What to Do First

Kittens are adorable pets. Their tiny size, their big eyes, and their high-pitch cries make kittens irresistible. If you are planning to adopt your first kitten, there are a few things that you should know so that you can care for him properly.

Feeding Your Kitten

If your kitten is under six-months-old, he will need to eat soft food three times a day. After six months, you can scale back to twice a day. You should also keep a bowl of hard kitten food in a dish for your kitten to snack on. Hard food is essential in strengthening your kitten’s teeth. It will also scrape the plaque from his teeth which is essential for his dental health.

Introduce Your Kitten to the Litter Box

If your kitten is very young and hasn’t used the litter box, you will need to introduce him to it. Start by putting him in at regular intervals, particularly after he wakes up or after he eats. He will likely start digging with his front paws. If he doesn’t, help him out. Kittens and cats like privacy when they do their business so don’t hover over him.

Cats are very clean animals. Therefore, you will need to keep the litter box clean. If you don’t scoop it regularly, he won’t want to use it.

He Needs to Play

Your kitten is going to want to play. You should get him a few toys that he can use on his own and a few that will allow you to play together. This will help you bond.

He Needs to Scratch 

Kittens and cats have an instinctive need to scratch. If you don’t want your kitten destroying your furniture or your door frames, you should get him a scratching post.

His First Visit to the Vet

When you bring your new kitten home, take him to the vet. Your kitten is going to need a complete exam to be sure that he is healthy. He will also need his first vaccinations. Regular vaccines are essential in making sure that your kitten lives a long and healthy life. Your vet can also talk to you about having your cat spayed or neutered in the future.

The day you bring your kitten home, schedule an appointment with The Goodland Pet Hospital. Our veterinarian treats pets in Goleta, Santa Barbara, and the surrounding areas. When you bring your pet to our veterinary clinic, you can be sure that he will get the care and treatment that he needs. Call us today at 805-685-4513.