Leukemia and Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

Summary- some of these topics are the subjects of entire books. The purpose of this information is to increase your awareness and enable you to understand that there are many complexities of animal care. Please consult your veterinarian to provide additional help as your questions arise.

Provided by
The Central Animal Hospital