Before you bring your new kitten home, you need to know how to raise a kitten so you know what you can expect and to make the transition as smooth as possible for every member of the household.

Most kittens leave their mothers at the age of 6 weeks, by which time they are weaned, eating well and have learnt not to toilet where they sleep. This is a excellent age to take your kitten home as it will easily be able to cope on its own. Kittens that are too young may not thrive.

Always get your kitten from a reputable breeder or pet store and make sure it has had all its necessary inoculations. Check local government regulations regarding registration. Take your kitten to your own veterinarian to have a complete health check and find out what other vaccinations and health care is needed.

You will need to be prepared with some vital items, like an simple-to-clean litter tray and a bag of litter, bowls for food and water, kitten’s food, a bed and a few of toys. Cats are naturally clean animals, and will use the litter tray as long as it has clean litter in it; so show it where the litter tray is and there shouldn’t be too many messes. Replace the litter and wash the tray regularly, as cats won’t use dirty litter. Keep the litter tray in a silent corner.

Find out what your kitten has been eating, and try to continue the same food at least for the first two weeks. This prevents stomach upsets caused by a change of diet, and also reduces the amount of change the small kitten has to contend with all at once. Feed your kitten at regular times, in a silent place, and always have fresh water available. Keep the food and water dishes clean.

You can buy all kinds of cat bedding and while a cat likes sleeping in a basket, a blanket or soft towels will do the job. Take the kitten to its bed after feeding and at night, and it will soon get the thought. Remember that a kitten is still a baby and needs to be able to sleep a lot in the first few weeks in your home.

You need to provide toys for your kitten for activity and to prevent boredom. Kittens like to play and without toys may well choose to play with something inappropriate. Make sure you have several play sessions with your kitten each day; this makes a bond between you. While there is a huge range of cat toys available, a ball of paper or a stuffed sock is just as much fun for the kitten.

A new kitten will generally settle quickly into their new home. Some discipline may be necessary if your kitten decides to sharpen its claws on the furniture or climb your curtains, but a firm “no” should be enough. Invest in a cat scratching post; claw sharpening is a cat’s natural instinct.

When you know how to raise a kitten properly, you will delight in the company and fun that living with a cat represents.

Do you have a new kitten or cat? If you are new to owning a cat, Cat Keepers is your source for helpful advice on how to raise a kitten for the first time. If you arent sure how to raise a cat we have everything you need to help you start.

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