Kitten Care - Online Tutorial

Homecoming is the most exciting day of all, for both your new kitten and your family, including any existing animals. It will be difficult to keep a "hands off" policy for awhile, but your furbaby will need some time to accustom himself to such a dramatic life change.

The First Few Days

Introducing Kitten to Your Family

Your method of introduction will vary slightly, depending on whether or not there are existing cats in the household. But "slow" and "easy" are always good guidelines for any dramatic changes in cats' lives. They are as resistant to change as most humans are.

Health Matters

The First Vet Visit

Your kitten's first veterinary visit is a critical part of his introduction. Even if he has already had "kitten shots," your veterinarian will need to examine him to have a baseline record on file.

If there are other cats in the family, isolate your kitten in his "safe room" until he has been cleared by your veterinarian.

Spay and Neuter

Your kitten may already have been spayed or neutered by a rescue organization, breeder, or animal shelter. If so, you're "home free" and can skip this section.

However, if the kitten is still "whole," and you are wavering or even worried about this surgery, read the articles listed here to learn more about the necessity of spay and neuter.

Next > Much more on nutrition and food.

Kitten Care Course Navigation

1. Preparing for Your New Kitten
2. Introducing Your New Kitten to Your Household <--You are Here
3. Food and Nutrition for Your New Kitten
4. Grooming and Maintence of Your Kitten
5. Training and Discipline of Kittens
6. Playing With Kittens
7. Indoors vs Outdoors
8. Your Kitten's First Year