How to Raise a Kitten

The first step of our guide on how to raise a kitten is the most important one: Teach them to use the litter box. Cats need privacy, especially when it comes to their toilet needs, so you must place the litter box in a secluded place which is easily accessible.

Use unscented, comfortable sand - this depends on the taste and preferences of the cat. Place the cat in the litter box after every meal so the cat can get used to this new space and concept. The cat can then associate this place as the prime spot for all their toilet and waste-related needs.

If your cat fails to use the box, as a last resort you should put it away in a room until your kitten gets used to its presence. If the kitten does leave a nasty surprise on the ground, place it in the litter box so they can associate this place with their needs.

Do not forget to reward the cat when they have learned to use the litter box. Avoid scolding if accidents occur, since it will lead the cat to go to the bathroom everywhere and anywhere. Finally keep the litter box clean by performing a deep cleaning at least once a week.

Kittens learn by playing. This is how they learn that some acts can have consequences; for example, in the case of biting. Cats usually learn that there is a limit to biting while they are with their siblings and mother. If it has not been possible with your cat, they might have a tendency to bit. Show them the limit; never hit or hurt your cat, but do give them a little pinch until they squeal. This way, the kitten will realize they have cause pain.

Cats are quickly tired, so their attention for play will not be too long. Spend at least 15 minutes twice a day playing with your kitten. Use a brightly colored ribbon or a laser pointer for the cat to chase; specialized stores have plenty of toys they will love. Here is a guide on the best toys for cats.

Be coherent in your reactions. If you scold your cat in different ways, what you do is create confusion, so you should always use the same word or phrase. If you are going to discipline your pussy, do it immediately after the event has occurred. This way, the cat will understand they have done something wrong.

If you leave a long time between the kitten's action and scolding, it makes no sense to punish them. They will not associate the scolding with what has been done, but rather with what they are doing at that time.

Give your kitten a scratching place. Cats scratch things to wear down their sharp claws and to mark their territory. To prevent any nasty damage to your furniture, you should set up a scratching post and spray it with catnip, a herb that will make your cat be excited for a few minutes. If you find your kitten scratching something, take them immediately to the scratching post, to help it make the association. As you can see, the best way of raising a kitten is through coherence and repetition.

Of course you must not forget to trim your cat's claws, especially if your kitten does not go outside, as these tend to grow much faster. Additionally, give the cat a place to climb; the kitten will have fun and it will prevent them from climbing other objects.

Respect the kittens's space. If a cat needs love, they will let you know. You should not force it, since it would provoke a bad reaction and the cat may adopt a defensive posture.

If your kitten bites or scratches, teach them by leaving them in a room with the door closed for 5 minutes. Moreover, within the next 20 minutes you should not feed or pet them. Another technique is to place water in a spray bottle and spray the cat when it does something wrong, but try to do it without being seen - otherwise you will be associated with this horrible sensation.

Rewards are very important. As we established at the beginning, cats need something that will encourage them - they are not famous for being generous or trying to please. Train a kitten by teaching them to be interested in good behavior.

Additionally, you must accustom the kitten to eating only their food - so avoid giving your pussy scraps under the table every time you're eating, or they will start meowing if you do not surrender your food. Therefore, the treats you use to reward your kitten should be especially made for cats.

Other tips you can follow to train a kitten are:

• Establish the rules: If you've decided that your cat should not jump on the beds, instruct them not to do so. If you let your kitten do it just the once, then they will not take you seriously again.

• Never hit your cat. This will not benefit the relationship between the cat and you, and they might lose their trust and respect for you.

• Restrict treats, as this can affect your cat's weight considerably. Moreover, they would not be an incentive for your kitten anymore.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Raise a Kitten, we recommend you visit our Pets category.