New cat owner! How do i take care of a month old kitten?
Posted on November 30, 2008
Filed Under Cats |
michelley asked:
Where do i start with taking care of this kitten??? This is the first feline i’ve ever owned, actually the first animal ever. :/ I brought her from school because no one wanted to give it a home and i happily took him/her. It’s still undistinguished. But, i need tips/advice, like do i need to get shots, can i get her nails removed, liter box training, etc, i need all the info i can get on taking care of cats!
Comments
3 Responses to “New cat owner! How do i take care of a month old kitten?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
DO NOT GET IT DE-CLAWED. It may sound lovely but it is actually cruel and can cause behavioural problems. In fact, your cat’s disposition will likely change and more often than not a de-clawed cat is a problem cat.
Keep it inside. It is safer and healthier and you are less likely to lose her that way. Many people think their cats are happier being outdoors but if they never go, they will not know what they are missing and will live better, longer lives. Even if you keep it inside though, shots are definitely recommended. Many illnesses are airborne and your pet really should be protected.
Feed her the best quality food you can afford. When buying food, always read the ingredient list. Look for one with a meat as the first ingredient. Try to avoid ones with wheat and corn. Cats ONLY need meat and other additives are not good for them. All commercial pet foods will have things other than meat but the higher the meat content, the better.
Most cats are litter-box trained by the time you adopt them.
And most important, HAVE HER FIXED! It is generally done around 6 months and it is healthier for her. Unfixed cats are prone to many health problems such as cancer.
Good luck!
definitely take this kitten into the vet… if it is in fact 1 month old, it was too young to be taken from it’s mother! they can let you know the timeline for shots, when to neuter/spay, etc etc.
you’ll need to buy a litter box, some litter (non-clumping as the clumping variety can be hazardous to younger cats), and some kitten food. toys, collars, and a bed aren’t necessary, but if you really want to…
you will find many people who will also tell you not to declaw this cat as well. by declawing it, you are taking away one of the only thing this cat has in terms of defense if he/she accidentally gets outside. i recommend only trimming the nails, and do start early with that so they can get used to it!
just keep an eye on the little scoundrel for the first little bit, make sure they aren’t getting into places they can’t get out of, chewing cords, etc. keep them fed, and clean the litterbox every day, and you’ll have a happy new friend!
If the kitten really is only 4 weeks old, you should do your best to find a nearby mama cat who can feed her. If that doesn’t work out, you need to get her to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet can give you a better idea of the kitten’s health and what kind of care she needs.
In the meanwhile, you’ll need to get some kitten formula (you can find it at any pet supply store) and feed it to her with an eye dropper 3 times a day.
Make sure to keep him/her VERY warm. At this age kittens can’t regulate their own body heat very well so she will need plenty of blankets.
You may also need to wipe around the kitten’s **** with a wet cloth in order to stimulate elimination (pooping) since she doesn’t have her mom there to help her.
Since you seem very young and have never had an animal before, this may all be too much for you. Please have your parents or any other responsible adults around help you out. This kitten’s life depends on you.
PS: Declawing is a really cruel thing to do to an animal, especially when it’s so easy to trim their nails. The vets don’t just remove the nail, they remove the ENTIRE first joint of their ‘fingers’. It’s horrible.