kitten

Congratulations! Now you're ready to start learning the ABC's of caring for your new kitten.

Your veterinarian is the best source of information about your kitten. But this site is an easy way to start building a healthy, happy life for your pet.

We want your kitten to be as healthy as it can be. That's why we recommend Hill's formulated Science Diet brand pet food products with complete and balanced nutrition,including Healthy Defense System, which provides your kitten with important antioxidants to help avoid disease and maintain immune system function

So keep browsing our site to begin learning more important information about your pet. And again, Congratulations on your new kitten!

A Name! - Short names are easier for your kitten to recognize.

Identification - Every year, millions of companion animals are lost, so identification is a must. Include both your name and phone number on an easily readable tag. As an added measure, you may also choose microchip insertion.

Food & water dishes - Ceramic and stainless steel are recommended.

Collar - Safety collars are available. Any collar should fit snugly, but allow for 1-2 fingers width of space between the neck and collar.

Grooming aids - A brush that is adequate for your kitten's hair length and a mild shampoo are necessities.

Toys - They should be large enough and sturdy enough that they can't be swallowed or chewed. Catnip is also a quite a bit of fun.

Bedding - Soft bedding, like towels or blankets, placed in cozy corners will encourage your kitten to sleep there.

Carrier - The best way to transport and travel with your kitten.

Litter box materials - You'll need a litter box, cat litter and a scoop.

Cats are, by nature, curious creatures. You don't have to curb this lifestyle, but you do have to be prepared for it.

Store all poisonous or dangerous materials in a tightly closed cabinet.

Keep toilet lids down. Your kitten could fall in.

Store plastic bags in a drawer where your kitten can't get to them. Kittens love to bat a bag around, but bags pose a threat of choking and suffocation.

Keep household odds and ends, like string, sewing supplies, rubber bands, twist-ties, etc., away from your kitten as they are easily swallowed.

Electrical cords should either be tacked to the wall or wound up and bound so your kitten won't risk getting shocked.

Hazardous Houseplants

Lilies (all kinds)

Azaleas

Daffodils

Leaves & stems of tomato plants

Foxglove

Hydrangea

Philodendrons

Mistletoe & Pointsettia

Check with your veterinarian for a complete list.

The right start is so important. The proof is in the pet food. And the food you choose to feed your kitten during the first year is critical to its adult development, health and growth.

Science Diet brand pet food is specially designed by Hill's veterinary nutrionists to provide all the nutrition your kitten needs. Feeding a food that's nutritionally balanced, without excesses or deficiencies, helps avoid health problems. And a food fortified with antioxidants provides extra protection from disease. Feeding the right food throughout its life also helps your cat avoid adult diseases like obesity and diabetes, as well as organ damage.

If your kitten is currently eating a brand other than what your veterinarian recommends, he or she will explain how to gradually transition your kitten's food to a new one.

Potentially, you'll be faced with many cat food choices. But we recommend Science Diet for your kitten.

Our veterinarian's recommend Science Diet and can help you choose the formula that's right for your pet during every stage of life. Our veterinarian will also explain how to gradually transition your kitten's food to a new one. Go to your veterinarian today with any questions you may have about your pet's health and nutrition needs.

Science Diet Feline Growth is enhanced to provide appropriate levels of antioxidants for the most advanced nutrition. It works like this: pollution, UV light, etc. coupled with your kittens metabolism, create free radicals every day. Free radicals attack cells, causing damage, which can result in a weakened immune system and possibly serious diseases.

The antioxidants (VitaminsE & C, Beta carotene and selenium) in the Healthy Defense System have been shown to reduce the damage caused by free radicals. The help maintain your pet's immune system and help protect it against the risk of disease.

The Healthy Defense System is just one more nutritional line of defense in Science Diet dry products. Remember, starting early is important for lifetime protection

Know what is considered normal and healthy, report and abnormalities to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Look to your veterinarian for the best advice on all your kitten's ailments.

EYES: Should be bright and clear. Any discharge in the corners should be gently removed using a cotton ball soaked in warm water, wiping away from the eye.

EARS: Should be clean in appearance and free of discharge and odor. Ear problems are painful and can cause hearing loss if not treated.

NOSE: Should be clean and without discharge or sores.

MOUTH: The gums should be pink and healthy. Teeth should be clean and tartar-free. Bad breath equals poor dental health. Check lips for sore or growths.

COAT: Your kitten's coat should be shiny and clean.

WEIGHT: Do a rib check - With your hands facing down, thumbs on your cat's spine, run your hands along its sides. Can't easily feel its ribs? Your pet is overweight and at risk for health problems. Consult your veterinarian for nutritional advice.

Every year in the United States, between four and six million companion animals end up in animal shelters. Many of these animals are euthanized.

Research has shown that spayed or neutered pets live longer. Sterilizing your pet also reduces the risk of certain types of cancer and other health problems. We encourage you to have your pet spayed or neutered early in life in order to help address the problem of pet population and ensure cats and dogs in the U.S. are not treated as if they are disposable.

Give us a call to discuss the advantages of spaying and neutering your pet today.

All pets must be up-to-date on their vaccinations 1 week prior to surgery date.

POUNCING ON COUNTERS AND FURNITURE: If you find your kitten jumping on areas you'd rather it didn't, remove it from that area and place it in a favorite spot that is already familiar and a place you approve.

TEACHING YOUR KITTEN: Don't ever hit or yell at your kitten. Instead, try squirting it with a water bottle when it misbehaves. Afterwards, look away from your cat so that it associates this action with its bad behavior.

URINATING OUTSIDE THE LITTER BOX: There may be times when your kitten has urinated outside of its litter box. There can be several reasons why.

The first is easily fixable: clean and change the litter. Your cat may consider the litter box not clean enough to use. Be sure you are providing enough litter boxes for each of your cats to use.

Accidents can signal a more serious problem. Your cat may be suffering from a feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), a common and potentially serious problem.

Symptoms: Discomfort and straining, bloody urine, urination in small amounts and frequent trips to the litter box. This condition can be managed effectively if caught during the early stages. However, death can result within two to three days if the urethra becomes blocked. If your cat shows any of these signs, please call our clinic to set up an exam with one of our Doctors today @ (636) 528-5099

Exercise: is vital to your kitten's physical and mental health. Fitness is also the first step in avoiding obesity and the problems that come with it. Kittens love exercise - as well as the added attention they get from spending time with you. In fact, most cats get their exercise naturally through play.

Some safe toys that kittens generally enjoy are catnip sewed into a cloth bag and socks tied in a knot at the top.

Although they've been associated with cats at play for years, string, thread, and balls of yarn are actually dangerous. If eaten, they can get lodged in the intestinal tract.

* During winter, keep your cat's paws free of snow and melting chemicals like salt. They can irritate footpads and mouth.

* Pets like the smell and taste of antifreeze, which can be fatal if ingested in even small amounts. "Pet safe" antifreeze is available and less toxic to your kitten.

For more information on your new kitten please call us at Lincoln County Animal Hospital, our staff will make every effort to get the right answers for you.