Kitten Wellness Care

Kittenhood is a time when your cat goes through big changes in their body and how they act. Taking care of kittens might be a bit tricky, but when you give them the right food that matches their growing needs, you can help them become strong and healthy cats from being delicate little kittens. Our guide to kitten care has all you need to begin this journey.

Maine Coon Kitten

AN AMAZING KITTEN TRANSFORMATION​

Welcoming a kitten home begins a journey of growth and development. Kittens undergo remarkable changes that demand careful attention from cat owners. Understand these stages to ensure a healthy, happy feline friend.

Sense of Sight:

Kittens open their eyes at 1-2 weeks, relying on touch and smell. Create a safe space, avoiding bright lights and hazards. Curiosity drives them once vision improves.

Immunity and Defense:

Mother’s milk provides antibodies for immunity. Ensure her nutrition and vet care. Vaccinations at 6-8 weeks protect from diseases. Consult a vet for a schedule.

Tripling Weight:

Kittens gain weight rapidly, often tripling it by a month. If mother’s milk is insufficient, offer quality kitten milk replacement. Gradually transition to balanced solid food.

Healthy Bones:

Calcium and phosphorus vital for strong bones. Consult a vet for diet and portion guidance. Prevent skeletal issues.

Extraordinary Growth:

Kittens evolve rapidly. Foster a nurturing environment with toys, safe spaces, and social interaction. They shift from helpless to playful.

KITTEN CARE GUIDE

Proper care is vital as your kitten grows. Offer nutritious, age-appropriate food rich in essential nutrients. Create a steady feeding routine to aid rapid development. Grooming, healthcare, and vaccinations are vital. Enrichment through play, rest, and training supports balanced growth. Tailor care to their individuality and stay in touch with your vet for a happy, healthy transition to adulthood.

Preparing for a Kitten

Bringing your new kitten home is a big change for both of you. But you can make things easier by getting ready before the big day. Just do a few simple things to be prepared!

  • Get ready with all the kitten essentials
  • Kitten proof your home where your kitten can feel safe and calm.
  • Take care of them with nutritionally complete kitten food – take expert advice from veterinarian, breeder or shelter.
  • Take your kitten to the vet to check its health and get any shots it needs.
  • Help your kitten meet other pets and people slowly.

Bringing Home Your Kitten

The time right after you bring your new kitten home can feel really exciting, but it might also have some tough moments. Don’t worry, though! If you have the right things and know how to take care of your kitten, you can make sure this first time together is happy and good for both of you.

Cute Black Tabby Kitten Lounging Comfortably on the Sofa

Feeding your Kitten

What a kitten eats is really important for how they grow and how well they get along with others. The stuff in their food gives them the energy they need to grow strong and be happy. Good food sets them up for a healthy life.

Kitten eating can food

KITTEN GROWTH STAGES

Gaining insight into the various growth phases your kitten undergoes is pivotal in discerning the obstacles they encounter and determining your approach to their care. A crucial factor in facilitating their seamless transition into adulthood is guaranteeing they receive an optimal blend of nutrients through their diet.

Birth - 3 weeks

Birth – 3 weeks

Maine Coon Kitten
8 weeks – 4 months
4 - 12 months kitten
4 months – 12 months

Neonatal phase

During the neonatal stage, which lasts from birth to around two weeks old, kittens are like sleepy bundles. Their eyes and ears are closed, and they mostly snuggle close to their mom for warmth and milk. They’re tiny and delicate, relying completely on their mom’s care.

Socialization phase

During the socialization stage, which happens from 3 to 9 weeks, kittens become like little explorers. They start to make friends with their siblings and mom, and this is when their personalities really begin to show. It’s like their playful and curious side comes out to play, and they learn important lessons about how to be a good cat. So, it’s a time of fun learning and making kitty friends!

Juvenile & adolescent phase

The juvenile stage, spanning from 2 to 6 months, is a lively period for kittens. They experience a growth spurt, becoming more agile and playful. This is the time they hone their coordination and embark on exploratory adventures. A well-rounded diet during this phase fuels their energy and supports the development of strong muscles and bones.

Kitten Socialization and Play

Kitten socialization is the time when these little furballs start to learn about the world around them. It usually happens between 3 to 9 weeks of age. During this stage, kittens become curious and playful. They interact with their siblings, mom, and even people. These experiences help them develop important social skills and grow into friendly and well-adjusted adult cats.

Maine Coon Playing

Kitten Training

Kitten training involves teaching young felines how to behave and interact in a way that’s enjoyable for both them and their human companions. It includes litter box training, where kittens learn where to do their business, and basic commands like “sit” and “come.” Training also helps them get used to being handled, groomed, and living comfortably indoors. Through positive reinforcement and patience, kittens can learn important skills that set the foundation for well-behaved and happy adult cats.

Cute Black Tabby Kitten Lounging Comfortably on the Sofa

Kitten Grooming Basics

Kitten grooming basics involve keeping your furry friend clean and comfortable. Use a soft brush to gently remove loose fur and prevent tangles. Short grooming sessions help kittens get used to being handled. Trim their claws regularly to avoid scratching accidents. For expert tips and advice on kitten grooming, we highly recommend reaching out to PinkPawPalUSA. Their expertise can ensure gentle care that fosters a happy and healthy kitten.

Kitten's Grooming

Understanding your Kitten's Health

Getting a grasp on your kitten’s health involves being attentive to their behavior and well-being. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian, vaccinations, and preventive care are crucial. Keep an eye out for changes in appetite, energy levels, and litter box habits. Early detection of any issues ensures prompt treatment and a happy, healthy kitten.

A nurse with a Healthy kitten

Your Kitten's Behavior

What a kitten eats is really important for how they grow and how well they get along with others. The stuff in their food gives them the energy they need to grow strong and be happy. Good food sets them up for a healthy life.

KITTEN'S CARE CHECKLIST FOR NEW OWNERS

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR MAINE COON KITTEN || EXOTIC SHORTHAIR || PERSIAN KITTEN

Please Reach Us At Lucyappel@Bellspurr.Com If You Cannot Find An Answer To Your Question.

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Bellspurr Family!

Here are the step by step nutrition guidelines for your new kitten.

We’re really thrilled that you’ve chosen to bring a new kitten into your home! We’re here with you at every stage, ready to lend a hand. Getting ready for your adorable new family member’s arrival, let’s talk about their eating needs. We’ve done our homework and found the absolute best food to help your kitten grow and thrive. Right from their first nibble, this food has been their nourishment, and we strongly suggest keeping it a part of their lifelong diet. If circumstances prevent this, we advise a minimum of two weeks on this diet to minimize any potential disruptions. Considering the significant transition your kitten has already experienced by joining your home, maintaining their established diet will undoubtedly contribute to their stability and contentment.

Source of our food:

Opting to source our kitten’s food from Royal Canin has been a well-considered choice that underscores our commitment to providing the best care for our feline companions. Royal Canin’s reputation for specialized and scientifically formulated pet nutrition aligns perfectly with our desire to ensure our kittens receive optimal nourishment at this crucial stage of their lives. They have range of products designed to cater to the specific needs of growing kittens, including considerations for their breed, size, and developmental requirements, our commitment to their overall health and well-being, recognizing the significance of a balanced diet in securing their long-term happiness and vitality.

Kitten food Kitten food

Obstacles you might find while trying to feed raw food.  

Feeding your kitten a raw diet is an excellent idea. But many vets recommend transitioning to canned food or kibble and may voice concerns about the safety of a raw diet. However, there is little evidence supporting these claims. Our experience suggests that a raw diet is safe and healthy for cats. Would you prefer to eat canned food and crackers every day of your life? Of course not. And neither should your cat. 

Many clients trust their vets and switch their kittens to the food they endorse. However, many of these pets may suffer from diarrhea. Tests may reveal no illnesses or parasites, but the culprit is often the food itself. A cat’s diet must align with their biology, and they will be healthy and happy as soon as you switch them back to raw food.

While some cat owners may opt for kibble, a balanced diet must include fresh or wet food. Don’t make improper nutrition choices for your kitten.

Kitten with health expert Kitten with health expert

To Kibble or not to Kibble 

We feed kibble freely throughout the day. The reason why is because we don’t want our cats to miss out on any nutritional source that might be lacking from their raw food, we believe this is a good complement.

Kitten food salmon and sweet potato formula

We feed our cat Kirkland Salmon and sweet potato formula, which is available at Costco. However, if you prefer a different brand or do not have access to Costco, we are happy to provide you with a ziplock bag of Kirkland to help with the transition. 

For the next few weeks, it’s important to keep your kitten on this food and slowly incorporate the new kibble into their diet. Begin by sprinkling a small amount of new food in their bowl and increase it gradually, while monitoring their bowel movements. In case you notice any soft stools, reduce the amount of new food or switch back to their previous food.

Bowls and Water Fountains

Plastic cat bowls cannot be fully sanitized. Besides, as the bowl degrades, its potential danger of BPA and other chemicals leaching into your cat’s food increases, posing health risks to your feline friend. Additionally, plastic dishes sure to harbor bacteria, which can affect your cat’s health. It is essential to maintain clean pet food and water vessels to keep your cat safe and hygienic.

We use stainless steel bowls and plates for their food and water.

Our clients sometimes inquire whether their kittens require a water fountain. The answer is no, but if you obtain one, it could be engaging enrichment for your kitty. Same principles apply here, no plastic, choose ceramic and use filtered water if you don’t want clogging.

Kitten Drinking water from fountain

Please get all the food you need now, don’t wait, you want to set yourself up for success, and have everything ready for when your kitten comes home.

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When should I feed my kitten?

Kitten feed time

I free feed kibble, and clean water. I feed raw food at night after I come home from work. You can schedule your feedings as is best convenient for your household, remember as with any other transition, pace yourself if possible. 

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elements of the brochure! 

We use Pine Pellets, we buy them at Tractor Supply. Your kitten is used to living in a small space, so when you take it home please put it in a small place once you’re done petting it. A place like your bathroom, where you can put it’s litter box, water and food. Let it get used to this space and make sure it’s using the litter box before you give access to larger areas. You can change to any other type of litter if you want, but as with any changes do it slowly or be prepared to switch back if the kitten doesn’t respond well to the new type of litter.
We do NOT allow any of our buyers to declaw any of our kittens under any circumstance. Please clip your kittens nails often and provide cat trees and ample appropriate scratching surfaces. Cat trees and scratching posts are ideal for them. If your kitten scratches a piece of furniture, add scratch posts to that area.
Kittens should always have fresh water, they love fountains too. We recommend stainless steal bowls.

We use Pink Paw Pall. They have some videos on their website on how to apply the liquid solution and powder to clean your kitten’s eyes on a daily basis.

You can find everything you need here Chris Christensen Please make sure to comb your cat every day to avoid matting, if this sounds like a lot of work, it’s because it is a lot of work. It’s therapeutic and fun if you like and enjoy it, but if you don’t, you can find a good groomer or get an Exotic Shorthair Kitten instead of a Persian.

You need to degrease the coat, afterwards you need a shampoo to clean your kitten. It’s important to condition and rinse your kitten thoroughly before you blow dry completely. Please go on Youtube to watch videos on this. I use Chris Christiansen products on my kittens, they’re excellent to keep your kitten in excellent shape.

You NEED a Buttercomb from Chris Christiansen, they are expensive but you can’t do without it.

1.-Degreaser
2.-Shampoo
3.-Conditioner
4.-Tearless shampoo for face
5.-Buttercomb

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