Raising A Polite Kitten

Have you just adopted a baby cat? Congratulations! Kittens are beyond a doubt one of life’s greatest treasures. We suspect that it won’t take little Fluffy long to melt your heart, if she hasn’t already done so. However, kitten parenting isn’t all purrs and cuddles. You’ll need to teach your baby feline the do’s and don’ts of being a good housecat. A Leesburg, VA vet discusses raising a polite kitty in this article.

Kittens are super playful, which is one reason that they’re so entertaining. It’s impossible not to giggle when watching a frisky feline pouncing on a catnip mouse. However, your pet will want to sort out how all those claws and teeth work, and may very well try to practice on you. You definitely want to nip that habit in the bud! When little Fluffy pounces on you, tell her ‘No’ in a firm tone of voice. Then, walk away and ignore her for a while.

Sooner or later, your tiny ball of fur is going to do something she shouldn’t. She may jump on the counters, or start knocking things off the table. Don’t punish little Fluffy: that will just scare her. Instead, discourage bad behavior by doing something that will startle and annoy your mischievous pet without hurting her. Squirt her with water, stamp your foot, or make a loud noise. You can also say something like ‘No’ or ‘Bad kitty!’ in a disapproving tone. Just be consistent, and use the same phrasing every time.

If you want little Fluffy to grow into a friendly, sociable furball, you’ll need to pay lots of attention to her now. Luckily, socializing kittens is pretty fun. Offer your tiny buddy toys and treats, and spend lots of time cuddling and playing with her. The more you interact with your adorable feline friend, the more interactive she’ll become!

Scratching is an instinctive behavior in cats, so you probably won’t have much luck getting your pet not to do it. Instead, you want to focus on teaching her proper scratching habits. Get her a good scratching post, one that won’t wobble. Put toys and catnip near it to make it more appealing. Whenever you see little Fluffy using her nail-care station, reward her with treats, cuddles, and compliments.

Please contact us, your Leesburg, VA vet clinic, anytime. We are always happy to help!