Making our pets feel happy, loved and cared for is not a duty to be taken lightly. It is something to which every responsible pet owner should subscribe. When you have a new kitten in your home, you are eager to set the tone of love and affection. Here are just a few tips from spcanova.org to set you on the path to raising a happy and well-adjusted kitten.
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Snuggle time
Hold your kitty as often as possible. Let him know just how great it feels to be cuddled and loved. If your cat is shy or timid, this cannot be overemphasized.
Grooming time
Brush your kitten frequently, perhaps daily if he is a long-haired feline. When you brush your cat, it makes him feel clean, which is a top priority for these guys! Brushing also helps to reduce dander in your home which is a cause of allergies.
Alone time
For those that work and/or have duties outside of the home that require us to be away for several hours at a time, consider turning on a TV or a talk radio station to keep your kitten company. Plus, this will give him time to adjust to hearing human voices.
Play time
When playing with your kitten, never offer your hand as a toy. He will then think it is okay to scratch and bite flesh. Opt for a wand toy instead.
Even a shoestring is a great way to keep a kitten occupied for hours. Do not leave shoestrings out for play when you are not around to supervise. Cats can, and often do, swallow them. This often leads to serious internal blockage, some requiring surgery, to correct. My cat Marty did this not long after I adopted him. Very scary time!
As an alternative to a shoestring, I often use the Cat Dancer wand toy. It;s a wand toy with soft stretch material, has good movement, and many of my cat clients love it. Put it in a safe place after play sessions. Have a variety of toys available for your kitten and change them out frequently since kittens tend to have a short attention span and bore easily.
Quiet time
If you have children in the home, the high-pitched squeals and laughter children typically make when playing can adversely affect a kitten’s highly sensitive ears. This could even cause the kitten to become afraid of children. Remind your kids to keep their voices down.
Consider a cat tree with several activities and hideaways and place it in a quieter place in the house. Another option is a hideaway bed he can snuggle up in for a quiet nap.
Nail Clipping time
Be sure to clip your kittens claws about twice a month. Aim to do this when he is tired or relaxing, if possible. If the kitten is resistant to the nail clipping, cut a couple of nails at a time. Once your kitten becomes accustomed to this ritual, he may even enjoy it eventually, appreciating the extra pampering and attention.
Affection time
This goes without saying: show your cat love and affection at all turns. This will enable him to grow into a happy and well-adjusted cat who will return that love exponentially.
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
