Kittens require special attention beyond the general care you give your pet. They are new to the world and need help growing into a healthy, happy adult.
A kitten’s diet is very important and it is best to feed your new kitten a food that is specifically for kittens. These foods have many nutrients and vitamins added to help the kitten grow. If you feed your kitten adult food they will not be getting the nutrition they need and this can have adverse affects. If you have questions regarding the type (hard or soft) or brand of food talk to your veterinarian for recommendations.
You will be taking a kitten to the vet more often than an adult especially in the first few months of its life. Kittens need booster shots to ensure their health. They should also be tested for FeLV which is contracted by contact between cats or from a mother to her babies. Contact your vet to set up a physical and shot schedule soon after getting your kitten. After the booster series is completed you will bring in your pet for the yearly shots and physical as stated in the “General Care” section.
Not everything about a kitten is pleasant and their tendency to get parasites is one of them. Their immune systems are not at full strength so they have more difficulty fighting off parasites and illness. It is very common for kittens to have internal parasites such as Coccidia and various types of worms. Such things need to be addressed with your vet as soon as possible so treatment can begin. External parasites such as fleas and ear mites are also very common. These parasites can be easily treated by your vet. Kittens can also get “colds” and should be taken to your vet to ensure that it is nothing more serious. For further information about the parasites and other health issues please check out the section “Health Problems”.
Everyone knows that a cat needs a litter box but with a kitten there is a few addition things to consider. Make sure the box is not too big for the kitten. It needs to be able to get in it easily. Monitor the kitten to make sure it is using the litter box every time. Also the kitten may not like the litter you use so be prepared to try different litter if the kitten dislikes your brand. You will have a clue that the kitten may not like the box when it doesn’t use it and picks another place to do its business. As for placement of the litter box it is the same as discussed in the “General Care” section of this site.