Before picking out a kitten, remember your kitten’s life span is possibly up to eighteen years or longer.
Make sure the kitten is the most outgoing one in the litter. Its eyes should be bright. The tail should be upright. The hair should look bright and shiny. It should be very alert to its surroundings. Make sure the kitten interacts well with you.
Do you want long hair or short hair for your kitten? Make sure the kitten has gone through a vet check. Do you have enough time to train your kitten? Do not bring a kitten into a house with an elderly cat. Your old cat does not want to be tormented by a young playful kitten.
Christmas has come and gone, and chances are you know someone who has received a kitten for Christmas. I have found from experience that it is good to have the following on hand when you bring home a new kitten:
- litter box and litter scoop
- kitten food
- K and H heated cat bed
- assorted kitten toys
- water bowl
- cat/kitten litter
- food bowl
- pet grooming tools (claw trimmers, brush, comb, shampoo, and toothbrush)
- pet first aid kit
- a book on kitten care
Check your kitten for ear mites, as it is no fun to have the kitten scratching at its ears. In case you don’t know what ear mites look like, they look like little microscopic pieces of black sand. If your kitten has ear mites, I recommend taking a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide and rubbing it around in their ears.
Make sure you have time to play with your new kitten. I like a stick with feathers for them to bat with their paw. Have plenty of bright-colored toy mice and balls to keep them out of mischief.
How are you and your new kitten adjusting to each other?
Copyright 2015. Not to be reproduced in any form.
