How To Keep A Kitten Healthy And Safe
ShareIf you just got a kitten, or you plan on getting one, then you want to learn all you can about how to ensure they stay safe and healthy. This article will help you to have a much better understanding of things you should do to ensure that you are giving your new kitten the best start in life possible.
Keep your kitten indoors
One of the best things you can do to ensure your kitten lives a long and healthy life is to consider making it an indoor cat. As long as you raise your kitten indoors and don't allow them to investigate the outdoors, they should grow to be content with their indoor life, and it will be safer for them. Indoor house cats tend to live longer than outdoor cats. An indoor cat has an average lifespan of 14 years, while outdoor cats have an average lifespan of just 7 years. This is due to outdoor cats having an increased chance of getting hit by cars, getting sick and even getting injured by another animal.
Get your kitten vaccinated
You want to make sure your cat is vaccinated. They will need their initial shots and then booster shots. Even if you plan on keeping your cat inside, you want to make sure they are vaccinated in case they accidentally get outside and so you don't track germs into your home that can make them sick. When you take your kitten in for their first series of shots, the vet will let you know when you will need to bring them back in for their booster shots.
Get your kitten spayed or neutered
If you have a male kitten, then it should be neutered. If you get a female kitten, then it will need to be spayed. Neutering and spaying is the act of having your kitten fixed so it can't reproduce. However, there are also other benefits that come with having your kitten fixed.
When a cat is fixed, it won't have a strong desire to go outside to find a mate. This desire gets very strong when a female cat is in season, or when a male cat senses a female in season nearby. Also, male cats that aren't neutered can start spraying on your furniture and this will smell up your home and leave you wanting to make them an outside cat.
Un-fixed cats will also fight with other cats in the neighborhood. Inside un-spayed females in the house will cause makes in the neighborhood to try to get inside your house. Fixing your cat is not only the responsible thing to do, but it also helps you enjoy your cat more. To learn more, contact veterinary hospital like Norwin Veterinary Hospital.