Cats, Kitten (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kittens develop quickly, so it is important for the animals to receive excellent care during the first several months of their life. Kittens that are well cared for are more likely to grow into healthy, happy pets that enjoy the company of people and other animals living in the home. Whether pet owners are dealing with an unexpected litter or they have just brought a new kitten home, they should take the time to learn how to care for kittens.

If a mother cat has abandoned her kittens or she is unable to feed them for any reason, they need to be fed a nutritional mother's milk supplement until they are six weeks of age or until they are able to eat solid food and drink milk or water on their own. Kittens should visit the vet between six and nine weeks for an examination, parasite testing and to receive their first set of vaccinations. They need to receive three sets of vaccinations in total. The vaccinations protect the kitten from contracting a variety of serious diseases including rabies, feline distemper and feline rhinotracheitis. A good vet will answer any questions people may have about pet health and caring for kittens during the examination.

When bringing a new kitten home, it is best to keep it in a small room for a few days so it has time to adjust to its new surroundings. Any household pets should be introduced slowly so the kitten feels safe and secure. Kittens are very curious creatures so people need to put any small objects away to prevent choking. Once the kitten begins to relax in its new environment, it can begin to roam the house. It is a good idea for people to train their kitten to use a scratching post while they are young. Pet owners should provide a scratching post for their cat as well as a comfortable pet bed and plenty of cat toys.

It is a popular misconception that kittens are ready to leave their mother at six weeks of age. By six weeks, most kittens are eating dry or wet food, drinking water out of a bowl and using the litter box but this does not mean they are psychologically ready to go to a new home. Between six and twelve weeks of age, kittens learn how to interact well with their littermates and mother. If taken from their mother too soon they can develop lifelong anxiety problems. Since a kitten's immune system is not developed until around three months of age, kittens that leave their mother too early are at risk of becoming ill. The ideal time for kittens to go to a new home is at twelve weeks of age.

The author has spent a lot of time learning about kitten and other related topics. Read more about pet health at Shawn Manaher's website.