Kitten Care: How to Raise a Healthy Kitten

Free First Visit Offer (657) 756-5683 At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we're passionate about helping you raise happy, healthy kittens. Our experienced veterinarians, Dr. Ryan Smith and Dr. Ried Forman, are here to guide you through every step of your kitten's early life. Let's explore some essential aspects of kitten care. A light blue heart icon on a white background, symbolizing compassion and care, often associated with veterinarians. A minimalist image featuring a large green curved shape on the right side, reminiscent of a veterinarian symbol, set against a plain white background. A simple, solid blue circle centered on a white background, reminiscent of the calm assurance found in a veterinarian's care. A solid green heart shape sits prominently on a white background, symbolizing the care and compassion of a veterinarian's dedication.

The Basics of Raising a Healthy Kitten

The most crucial period for kitten development is between seven to eight weeks of age. This is the ideal time for a kitten to transition from their litter to their new home. During this period, we focus on three key areas:

  • Behavior development
  • Parasite control
  • Preventative care and vaccinations

We’ll also discuss how to ensure your indoor kitty has an enriched and healthy life.

A close-up of a tabby kitten with blue eyes lying down and staring directly at the camera, its front paws stretched out in front of it on a light-colored surface.
A close-up of a tabby kitten with blue eyes lying down and staring directly at the camera, its front paws stretched out in front of it on a light-colored surface.

The Basics of Raising a Healthy Kitten

The most crucial period for kitten development is between seven to eight weeks of age. This is the ideal time for a kitten to transition from their litter to their new home. During this period, we focus on three key areas:

  • Behavior development
  • Parasite control
  • Preventative care and vaccinations

We’ll also discuss how to ensure your indoor kitty has an enriched and healthy life.

A light brown cat with green eyes and a green collar looks attentively to the side, framed by a blurred blue foreground.

Handling Your Kitten

Proper handling is essential for your kitten’s comfort and safety. We recommend scooping your kitten from underneath, supporting their body, and gently controlling their head. A ‘football hold’ is often the most secure way to carry your kitten.

Signs of a Happy and Healthy Kitten

Healthy kittens are typically:

  • Energetic and playful
  • Curious about their surroundings
  • Constantly exploring and learning

It’s important to establish correct boundaries to ensure their behaviors align with a happy life for everyone in the household.

Feeding Your Kitten

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we recommend a combination of dry and wet food for most kittens. Wet food is particularly important as it closely resembles a cat’s natural diet. We suggest feeding canned food twice a day, supplemented with dry food for convenience.

Essential Kitten Supplies

To prepare for your new kitten, you’ll need:

  • Kitty litter and a litter box
  • Age-appropriate toys
  • A comfortable bed
  • High-quality kitten food (both wet and dry)

A light brown cat with green eyes and a green collar looks attentively to the side, framed by a blurred blue foreground.

Handling Your Kitten

Proper handling is essential for your kitten’s comfort and safety. We recommend scooping your kitten from underneath, supporting their body, and gently controlling their head. A ‘football hold’ is often the most secure way to carry your kitten.

Signs of a Happy and Healthy Kitten

Healthy kittens are typically:

  • Energetic and playful
  • Curious about their surroundings
  • Constantly exploring and learning

It’s important to establish correct boundaries to ensure their behaviors align with a happy life for everyone in the household.

Feeding Your Kitten

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we recommend a combination of dry and wet food for most kittens. Wet food is particularly important as it closely resembles a cat’s natural diet. We suggest feeding canned food twice a day, supplemented with dry food for convenience.

Essential Kitten Supplies

To prepare for your new kitten, you’ll need:

  • Kitty litter and a litter box
  • Age-appropriate toys
  • A comfortable bed
  • High-quality kitten food (both wet and dry)

Your Kitten’s First Veterinary Visit

We recommend bringing your kitten to Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care as soon as possible after adoption. During this visit, we will:

  • Start vaccinations
  • Begin deworming treatments
  • Establish a preventative care plan
  • Perform a FeLV/FIV test if not already done

A tabby cat, perhaps just back from a check-up with the vet, lounges on wooden steps, basking in the warm sunlight. The feline appears relaxed with its eyes partially closed and front legs stretched out, as sunlight casts soft shadows around it.
A tabby cat is lounging on a bench in the sunlight, looking relaxed and content as if just back from a vet visit. The cat's eyes are half-closed, while a garden and brick wall softly blur in the background, with sunlight casting a warm glow over the peaceful scene.

Your Kitten’s First Veterinary Visit

We recommend bringing your kitten to Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care as soon as possible after adoption. During this visit, we will:

  • Start vaccinations
  • Begin deworming treatments
  • Establish a preventative care plan
  • Perform a FeLV/FIV test if not already done

A fluffy orange kitten with blue eyes lies on a soft, gray blanket, looking directly at the camera.

What to Expect During the First Visit

Our veterinarians will conduct a thorough examination, including:

  • Assessing behavior and temperament
  • Checking eyes, ears, and nose for signs of respiratory issues
  • Listening to the heart and lungs
  • Evaluating overall physical condition

Early Signs of Health Issues

Be vigilant for these common kitten health concerns:

  • Upper respiratory infections (sneezing, watery eyes, congestion)
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy or loss of appetite

If you notice any of these symptoms, please bring your kitten to Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care immediately. Kittens can become critically ill quickly, so early intervention is crucial.

A gray kitten with yellow eyes lies on green grass, looking directly at the camera. The background is blurred with greenery and bright light.
A gray kitten with yellow eyes lies on green grass, looking directly at the camera. The background is blurred with greenery and sunlight.

Vaccinations for Your Kitten

We typically start vaccinations around eight weeks of age. Core vaccines for all kittens include:

  • FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia)
  • FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)
  • Rabies

Even indoor cats should receive these core vaccinations for their protection and yours.

Preventative Care

Your kitten’s preventative care plan will include:

  • Deworming protocol
  • Flea and tick prevention
  • Vaccinations
  • Nutritional guidance
  • Behavioral recommendations

A fluffy gray and white cat with long fur lies on a woven rug, looking upward. The background is a light-colored floor and a wooden chair leg is visible to the right.
A fluffy gray and white cat with long fur lies on a woven rug, looking upward. The background is a light-colored floor and a wooden chair leg is visible to the right.

Preventative Care

Your kitten’s preventative care plan will include:

  • Deworming protocol
  • Flea and tick prevention
  • Vaccinations
  • Nutritional guidance
  • Behavioral recommendations

A blank white image, reminiscent of a sterile veterinarian's clinic, captures an essence of simplicity and purity.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about kitten care or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care:

Our compassionate team is here to support you and your kitten every step of the way!