If you feel strongly that a kitten would be a welcome addition to your home, be sure to read Chapters 2, 3, and 4, where I help you weigh your kitten options: indoor versus outdoor, registered versus random bred, longhaired versus short, adopting from a shelter versus responding to an ad and so on.

Keeping Kitten Healthy

A healthy kitten doesn't just happen. As the owner, you need to be proactive, because your kitty can't tell you when she feels sick. You should start as soon as you bring her home - maybe even before. Take the kitten to get checked out within the first week at home; or before you bring her home if you have other cats. If you don't have a vet already, check out Chapter 6.

You need to play voyeur when your kitten poops and pees, feel for lumps and bumps during her monthly exam (see Chapter 10), and watch for signs she's just under the weather. Take her to the vet annually and keep her current on her vaccinations. You can find out about the most common and deadly viruses and their vaccinations in Chapters 9 and 10.

You must make some important decisions about your kitten's health and well-being. One of the most important decisions you can make about your kitten's future is whether to have him (or her) fixed. Just a simple snip as early as 8 weeks old can mean the difference between your boy cat peeing on the wall or properly in the litter box. If you decide not to spay your girl, you may get less sleep because every few weeks she's going to keep you awake all night yowling because she's in heat. And early altering prevents several forms of cancer and other illnesses.

As with kids, kittens occasionally get sick or hurt. They're still young and vulnerable, with immature immune systems. You can find more detailed information on common kitten illnesses in Chapter 9 and about responding in case of emergencies in Chapter 20.

REMEMBER

Keeping kitty healthy takes more than vaccinating and worming - you need to exercise him mentally and physically to keep him entertained and out of trouble. I tell you how to wear him out when you're home and while you're away in Chapter 15, so he wants to snooze at the same time you do.

Keeping Kitten Happy

Kittens keep you on your toes and challenge your imagination. You're going to need to put some effort into keeping your new friend safe and entertained. You need to search your home for objects, chemicals, and plants that have the potential to hurt your kitten. You also need to find out the difference between food that nourishes your kitten and something that can harm him. You need to give him things to do and introduce him to the house rules.

Preparing for a warm homecoming

Like a newborn baby coming from the hospital, your kitten needs some accessories to make life easier for him and you. Start your shopping spree by buying a cat carrier so you can bring him home in safety. You can find out about all the cool stuff kittens need in Chapter 5. In Chapter 6 I tell you how to set up a safe room - a small quiet room where he can feel secure as he gets acquainted with your family.

TIP

Before you bring your kitten home or as soon as possible afterward, get down on your hands and knees and think like a kitten. Remove everything you can find that the new king of the house can chew, swallow, push over, or get tangled in. Pick up any loose string, loose screws, rubber bands, toxic plants, and so on. Chapter 8 has a long list of dangerous things to watch out for when kitten-proofing your home.

Feeding to keep him fit and trim

Feed your kitten a quality diet. Spending a few extra cents per meal on better food is like collecting dividends on an investment. After all, it keeps your kitten healthier, and that pays off big when she gets older. Find out all about the best foods to feed your kitten in Chapter 7.

Occupying his every waking hour

Kittens aren't as high maintenance as puppies are, but they still need plenty of love, attention, and patience. Taking the time for the right kind of play helps you bond with your kitten. It also makes her less likely to seek out trouble around the house.

Opening Your Home to an Orphan

Few things tug at your heart the way a lost or orphaned kitten does. So I give you the lowdown on what to do when you come across a needy little kitten. In Chapter 16 I tell you what to do and where to turn for help when trying to rescue a weaned kitten, and in Chapter 17 I go over how to raise a bottle baby. I also give you some tips on health and behavioral issues that orphans have in Chapter 18. Finally, in Chapter 19, I tell you what to do with your little friend when he gets big enough to live without your constant attention and help you decide whether you want to keep him or find a new home. Raising an orphan is a lot of work, but the process isn't as complicated as most people think.

Forget dog years: What's that in cat years?

Did you know that an inside kitten can live for 15 to 20 years? Forget the old wives' tale that one trip around the sun equals 7 kitty years. The following table shows you how your kitten's years really tick along.

Cat Years Human Years Cat Years Human Years

1 15 12 36

2 24 15 76

5 36 18 88

6 45 21 100

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Kittens For Dummies by Dusty Rainbolt Excerpted by permission.
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