Kittens: Tips for Handling Kittens

With playfulness and cute appearance, kittens take hearts by storm. But kittens are by no means miniature versions of fully grown velvet paws. They have special needs and have to learn a lot to get by in the world. You can help your kitten get off to a smooth start to a happy cat life. Here are the best tips for handling kittens.

How old should the kitten be?

You should only bring a kitten to you from the age of twelve weeks. The previous time with the mother and littermates is significant because motor skills and social behavior develop in this phase. Responsible breeders never give up their animals before the twelfth week.

Kittens in a double pack?

Very few cats are loners. As a human, you cannot replace the kitten with dealing with fellow cats. It is therefore very advisable to take in two kittens, preferably littermates. Especially cats that live exclusively in the apartment usually need a playmate. However, it always depends on the breed, which you should find out about in detail before buying kittens. Some cats can live well in the apartment, and some need to be outside.

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What food do kittens need?

The specialist trade offers special food for kittens that take their specific nutritional needs into account. Products containing easily digestible, high-quality animal protein, omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamins are important for the kitty’s diet. Product lines for kitties usually take this into account. Kittens initially need their daily food ratio divided into five, divided into three meals over time from the fourth month of age.

Even if the mini tiger was suckled until recently and has a preference for dairy products: Your kitten must not drink cow’s milk! Many cats have difficulty digesting dairy products and can develop diarrhea. You can occasionally offer the little ones a little special cat milk. But milk is food, not a drink. Water is suitable for quenching thirst and must be available to the cat around the clock.

Special nutrition for kittens in need – baby food

Sometimes kittens are taken into human care before they are weaned. If the little ones are orphaned for whatever reason and have to take responsibility for them, you will need special cat-rearing milk as a breast milk substitute in the first few weeks, which we must give in a bottle at regular intervals. The kittens start to eat solid food around the fifth week of life. A pulpy mixture of cat-rearing milk, warm water, gruel, and kitten food is recommended to make the transition from breast milk to solid food easier for them. For kittens to get used to switching from the teat or bottle to the bowl, it is helpful to hold food in front of them on a spoon at nose level for the first few days. They’ll soon get the hang of it.

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What do kittens like to play with?

The kitten needs a lot of incentives to play. It’s not just important to keep them fit and active: engaging with the kitten from an early age will lay the foundation for an intense relationship. Make sure that the cat toys are not too small and cannot be swallowed. Food balls that stimulate the play instinct and give away small rewards are prevalent. This will keep the cat busy later when it is fully grown.

Between the third and sixth months of life, kittens and the new predator teeth come through. During this time, it is a relief for the kitten to be able to nibble and bite. Would you please ensure that the little one always has suitable bite toys available to not act on cushions and shoes?

Kittens play with anything that rustles, rings or moves. It is irrelevant whether it is a “real” toy or an everyday object. But be careful: toys attached to ribbons or wires, balls made of aluminum foil, and balls of wool are only allowed to play with the kitten under supervision. There is a risk that the kitten could accidentally become tangled and seriously injured or strangled.

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How do kittens get house trained?

Cats are considered to be particularly clean. But how should kitties know what a litter box is and how to use it? Fortunately, they tend to do the right thing instinctively and quickly learn where to do their business. If your kitten does not find his toilet quickly enough in the unfamiliar environment at first or if, absorbed in the game, does not notice in time that it has to and a mishap happens, you must not scold or punish it. Patiently show him where the toilet is. The kitten will get along with it quickly. By the way, a litter box with a side entrance is ideal.

What care do kittens need?

It is beneficial to get your kitten used to groom early, especially if the breed has a longer coat. The kitten learns to enjoy the regular treatment with a soft brush and comb as wellness, and there are no problems later. A wild chase that ends with the cat in the clutch and scratched hands is just stressful for both parties. Regular checking of teeth, eyes, and ears is also important – familiarize your kitten with this routine in a playful way as early as possible.

What does the equipment for kittens look like?

All cats like to retire to cuddling areas or special sleeping caves to rest. While adult cats like to choose higher floors of their scratching post or lie down on the closet right away, you must make sure that your little velvet paw’s place to sleep is at ground level. This prevents falls, for example, if the kitten oversleeps or changes position in a hurry. Kittens do not yet have perfect body control and cannot jump as well.

But even a small cat needs a scratching post to climb, run around and sharpen its claws. As a playground, it is indispensable for the development of motor skills.

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What do you have to consider at the vet?

You will also get your kitten used to visit the vet as early as possible. It’s best to choose a transport box that we can open from above. The vet can lift the kitten out of the carrier basket’s safety without much struggle, which reduces the stress in the already strange-smelling and frightening situation. Going to the vet is particularly important in the first few months of life: To ensure the little velvet paw’s health, a series of health checks and vaccinations must be carried out. So if you take some things to heart, you will ensure your little house tiger a good start in his new life with you.