Library/Info--> Companion Animals--> New Kitten or Cat

• Doctor.
  Call your veterinarian today and make an appointment for a check up and shots. Have your kitten spayed or neutered at 6 months of age.
• Litter
  FOR KITTENS: buy NON CLUMPING clay litter. Clumping litter can clog the kitten’s digestive system or intestinal track and kill it. Clumping litter is never recommended for kittens less than 6 months old. Buy UNSCENTED litter. Some cats won’t use litter with a scent. RECOMMENDED CLAY LITTER FOR KITTENS OR CATS: Cat Tails, yellow bag (at Earl May), unscented Country Fare (blue bag at Hy-Vee) or Pet Gold in gold bag - scented, 99% dust free - this  is a very light scent. Scoop waste from the box twice a day. Completely dump out the litter at least twice a week and rinse the box with vinegar, wash it with soap, thoroughly rinse it and dry it. Never use ammonia based cleaners - these are toxic to cats. For adult cats, if you wish to use a clumping litter, unscented Pet Gold (at Petco) is the only clumping litter with no scent. We recommend a slotted metal spoon for scooping clumping litter. The box can be dumped and cleaned once rather than twice a week if you use clumping litter.
• Litter Box
  Use a plain open litter box (no lid). A litter box for a kitten should have sides no more than 3 inches high so the kitten can get in and out of the box. At six months or older, you will want to buy a deeper box to keep litter spills to a minimum. All kittens & cats must always have access to a litter box. Keep the litter box very clean. (If you have more than one cat, you should have one more litter box than the number of cats. Example: 3 boxes for 2 cats). Remove solid waste twice a day. It is helpful to have a extra box that is clean so that you can put down a clean filled box when you pick up the soiled box to clean it. Litter should be 1/2 inch deep for kittens and 1 inch deep for cats 6 months of age and older.
• Food and water bowls
  Keep food and water bowls far away from the litter box. Cats are very clean animals and don’t like to eat near their bathroom. Each cat should have its own food bowl. Buy ceramic or metal bowls made in the USA. Plastic bowls can cause acne.Non USA ceramic and metal bowls may be unsafe as many contain high amounts of lead.
• Food
  Feed KITTEN food until the kitten is one year old. Feed only hard food. Avoid canned food for your kitten and adult cat as it will  may cause tartar on teeth. Kittens must have unlimited access to food until they are one year old. Uneaten food should be thrown out daily. Bowls should be washed at least several times a week. Feed a food recommended by your veterinarian. We suggest a high quality food. For KITTENS, feed Nutro Natural Choice (pink bag) or Wellness (Frontier Gardens in Cedar Rapids). Nutro Natural Choice and Wellness make good adult cat foods, too. Innova is another good, natural food.  Never feed Meow Mix. If you must use a non-premium food, feed Purina One or Pro Plan. Other foods purchased at grocery, discount and feed stores are not recommended.
• Water
  All kittens and cats must have fresh water available at all times. Water bowls should be dumped out and refilled with cool fresh water once or twice a day (fresh water provides the oxygen needed by cats). Make sure water bowls are clean and regularly washed. Never give a kitten or cat milk as it can cause diarrhea.
• Hazards
  Look around your house to make sure there are no kitty hazards. Likely hazards:
  • Electrical cords. Unplug anything heavy (a lamp) that could fall on your cat if it plays with the cord.
  • String and rubber bands. Never leave these around as your cat can eat them, get them caught in its intestines and die. Don't buy toys with string.
  • Coins and jewelry. Cats can eat these and choke. Please keep them in drawers.
  • Dryer. Always check the dryer before turning it on. Cats like to climb in dryers.
  • Recliner chairs and hide-a-bed. Cats can crawl into and get caught.
  • Cords. Keep curtain and blind cords on top of the window and pin them there with a clothes pin. Cats can get wrapped up in cords and strangle.
  • Bags with handles. Keep them out of reach or cut the handles. Cats can get stuck and strangle. This includes the plastic bags from grocery and other stores.
  • Stove tops. Keep cats off stove even while not in use.
  • Household cleaners and toxins. Keep these away from your cat. They are poisonous.
  • Toilets. Close the lids - cats may fall in and not be able to climb out. Toilet bowl cleaners (and tablets left in the tank) are poisonous. Keep lids closed.
  • Fireplace. Keep screens closed to keep your cat from climbing inside.
  • Doors/drawers. Cats love to get into open drawers and through open doors. Always check for your cat before opening or closing a drawer or door.
  • Plants. Some plants and flowers are poisonous to cats. These are: lilies (Easter & all varities), philodendron, azalea, tulip, dieffenbachia, hydrangea, caladuim, ivy, amaryllis, arrowhead vine, asparagus fern, cherry, pot mum, Jerusalem cherry, marble queen, mistletoe, bird of paradise, boston ivy, iris, daffodil, schefflera, chrysanthemum, creeping charlie, creeping fig, elephant ears, emerald duke, english holly, spider mum, red princess, rubber plants, spider plant, springeri fern, weeping fig. Remove these from your home.
  • Chocolate. Eating chocolate can kill a cat. Call your veterinarian immediately if your cat eats chocolate.
  • Christmas trees can topple over unless firmly anchored. Drinking Christmas tree water will poison your cat. Cats like to eat tinsel, angel hair, small pieces of ornaments and hangers. Eating tinsel and angel hair will kill your cat. Never use these. Eating ornaments can also be fatal. Poinsettias, holly and mistletoe are poisonous and must be kept out of reach.
  • Ribbons and bows. Cats can eat them, get them caught in their intestines and die.
• Play
  Play with your kitten/cat. If your kitten learns to play, it will play when it is an adult cat, too. Cats love paper balls. They love sponge balls and cat dancer toys. Cats can learn to fetch. Always supervise when your cat plays with toys that have string, cords, feathers or fur. Don’t leave these toys out as cats can strangle from eating them. If you play with your cat before bedtime, it will be more apt to sleep rather than play during the night!
• Affection
  Stroke your kitten/cat. It reminds the kitten of its mother licking it and will make for a more affectionate cat. Comb or brush your kitten so it will get used to while it is young and still enjoy it as a adult cat. This will also greatly reduce any fur on your furniture.
• Inside cat
  Keep your cat inside. Cats that go or live outside generally live much shorter lives. They can be hit by cars, injured or killed by other animals. They can be exposed to diseases such as upper respiratory disease, feline AIDS, and leukemia. They can be poisoned by antifreeze, pesticides and lawn care chemicals. Outdoor cats can also bring fleas inside.
• Scratching
  Scratching. Some cats scratch to exercise their paws. Many cats never use their claws in a destructive manner. If your kitten does not use her claws while young, she will not use them as an adult. A kitten that uses her claws while young may or may not use them as an adult. If your cat does use her claws in a destructive manner, here are some things you can do: (1) train your cat to use a sissel or woven scratching post or pad (they don't like carpeted ones as well). They like the sissel scratchers on ramps or that can be hung on door handles as well as the woven pads that look like small door mats. They seem to prefer scratchers placed on the floor. Put scratchers near napping places as cats like to stretch and exercise when they get up. If you see kitty scratching on furniture, put her on the scratcher and move her paws gently on the scratcher; and  (2) Clip her nails monthly or (3) cover her claws with "soft paws" which allow her to exercise her paws but not scratch. Soft paw kits can be purchased at pet stores or on the internet.;(4) You can also place two sided tape on the edges of upholstered furniture.  We strongly recommend against declawing. Declawing is actually an amputation of the first knuckle. There are often medical complications. If you must declaw, please do so while the cat is very young (less than one year and preferably less than 6 months old) and NEVER do all 4 paws as the cat will have no way to protect or defend itself from harm or even scratch an itch. Please find a vet who uses laser or who keeps the knuckle intact (preferred).
• Behavior
  If you wish to change a behavior such as scratching furniture or eating plants, spray your cat with a little water whenever you see it doing the behavior or distract her with a toy. NEVER yell at or hit your cat. Yelling and hitting will cause your cat to be afraid of you. Hitting can injure your cat.
• Transporting your cat
  Please purchase a carrier. The carrier should be used to take your cat to the veterinarian, for other travel or moves, or to get your cat out of the house in the event of an emergency. A medium size carrier will fit most adult cats and can be used for your kitten. Always place a towel in the carrier to give the cat a soft bed. If it is cold when your cat goes to the doctor, place a towel over the door of the carrier to protect the cat from the cold.
• Lost kitty
  Many cats are lost when they run out an open door of a house or car. Use a carrier when taking your cat in the car. Always look for your cat before opening any door. If a service person or visitors or party guests will be going in and out of your house, shut your cat in a room with litter, food and water.
• Sleeping place
  Most cats want to sleep with their humans. Some cats will sleep on a towel placed on your bed or a chair or sofa. Placing a towel in a location may encourage your cat to sleep there.