Post by tomcat on Nov 23, 2012 11:46:54 GMT -5
Kittens have unique and wonderfully playful personalities. If you have decided to adopt a kitten, there are steps to take that will keep your kitten healthy and happy.
According to the web site "All Creatures/Kitten Care", written by David E. Hammmet, DVM, a kitten will require several vaccinations between eight and sixteen weeks of age. These vaccinations will guard against upper respiratory illnesses, feline leukemia, rabies, and feline panleukopenia. Without these vaccinations a kitten can become seriously ill and possibly die.
"Kitten Care" also recommends talking to your veterinarian about medications for preventing and controlling internal parasites. Parasites that can infect a kitten are tapeworms, coccidia, giardia, roundworms, and hookworms. A kitten infected with these parasites will experience vomiting, diarrhea, and can become extremely ill.
The same article recommends checking the kitten's skin for external parasites such as ear mites, ticks, and fleas. There are very good prescription products available that are given monthly to prevent and control fleas and ticks.
Talk to your veterinarian and find out which one is right for your pet. If your kitten is scratching its ears excessively it may have ear mites. A prescription is available from your veterinarian to eliminate ear mites.
Cats and kittens generally do not overeat, so food should be made available at all times. Feed your kitten a good quality food. This will ensure the kitten is getting the right amount
of vitamins and minerals necessary for growth. Avoid feeding your kitten table scraps. Table scraps will cause a kitten to become overweight, and the kitten may not get the proper nutrition it requires.
Training a kitten to use a litter box is generally easy. Make sure the litter box contains enough litter for digging and burying. About two to three inches is sufficient.
Place the kitten in the litter box and gently guide the kitten's paw through the litter. This will teach the kitten what it is suppose to be doing.
The kitten will instinctively know what to do next. Scoop out any solid waste each day, and distribute any wet litter evenly in the box to allow it to dry.
The litter box should be completely changed each week. Scrub the box using hot, soapy water before adding fresh litter. Scoopable litter is very convenient because the box will not have to be completely changed as often.
If your kitten suddenly stops using the litter box this could be a sign of a bladder infection, and your kitten will need to been seen by a veterinarian for treatment.
According to the web site "All Creatures/Kitten Care", written by David E. Hammmet, DVM, a kitten will require several vaccinations between eight and sixteen weeks of age. These vaccinations will guard against upper respiratory illnesses, feline leukemia, rabies, and feline panleukopenia. Without these vaccinations a kitten can become seriously ill and possibly die.
"Kitten Care" also recommends talking to your veterinarian about medications for preventing and controlling internal parasites. Parasites that can infect a kitten are tapeworms, coccidia, giardia, roundworms, and hookworms. A kitten infected with these parasites will experience vomiting, diarrhea, and can become extremely ill.
The same article recommends checking the kitten's skin for external parasites such as ear mites, ticks, and fleas. There are very good prescription products available that are given monthly to prevent and control fleas and ticks.
Talk to your veterinarian and find out which one is right for your pet. If your kitten is scratching its ears excessively it may have ear mites. A prescription is available from your veterinarian to eliminate ear mites.
Cats and kittens generally do not overeat, so food should be made available at all times. Feed your kitten a good quality food. This will ensure the kitten is getting the right amount
of vitamins and minerals necessary for growth. Avoid feeding your kitten table scraps. Table scraps will cause a kitten to become overweight, and the kitten may not get the proper nutrition it requires.
Training a kitten to use a litter box is generally easy. Make sure the litter box contains enough litter for digging and burying. About two to three inches is sufficient.
Place the kitten in the litter box and gently guide the kitten's paw through the litter. This will teach the kitten what it is suppose to be doing.
The kitten will instinctively know what to do next. Scoop out any solid waste each day, and distribute any wet litter evenly in the box to allow it to dry.
The litter box should be completely changed each week. Scrub the box using hot, soapy water before adding fresh litter. Scoopable litter is very convenient because the box will not have to be completely changed as often.
If your kitten suddenly stops using the litter box this could be a sign of a bladder infection, and your kitten will need to been seen by a veterinarian for treatment.
