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These practical dos and don'ts are just what you need before you welcome that furry new friend into your family!
Some people own their cats; some cats own their owners. Either way, all cat-lovers agree that welcoming a kitten or cat into the house is a wonderful adventure! To make it more enjoyable, learn these kitty-care basics first with these 10 kitten care tips.
What to Do
The transition to a new home can be confusing and frightening for your kitten, so make sure he feels loved and protected. The following tips may help make those first exciting days easier:
1. Consider adopting a kitten or full-grown cat from your local animal shelter. Many wonderful animals are available through no fault of their own, often because their owners died or moved from the area.
2. Feed high-quality nutrition. Quality nutrition is essential to good health. Help your kitten live a long and healthy life by feeding quality food designed just for him. IAMS® Kitten Formula™ is rich in animal-based proteins and energy.
3. Prepare for his arrival. Purchase all the food and supplies you need before you bring home your new pet. The basics should include shallow feeding bowls, a collar and I.D. tag, litter box and premium litter, brush, metal comb, grooming mitt, nail clippers, bed, scratching post and toys.
4. Kitty-proof your home. Cats are natural-born explorers, so be sure to thoroughly kitty-proof his new surroundings. Make sure plants, especially those toxic to cats, are out of his reach. Also, don't let him near medicines, strings, cleaning products or standing water (like bathtubs and toilets).
5. Introduce your family slowly. Your new kitten should meet family members one at a time. If kitty seems frightened at first, keep him confined to one room for a few days until he adjusts. (Our article, Bringing Your New Kitten Home, offers more useful tips.)
6. Provide regular veterinarian visits. To make sure your new kitten is in tip-top shape, take him for a veterinary visit when he's eight weeks old. Barbara McLucas, DVM, of the Alameda East Veterinary Clinic in Denver, Colorado, stresses that this initial exam is very important. "Not only will kitty get a thorough checkup," she notes, "the first visit also helps us to detect abnormalities such as eye problems, malformations, tooth and gum problems or heart murmurs." She says yearly checkups are crucial to a cat�s well being.
7. Groom your kitten often. To keep kitty looking and feeling her best, start basic grooming early, preferably on the day you bring her home, so she gets used to you handling her regularly.
- Brush and comb her fur weekly to help control mats and hairballs.
- Brush her teeth twice a week to prevent tartar buildup, which can lead to other health problems. Be sure to use a toothpaste made for cats and not humans.
- Trim her claws once a week with cat clippers, carefully avoiding the sensitive base of the nail.
- Wipe her eyes and the insides of her ears with a damp cloth or cotton ball, looking for any excess grime, which could indicate illness.
8. Play with her daily. An active lifestyle that includes daily exercise, like playing, will help keep your cat trim and healthy. Throw balls, toy mice and balled-up pieces of paper for her to chase, or dangle "teaser" toys to keep her active.
9. Bathe your kitten. Occasional bathing of your cat will keep her smelling great and keep dander under control, which may help alleviate any allergic reactions. Make sure you use a cat shampoo and rinse thoroughly, because shampoo left behind will cause your cat to froth when she licks herself.
10. Never feed her human food. Avoid giving your kitten "people food", such as cow's milk, tuna and chocolate, which can lead to digestive upset or serious illness. Adding human food treats to your kitten's diet may cause her to gain too much weight. Now that you've got the basics covered with these kitten care tips, you're ready to welcome that special new family member into your life.
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Give Her a Great Start with IAMS®
IAMS® Kitten Formula™offers all of the essential amino acids for healthy growth, including taurine for healthy eyes and a strong heart, plus:
- High-quality chicken protein for growth and development
- Calcium for strong bones and teeth
- Vitamin-rich fish oils for overall health and a soft and shiny coat
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