New Kitten Advice

Choosing a Kitten

• Whether you're shopping for a pedigree show cat or a loving family pet, there are a few important traits to keep in mind. First and foremost, you'll want your furry friend to be in good health--inspect the animal before buying him. A good kitten should be bright-eyed and sharp with a glossy coat and a clean hindquarters. Make sure his ears are clean, nose is cool and gums and mouth are a healthy pink. All of these are signs of a healthy kitten. If you're hunting for a quality pedigree, make sure the breeder allows you to see the mother who often will be a fine representation of what you're looking for.

Basic Kitten Care

• Once you've found the perfect kitten, you'll want to have everything ready in your house to make the little one feel at home. Have a litter box, food, water and bed available when the kitten arrives. Up until three to five months, kittens will need to eat at least four or five meals a day. Start narrowing it down to three or four meals daily by six months, and at nine months settle on three. Feed him fresh or tinned food with a dish of dry food always available to nibble on. Also, it's important to clean out litter boxes daily or else your pet will find an alternative place to relieve itself.

Acclimating Your Kitten

• You've bought all the necessities for your kitten. Now keep these things in one room when you first bring your pet home. This will avoid confusion, especially when it comes to litter training. If you have a several story home, it might be wise to have a litter box available on every floor. LImit the kitten's ability to wander until he has acclimated to his new surroundings and knows where the essentials (food, water, comfort) are located.

  It's also important to be patient. Give your new friend time to warm up to you. This can take days, even weeks. If you're gone for most of the day, consider purchasing two kittens instead of one so that your pet won't be lonely during work hours.