New kitten?

Question

im getting a kitten in a week and i have a few qs..
how many times do u need to feed it.?
I know u have to pay it alot of attention but does this mean it will have to be with me 24/7?
does its litter box smell bad?
umm and if anyone can give me any more info on a new kitten plz do
thanks

Answer 1

How OLD is your kitten going to be when you bring it home? A four week old kitten (really too young to be removed from the mother) needs much more care than a 12 week old kitten. When you get your kitten (from the 'original owner' I hope) as them how often and what brand of 'kitten food' they were feeding the kitten, then 'start it' on that ... if it's not a good, healthy brand name, then you may 'switch' kitten foods by putting 90% old food and 10% new food in for three days, then upping the new food another 10% every three or four days until it's getting ALL new food.

NEVER give a cat or kitten cream, milk or more than a 'lick or two' of ice cream. Cow's milk is not good for cats, and can give them diarrhea.

Your kitten will sleep 20 hours a day ... and you don't have to be with it when it is asleep ... and you may only 'keep an eye on it' when it's awake. Kittens are extremely curious, and yours may jump, climb or wiggle into 'bad places' it won't be able to escape from ... or, like mine did, get 'made up' into the bedding in a way that you can't 'see it' ... it's sleeping soundly for hours in the bedding, or in the linen closet, while you are hunting high and low, and wondering if it 'got out' and is lost.

Yes, a litter box can smell 'bad' ... but not if you give it a quick daily 'sifting' and take out the wastes, and totally replace the litter once or twice a week. Since you are getting a kitten, you may be able to use a 'low cardboard box' (like the boxes that are cut low to show 6-packs of soda) until it's 'tall enough and strong enough to jump into and out of a 'regular cat box. Not EVERYONE uses a plastic box ... some people buy turkey roasters, others want 'silver' metal, and some even just change the whole box (usually cardboard) that has been lined with plastic, every time they change the litter.

Kittens need and love to play ... but buy only one 'fur or flannel mouse' and tie a piece of 'crumpled paper' onto a long string (with you at the other end) at first. Also a good 'ball' with a bell inside' since kittens love 'noise' and balls ... but after awhile you will notice that your kitten plays more with one type of toy ... that should be the one you buy 'multiples of' and only one or two of the others. I've had cats that HATED any 'bought toy' but simply loved playing with a round flat gold circle (someone's earring that broke) tied to a string. I even kept it 'tied to a chair' because the cat always loved to 'bat it' when passing, even when I wasn't around to play with it.

Teach your cat 'good manners' from the very beginning ... if you don't want a 'full sized cat' on the couch, then don't let the kitten climb onto the couch. If you don't want it climbing the curtains, when you see it climbing them remove it immediately and say NO in a firm but low voice, the point it away from the curtains. You may even teach it to 'ask for food' or not ask for food ... that's up to you. Young cats are much easier to 'teach' than full grown cats, so decide now what you want your cat to 'do' when it's older, and 'teach it' the way you want it to be when it's adult.

One last thing ... I DO NOT BELIEVE IN OUTDOOR CATS, nor in INDOOR/OUTDOOR cats (balconies they can't get down from may be considered 'indoors' if you train them not to 'jump' from them) ... and NO CAT should EVER wear a collar or harness unless there is a leash and you are 'walking it' outside. Cats love to 'crawl through' very tight spaces, and they can 'catch' their collars on things that 'poke out' and can strangle themselves trying to escape or die because they can't be seen/heard/reached.

Get your cat 'fixed' and take it to the vet when it needs it. Get it's shots, and have it properly licensed. And last, even if yours is only going to be an 'indoor cat' get it a 'device' (the size of one grain of rice) that can be scanned and read, because if your cat DOES 'escape' at any time, that device may be the ONLY THING that can identify that cat as yours.

Answer 2

You'll need to feed it every few hours, like 4 hours or so, depending how young it is. It will tell you if it's hungry and there's no food, don't worry.

You won't need to be with the cat 24/7, the kitten will sleep about 20 of those 24 hours, just make sure to be there when he plays to allow for some safe playing and provide some TLC and petting and grooming and discipline.

The litter box won't smell too bad if changed daily. If it's in the main room and the cat has just gone for a poop, well it will smell like poop, but then the kitten will cover it and it won't be too bad.

Look up on the internet some sites on how to take care of kittens, good luck!

Answer 3

Cats like to eat a little bit at a time, so if you buy a bowl and fill it every day (or every other, depending on his or her eating habits: intake, when, etc.).

A kitten definitely requires more attention than an adult cat, but it can manage on its own for a while. When you get home from an outing give it lots of cuddling and the sorts.

The litter box WILL smell bad if

1) You don't clean it often enough

OR

2)If he or she doesn't cover it (rare, but my cat does it sometimes)

Observe your kitten's personality in the first few weeks. Make sure he's energetic, if he's lazy, he could have a cold or something. Kittens are usually very playful. Determine his or her's dislikes and favorites.

Have fun with your kitten!

Answer 4

Well I have 5 cats so I think I can help you. I would get the food for a kitten, like kitten chow and on the box it tells you how much to feed the kitten and I would also get canned food as well. Kittens and cats need both. I would feed the canned food in the morning and evening and just have a small bowl of dry so it can nibble when he feels like it and keep a bowl of fresh water as well. With the litter box, get the scoop able , Tidy cat is great and scoop daily and no it does not stink I wouldd get one with a hood and keep in the same place, I woul start with a kitten litter box until it gets older. When you have est a place for the litter box, just place him in it one time and after that he will know were to go. Get toys for him to play with as well.

Answer 5

Leave kitten chow out for it all day during the first couple months. Then only feed twice a day.



It does not need to be with you 24/7.



Litter boxes only smell bad if you use the wrong litter, if you don't scoop it every day and once every two weeks, you need to dump out all the litter, clean the box and fill it with fresh litter. Google search "New Kitten"

Answer 6

If you keep the bedding clean, the kittens learn NOT to use the bedding for their bathroom. This will make sandbox training much easier.

The best time to train a cat how to be held is when they are kittens. We easily train all of our kittens to be held upside down (like a baby) by being consistent. Every time you pick the kitten up, hold it so that the kitten feels secure, so that it can´t fall. Holding kittens must be done the same way, every day so they will learn you won´t drop them. This is critical: you must hold them the same way, every day.

When caring for orphaned kittens, remember that you are replacing their mother who does everything for them during the first three weeks. This includes cleaning them.

You will need to get a good textured wash cloth- like terrycloth- to simulate the mother´s tongue. Get the wash cloth wet with very warm water: it should be wet, but not dripping. Gently wash the kitten´s face by moving across the eyes and nose area. After the face, gently wash the genital area, this will stimulate the bladder to work, and in the later weeks, teach the kitten to clean itself after a bowel movement.

These are just simple steps. but yes cat boxes will smell if you don't clean them right... they are kittens and will require alot of attention. if you decide to ignore it, it will grow up to not like people as much as it would if you pay attention to it while it growing.

Answer 7

If you keep the bedding clean, the kittens learn NOT to use the bedding for their bathroom. This will make sandbox training much easier.

The best time to train a cat how to be held is when they are kittens. We easily train all of our kittens to be held upside down (like a baby) by being consistent. Everytime you pick the kitten up, hold it so that the kitten feels secure, so that it can´t fall. Holding kittens must be done the same way, every day so they will learn you won´t drop them. This is critical: you must hold them the same way, every day.

When caring for orphaned kittens, remember that you are replacing their mother who does everything for them during the first three weeks. This includes cleaning them.

You will need to get a good textured wash cloth- like terrycloth- to simulate the mother´s tongue. Get the wash cloth wet with very warm water: it should be wet, but not dripping. Gently wash the kitten´s face by moving across the eyes and nose area. After the face, gently wash the genital area, this will stimulate the bladder to work, and in the later weeks, teach the kitten to clean itself after a bowel movement.

These are just simple steps. but yes catboxes will smell if you dont clean them right... they are kittens and will require alot of attention. if you decide to ignore it, it will grow up to not like people as much as it would if you pay attention to it while it growing.

Answer 8

Just leave food down all the time. Kitten will not over eat.

Still pay attention to it. Cats need lots of love too.

Litter box does smell sometimes so get some kind of deodorizer for it. For litter box's (found at all grocery stores)



Enjoy the new member of your family :)

Answer 9

how many times do u need to feed it.? - depends on how old it is. Should have food out all the time, but make sure it eats at least three times a day if young.



I know u have to pay it alot of attention but does this mean it will have to be with me 24/7? Nope, but it will look to you for the attention it won't get from mom and siblings anymore.



does its litter box smell bad? Only if you don't clean it out.

Answer 10

1. Well you should give them the choice to eat and drink whenever they want. Like put a food and water bowl out and make sure its always full because if you have a scheduled time, what if there not hungry or thirsty? They say if you let anyone eat and drink whenever they want, they will develop a better appetite but don't force them to eat and drink because thats not good for them.

2. You do not have to pay attention to them 24/7 because cats like to be alone alot of the time.

3. Yes, it does but make sure the litter isn't scented because cats hate that.

Extra Info: If you start to let them out side make sure when they start you watch them.

Have fun with your new kitten!!!!

Answer 11

You should feed it 3 or 4 times per day, if the kitten is a baby

If you clean its box, it wont smell bad. Clean it one time during 3 days.

bathe the kitten after it has 4 months of live.

Answer 12

well first of all, it's best if the kitten is old enough to eat solids. if it's not, you'll have to bottle feed it. if you will bottle feed, DO NOT feed it cow's milk. causes diarreah and doesn't have all the nutrients that kittens need. you can get formula for the kitten at pet stores (brands: KMR; Just Born). or check out some web sites for recipes (ie. kittenrescue.org). you do have to stimulate the kitten. afterall, it's a baby. but, you don't have to be with the kitten 24/7. kitten's are always entertained. hold a string to it and they're good for hours. but it's really nice to play with them. they get real familiar with you. peek-a-boo's a good game.

if you let the poop accumilate, yea it will smell. but, poop smells. just be sure to keep it clean and you should be fine. but, since it's a kitten, watch out for strange color, or tecture. also, it's best if you take the kitten to the vet asap.

Answer 13

how many times do u need to feed it.?

maybe 3 times a day



I know u have to pay it alot of attention but does this mean it will have to be with me 24/7?

no but you will have to spend a lot of time with it and it depends on what age u get it at. try giving it an item of your clothing in its bed so it gets to know your smell



does its litter box smell bad?

yes very very bad try getting kitty litter that's anti-Oder but it'll still smell.



umm and if anyone can give me any more info

play with it lots give it affection kittens are great they

and milk constipates them so be care full!

Answer 14

kittens have smalll stomachs, so they need to be fed often in small amounts. spend a lot of time with it at first, and after time, in accordance with your schedule, slowly begins leaving more frequent or for longer periods of time. how the cat reacts to being alone will depend on its temperament. When cleaning the litter box, which needs to be cleaned often, fumes from the litter may escape. it depends on the type of litter, though.

Answer 15

Try the web-site below that I found for you, seems to have tons of info! :0) And cat litter only smells bad when you dont clean it, and try getting litter deoterizer and crystal blend cat litter....it picks most of the smell. Good luck and have fun with ur new cat!

Answer 16

You will need to feed it little,but often. The kitten should be on solid foods. Go down to your local vet and pick up one of the leaflets. I would also consider getting pet insurance. If the kitten is too young to leave its mother wait.



If you need advice you really need to talk to a vet or rescue centre.

Answer 17

if you leave a bowl of food out it should eat on its own as long as you show it where it is and don't move it and also dont feed it can wet food it makes them smell and no you dont need to keep them with you 24/7.

Answer 18

most kittens need to be feed alot soo that goes into yes youll have to be there alot.but mostly about 4 times aday they eat when they want. and yes it dose smell reallly really bad.