Raising a Friendly Kitten

Have you recently adopted a kitten? Congratulations! Little Fluffy will waste no time in gaining control of your household. Our feline overlords certainly have a way of melting our hearts … and getting us to completely spoil them. While there’s nothing wrong with pampering your adorable pet, you still need to teach your little ball of fur some manners. Read on as a Downey, CA vet offers some helpful tips on raising a polite kitty.

Kittens, as we all know, are basically tiny little predators in adorable packages. Your furball will be very focused on sorting out how all of those teeth and claws are supposed to work. She may try to practice on you. This is adorable now, while your pet is tiny, but it’s best to nip that habit in the bud. It won’t be cute or charming in a full-grown cat! Don’t tempt Fluffy to pounce on your toes or fingers. When you play with her, use playthings that you can control, like wand toys.

While no one is sure how much human language cats understand, it’s probably safe to say that Fluffy can learn a few simple phrases, such as ‘Get down from there’ and ‘What are you doing in there?’ If your kitty scratches you, tell her to ‘Play nice’ or ‘Put your claws away.’ Say this in a disapproving tone, and then immediately walk away and ignore her for a while. Just be sure to use the same phrase each time.

Part of little Fluffy’s socialization entails introducing her to new people, so she develops an open mind. Have some people come over to pet and play with your kitten, and give her treats and cuddles.

Providing your pint-sized pet with comfy beds, good food, a clean litterbox, and proper veterinary care will help keep her happy and healthy. It’s also important to spend a lot of time with your kitten, and make sure she feels loved and safe. Talk to her, pet her, handle her claws, and brush her gently, so she gets used to being handled. Also, let little Fluffy doze off in your arms or on your lap. There are few things more precious than purring kittens!

As your Downey, CA vet clinic, we look forward to serving all of your kitten’s veterinary care needs. Contact us today!