Sign up to receive our emails today. Get more pet care advice, hints and tips on helping wildlife, our latest news, rehoming success stories and more directly to your inbox. Sign up to emails today. Bringing a kitten home is exciting and a bit daunting. Expert information on cat biology, behaviour and advice about how to keep cats healthy and happy.
Your sponsorship could help to provide neglected cats with the shelter, love and care they deserve. Share this How to look after a kitten. What to think about when buying a kitten. Buying a kitten If you have your heart set on a purebred cat, choose a breeder carefully and be sure their cats are well looked after. Before you visit the kitten A good breeder will be happy to answer your questions before you visit.
Some of the things you'll need to know are: When was the kitten born? Was the kitten raised with its mother? Is the kitten friendly? Is the kitten healthy? Where was the kitten born, and where did it spend most of its time when it was between one and nine weeks old? When you visit the kitten Before committing yourself, always visit the kitten and meet its mother in the place it was bred.
So you're seriously thinking about getting your first cat, and you are sure you want a cat in your life. You may have some preconceived notions that you want a particular breed of cat, or that you want a kitten instead of an adult kitty. But before that important decision, do some homework.
Like life itself, there are many factors involved in choosing a cat , some of which you may never have considered. Here's the help you need in making that decision. On the other hand, you may find yourself lucky enough to be chosen by the cat of your future. Personality-wise , there really isn't a lot of difference between the sexes , as long as they are neutered. Cats that have not been neutered are called whole.
Male cats who are whole will fight for territory if outdoors, and indoors will liberally spray their strong scent on walls and curtains to mark their territory. Whole females will also spray on occasion. Worse yet, they will make themselves and you miserable each time they go into season heat with loud yowls and bizarre body gyrations. On the other hand, once spayed, their personalities will improve. Male cats can be loving and loyal. Other people swear by female cats as felicity "purrsonified.
You may have already been to a pet store heaven forbid! One important factor with "purebred" cats is that, unless the breeders have years of experience with genetics, and carefully chooses their breeding stock with the cats' full pedigree background, undesirable traits will creep into the breed. Some breeds have inherent problems because of this, e. Mother cat communicates clearly and decisively, and always with love and clarity.
She never punishes. In fact, physical punishment is never appropriate! If you want to mimic Mother cat, gently pick your kitten up by the scruff and calmly take her to where she should be. Note:Scruffing should only be used when they are younger than about 10 weeks old. This is very effective if she is clawing her way up the sofa, drapes or your pant leg.
In fact, kittens get the message very quickly that this is NOT okay behavior. Of course, you must provide a scratching post or other alternative, because all cats will scratch. Why not? Find out here! Feed kitten and the other pets on opposite sides of the door, as close as possible without anyone getting upset or stressed.
This establishes an association between all the pets and something good—food! The introduction process may take several weeks. When the animals all feel comfortable, crack open the door to base camp just a little bit, and let them to see each other. Or, put the kitten in a carrier and bring it out so the others can see. Do this a few times a day. If any animal seems hostile or aggressive, go back to the previous step, and proceed more slowly.
If you have a dog, leash it when the kitten is out and about. Most dogs are fine, but occasionally a bouncing, small, furry kitten will trigger the hunting instinct in even the most placid dog. Please understand that you are not fast enough to stop a tragedy, so never allow that situation to occur. Reward the dog for calm, non-aggressive behavior with plenty of praise and treats; this helps the dog associate the kitten with good things.
0コメント