Spokane is celebrating a brand new year and residents know it’s time for changes--changes for the better. What better way is there to improve your year than to bring a new kitten into your home? Be it to replace one that is no longer with you, or getting your first one, there are a few tips to follow to ring in the new year on the right track with your new feline.
The best age for kittens to be introduced into their new homes is when they are between 8 to12 weeks old, but some breeders of purebred cats rather wait until the kitten is 3 or 4 months old to guarantee he/she's healthy.
Keep your kitten restricted to one room to keep him/her safe from attacks by other pets, if you have them and to thoroughly learn litter training. When introducing a brand new kitten to an older pet, shower your original pet with plenty of praise, but keep a close vigil and keep the kitten in a roomy carrier until you know for sure they will be good friends. You can also keep the kitten in a spare room, with door closed. Fine-tune your home for your kitten's safety.
Kittens are very easy to litter train; but never forget: they still will have a few problems controlling their bladders and bowels until they are about 6 months old. Clean up any accidents with an enzyme-based cleaner, which aids in eliminating the smell. Sometimes kittens find the litter box to be a toy and take pleasure in digging or stretching out in it. This stage quickly passes, specifically if your kitten is given cat toys, a nice scratching post and a window to look out into the world from.
Do not shout or fret if your kitten has an accident. Simply pick him/her up and place him/her gently into the litter box. Kitty will get the hint. Take your kitten to the veterinarian if he/she still has accidents after weeks or months of being trained. This often is a sign of illness.
Take your new kitten to the veterinarian of your choice within a week of bringing him/her home. Many kittens have contracted worms by the time they are 2 months old. They also should be inoculated against deadly and contagious diseases, such as chlamydia and feline leukemia. Kittens require inoculations every two weeks until they are about 20 weeks old. Rabies shots are required in Spokane.
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