KITTEN CARE
by Colleen Parks
The three most important elements for having a healthy, happy kitten are:
Preventive Immunization, Nutrition, and Hygiene
Immunizing the kittens assures them protection against the three deadly viruses; FVR (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis), FVC (FEline Calici Viral Disease), and FPL (Feline Panleukeopenia). ALL kittens of Kittiharbor are vaccinated at three, six, and nine weeks to assure their immunity systems are sufficient to protect from these diseases. When our kittens leave for a new home, they are accompanied by a
Immunization Record. This record is for your assurance, as well as to advise your vertinarian of the dates and specific vaccine used for their innoculations. We believe that, like human babies, they need the best start in life with the most protection we can give. We also have wormed the babies twice and given the Bortadella vaccine. Bortadella, was originally thought to be a canine disease. However, in recent years has been found in the feline community, so this is done as an extra precaution.
This information on nutrition is intended to help you and kitty get started with as little trouble as possible. You will find the better the start with kitty, the healthier and happier he/she will be. While I am certainly no expert, I have had many years of experience weaning and raising these little guys, and these are some methods that have worked well for me.
First, when selecting feeding utensils, make every effort to obtain ceramic (glass) or stainless steel. While these dishes are a little more expensive, most will last their lifetime and save you some problems later. Plastic eating bowls can cause allergic reactions in kittens, will absorb oils, viruses, bacteria, etc., and also have been known to cause "Rodent" ulcers in the kittie's mouth which can be very painful. Plastic cannot usually be washed in a dishwasher or sterilized if needed.
Start the kittens on wet food (i.e.Hills A/D canned, is given at Kittiharbor), blended with
dry food for a month or so. They usually do not have the molars to
properly chew dry food until about four to five months of age. Kittens may prefer eating
dry food, but if it is not chewed properly dry kibble can cause diarrhea.
A Pudding Mixture or Milk replacer is strongly recommended for the first year of the kitten's lifetime. This is necessary to supply the calcium needs for growing bones and muscle tissue. I also use this Pudding to supplement expectant mothers for extra calcium needed in lactation.
Dry foods, such as Iams Kitten food can be obtained from your vet, pet supply stores like Pet's mart, and now is found at Walmart and many of the larger grocery stores. Iams kitten food is used here for weaning, and they continue to eat it softened and mixed with wet (canned) food. If you should decide to change their food, please do this SLOWLY, over a two-week period. Otherwise they can get diarrhea causing you and kitty problems.
There are a wide variety of canned foods available at most stores. Check the information label on the side of the cans for 30%-34% protein content. I have found the Whiskas canned foods, particularly Mealtime, Turkey, or Chicken to be very palatable and easily digested. (NO FISH) The quality of fish used in canned pet food leaves much to be desired. If you wish to give kitty some fish occasionally as a treat, give the Tuna which is prepared for people. If fish or tuna is given on a regular basis, kitty will become a finicky eater, then problems will begin! Also avoid giving gourmet cat foods, i.e., Fancy Feast, Sheba, etc., for the same reason.
Presently the kittens are fed twice a day. The dry food approximately 1 tbsp, is ground in a blender until there are small pieces, easily eaten, and/or soaked in warm water for a few minutes until soft. This is mixed into approximately two tbsp. of canned food for each kitten. Dry food is left in a bowl with fresh water available during the day for kittens to 'snack' on. Around six months of age, if you prefer the dry food only, gradually decrease the amount of canned food given with the dry food over about a 2 - 3 week period. The pudding mixture is given either at noon or bedtime as a snack. Kittens love this treat and it supplies the extra needed calcium. Warm about 1/2 cup of pudding in the microwave for about a minute(on low), or just long enough to melt into liquid form.
The subject of potty training, to me is probably as important as proper nutrition, and will result in good behavior habits for the kitten. In order to start your kitten off right with potty training, decide on a small room where you are going to place the litter box (bathroom, utility room, etc.). Put a little bed, rug, etc., a bowl with dry food and water in with the kitten. When you are not going to be home or supervising the kitten, put him/her in the room where he/she can locate the litter box. Using this practice for the first week or two kitty is in your home will allow him/her time to find his/her 'place' while getting acquainted with the rest of the house as well. As the kitten gets older you will see him/her from time to time awake from a nap, or stop from playing, and much like a young child, make a mad dash for "his/her place" and the litterbox.
Kittens need to be combed or brushed once or twice a week. Use a metal pet comb or wire brush, and this will keep shedding to a minimum. Most kittens enjoy this attention and it is also good for a bonding mechanism
A bath about once a month is suggested to keep dead hair from shedding on carpet or furniture. Our kittens are bathed weekly from the age of six weeks with Ivory Dish soap (diluted with equal amounts of water). Faces are washed with baby shampoo or tearless pet shampoo to prevent eye injury. I have found that by starting the kittens early with consistent bathing, they develop a very healthy coat, and are not resistant to baths as they get older. Towel dry thoroughly, then using a hair dryer on warm setting only, finish drying. If you prefer, put the kitten in carrier, propping the dryer up about a foot from the front of the carrier. Kitten will dry in a short time, (15 - 30 minutes). Please keep a close eye on the kitten to be sure it doesn't become to hot!
There is a wide variety of cat toys at most stores, but I would suggest you let the kitten use his/her imagination. You will be surprised at the entertainment a small wad of paper can bring. You might also tie a few milk bottle cap rings to a piece of string, or toss out some pop bottle caps. Just about any small, rounded object that is light weight, will bring hours of play for the kitten. I usually keep a variety of small pom-pom balls and some with bells that tinkle inside when they are rolled across the floor.
I hope this information useful. You will find that, with time and a few basic rules, you and kitty can enjoy a long, healthy, and loving relationship.
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