Caring for Your New Kitten
A guide on your cat's needs up to one year old
Learn more about cat vaccinations, how much to feed your kitten, cat treats, grooming schedules, flea prevention, and proper feline socialization.
If you knew you were getting a new kitten, you might have already read our article, “Preparing for Your New Kitten.” If you just got a new cat without advance preparation, that article is a good place to start so that you will know all of the items you will need to help care for your new feline friend.
Caring for your kitten from this point on isn’t going to be difficult! This article will let you know all the things you need to know about your kitten from the time you bring her home up to one year old.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What vaccinations does my kitten need? Charla Dawson explains all the types of cat vaccinations here. Your kitten will need 3-4 sets of shots (depending on whether they had one set before coming home with you) at 3-4 week intervals.
- How much does my kitten need to eat? The best guide on how much to feed your cat is the chart on the back of your cat food bag. It is recommended that you keep dry food available to your kitten at all times.
- Should I feed my kitten dry or canned food? Most people feed a combination because wet food will help keep your kitten from getting dehydrated. Dry food will help clean your cat’s teeth.
- Should I give my kitten treats? Everyone loves a treat! Don’t overdo, or you might cause early weight problems in your cat. I recommend hard, crunchy treats that help remove tartar from your cat’s teeth.
- How often does my kitten need to be groomed? The more often you groom your kitten, the easier this process will be when your cat is older. Shorthaired cats may do fine with a monthly grooming, while longhaired cats need a weekly grooming. Nails should be clipped once a week for all cats.
- Should I use flea preventatives? If your cat goes outdoors, you will definitely need a flea preventative! Indoor cats may not need a flea preventative, though if you have a dog that goes in and out, it is probably best to treat your kitty, too.
- How often do I empty my cat’s litter box? Click here to learn everything you need to know about keeping your litter box clean and odor free.
- Will my kitten get lonely while I’m at work? Kittens need proper socialization. Even in the wild, cats meet together once a day for social time. You might consider getting a feline companion for your cat if they are going to be alone for extended periods of time.
Other things you need to watch for are:
- Does your cat have dry, flaky skin? A little tuna in oil helps dry skin, as do medicated shampoos.
- Is your cat’s coat healthy and shiny? A dry, brittle coat may be a sign of worms or poor nutrition.
- Are your cat’s ears clean or do they have excess wax or signs of ear mites? Catching ear mites early will make it much easier to get rid of them.
- When you are cleaning the litter box, are there signs of parasites / worms? Check feces for anything that looks like small, thin spaghetti (roundworms) or flattened rice (tape worms).
- And please consider letting your cat live indoors only! This will keep your cat healthier, happier, and safe from the dangers of outdoor life to a small animal as well as from much less risk of contagious feline diseases!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! If you are just recently considering a feline companion, you might also enjoy, “Choosing the Right Cat Breed,” “Where to Find a New Cat or Kitten,” and “Preparing for Your New Kitten.”
