Caring for Kittens

At Copper Hill Animal Clinic we know that spring and summer is a popular time for families to adopt kittens. If you’re searching to add a little loved one to your home here are some tips for a smooth, healthy transition!
When introducing a kitten to a new home make sure to introduce him or her slowly to other pets you already have and always supervise. Toys are a great idea for them to play with but make sure that they aren’t being eaten too! Offer a complete cat food that is formulated for kittens. Most kittens are able to transition to at least a wet diet by roughly six weeks of age. If your kitten has not already been fixed, we recommend having them spayed or neutered between four and six months old.
Kittens are easy to potty train−just showing them the litter box is usually enough. However, we recommend using regular, non-clumping kitty litter to start with. Some kittens don’t like the feel of clumping litter and can form an aversion to it. Also, when adding another kitten to a household with other felines, consider adding in an extra litter box as well. Ideally, there should be one more litter box than the total number of kittens in the home.
Many kittens are born healthy, but others may harbor viruses, bacteria or parasites. It’s recommended that any kitten going to your home be tested for such diseases and given the appropriate treatment by a veterinarian. Monthly preventatives are also recommended for the prevention of fleas, ticks, ear mites and intestinal worms too. A few recommended preventatives include Revolution, Frontline and Advantage, as well as many others and can be used as early as eight weeks of age.
As always, work with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns in providing a new, safe home for your fuzzy kitten!
For more information please call Copper Hill Animal Clinic at 661-296-8848.