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Caring for Kittens

 
Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. October 13, 2016
Caring for Kittens
Cats

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Adopting a kitten or looking after a cat's newborn litter fills the entire home with love. However, even if these animals are known for being very independent and instinctive, they also require specific care and attention, and even more so during the first few months of their lives.

If you provide your kittens with the care they need, they will grow in the best possible way - not just physiologically, but also mentally. It is therefore your responsibility to give these cute kittens everything they need so that they can enjoy a full state health and well-being.

This AnimalWised article will tell you all about caring for your kittens.

You may also be interested in: Caring for Abandoned Kittens

What do kittens eat?

The best food for your kitten is its mother's milk. This is because it not only contains the necessary nutrients, but it also nurtures the immune system, providing immunoglobulins (antibodies) which are already present in the mother.

A kitten should suckle its mother for at least 8 to 12 weeks. After this, the growing cat's diet should consist of good quality and suitable cat food. You should consult your veterinarian to get advice about the best product to feed your young cat and about the amount of food it needs, as this will vary from one kitten to another depending on their weight.

It is very important that any dietary changes are carried out gradually in order to avoid gastrointestinal problems. Abrupt changes can cause your kitten to suffer from diarrhea and vomiting.

Caring for Kittens - What do kittens eat?

Deworming your kitten

Deworming your kitten is essential for their health, as it will not only prevent unwanted infestations but it will also allow it to start a vaccination schedule.

The process should begin when your kitten is a month and a half old; you should deworm your kitten every 15 days until they reach 3 months old. Then, deworming should take place once a month until 6 months of age, after which once every 3 months is recommended.

Professional advice from a veterinarian is essential. This is because both internal and external deworming should be carried out with suitable products for kittens and the dosage must be correctly administered.

From 6 months old, how often you deworm your cat will vary depending on each cat and the contact it has with the outside environment.

Caring for Kittens - Deworming your kitten

Guidelines to prevent external parasites

Kittens are susceptible to contracting external parasite infestations, the most common being fleas, ticks, fungi and mites. As mentioned above, external deworming can be carried out using various products, but always under veterinary supervision.

However, you can use several resources at home to prevent these pesky parasites from appearing:

  • Regular brushing: This habit will not only strengthen the bond you have with your kitten and help its coat stay in optimum condition; it is also the best and quickest way of detecting an external infection.
  • A suitable environment: Keeping your kitten in a clean, dry and warm environment will also prevent it from contracting any kind of external parasite infestation.
Caring for Kittens - Guidelines to prevent external parasites

Vaccinating your kitten

Maintaining your kitten's optimal state of health will be essential in order for it to begin the necessary cat vaccination schedule, which starts at 2 months of age.

The first vaccines to be administered are the triple or trivalent vaccine and leukemia test. These will protect your cat against the following diseases:

The vaccines will need an annual booster dose. In order to maintain your cat's health, regular vaccinations should be strictly followed.

Caring for Kittens - Vaccinating your kitten

Regular veterinary care

You must make regular visits to your veterinarian if you want your kitten to grow up healthy. When the vaccination schedule starts, your veterinarian will tell you how often a full check-up will be carried out, so that any signs of disease can be ruled out.

Last but not least, your cat as well as any other animal living in your home will need your time, attention and affection.

Caring for Kittens - Regular veterinary care

If you want to read similar articles to Caring for Kittens, we recommend you visit our Extra care category.

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