Tips for Kitten Health

Kittens are adorable fluffy little creatures that spend all day playing, or so it seems. To ensure that your kitten is healthy, there are some basic rules you need to follow. Good nutrition, exercise and rest are essential for any growing creature, but beyond that, there are steps to take for primary health care.

  1. Before You Take Her Home

    • A kitten removed from her mother too soon can become a problem for the new owner.

      Check the age of your kitten; make sure she has spent enough time with her mother to be physically and psychologically healthy. Kittens need to be with their mothers for at least 6 to12 weeks. During this time they will not only build up strength on her milk, but also learn basic litter training and socialization. Mother cats discipline their offspring and a kitten removed too early often exhibits antisocial or overly dependent behavior.

    Shots and Early Health Care

    • A visit to the vet is a must for a new kitten.

      Purebred kittens are usually not given for sale until they are about 12 weeks old. During this time they will have a first vet visit and primary shots. This is reflected in the price that you pay. Rescue kittens from a shelter will also have this performed, which is included in the adoption fee. If you acquire a give-away or a pet from a store, ask if they have been examined. If not, go to the vet or vet clinic. The kitten should have a general check up, screen for worms and possibly a first set of vaccines, depending on the age.

    Nutrition

    • Kittens have specific dietary needs.

      Feed your kitten an approved kitten food, it has higher levels of protein and fat than other pet foods and is necessary for their rapidly growing bodies. Kittens shouldn't be fed table scraps or adult cat food or dog food. Cats need a nutrient called taurine, which is absent from scraps and dog food. Pasteurized milk is not good for cats, but they can easily tolerate evaporated milk; packaged cat milk is available also.

    Special Nutrition

    • Very small kittens have special dietary need.

      If your kitten is not weaned, there are recipes for a mother's milk substitute, which usually consists of diluted evaporated milk, caro syrup and a little vegetable oil. Vets also sell milk substitutes for newborn kittens. If the kitten is under 4 weeks be prepared for frequent feedings; baby food, such as pablum, can be gradually added to help build its strength. If an older kitten is not eating well, meat-based baby food is a good source of protein and they usually like it.

    Accidents

    • Veterinary care can be essential in case of accidents.

      Like all small creatures kittens have a tendency to go where they shouldn't, and sometimes there are accidents. Minor cuts, burns or scalds can be treated with first aid, but electrical burns, or anything to do with eyes or ears, or an infection, will need a vet's attention. Raising an animal is a significant commitment, and there will be expenses. If you cannot afford veterinary care you should consider purchasing pet insurance, which is quite affordable and widely available.