Wycliffe Village Veterinary Clinic, Richmond Hill

Special breeds have special needs

As you may already be aware, not all kittens are made equally. Based on the breeds you have selected, there are different key aspects to their care that should keep in mind.
For example, a Persian may require different dishes from a Domestic Short Hair due to the flatness of their face. A Himalayan kitten has much different coat requirements than a Sphynx kitten. Not only do cats differ in terms of nutrition and veterinary care. Different cats are prone to different conditions, such as skin allergies, respiratory issues and organ function. Knowing is half the battle!

Indoor vs. outdoor cats
As your kitten grows, the issue of whether or not to let your cat outdoors unsupervised will arise. Maybe you have already had a cat that was indoor or outdoor, or perhaps you’ve never had a kitten before and aren’t sure which way to go. The following is a list of things to keep in mind for both indoor and outdoor cats:
  Indoor Cats Able to monitor urine/stool production and pick up on any potential medical problems Protected from animal attacks Less exposure to certain diseases and parasites that can be passed along to humans Safe from animal control Less risk of being stolen or lost Less risk of getting hit by a car Nature and wildlife are not being killed by a hunting cat
  Outdoor Cats Cats get exercise by moving around Able to practice their natural hunting instinct

A bored kitten is a mischievous kitten!
Destructive behavior in kittens often results from boredom. A kitten who is not being stimulated enough will find his or her own means of stimulation, whether it be exploring the kitchen cupboards, digging up the carpet, or investigating the potted plants.
Keeping your kitten busy and active will help reduce destructive behavior in your pet. A bored kitten can be quite mischievous; he or she needs mental stimulation and will seek out whatever means to satisfy that need! Additionally, a kitten that does not receive adequate exercise in the form of play will be prone to obesity and the associated health risks later on in life. Provide a variety of veterinary-approved toys that will stimulate your kitten, both mentally and physically. Consider also purchasing a leash for your kitten, which will allow your kitten to discover the outdoors while providing the safety of supervision.
Remember that your kitten is not intentionally misbehaving to get you angry. Some behaviours are based purely on instincts, others are based on boredom.

Scratching
There are various reasons why your kitten may scratch. Some may think that this behavior is a result of the need to sharpen their claws. However, most likely, it is actually due to their need to stretch, clean their paws or mark their territory. Your kitten’s foot pads release a scent – when he or she scratches, your kitten is saying, “this is my spot!”
While scratching the provided toys and posts is acceptable, scratching couches and furniture is not. There are various things you can do to encourage your kitten to scratch only in an appropriate place: Rub cat nip on the scratching post to attract your kitten to it1 If your kitten is scratching your couch, clap your hands loudly to catch his or her attention and re-direct your kitten to the scratching post Praise your kitten for appropriate use of the scratching post Provide several different outlets for scratching If your kitten continues to scratch inappropriately, place citrus scented items in that area – cats tend to not like this scent Some cats do not like aluminum foil – use it to cover areas of the couch/furniture to prevent your kitten from scratching until he or she learns not to Keep your kittens nails neatly trimmed

Introducing your kitten to grooming and handling
Getting your kitten used to being groomed and handled will ensure that any veterinary appointments, grooming appointments or even regular interactions with people will be pleasant.
The more you expose your kitten to being touched (gently), brushed and handled, the more at ease he or she will feel. Get your kitten used to having the feet touched (makes nail trims easier), the mouth and gums touched (makes tooth brushing possible), brush the coat and play with ears gently to get your kitten used to being handled. Remember to always keep your sessions positive, praising your kitty as you go along.
Introducing your kitten to grooming and handling is an essential tool in creating pleasant, positive experiences not only in the veterinary clinic, but in the home as well!

Your kitten’s grooming needs
Cats and kittens are quite keen on keeping themselves clean, but sometimes even they need your help! Depending on the hair type of your kitten, the grooming needs will vary. Long haired coats will require more frequent brushing and combing, whereas a short hair coat may just need a quick rub down with a soft rubber brush.
Brushing your kitten helps him or her shed any excess hair and removes dead skin cells from the follicles. This also helps minimize the occurrence of hairballs for your kitten, as you are removing much of the surplus hair that your kitty would otherwise be ingesting!
Because they are naturally very clean creatures, kittens and cats do not typically need baths unless absolutely necessary.
Speak with your veterinary team about the best ways to help your kitten’s coat stay soft and luxurious!

Excerpt from Medical Royal Canin’s Kitten Health Review

1 Not all kittens are interested in cat nip as they do not carry the gene that allows them to be stimulated by the plant.