Kittens | felineinfo.com

Archive for Kittens

How to Help Kittens that are Failing to Thrive

Posted on January 25, 2011 by admin

You have a beautiful litter of kittens. Unfortunately, one just is not growing or maybe even acting normally. Is there anything that you can do if your kitten is failing to thrive?

First, get the kitten wormed. Internal parasites can use up most of the nutrition that is taken in and stunt the cat’s growth. More than one round of worming may be needed if the infestation is severe.

Next, give extra nutrition to the kitten. Giving Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) is a great way to get some extra calories into the little feline. You may have to use a kitten bottle or medicine dropper if the animal is unable to drink on their own.

Canned kitten food has more calories and is good for supplementing dry food and/or mama’s milk, assuming the kitten is old enough to eat it. Be sure to use a high-quality brand to get the most value. Also, ask your vet for vitamin formulations that can help give kitty energy and additional nutrients. You may have to assist the kitten by putting little bits of food into her mouth.

If there are several siblings in the litter, allow the little one some time alone with mama cat if she is still producing milk or provide food separately from the other kittens. Sometimes the weaker animals get pushed away from mama or the food bowl by more aggressive littermates and need you to intervene so they get the opportunity to eat, too.

Make sure that the kitten’s area is warm. Some will not do well if the home is kept too cold. Provide a blanket or bed for snuggling up in.

Unfortunately, about one in five kittens does not live to adulthood. Many of these have internal issues that are not survivable. However, the above methods have saved some kittens that just were not doing well for unknown reasons.

Tags: Kittens, kitten, failure to thrive, way, mouth

NOTICE: This is a paid affiliate website. Clicking on links could result in compensation for the site owner. Information on this blog should not be construed as advice from a veterinarian. Please consult your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet's health.

Categories : Kittens

Comments (0)

Kittens Versus Adult Cats

Posted on April 22, 2009 by admin

If you have decided to acquire a feline friend, you will need to decide whether you want a kitten or a grown animal. The advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed below.

Kittens are incredibly cute but they usually need considerably more attention and care than an older feline, especially if you adopt a kitten that has never been away from its mother. A new kitten may be very scared and apprehensive when first exposed to a new home.

Kittens also will need to be trained on using a litter box and how not to destroy your possessions. Most kittens easily learn to use the litter box , so this is often not a drawback for new cat owners. Kittens also have a relatively long lifespan, so adopting one usually means that you will have a pet for many years into the future. Some people also appreciate the idea of being the only owner of a cat, and the only way to ensure this is to adopt a kitten.

Cats that are no longer kittens have the advantage of already knowing how to use a litter box and getting along with humans. They hopefully have been taught to not claw the furniture and that humans are a source of pleasure.

Some people do not like the idea of adopting an older cat for fear that the cat will not live for very long, but a cat that is four or five years old, while not a kitten, still has many years of life ahead of it. An older cat will generally be much more mellow than most kittens, so if you are looking for a docile pet, then an adult cat works well.

If you still cannot decide whether to get a kitten or an older cat, go to the pet store or shelter and visit with some of the cats. Every feline has a unique personality, and you cannot always predict if the personality displayed at adoption will be the cat’s true disposition. Once you have visited with several kitties, you should get a feel for what age would be best for you.

Whether you choose a kitten or an adult cat, with proper care, you will have a furry friend for many years.

Tags: kitten, adult cat, Kittens

Categories : Cats General

Comments (0)

Your Kitten’s Development

Posted on March 21, 2009 by admin

If you have just brought home a new kitten, you may be wondering about the different stages of kitten development. While most cat breeds are only considered to be kittens for their first year of life, breeds such as the Maine Coons actually have longer kittenhoods.

During their first six weeks, kittens grow a rapid pace. This is a critical time as the kitty’s personality is developed during this period. If the mother cat is present, she will teach many of these lessons. If not, humans and littermates will be instrumental in teaching kitty how to get along with others. Socialization with humans must occur frequently in order for the cat to be easily accepting of human contact when older.

Between the ages of seven weeks and fourteen weeks, kittens are at their most active. Coordination has gotten better so that the cat can easily play. Cats of this age are learning the art of tail-chasing and hunting prey. Provide a variety of cat toys to expose your kitty to different forms of play and to further develop coordination.

At six months of age, kittens are the equivalent of teenagers. If they have not been neutered or spayed, they will begin seeking to mate. Be sure to spay or neuter your pet to avoid unwanted litters.

At one year of age, most cats have reached adulthood. If you have socialized him or her properly, you should have a wonderful companion for many years.

Visit cat behavior to learn more about how to socializing your kitten.

Tags: kitten development, Kittens

Categories : Cat Breeds, Kittens

Comments (0)