Kitten Care Tips

Have you recently adopted—or perhaps, been adopted by—a kitten? Congratulations! Your tiny ball of fur may not take up much room on your lap, but we suspect she’ll take up a pretty good amount of space in your heart. However, being a kitten parent entails a lot more than collecting purrs and cuddles. In this article from Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, a local vet offers some tips on kitten care.

Play

Your little buddy will spend a lot of time figuring out how all of those tiny claws and teeth work. Take time to play with your kitten every day. This is something that both you and Fluffy can continue and enjoy long after your cat is all grown up.

Petiquette

Nip bad habits, like biting and scratching, in the bud. It may be cute now when your furry pal nibbles on you, but this can develop into very dangerous behavior down the road. However, you should never punish your furball for being feisty. That’s what kittens do! Your pet won’t know that she did something wrong. Instead, you want to get the point across more subtly. When little Fluffy attacks you, blow in her face or sound a loud noise.

Kittensitting

Keep a close eye on your tiny bundle of mischief. You’d be amazed at how easy it is for kittens to get into trouble! Get into the habit of checking under chairs, blankets, and cushions before you sit down. Also, leave appliances, like toilets, closed when you aren’t using them.

Veterinary Care

One big thing that’s going to happen this year? Little Fluffy needs to meet her doctor. You’ll need to bring your pint-sized pal in for her initial exams, vaccinations, and parasite control. Microchipping and spay/neuter surgery are also on the agenda. At home, watch for signs of illness. Kittens are very small and fragile, and can get sick easily!

Purrs

Did you know that cats think of us as their parents? However, that bond has to be nurtured. Pay lots of attention to your kitten, and keep that motor going. When you see your pet look at you with complete adoration, you’ll know you’re doing things right!

Please contact Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, for all of your kitten’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!