Content
- kitten feeding
- Stimulate excretion functions
- A suitable environment
- deworm the cat
- Recognize any anomalies early
Is there anything more adorable than a kitten? There is probably no sweeter image for feline lovers than that of a cat arriving home in its early stages of life. For the cat, this is a stage of discovery and learning, on the other hand, for the owner, this can be the sweetest stage that will be possible thanks to the new member of the family.
It is very easy to fall in love with the image of a kitten, however, our actions must go further and we must do everything possible to favor the best development, and this includes a series of care that are of great importance.
Have questions about caring for a kitten? In this article by Animal Expert we show you the best advice for caring for kittens.
kitten feeding
The cat's food is always a determining factor on its health status, even more so in the first stages of life, in which the food provided must be the most similar to the breast milk. Fortunately, there are already breast milk preparations capable of replacing feline milk, which we can administer with great patience and love through a plastic syringe.
Meals should be taken every 2 hours and should never be spaced more than 4 hours apart, each serving should contain 10 centiliters of milk. To administer it correctly, take the kitten in your hand and keep it in a semi-inclined position, always trying not to choke on the milk.
From about a month and a half of life onwards, the cat can start progressively solid food, always using specific preparations for kittens. Read our full article on the age at which cats start to eat pet food.
Stimulate excretion functions
When a kitten is too small cannot urinate or defecate on its own. It has to be the mother cat who encourages him. In the absence of the mother, it is very important to fulfill this function, since the capacity of the rectum and urinary bladder is very reduced and any type of retention can be harmful.
You should take a cotton and moisten it in warm water, then massage very gently the anal and perianal region. This practice should be done every three times of milk.
A suitable environment
For a small cat to develop properly it is essential that we keep it in a suitable space. It must be a ventilated space but at the same time protected from drafts, a cardboard box is a good option, but obviously you should cover yourself with a blanket so that the kittens can maintain a good body temperature.
A small boy has very little subcutaneous fat, so maintaining body temperature is essential. Therefore, under the cotton blanket we should put a hot water bag which will review be renewed periodically.
deworm the cat
A cat that is very small and has also been prematurely separated from its mother can have many complications due to the weakness of its immune system. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend using a immunoregulatory antiparasitic from the earliest days of life.
Obviously you should not apply a product of this type on your own, even less if we are talking about a kitten. You must have prior advice from a veterinarian.
Recognize any anomalies early
Any cat is susceptible to numerous health problems, however, this risk increases when a cat is a baby. That's why it's important to know the symptoms that can be signs of illness:
- Hair changes
- Ears with bad smell or dark secretions
- Cough and frequent sneezing
- Lack of movement in the tail
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is essential that you go to the vet as soon as possible.
Also read our article on the most common mistakes made by cat tutors to avoid making these mistakes with your new companion.
