Q: What should I feed my kitten?
At four to five weeks old kittens can start to eat soft cat foods. Start with semi-liquid meals that the kittens can be slurped up. Cereal, ground white flesh fish, or white breast of chicken mixed with synthesized mother's milk that can be obtained at pet food stores, milk will help to introduce the kitten to more solid foods. Some pet food companies make food products specifically for kittens that once they are six weeks old they can start eating. These foods are prepared to provide the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that cats and kittens need.
Q: How can I train my kitten to use a litter box?
In the wild cats cover their eliminations to hide their scent from other dangerous predators. They also do it to show their submissiveness to the alpha feline. When they leave it uncovered it's because they think they're dominant. This is instinctive behavior wired in so that in almost all cases they will automatically use the litter box; whether they cover it or not is more likely to be the issue but there are exceptions. For those you can start teaching at three to four weeks of age. The box should be placed in a quiet corner where the kitten will not be disturbed or distracted and never near his food. Fill the box enough so the kitten to scratch an opening in it and then re-cover it.
Your kitten might not at first understand what the box is for, so in case of an accident elsewhere in that room simply say "No!" and tenderly bring the kitten to the litter box place him in it and pet and praise him for a few minutes and tell him he's a good boy in your most soothing vocal tone. You may want to repeat this process every hour even if no accidents occur. The same process applies when training adult cats, but it takes more time to train them.
It helps to keep the kitten or cat limited to the smallest room in your home or where you plan to keep the litter box until he has learned. In the event the Kitten/cat continues to avoid the box, move it to another spot in the room or use a different litter. It can be a tough fight but its a fight you can win.
Q: How important are the first few months with my kitten?
Extremely important. It is during the first six to twelve months when your kitten will develop both good and bad habits and the best time future behavioral problems can be avoided. You might think your kitten does cute things but as an adult cat those things might not be so cute. It is easier to teach good manners to a kitten than it would be to break the bad habits of an adult cat. While still a kitten it is best to get them used to wearing an ID collar. Use only safety-latched collars they snap open when they caught on something that might otherwise strangle him and NEVER use flea collars. (Fleas are another topic.)
Having the kitten around people is a good thing; this is when they get used to the sights and sounds of every day life around humans. Slowly let him develop his social skills, avoid forcing an interaction between the kitten and people this may cause him develop a fear of people. Keep him from getting up on counters and do not allow, biting, play fighting, and scratching on walls and furniture. Get him toys to play fight with and put them away once he gets bored with them. Only bring out the toys when he needs to play.
Have a scratching post ready and redirect him to it every time he scratches on walls and furniture. Get into the habit of repeatedly calling his name when you speak to him, they eventually become aware of their own name. Have more than one scratching post and place one near the spot he likes to sleep at, they like to stretch as soon as they wake this makes it easy for him and better for your furniture.
Q: Why does my cat drink dirty water?
Cats actively seek out water that is 'organic' - free of the chemicals used to treat tap water. This is because they know instinctively that the bacterial content will enhance gastric digestion. Mixing plain yogurt with their wet food is helpful and in some cases their waste eliminations may have a less unpleasant odor.Mother Cats
Q: How long until my cat delivers her kittens? What are the average signs of pregnancy? How large is the average litter?
Gestation is sixty three to sixty nine days. The first indication is an enlarging of the area around the queens' tit, also referred to as "pinking". By day forty-two the queen will have a noticeably larger abdomen and by day sixty, the queen will start looking for a place to nest. A litter will consist of three to seven kittens, some times they will have only one and other times will have more than seven so there some cases that are not typical. When she goes in to labor is best to allow her privacy but occasionally peek in without disturbing her to make sure there are no complications. Stillbirth or excessive bleeding will require immediate veterinary treatment. Always notify your vet a week in advance of the expected date in readiness. (Feed her kitten food throughout and portions that are for more than one cat)
Q: Where will my new kittens be born and can I set a nesting box for the mother-to-be?
As soon as the queen starts to look for a place to nest make accessible to her those areas in your home that are serene, safe and secure, temperature controlled and removed from the bustle and hustle of your home. Get a few cardboard boxes and place them in areas that you think will appeal to her. She won't like your dark and cluttered closet. Fill the box with unsoiled newspaper shredded is optional. You can show it to her but if she does not like it, don't force the issue then you can show her your other spots until she decides to nest in the one of her own choice. Often times a Queen will select more than one nest. To provide better protection for her offspring she will carry them off in her mouth to her other nest if she thinks that the best thing to do for her kitty family. It is imperative that you keep, children and animals away from the nest especially unuttered male cats and do not handle the kittens for at least during the first two weeks.
Q: When will the mother start weaning her kittens?
When the kittens reach four to five weeks of age, the Queen may possibly start withholding her milk, but will continue nursing her kittens after a few days. This is so she can take a break and an opportunity to start the kittens on solid foods on their own. The kittens will be completely weaned from their mother during the fifth week. If after six weeks the Queen continues nursing her kittens; this might weaken the Queen and cause her to develop health complications, if this happens have her examined by a veterinary doctor as soon as possible
When a Queen has a liter of seven or more kittens one or two of her kittens may be weaker than the rest and not be able to compete for a position to feed. The weaker kittens will need to be hand-fed since they are not all getting what they need from the Queen in order to stay healthy and develop. For that, you will need kitty nursing bottles and KMR, a synthesized and reasonable substitute for the mother's milk. You can find KMR at most pet supply stores. You will feed the kittens every three hours. First consult with your vet or other reliable sources on the information on the proper "how-to" procedures of hand feeding newborn kittens. Do not give kittens or cats regular pasteurized cow's milk keeping in mind that cats are lactose intolerant and it will do harm, cow's milk only works in the movies.