Avoid These Common First Time Kitten Owner Mistakes

If you are considering adopting a kitten, you are not alone. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, approximately 25.4 percent of American households own at least one cat. If you have never cared for a kitten before, there are some rookie mistakes that can harm your cat or make it more difficult to properly care for your new furry friend. Here are a few common first-time kitten owner mistakes you should avoid.

Separating the Kitten from Their Mother Too Early

Those first few weeks a kitten has with their mother is critical for several reasons. In addition to ensuring the kitten gets the proper nutrition it needs to grow and thrive, being with their litter mates also teaches a kitten some invaluable social skills. Your kitten will learn how to play with their litter mates and how to explore their surroundings.

Separating a kitten from its mother too early can stunt the kitten's social development. This means that if you have other kittens or cats, your kitten will not know how to play properly. Talk to your veterinarian to determine the right age to adopt a kitten.

Letting Your Kitten Wander Outside

Kittens are naturally curious creatures who like to explore their surroundings. However, you need to make sure that your kitten stays inside your home. Additionally, you also need to ensure that your kitten also needs to stay indoors as they age, as well. There are several dangers present outdoors that can hurt or even kill your cat.

Your cat could accidentally be taken by someone assuming the kitten was homeless, be hit by a vehicle, or pick up parasites or infections that your cat could spread to the other animals in your home. Instead, keep your kitten indoors at all times.

Not Getting Your Kitten Spayed or Neutered

Finally, one of the biggest mistakes that first-time kitten owners make is not having their kitten spayed or neutered. In addition to ensuring that the exploding pet population does not become even worse, having your kitten neutered or spayed has other benefits. For example, in many instances, a kitten who is fixed at the proper age will have less inclination to wander outside of the home looking for a mate and will often be less aggressive to the other pets in your home.

Talk to your veterinarian about the proper age to have your kitten spayed or neutered.

From allowing their kitten to wander outside to taking the kitten away from their mother too early, there are several mistakes that first-time kitten owners make. Make sure to contact a veterinary hospital such as Angel Pet Hospital for more information.

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