How Do You Take Care Of A Kitten For Beginners?
Some aspects of kitten care will vary, depending on how old the little ones are. If you’ve found yourself with a litter of newborns, then your main duty will be to keep mama comfy and fed and provide a clean, warm place for them. This doesn’t have to be fancy. A box, laundry basket, or closet will work. You just want to make sure there are plenty of clean, soft towels or blankets, and that it’s easy for mama to get in and out of. You’ll also need to provide food, water, and litter. Later on, you’ll need to get the little ones their initial vaccines and parasite control products. You’d want to talk to your vet for specific instructions.Why Is It Important To Keep Kittens Warm?
Baby cats can’t regulate their own internal temperatures until they are about four to five weeks old. Before that, they can only stay warm by snuggling up with their mamas and littermates. For those first few weeks, you would want to keep the kittens’ bedroom quite warm, at about 90F. After about three weeks, you can bring it down to 80. If you have orphaned kittens, you may also need to add a separate heat source, such as a heating pad, near their crate or bed, as they won’t have mama to curl up with. You’ll also need to keep a close eye out for signs of hypothermia. These include cold skin, lethargy, pale gums, and difficulty breathing. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these. Orphans also need to be fed frequently, so be prepared to offer round-the-clock care for those first crucial weeks.Don’t Skip Socialization
Socialization is absolutely crucial for kittens. This helps them grow up to be at least somewhat friendly and well-behaved adult cats. (Some of our feline friends are just naturally grouchy, but that’s another topic.) If little Fluffy isn’t properly socialized, she will be much more likely to become fearful, wary, or aggressive as an adult. You don’t want to overwhelm the little furball: just help her get used to being held or petted.Kittenproof
As soon as your tiny buddies are able to move around, they’re going to become very, very interested in exploring, and will want to investigate their new kingdoms … and everything in them. This can be quite dangerous for a frisky ball of fur. Kittens are very playful, but they won’t necessarily know what is and is not safe for them. You’ll need to be really careful about petproofing! Down the road, you’ll be able to relax on this a bit, but for now it’s best to be super diligent. Here are some of the things you would want to address:- Small/Sharp Objects
- Ropes/Cords
- Rubber bands and elastics
- Toxic plants
- Chemicals
- Candles
- Plastic bags/ties
What Are Signs That A Kitten Is Sick?
Kittens are very vulnerable to infections and disease. You’ll need to keep a close eye out for signs that something is wrong. Here are some of the key things to look for:- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Bad breath
- Eye or nose discharge
- Increased vocalization
- Diarrhea
- Hiding
- Limp
- Behavior change
- Grooming problems
- Lethargy
- Constricted or dilated pupils
- Swelling
- Improper use of litter box
- Coughing or wheezing
- Dehydration
- Fever
