1800
East Clinton Trail
Charlotte, MI 48813
Ph. (517)543-6101
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Developing a special bond with your kitten can be a very exciting and rewarding experience. The first year of your kitten's life is the most important for your pet's development. Good nutrition, proper care and regular veterinary visits will help ensure that your kitten will grow into a happy, healthy, and loving cat.
Introducing
Your Kitten to the Household Vaccines
Kitten Protocol
Feline Adult Protocol
Diet
& Nutrition Proper feeding habits with nutritious food on a regular schedule can prevent:
Improper feeding habits can cause or contribute to:
Many animals die each year from such diseases. Avoid table scraps, high fat foods, and foods that cause choking. Your pets should be offered foods developed for them or recommended by your veterinarian.
Avoid table scraps and so called "gourmet" cat foods. These can alter the nutritional ratio of the diet and can cause the kitten to become a "finicky eater" later in life. Always have plenty of fresh water available. Never give milk, as it may cause diarrhea. Select one brand of food and stick with it. Most cats actually prefer not to change from one food to another. As a general rule, kittens do best if they have dry food available at all times. Unfortunately, some kittens can become overweight by using this "free-feed" method. If your kitten turns out to be one of these, you will need to feed limited meals instead. Canned food is not necessary for kittens, however if you choose to feed canned food, a small amount can be offered as a "treat". It can spoil if left out all day.
Remember, your cute little kitten is going to grow into a healthy-sized cat and you do not want to encourage aggressive behaviors. Also provide your kitten with a carpet or sisal rope covered scratching post. This gives the kitten an acceptable place to scratch and climb. You may find that you need to discipline your kitten for rough play or inappropriate behavior; however, harsh punishments should be avoided. Clapping your hands, spray bottles or making loud noises can be intimidating enough to stop undesirable behaviors. These remote punishments are preferred because the kitten associates the punishment with what he is doing and not with you. Grooming
Your kitten's grooming habits extend to it's environment also. Kittens like and need a clean litter box. Keeping a clean litter box will help it develop and keep good litter habits. One of the reasons kittens stop using their litter boxes is because they are not kept clean. Kittens have very sharp toe nails. They can be trimmed with nail trimmers that are made for dogs and cats. Most cats have white or clear nails that allow you to see the pink color of the quick through them. When clipping nails you should avoid cutting into the quick as it can bleed excessively and be painful.
Training Kittens can also be trained not to scratch furniture or jump up on counters and tabletops. If you can catch the kitten scratching furniture, pick him up, tell him "No" and place him by his scratching post. Gently scratch the kitten's front paws on the scratching post while praising him. This will show the kitten the appropriate place to use his claws. If you cannot catch the kitten 'in the act', you can place plastic wrap, aluminum foil or double sided tape on places where the kitten scratches. Cats generally do not like the feel of these materials and will not scratch through it. Double sided tape and aluminum foil can also be placed on countertops to dissuade the kitten from jumping on these surfaces.
Spay
and Neuter A female's first heat will last for about four to eight days. If she isn't spayed or mated, she will go into heat every 2-3 weeks until she is bred. A healthy female cat is capable of having several litters of kittens every year. Male cats are sexually active all year round. If they are allowed outside, they will roam in search of females and will fight with other males. They may also start to spray a strong smelling urine on furniture, walls and carpeting to mark their territory. Spay and neuter surgery will eliminate unwanted litters of kittens and will reduce or eliminate territorial behavior in males. More information... Declawing When a cat scratches a surface, he's not sharpening his nails, he is removing the outer warn layers. Unfortunately, this behavior can result in significant destruction of furniture, carpets or other property. The decision to declaw your kitten should not be taken lightly. A declawed cat should remain an indoor cat the rest of his life. By removing a cat's claws, you will be taking away his primary defense mechanism in the outside world. A declawed cat cannot defend himself against other cats and he might not be able to climb to escape other animals. The surgery known as "declawing" involves the amputation of the toe at the last joint on the front feet. This removes the claw and the nail bed from which the claw grows. This procedure is performed while the cat is anesthetized and will require two night's stay at Apple Grove Veterinary Care. The kitten's feet will be sore and tender the first few days after surgery. Most kittens recover rapidly and without complications. Once healed, many cats do not seem to notice the claws are gone and will continue to "sharpen" the claws as normal, but without inflicting damage to your furniture. This procedure can be done at 4 months of age and is best done before your kitten is one year old. Non-surgical Alternatives to Declawing include trimming cat's nails regularly, application of nail caps (soft plastic caps that are glued directly onto the cat's nails, which require replacement on a regular basis), and most importantly providing appropriate places for your kitten to scratch. Some cats prefer horizontal rather than vertical scratching surfaces, and may have a preference for a particular surface such as carpet, sisal rope or cardboard. |
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Feline
Distemper Vaccine (FVRCP) protects your kitten from three
diseases. It is given as a series of vaccines beginning at 6-8
weeks of age with boosters given every 3 weeks following until
the kitten is 4 months old. 
Your
kitten's fastest growth period is right now and will continue until
it is about twelve months old. There are many brands of food to
choose from in the grocery store, pet store and veterinary hospital.
In general, always stick to well known brands. Kittens should be
fed kitten or growth food. It provides the proper ratio of nutrients
for growing and gives the kitten's body a solid nutritional base
for healthy adulthood. If you are not sure about the food please
feel free to ask our veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician
questions. 
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