Top 10 Tips for the First-Time Kitten Owner
July 10th marks National Kitten Day, founded by animal advocate Colleen Paige. It’s no coincidence that this day lands in the middle of kitten season, the perfect time to adopt a fuzzy bundle of joy. If you’re about to be a first-time kitten owner, here are ten things you can do right away to start your new baby off on the right paw.
1. Get two kittens.
If you plan to eventually bring home another cat, now’s the best time. Two kittens adopted around the same time are bound to get along. Having two kittens prevents some common behavioral issues, plus they’ll always have a friend to keep them company.
2. Get multiple scratchers.
Destructive scratching is one of the biggest behavioral hurdles for first-time kitten owers, and unfortunately, one of the most common reasons kittens are rehomed. By providing a few scratches, you can make sure your kitten’s need to scratch is met. Corrugated cardboard is a hit with most cats, though some prefer carpet-like textures or sisal rope coverings. Some cats like vertical scratchers, others like horizontal scratching surfaces.
3. Teach your cat to respond to their name.
While cats are not known for their recall skills, they can learn to respond to their name as reliably as any dog. Call your kitten by name every time you give them food or a treat, and they’ll soon love the sound of it. This skill will come in handy if your cat ever gets loose.
4. Keep your kitten indoors.
You can double or even triple your kitten’s lifespan by simply keeping them indoors only. A kitten that has never roamed outside will be less likely to attempt to flee. Your cat can still enjoy the outdoors on a leashed walk, through a closed window screen, or in a catio.
5. Start trimming nails now.
Many cat parents trim their cat’s nails every few weeks to eliminate sharp points. Trimmed nails do less damage to furniture and are less likely to break the skin. Starting early in life ensures your cat will grow up to be comfortable having their paws handled.
6. Start brushing your kitten’s teeth.
Your kitten has perfect pearly whites for now, but most cats will develop some form of dental disease by the time they’re just three years old. Start brushing your kitten’s teeth now so they can handle daily brushing in the future. You can start by applying a dab of pet toothpaste to a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger and gently wiping the outer surfaces of each tooth.
7. Use toys during playtime.
Cat scratches that break your skin bring a high risk of infection, and they can happen even if you just get swiped while your kitten is playing. Always use wands and long toys to put distance between your hands and those sharp little claws.
8. Give as much wet food as possible.
Your kitten’s diet should be made up of mostly or entirely wet food. Dry food diets often lead to chronic dehydration in cats because they do not drink enough water to make up for the lack of moisture. Wet food is lower in carbs and higher in protein, helping to support a lean, muscular physique. Cats tend to get hooked on dry food, though, so it’s best to get your kitten used to wet food early, or they may refuse to eat it later in life.
9. Leave the carrier out.
While your kitten is tiny, it’s easy to scoop them up and put them in their carrier when it’s time to see the vet. Adult cats can be more difficult to get into a carrier, especially if they associate it with stressful car rides and vet visits. To help keep your kitten acclimated to it, leave the carrier out so they can explore it and take naps inside. You can throw catnip or treats in it from time to time so becomes an exciting bag of surprises.
10. Get the mega roll of foil.
Cats should learn from an early age where they can and cannot climb. You may decide to keep your cat off the kitchen counter, computer desk, and anywhere there are items you’d rather they not get into. Most cats dislike the feeling of foil crinkling beneath their paws and will stay off surfaces that are covered in it.
