Como cuidar de um gatinho:um guia para novos pais de animais de estimação

Parabéns por adotar um gatinho! Agora que você é um novo pai de estimação, há várias coisas que você precisa considerar. O cuidado de qualidade do gatinho deve se concentrar em ajudar o animal a se adaptar ao novo lar e garantir seu bem-estar para promover um desenvolvimento saudável.

Existem vários estágios no desenvolvimento de um gatinho, e é crucial entender como as necessidades do seu animal mudam à medida que amadurecem.

Compilamos alguns conselhos úteis sobre gatinhos que cobre todos os aspectos básicos de cuidados com gatinhos que você precisa saber, incluindo:

• Como se preparar para um novo gatinho
• Como cuidar de um gatinho em cada estágio de desenvolvimento
• Marcos de cuidados com gatinhos no primeiro ano de vida
• Cuidar das necessidades básicas de um gatinho
• Como criar um gatinho social
• Como cuidar da higiene de um gatinho
• Dicas finais de cuidados com gatinhos que todos os pais de animais de estimação devem saber
• Perguntas frequentes sobre cuidados com gatinhos

Como se preparar para um novo gatinho

Tornando a casa à prova de gatinhos

Os gatinhos são brincalhões e curiosos, o que pode levá-los a problemas a menos que você tome medidas preventivas adequadas. Portanto, antes de trazer um gatinho para casa, você precisará deixar sua casa à prova de gatinhos e ficar de olho no seu novo animal de estimação para evitar que seu gatinho destrua suas coisas ou, pior ainda, se machuque.

Isso inclui:

• Inspecionar sua casa da perspectiva de um gatinho para identificar possíveis cubículos, lugares altos, itens quebráveis ​​etc.
• Protegendo seus móveis e tapetes de arranhões de gatinhos
• Protegendo cabos e fios da mastigação de gatinhos
• Proteção de armários e outros espaços inseguros
• Afastar quaisquer ingredientes venenosos e produtos de limpeza
• Varrendo sua casa em busca de itens pequenos e prejudiciais
• Remover todos os produtos químicos e ferramentas perigosas da garagem
• Mantendo seu gatinho fora do quintal e usando fertilizantes com cuidado e moderação

Lista de verificação de suprimentos essenciais para gatinhos

Quando você trouxer seu gatinho para casa pela primeira vez, você deve garantir que todos os itens da sua lista de verificação de suprimentos para gatinhos estejam no lugar.

Você precisará pensar em itens essenciais, como comida, água, tigelas, caixa de areia e uma cama de gato, além de itens não essenciais, como coleira e etiqueta de identificação, pente para pulgas, escova, cortador de unhas, poste para arranhar e brinquedos.

Traga um gatinho para casa com cuidado

Para um gatinho jovem, um novo lar com barulhos altos, cheiros desconhecidos e visões estranhas pode ser um lugar assustador. Aqui estão algumas coisas que você pode fazer para tornar o ajuste mais suave.

Dirigindo o carro

A viagem para sua casa deve ser o mais confortável possível. Coloque uma toalha você costumava esfregar os membros da família do gatinho ou até mesmo o interior do canil em uma caixa de transporte para gatos, e cuidadosamente colocava seu gatinho dentro. Remova a parte superior da transportadora em vez de empurrar o gatinho pela porta se ele se recusar a entrar.

Chegando em casa

Quando chegar em casa, coloque o gatinho e a caixa de transporte em um quarto pequeno e silencioso na casa (por exemplo, no banheiro ou na lavanderia). Permita que o gatinho saia da caixa de transporte abrindo a porta. Mantenha água fresca, comida e uma caixa de areia perto da entrada da caixa de transporte e permita que o gato explore a sala como quiser .

Apresentações iniciais

Assim que seu gatinho se acostumar com a sala silenciosa, apresente-o aos demais cômodos da casa, um de cada vez . Se você tiver outros animais de estimação, certifique-se de apresentá-los devagar e com segurança . Ao apresentar o novo gatinho, mantenha seu cão ou gato na coleira ou peça para alguém segurá-los. Permita que os animais de estimação investiguem uns aos outros e intervenha apenas se forem detectados sinais de hostilidade iminente.

Ficar em casa sozinho

Crie um ambiente seguro e protegido onde você possa deixar seu gatinho quando não puder supervisioná-lo . Uma tigela de comida, tigela de água, caixa de areia, brinquedos e um local de descanso devem estar disponíveis nesta área.

Dar as boas-vindas ao seu gatinho com amor

Acomodando-se

Evite pressionar o gatinho para sair de seu esconderijo nos primeiros dias em sua casa. Em vez disso, passe algum tempo no chão no nível do gatinho se quiser atrair seu novo animal de estimação. Além disso, em vez de se aglomerar na sala de uma só vez, permita que os membros da família visitem individualmente.

Qualquer manuseio deve ocorrer idealmente quando o gatinho o inicia durante os primeiros dias. Após as primeiras 48 horas, manuseie o gatinho por pequenas quantidades de tempo ao longo do dia, em vez de fornecer contato físico constante. Permita apenas uma interação supervisionada mínima com o gatinho no início, se você tiver crianças pequenas, para evitar que o gato seja manipulado demais.

Evitando problemas antes que eles comecem

Identificar e fornecer saídas adequadas para todas as necessidades de um gatinho é a chave para prevenir problemas de comportamento. Desde o primeiro dia em sua casa, incentivando atividades lúdicas seguras e aceitáveis vai tornar a vida muito mais fácil para você e seu gato.

Considere fornecer sessões de brincadeiras predatórias com brinquedos móveis, luzes em miniatura ou varinhas, bem como servir comida dentro de brinquedos de forrageamento e esconder guloseimas dentro de caixas ou sacos de papel para estimular o interesse do seu gatinho na investigação.

Alternativas de escalada e arranhadores ajudam a evitar a destruição de móveis . Gatos altamente sociáveis ​​e brincalhões também podem se beneficiar de ter um segundo gato sociável e brincalhão em casa, desde que uma hierarquia segura tenha sido criada.

Corrigindo comportamentos inadequados

Como os gatos podem ser criaturas exigentes, é fundamental desenvolver suas boas maneiras desde cedo. Morder, golpear e vocalização excessiva são exemplos de conduta inadequada que não deve ser tolerada.

Se seu gatinho começar a exibir esses comportamentos, saia da sala imediata e silenciosamente, interrompendo todas as interações. Reinicie as interações depois que o gatinho se acalmou e se acalmou.

Se o comportamento de um gatinho em relação a pessoas ou propriedades for inaceitável, a disciplina pode ser necessária, mas a punição deve ser evitada. Um firme "Não!" pode ser tudo o que é necessário para parar o seu gatinho. Você pode bater palmas ou fazer outro barulho alto redirecionar sua atenção.

Como cuidar de um gatinho em cada estágio de desenvolvimento

As primeiras semanas de um gatinho são um turbilhão de mudanças no desenvolvimento. Receber um novo gatinho em sua família é divertido, mas também de muita responsabilidade. Seu novo animal de estimação terá necessidades diferentes a cada semana em termos de comida, calor, assistência médica e ajuda no banheiro. É fundamental determinar que tipo de cuidados seu gatinho precisa e como ajudá-lo a se tornar um gato adulto saudável e feliz.

Como cuidar de um gatinho recém-nascido

Gatinhos recém-nascidos dependem completamente da mãe para alimentação, aquecimento, apoio no banheiro e limpeza. Você pode lidar com os gatinhos recém-nascidos por alguns minutos de cada vez se a mãe está bem com isso. O envolvimento precoce com gatos recém-nascidos pode ajudar a estabelecer as bases para um futuro companheiro feliz e bem ajustado.

Quer saber como ajudar um gato desmamado cedo demais? Kittens should ideally stay with their mothers for at least eight weeks so that they can get the full benefit of the mothers' milk, which contains important antibodies.

If a newborn kitten is orphaned, they will need to be bottle-fed with kitten formula every two hours, kept at an appropriate temperature, and stimulated to go to the bathroom.

How to take care of a 2-week-old kitten

2-week-old kittens may begin taking a dewormer . Talk with your veterinarian about a kitten deworming schedule. Your kitten’s eyes should be open by this point. If they are not open by day 10, try gently wiping the lids clean with a wash cloth.

How to take care of a 3-week-old kitten

At this age, you can place a kitten-safe litter box in their environment. 3-week-old kittens start controlling their own potty breaks, so there’s no need to specifically "train" them. If you are bottle-feeding the kittens, you can scale back to four to six hours between meals .

How to take care of a 4-week-old kitten

4-week-old kittens should become used to being around and handled by people . At this stage, you may also try introducing them to new sounds and toys . Orphan kittens of this age should be bottle-fed every five hours , including overnight.

How to take care of a 5-week-old kitten

5-week-old kittens may begin the weaning process . At this age, kittens should be offered a mix of solid kitten food mixed with kitten formula or kitten food soaked in water until soft in addition to access to their mother’s milk or a bottle if orphaned. If the kitten is weaned, food and water should be provided at all times.

How to take care of a 6-week-old kitten

If they are weaned, 6-weeks old kittens should be given plenty of wet kitten food. Ensure that they have constant access to food, water, and a suitable litter box . To protect kittens against viruses, they should receive their first FVRCP vaccine at the age of six weeks (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia).

How to care for a kitten from 2 to 3-months-old

At 2 to 3 months of age, your kitten should get their initial vaccines . They should also be eating solid canned food or kibble about 4 times a day . 8-week-old kittens can be slowly introduced to other pets .

Gently play with your kitten at least once a day so they’ll bond with you but don’t take it personally if they are not interested in playing with you. After your kitten is about 12 weeks old, they will probably be more interested in playing with objects even more than other cats. Use food and treats to teach and reward good behavior .

How to care for a kitten from 4 to 6-months-old

At 4 to 6 months of age, your kitten should eat a combination of wet and dry formulas three times per day . By the time they’re six months old, female kittens should be spayed and male kittens neutered , provided they are healthy and weigh two lb. Like humans, a kitten's first set of teeth is replaced by their adult teeth, so it is important to start and keep up with dental care regularly at home.

Kitten care milestones for the first year of life

First vet visit

During the first vet visit, the vet will ensure that your kitten is healthy and clear of parasites that can be transmitted to humans, such as intestinal parasites and fleas. Detecting viral illnesses like feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus might help you plan how they will interact with your other cats.

The vet will also check for congenital abnormalities and health issues in cat breeds like a heart murmur, hernia, or cleft palate during the physical exam, and will give your kitten a full round of immunizations and boosters, which will need to be repeated at least once a year after that.

Pet insurance enrollment

Consider enrolling in cat insurance while your feline friend is still young and healthy. Pet insurance helps you save on unexpected veterinary bills by reimbursing you for the cost of covered services.

Most insurance plans for treatments related to illnesses and/or accidents, but you can also purchase a wellness add-on to reimburse preventive care costs.

Core kitten vaccinations

Even indoor cats and kittens require protection from pathogens that can be carried in on your shoes or by other pets in your household. Core kitten vaccines include feline panleukopenia (a parvovirus, also known as feline distemper), feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and rabies.

Vaccinations should begin at 6–8 weeks of age and be repeated every 3–4 weeks until the kitten reaches the age of 16 weeks. In a year's time, this initial course will need to be boosted again, and then at intervals after that (as recommended by your veterinarian).

Microchipping

Microchipping is an essential way to identify your pet if they escape or get lost. The microchip can be inserted under the skin during vaccinations or while your kitten is sedated for spaying/neutering.

Spay or neuter procedure

Sterilization, i.e. spaying or neutering should be done before the kitten matures into an adult capable of having kittens. Female cats can become sexually mature from just four months of age, whereas males reach sexual maturity at about seven to nine months.

Preventive kitten care

Flea and tick prevention

Fleas and ticks are one of the most common parasitic dangers for cats. If left untreated, these external parasites can cause infestation, discomfort, skin issues, and disease.

There are many different safe and effective flea and tick treatment solutions for kittens available, both prescription and over-the-counter. Talk to your vet about your feline friend's lifestyle and proper flea and tick prevention .

Heartworm prevention

In addition to worms/intestinal parasites, your kitten can contract heartworms. If a cat develops heartworm disease, there’s no treatment. Therefore, we recommend consistent heartworm prevention for cats and kittens, even those living indoors .

Annual wellness exam

All cats should visit their veterinarian for a routine wellness exam at least once a year . This annual wellness exam for pets establishes a baseline of the cat's optimal physical state, allowing the primary care vet to quickly notice changes in the cat's health status during an emergency or illness.

Caring for a kitten’s basic needs

Quality nutrition

Kittens under one year should be fed high-quality commercial kitten food to make sure that a balanced diet is provided. Avoid giving unsafe food for cats and cow’s milk and instead provide access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Wet vs dry cat food

Whether you feed your kitted dry or wet cat food is a personal decision that should be based on which one best suits your kittens and your lifestyle. Both dry and wet food designed especially for kittens has extra minerals, vitamins, protein, and extra fat to help them grow big and strong.

Litter box and toileting

If possible, start out using a litter your kitten is already used to . Place the litter box in a quiet corner, away from water and food , and where your pet won’t be disturbed when they need to use the toilet. Be sure to keep the litter box clean by pooper scooping every day.

Sleep and safety

Provide a quiet and cozy area for your kitten to snuggle down safely. You can use a cardboard box lined with fleece or a comfortable bed with bedding that’s safe and can be easily washed.

Little kittens need to sleep a lot because they have a lot of growing to do. Don't wake your kitten up and wait for them to come out to play. For their own safety, consider keeping your cat indoors and away from any outdoor hazards .

Scratch posts and scratching

Scratching is normal behavior for cats to keep their nails healthy and to exhibit natural behaviors. A scratching pole (or several scratching poles) should be placed throughout the house to keep your kitten from scratching and damaging your furniture . Cover the furniture with protective material if your kitten begins to scratch it, and provide lots of appropriate alternatives to divert their scratching behavior.

Climbing and perching

You’re probably already aware that cats love to climb, so be sure to provide your kitten with a tall cat tree , preferably one with numerous raised levels for them to perch on. This will prevent your feline friend from climbing the drapes while at the same time satisfying their natural desire to be high up.

Toys and play

Another thing that kittens love is playing because it allows them to practice their hunting skills . Give your kitten a variety of safe toys to chase, toss, swat, and pounce and play with them for several minutes at a time throughout the day. This will provide your kitten with necessary activity, keep them from becoming bored, and allow them to bond with you.

Socialization

Kitten socialization is essential when it comes to raising a kitten who will become a well-behaved, healthy adult cat. However, keep in mind that cats have a very short socialization phase, which means that the first 4-16 weeks of life are a critical time for social and behavioral development .

The training and socialization your feline friend receives during kittenhood will influence how well they will interact with people and other pets when they grow up, so do everything you can to get your kitten exposed to as much as possible – strangers, loud noises, walking on leashes, other animals, children, etc. to help them become a better-adjusted adult cat. Just ensure that your kitten has a positive experience out of any socialization exposure you provide.

How to raise a social kitten

Kittens require a lot of love and interaction from their parents. The more gentle petting they receive from you, the friendlier and more social they’ll become . Every day, devote two or three sessions to petting and handling your kitten. When the veterinarian needs to inspect them, this will make them feel more at ease. Rubbing their paws and toes will help them relax when it's time to cut their claws.

Introduce your kitten to guests visiting. Try to expose your pet to people of various ages, ethnicities, sizes, and sexes as they grow up, as they might develop a fear of humans if they meet too few of them. If there are children in the house, all interactions should be supervised , and you should teach them how to handle your kitten in a safe, respectful, and proper manner.

How to take care of a kitten’s hygiene

Grooming

Introduce your kitten to a comb and brush from a young age and allow them to play with the tools so that they grow comfortable with them.

Begin grooming your baby pet as soon as possible so that the grooming sessions become a pleasurable bonding experience and a part of everyday maintenance.

Reward your pet with a treat, patting, or vocal praise for allowing you to groom them. This will teach your kitten that grooming is a good thing, making it easy for both of you.

Dental care

By the age of three, more than half of all cats will have dental problems. If left untreated, this can have a devastating impact on your feline companion's health and could result in early death due to severe inflammation, kidney disease, or heart problems.

Brushing a cat's teeth on a daily basis is ideal , but once a week is more realistic. Try to get your kitten accustomed to having their teeth brushed early on. Start by putting flavored gel treats on the toothbrush and letting your kitten lick it off, then gradually work your way up to brushing their teeth.

Cat baths

Many pet parents wonder if kittens need baths, and the answer is not really. In general, cats don’t need to be bathed on a regular basis and most of them actually find bathing quite stressful. Therefore, you should avoid bathing unless recommended by your veterinarian for medical reasons.

Final kitten care tips all pet parents should know

Don’t forget to set time aside to play with your kitten every day . Not only is playing fun, but it also alleviates boredom, reduces bad behavior, teaches your kitten coordination, and helps socialize them.

Think about whether you’re going to let your cat venture outside . Studies show that indoor felines have less risk of injuries, parasites, and infection compared to those allowed outdoors.

However, staying indoors also has risks , such as behavior problems and obesity. Partial outdoor access might be the best solution for better physical and mental wellbeing, but your cat should never be left without supervision.

FAQs on Kitten care

Where should kittens sleep at night?

The best place for a kitten to sleep is a warm, safe, and draught-free spot . For the first few nights, it's okay to keep the kitten near you .

How long do kittens sleep?

Young kittens tend to sleep more than adult cats. A kitten will often sleep for 16 to 20 hours per day and spend the rest in nonstop activity.

When do kittens start walking?

Most kittens begin walking when they’re about three weeks old , although coordination takes a bit longer. You can safely assume that a kitten who is walking and playing is at least four weeks old.

What does a kitten need?

According to AAHA, some of the most essential items your kitten will need include kitten food, bowls, litter box, brush, cat bed, toys, a scratching post or scratching pad, a safety cat collar with an ID tag, and a travel carrier.

How much to feed a kitten?

Young kittens typically eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at a time . If your kitten is underweight, the daily calorie requirement may need to be increased. If, on the other hand, your kitten is gaining too much weight too rapidly, you'll need to reduce the amount of food they are consuming.

If you are not sure how much food is enough for your kitten, talk to your vet or use our kitten feeding chart . The vet will use a tool called a body condition score to assess your pet’s weight and recommend an adequate amount of food.

How to raise a kitten to be cuddly?

According to VCA Hospitals, “In order for the cat to learn to accept and enjoy physical contact from people, it is critical that the human hand only be associated with positive experiences and that physical punishment is not used.”

Pet your kitten, speak to them in a gentle voice, scratch them behind the ears, and give them a gentle squeeze . Every cat has certain body regions that are more sensitive than others, so try to figure out where they don't want to be touched and avoid that area. Most cats are more sensitive to their bellies. For reluctant kittens, consider using treats during the petting sessions.

How do you train a kitten?

Reward-based training is the most effective and humane way to train pets , according to the RSPCA. It involves rewarding your cat when they perform a ‘desired’ behavior. Rewards can be in the form of patting, treats, or verbal praise.

When does a kitten become a cat?

Your kitten will have grown into an adult cat after a year . They will be playful and well socialized at this age, as well as healthy, with a shiny coat, strong muscles, and great hunting instincts.