Kitten Commitment

Who’s she, the cat’s mother? Not quite, but you are responsible for your kitten’s health, well-being, behaviour, comfort and safety. So how can you be a ‘good mother’ and help him to grow up gracefully? Here are some key areas to focus on.

Teach him good manners.

An important part of your kitten’s training is helping him to behave well towards others. No visitor is likely to say "Isn’t he cute?" when being used as a scratching post. Deciding to dig up your neighbour’s plants or fishing in their pond won’t make either of you very popular either.

Legally, you’re not accountable for your kitten’s actions, but it’s important to prevent him causing damage. Read up on local bylaws about cat ownership and be sure to follow them.

Fortunately, learning is easy for a young kitten and he will respond well to positive reinforcement. Make sure you praise him when he does well and ignore any bad behaviour. Be kind, but firm. And never treat ‘naughtiness’ as a joke or you could end up with an unruly adult whose scratching, or biting won’t seem quite so funny.

Cultivate good habits

As a responsible pet owner, there are certain good habits you need to develop in your home along with a daily routine so he can distinguish between playtimes and quiet times.

Keep your kitten's living and sleeping areas comfortable and dry at all times, and have plenty of fresh drinking water available each day. Make sure he has his own litter tray and remove soiled litter daily to reduce the risk of bacteria. And ensure he’s getting enough exercise by encouraging playtimes with safe, enjoyable toys.

Grooming is another important daily routine and can help prevent external parasites and skin problems. Kittens like to groom themselves by licking but this can lead to hairball problems. Brushing him for a few minutes each day will reduce the risks before they become serious, and he’ll love the attention.

Be sure to be safe

Invest in a secure cat carrier. Kittens can panic when they’re out of their home environment and may even try to escape. And never leave your kitten in the car. Cars can become very hot, even on moderately warm days, and he could suffer badly or even die from heat exhaustion.

Finally, if you don’t want your kitten to breed when he grows up, have him neutered early. It not only prevents unwanted pregnancies but also improves behaviour by reducing roaming, urine marking and aggression between male cats. It can also greatly enhance the quality and length of his life since neutered pets tend to live longer than non-neutered ones.