check-ups

Your kitten needs good care now so he grows up to be a tough little tiger. Get him vaccinated and dewormed when he’s 8, 12, and 16 weeks old. He can be neutered (and female kittens spayed) around 6 months of age. And even if he’s an indoor cat, you’ll still want to protect him with flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.

infection protection

If other cats reside in your home, have your kitten checked for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) before meeting his new roomies. If your current cats are outdoor cats, have your kitten immunized for FeLV to keep him safe, too. Remember, if your cat even sits by a screened window where he can be exposed to another cat, he has the potential to catch FeLV.

feeding

Cats like to eat several small meals during the day, but be cautious about leaving food out constantly. You don’t want your kitten to overeat and become obese. If you place food in a cube toy, he’ll knock it around to get the kibble out, staying entertained and exercised at the same time!

litterbox

As a general rule, have one litterbox for every cat in your home, plus one extra box. Place the boxes somewhere that’s private, but that your cats can get to easily—and be sure they’re cleaned often.